TRIPAWDS: Home to 22971 Members and 2152 Blogs.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG

Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.

JUMP TO FORUMS

Join The Tripawds Community

Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:

Instant post approval.

Private messages to members.

Subscribe to favorite topics.

Live Chat and much more!

Please consider registering
Guest
Search
Forum Scope


Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Register Lost password?
sp_Feed sp_PrintTopic sp_TopicIcon-c
My Chan Man is limping:-(
sp_NewTopic Add Topic
Orrtanna Pa.
Member Since:
25 January 2014
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
1
28 February 2015 - 3:07 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

It started last week when I took him to the vet for a pesky skin infection. He gets them about twice a year as his allergies get him scratching and inevitably he will break out in rad patches that I now recognize as Staph. Ugggg!  He stumbled and skittered to get in my car. He acted normal at vet, but was limping a bit on his front leg when I got him home that night. I noticed it again last night and again today. Seems to be mostly when he first gets up from laying down. I am scared ! I cannot do this again. I keep telling myself that all limping is not cancer. He is 11&1/2 so he is older. Maybe it is arthritis. I know he has a bit in the back legs.he really struggles to get up sometimes. I figure I will call the vet on Monday if he is not better. He is not whimpering, as a matter of fact, he is laying here at my feet sleeping peacefully. How I have changed. When TY started limping, my first thought was arthritis, now with Chandler, my first thought is cancer. He does not yelp when I touch it. I can just tell he is favoring it a bit. He is walking on it, not holding it up or anything. Seems to be in the wrist area, but not really sure. I am hoping I can just get him some NSAIDS and that is all it takes. It has not even been a whole year since I lost my TY Guy, I can't lose my Chan Man on his heels

TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed  and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater. 

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
2
28 February 2015 - 3:22 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Lori, as Sally likes to say, b r e a t h e. Don't panic. In all likelihood it's his age and some related arthritis. He could have slipped on ice or the weather is just making him feel achy. Make sure he rests until you can see the vet, I'm going to bet this is just a matter of controlling some age-related aches and pains. Keep us posted.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
3
28 February 2015 - 9:22 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Understand your emotions completely...we all do!!

HOWEVER, in this case w ith big sweet Chan being a very "mature" fella AND, having stumbled and "skittered" when getting in the car...yep, aounds like a bit of arthritis flaring up to me...along with a ppssible bit of a strain lerhaps. Sometimes a strained shoulder muscle shows up as a limp to.

And I can definitely vouch for the fact that when getting up is when stiffness has settled in and it takes a minute or so to work the joints back to normal

I agree with Kwrry, definitely sounds age related and a couple of good meds will help grearly!

Love you Lori...and all y o ur pack!

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

Member Since:
27 March 2014
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
4
1 March 2015 - 2:54 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

It is probably nothing to worry about.

I have a greyhound and for my own piece of mind, if there is any limping I am going to ask for an xray to start with.  On the off chance it might be something more sinister like osteosarcoma, it would hoepfully be picked up at the first sign.  The main risk with osteosarcoma is the spread to the lungs.  I could cope with an amputation if that was necessary as I have read so many stories here where dogs do well on three legs.   If all ok I will go the anti inflamtory path.

http://www.cani.....cer.org.au - Dedicated to Canine Cancer Awareness

 

Los Angeles, CA
Member Since:
13 June 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
5
1 March 2015 - 7:59 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I am SURE. it is arthritis... also not a vet but as shelby got up in years (before her cancer) she would periodically gimp around if she had done too much. Her vet said it was her age just getting the best of her!!!

Hang in there and keep us posted!!!! I am sure he's going to be fine ... just a little stiff.. it's harder getting older!

Hugs and love,

alison with the spirit of shelby fur-ever in her heart (and little jasper too)

Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.

October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014

Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife

Westminster, MD
Member Since:
31 August 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
6
1 March 2015 - 8:49 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Lori,
I agree, once we go through this awful ugly c journey, it is very difficult to focus on anything positive when another pup is ailing. But everyone is right, don't let that be your main focus, and considering Chan's age, it very well can be age related. He also could have just twisted his ankle or something like that.....I know you probably have as much snow and ice as we do here so anything is possible. And with his age, it is very possible for him to injure himself, way more than a young pup would on this slippery, snowy, messy garbage. (I am really starting to strongly dislike winter, and snow.)

Keeping you in my thoughts, and let us know how he is doing,
Love,
Bonnie, Angel Polly, and new crew

Norene, TN
Member Since:
21 October 2014
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
7
2 March 2015 - 1:16 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I'm with everyone else, sounds like good ole "Arthur" is visiting your fur-baby. Have you noticed it more when the weather changes?

Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.

"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."

- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey

Orrtanna Pa.
Member Since:
25 January 2014
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
8
2 March 2015 - 8:20 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Took him to vet today. He seems to think it is a sprain. All the ice and snow etc. He tried to calm my fear of bone cancer. 2 weeks of Rimadyl, then if he is still having trouble, then he will do some X-rays. Bad news is, he has gained 5 pounds in a month even with reducing his food intake. We may need to check his thyroid they say. For now, just reducing it some more. Poor boy. This just felt a bit like déjà vu. Of course, he did not even limp for them because he was so excited to see everyone. He just kept running around the room " smiling" at everyone. It seems worse when he first wakes up or gets up from being down for awhile. Guess I am just a worry wart. Lori, Ty, Chan, Lucy & Daryl

TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed  and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater. 

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
9
2 March 2015 - 9:37 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

You painted a great visual of Chan lrancing around at the vet's office just grinning and wriggling...and NOT limping! Such a cutie!

I think you'll see improvement after he's on his meds for a bit. Arthritis is hardest when you first get up.

Sounds like the weight gain coukd be thyroid, along with being more sedentary in the Wjnter. Poor boy needs a little extra layer of fat to keep him warm!

YAY FOR SPRAINS!!

Give him extra smooches for us...and so low fat cookies!!

Love,

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

Los Angeles, CA
Member Since:
13 June 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
10
3 March 2015 - 9:49 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

4myty said
 Of course, he did not even limp for them because he was so excited to see everyone. He just kept running around the room " smiling" at everyone. It seems worse when he first wakes up or gets up from being down for awhile. Guess I am just a worry wart. Lori, Ty, Chan, Lucy & Daryl

Shelby did the exact same thing as she got up in years ... would periodically limp and then nothing at the vet. Her cancer was never related to her limping (if that helps your mind at all). I am sure it is arthritis and the aging process. 

I hear you on dieting ... it is soooooo hard and I cannot imagine w/three in the house! Oy!

Much love,

alison with the spirit of shelby furever in her heart (and little jasper too)

Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.

October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014

Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife

Idaho
Member Since:
12 March 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
11
3 March 2015 - 10:12 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

Sounds like good news. I know that if Murphy overdoes it, he is slow when he first gets up. Once on the move, the stiffness seems to work itself out...and he isn't nearly Chan's age. The weather in the eastern part of the country has not been kind to old bones this winter. Ours has been lovely, but we will pay for it later on when we have no water.

Kathi and Murphy

Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!

UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!

Forum Timezone: America/Denver
Most Users Ever Online: 946
Currently Online: admin, Jason
Guest(s) 242
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 1268
Members: 17733
Moderators: 6
Admins: 3
Forum Stats:
Groups: 4
Forums: 24
Topics: 18610
Posts: 256802
Administrators: admin, jerry, Tripawds
Tripawds is brought to you by Tripawds.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG