Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone, didn't go much on the forum these past days, was pretty occupied with Novak's health problems. Last friday, he was almost "gone" I had decided that this was the time to let him go. Because of his oeasophagus stricture, we had a LOT of issues trying to feed him, the raw soup was ok for several days and then not anymore. I think it was too greasy/sticky and it didnt go down easy, so I switch him to canned food blended with water and since then, hes fine, so 10 days without any problem. I think we found a eating solution...but ...canned food are expensive, it would cost be over 200$ per month to feed him this way...so I try the kibble again, with my new blender, it reduce them into a powder and then mix water and it seem to do the trick. Now, I need a super high calorie food so I can reduced the amount per day, I would like to be around 2 cups a day and I think EVO would be great at 516 calories/cup. So like I said, he was almost gone...everything was pilling up, he was incontinent during his sleep on my bed during 2 nights in a row, I did an urine analysis and everything was perfect. His immune system is reacting a bit, giving him rashes around his face. So....but I coudnt do it, I couldt let him go yet...and im sure glad I didnt. Hes doing great now, more energy, gain weight and no regurgitation! YAY I have a team of specialist to help me, guide me, but thats a life issue, not really curable. Last week, he got hold of 2 kibbles, only 2 and he drank water after and then it blocked! I suppose my boyfriend drop those 2 kibbles while feeding our other dogs, but man, I have to be very careful so No one can give something to eat or he can pick up on the floor. For now, its ok, he's not the kind of dog to eat stuff.
So anyway, Im feeling very positive since all this ordeal and I hoping he will stay stable.
His fur is growing back fast! That one is from last week-end
Another issue that we have, is that under his limb(no fur) when he runs too fast or play with my other dogs, he slide on it and it get a bid red and he want to lick it. He also injured his other rear leg, a skin scratch, I think because of the slidding. When he runs normal, no problem, its when he tries to reach for something on the ground, thats when he sliddes. So Im thinking 2 things, will physio help him be more strong and more "aware" of his legs and stop doing that? And, could I get a short or something to protect that area while we are working on that issue?
Oh and I forgot, he's being reactive toward other dogs since the surgery, not my dogs, but other dogs...he was always nice to other dogs, so Im thinking hes inconfortable, in pain? I know, that sometime, he react on leash, but then, let him loose and hes fine...I didnt "test" the thing, he was so sick...but thinking about the future and I really dont want him to be reactive.
I was literally holding my breath when I saw your thread pop up! I was silently saying, "Please, please let this be good new." I scanned through quickly looking for positive phrases...and quickly found them!!
You and Novak...mostly uou...have been thrpugh soooo much!!! And Team Novak is VICTORIOUS!!! 🙂
We all are amazed at your strength, your determination, your devotion to pull Novak through this rough time! And you are doing it BRILLIANTLY!!
I think becae Novak is such an athlete and plays full out, it may take him a little longer to realize he has slow down just a touch so he won't hurt himself. But I have a feeling Novak could care less about a little scratch or a "slide"! Novak is just enjoying himself soooo much and that is so delightful to hear!
My Happy Hannw was more of a couch potato whose main form of exercise was rolli gto over for tummy rubs. She also "lifted weights" by carrying her food bowl to me when she was hungry or wanted a treat...which was all the time!!
As far as being "reactive" on the leash, he may feel he needs to be protecting you. He may also feel more vulnerable since the sjrgery. Just continue to show him you are a strong and confident pack leader and you have everything under control. I wouldn't be too concerned right now. He gets along with his pack and that's good. You have so much on yiur plate right now, just enjoy the bliss of being together!
Thank you so much for giving us this great update!! I assure you the whole Tripawd family is grinning ear to ear! 🙂
And thanks for the pictures! Novak is such a handsome boy...just stunning!
Lots of love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS..Glad the EVO is working! That's a good food!
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!
What great news! So glad things seem to be getting better. I agree that he is likely just feeling vulnerable around strange dogs, especially since he has been ill - just enjoy life with your pack. No need to force socialization at this point. Once he starts to feel better, this might stop.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Good news! I am a strong proponent of physical therapy/rehab for our Tripawds. Do you have access to a certified rehab vet? They can work wonders. You can also search this site for exercises to do that will strengthen Novak's core muscles, which is super important for him now.
Please keep us updated on how he is doing.
Kathi and the Turbotail April Angel...and the Labradork
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!
Physio was part of the initial plan, but got postponed due to his oesophagus problem, but now, that he seem stable, I really want to start. Yes I will have access to a great physio center pretty soon. But....I know, that treats are used a lot to make the dog do certain things, will have to find out another way, cause Novak cannot eat anything...it will be a challenge as well if I pursue training in any sport...lucky me, hes more toy oriented than food, but for certain things, like odor detection, precision with food is great. But...we will figure it out and for now, Novak is my pet, not my sport companion. Im focusing on him being well, thats it. Thanks for the kind words, its been so tough and now, Im catching a break and I can finally breathe a bit 😉
Wow, this has been seriously tough. I'm so pleased you have found a way through and that Novak is putting on weight. You are doing a truly fantastic job. Hats off to you for your commitment, love and dedication! I hope you can have an easier, more restful time now.
All best,
Meg and Clare (and Elsie Pie) xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Sounds like you have a handle on his eating issues. Kudos for being such an advocate for your beautiful boy. We too noticed Max became more uneasy around other dogs after amp. Maybe they just sense they are more vulnerable. Especially if theyre alpha in the pack I think.
OH my gosh I can't believe Novak was that close to his last days, and now he's not. YAY! 
Yes, physio will make a tremendous difference. And treats can be anything, from carrots to strawberries to toys. Anything that rocks his world. Don't worry about that. Get him into physio, it really will help his stumbling issues while playing.
YAAAY for both of you, it's wonderful to hear things are better.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
He really cannot eat anything solid, not even a small piece of cheese...before, small chunk passed, but now, nothing, it has to be liquid. Even medication, pills were ok, I was weaning off the gabapentin and then, even that didnt go throught and blocked and made him regurgitate, so I stop the meds all together, lucky him, the dosage of gabapentin was low, the weaning was almost done. But it concerns me, if he gets sick and needs meds, it will have to be liquid or smashed into his liquid diet. I hope he wont miss chewing on thing, you know, bitting, etc... I have to be carefull with his teeth even more so, Im brushing them, yuck, hate doing that 😉 I have to be VERY carefull around people as well, they tend to want to give things to eat, the other day, Novak was at work with me for his urine analysis and my collegue brought a piece of dry liver and said, there you go Novak, good boy and I screamed NOOOOOOOOO she stop and said oups, I forgot.....and we are talking about that almost everyday...my heart skip a beat for sure...we laught about it after, but man....it was scary...
So again! Try to tell people about that side effect of the anesthesia/drugs during the amputation surgery or any long surgery, if they see reflux, bile regurgitation, repetitve vomiting, etc...be aware and maybe ask the vet for stomach coating, acide reflux meds... the best way to prevent that is oesophagus washing during the anesthesia, but sometime, most time, they cant see it until the dog wakes up, but then, we can add meds to help prevent that...seriously its a BAD side effect that will affect him and me for the rest of his life, he can died from that condition if it progress to complete stricture or if he gets aspiration pneumonia while regurgitating.
If it can save one dog, I will be happy...my vets at work are extra careful now...so they've learned!
You and Novak have already saved lives here!! 
I can guarantee you that anyone who has followed his journey has a whole lost prelu for their Vets shoukd their dogs need to go under anesthesia. Prior to this, we think a pjt all the "regular" risks of surgery, and now, because of you and our HERO NOVAK, we are more aware of the esophagus issues AND how to prevent them!!!
Wo der if you could get Novak a vest like "service dogs" wear. It could say something like "Do not feed due to health issues", or something like that. You could even just do a tee shirt and have that printed on there.
Should he need any meds, I would think many could be compounded in liquid form, or, as you said, smashed I to his liquid diet (quite yucky tasting though, unless mixed in with really good stuff)!
As far as "chewing on things", you can probably find some Kong toys...or something pretty indestructible, that he could still chew on. Wpuld he be able to chew on flavored ice cubes...or flavored ice popsicles?
YOU are doing the most EXCELLENT job of caring for Novak!! You are facing this with unbelievable strength a d courage!!
Give thst sweet Novak a hug for us...and give yourself one too!!!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
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