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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Sudden rear leg weakness
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Member Since:
17 February 2021
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18 February 2021 - 12:12 am
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Hi, we're new here.  Pretty much new to everything, the forum, post op, and earth.  Bell was found hit by a car somewhere near okc, estimated 6 months old, and they elected to take her left rear leg.  I adopted about 2 months later, and that was about 7 months ago.  There are a lot of unknowns.  Thanks to covid and the weather I haven't laid eyes on my vet in almost a year.  I just have printouts of records from the rescue, so no initial x-rays to see or one on one information from their vet either which is how I process information best.  She's under 40 pounds, probably a border collie mix, but no one knows. She is pretty traumatized, and has some significant fears. 

Anyway, to the point of the post.  Roughly around the onset of this arctic blast I have seen some marked weakness, and she'll just ooze down for an unintentional rest.  My first thought is arthritic issues from the physical trauma, but something about it makes me think muscular issues instead.  It's really similar to the collapse that happens when she gets off balance and her center of gravity is just too much for the leg to cope.  We will go for updated xrays, but I would like to get more familiar with the progression of things from people who have seen it.  I expected to require joint therapies and likely see wear in the hip and knee sooner than you would expect to see with age.  I don't know what to expect as far as musculature and nerves, though. 

Do we need to be seeing the chiropractor when this happens?  Is this a red flag to go see the vet, or do some extra rest and massage?  I don't know where the lines are, I guess.  What do soft tissue issues look like as opposed to bone and joint issues?

Hopefully I'll be able to see a vet in the flesh again someday.  There's too much lost with the covid drop off methods.  Thank you for any input you can offer. 

Kelly on behalf of Bella/bells/bell/bellbug/insert next nickname here

Pictures of Bell and family on Instagram DuckSaga

https://www.ins.....hdlclpm809

On The Road


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18 February 2021 - 11:08 am
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Hi Kelly and Bell, welcome. Your future posts won't need to wait for approval so post away.

First, you are so amazing for rescuing her! Thank you for that!

I'm sorry she's not feeling well. What you are describing sounds pretty typical for a Tripawd who hasn't built up enough strength or stamina to prevent weakness and injury. It could also be a muscle pull somewhere. So, tell us more about her daily activity: How long/short were her walks before she started showing weakness? Are there other dogs in the house she is playing with? And what else does she do besides walking? 

We encourage everyone to check out our What to Know When Adopting a Tripawd article, so that you can get a good idea of life with a three-legged pup. As a young dog, she lost that leg at an early age before developing full motor skills and while her brain wants to go go go, it's not in her body's best interest to allow her to do that. Dogs will go and go until they drop. As Tripawd parents, it's up to us to make sure they don't get to that point if we want to preserve their healthy joints. For now, it might be extra challenging for her to build strength and stamina, but not impossible. 

I'm not a vet, but this does sound like it needs to get checked out, because it's entirely possible she could have something else going on. I know it sucks taking our pets to the vet during Covid, but have you tried searching for a vet who will do video chats to discuss her case? We are happy to help you locate one, and prefer AAHA-accredited clinics because they are guaranteed to practice the newest, best and proven protocols, even during Covid.

Also, the Tripawds Foundation can pay for your first rehab visit with Bell, so please consider that too. We highly encourage rehab therapy because it's a way for Tripawd parents to learn how to care for their 3-legger, as far as proper exercise and diet. Again, I'm happy to help find a clinic near you.

And you might also want to check out the new Rehab Home Exercise Program and our book, Loving Life On Three Legs , for additional guidance from one of our favorite rehab vets.

Fill us in on more about Bell so we can help you better OK? For now, yes, enforce R&R for this week and scale back her activity. You can keep her mind busy with interactive brain games in the meantime. An anti-inflammatory like Meloxicam or Rimadyl might also be very beneficial so please, check in with a vet so she can get her pain management dialed in.

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

Member Since:
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18 February 2021 - 4:42 pm
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Ugh. I just lost a huge reply looking for the vet info.  I'll retype it later.  I'm looking at Stoneridge in edmond OK.  

Pictures of Bell and family on Instagram DuckSaga

https://www.ins.....hdlclpm809

On The Road


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18 February 2021 - 6:56 pm
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Dang I'm sorry that happened! I just did an AAHA clinic search in Edmond and you actually have quite a few there. But my favorite, the one I would choose, is Lakeview Pet Hospital. They have a great team, AAHA-accredited AND they are Fear Free Certified too--the trifecta of vet practices! For a pup like Bell, a Fear Free clinic can be life changing. I highly recommend them!

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

Livermore, CA




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18 February 2021 - 7:33 pm
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Hello and welcome.

Bell's story is close to my Elly's.  Elly was hit by a car when she was 7 months old and lost her right rear leg as a result.  The people who had her when she was hit wouldn't or couldn't deal with the injury and thankfully a rescue was able to get her into the vet and taken care of.  I adopted her when she was 10 months old, she is now 6 years old and doing fine.

Elly had terrible fear issues and severe separation anxiety when I got her- she has been quite a challenge.  I've wanted to take her to a rehab vet but her fear issues kept me from trying it until she was more confident.  I was ready to try last year around this time but because of Covid I couldn't go in with her so I haven't taken her.  Luckily my regular vet is in tune with her needs so her regular vet visits are kept as short as possible so she isn't away from me for long.

I spend lots of time on core strength and balance with her, we do training and play games and puzzles. She is my second Tripawd so I was more knowledgeable this time on activity levels.  It still took a while to figure out what was too much for her when I first got her- as a 10 month old puppy she was full of energy and wanted to go, go go!  But this time I'm being more careful since she will spend her entire life on three legs.  Elly is little, a Pug mix that weighs just under 15 pounds.

Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls

Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.

1999 to 2010

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo

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18 February 2021 - 8:48 pm
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Okay, lemme try this again...   Thank you both for helping. 

The biggest reason for the folks in edmond is financial and familiarity with avian medicine.  It's going to depend on Bells, though, I suppose.  During covid the curbside pickups and taking her to work with me have been virtually all of her socialization.  A petsmart visit early on was serious stress.  She's finally okay at the bank window and with my dad (he even babysat her nearly every day for over a month) it's very slow going with her!  She does love a couple of my neighbors, so I'm grateful she's had a couple of positive people interactions.

For diet, her appetite isn't much to speak of unless it's fabric.  She's on a cup of diamond (chicken and rice seems palatable) and get naked joint health treats.  She's very slim, but normal body score, high greyhound tummy kind of slim. 

Similar to Elly, she's got more than a little desire for zoomies and puppy excitement, a little short on body awareness, but getting better. 

... Snipping this here to leave the page... 

Pictures of Bell and family on Instagram DuckSaga

https://www.ins.....hdlclpm809

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18 February 2021 - 10:04 pm
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Okay, on to physical activity... 

I really didn't know we needed to have more structured exercises.  I also had some fears about leash training, knocking her off balance, chewing everything off she can reach (even her rabies tag!) so I have focused on recall and basic obedience training.  We can try again with a harness, though.  She's left this collar alone, so I think she's making progress with her fashion choices at least.  (she's a fast learner, but a faster chewer! ) 

Her zoomies scared me at first!  She does have great control and balance, but I see her slow down on the steep hill.  She has about an acre of varied terrain, and goes out multiple times a day.  She loves a fetch/tug game.  Her tug game has improved in strength and balance, and I oblige when she wants to keep whatever she's brought to me.

I've been her only playmate for months, and she's been desperately trying my mother's older dogs, the goats, just so hopeful for anything at all. I brought home a sheltie puppy last week (I lost mine in June.)  I will definitely need some guidance on how to restrict her once he gets more physical, because she is just so happy to have someone who wants to play.  She's been so gentle and patient with him, but you can tell how excited she is. 

I do massaging on the leg and hips and back.  Her leg has gotten very muscular and very firm.  It almost feels too tight sometimes, but I don't have a reference point for what's expected, just the changes I've noticed.  She doesn't like second attempts.  If she misses getting on the couch or the steps to the bed she prefers to crawl her way forward or make a different choice altogether.  I think it speaks more to her esteem than to her ability, because I don't usually see any pain response.  It's a tough call sometimes to distinguish, I think there was some cruelty before the accident.  I also think there was some stray self sufficiency at some point.  I don't think I want to know what has happened to her, but I see some serious fears that seem irrational for her age, and her responses vary from terror barking, snarling and cowering to bolting to high ground with offensive posture, back to ducking as soon as I speak or move toward her.  It's hard to comfort her, so I focus on setting up positive outcomes and trying to improve her confidence. It makes for a lot of planning if we need to do anything away from home. 

It's a lot to lay out, and I can get sidetracked and verbose about the kiddos.  Let me know if I missed something you need to know. 

Pictures of Bell and family on Instagram DuckSaga

https://www.ins.....hdlclpm809

On The Road


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19 February 2021 - 12:38 pm
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Hey there thanks for sharing the details. Gosh she sounds so much like our Wyatt Ray , I can relate. He loved eating inappropriate objects too. And he had a disastrous experience at a Petsmart Pets Hotel once too!

Some thoughts:

The biggest reason for the folks in edmond is financial and familiarity with avian medicine.

Avian? As in birds? I'm confused about what that has to do with Bell?

Cost is always an issue and some clinics will be much cheaper than others. But there's a reason for that, always, and it's not always something that works in favor of the patient. I really, really encourage you to give Lakeview a call. I really feel like they could be ideal for her. They will practice the most current pain management protocols, and also give Bell a Fear-Free experience that will re-introduce her to vet care so it's not so terrifying afterward.

Her leg has gotten very muscular and very firm.  It almost feels too tight sometimes, but I don’t have a reference point for what’s expected, just the changes I’ve noticed.  

That's where a good rehab practitioner can help. They can show you what to look for and where exactly to massage so you address the pain points.

It’s hard to comfort her, so I focus on setting up positive outcomes and trying to improve her confidence. It makes for a lot of planning if we need to do anything away from home. 

You read her so well! You are exactly the kind of parent she needs. I'm so happy she found you!

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

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19 February 2021 - 1:54 pm
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Thanks for the encouragement and all of the links.  Yes, avian vets are very hard to find here, and I really want just one vet or at least one clinic for regular visits for everyone.  It helps to develop a relationship and knowledge about and with everyone.  They're not really cheap, but they do take a great discount program that I can use concurrently with insurance to save a huge amount on procedures.  

I left out the specifics about the onset of the weakness, but I've been reading the books you linked and I found something that I didn't associate with it at first.  I think it's a nerve issue, and maybe why it's been so unpredictable and mysterious and more frequent in this awful cold.  I will call them.  Maybe they have an avian member of staff and just didn't list it... 

I've also identified several things we do every day that are similar to the structured rehab exercises for core strength.  I'm glad it won't take much modification or training to shift over to those.

They're making Kevlar bird harnesses, maybe I can find an indestructible one for bells.  Thanks again. 

Pictures of Bell and family on Instagram DuckSaga

https://www.ins.....hdlclpm809

On The Road


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19 February 2021 - 2:51 pm
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You are so welcome! Let us know what you find out OK?

Kevlar dog harnesses would be AMAZING!

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

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