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.
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Bummer Crush is still having some "issues". It is good news that you are able to entice him to eat more little by little. You are on the right track with multiple little "meals"
Ditto Jerry's sage advice regarding pain management and rehabilitation appointment asap!
He isn't showing any tension when massaging up and down his spine, right? Think I already may have asked, but if you pinch inbetween his toes downhearted react and try and pull away?
Could you take a video, or some photos, of the leg and how he "uses" it (or, more accurately I guess, isnt using it)?
Hang in there. Yiu have seen so e improvement in his attitude and wanting to get his routine back to normal. That ki d of determination can go a long way in further healing,
Hugs
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!
I don't think he's tense in his spine- but it's hard to test because pushing on it while he's standing just makes him have to put his bad leg down and I don't like dong that. If I pet him there when he's laying down he just rolls over for tummy rubs but that's normal.
He's not keen between the toes on that leg though. I did notice the other night as I was trimming his nails that he's not keen on me manipulating that paw. No major reaction he just tries to pull it away more often than he would normally. He's usually pretty relaxed having his nails done.
I'm not sure how to upload video here unfortunately. But the rehab vet got back to me Monday and we started the referral process so she can get access to his medical records. Hopefully we can book an appointment soon. Still waiting to hear back that they received the referral.
Oh boy that does sound like he's telling you it hurts, poor guy. Make a note of that behavior for the therapist.
And YAY that you already got the referral process going! PAWESOME!
The best way to share video here is to upload it to YouTube, then copy the video "Share" URL there. Return here to your forum post, and paste the URL. Hope that makes sense. We would love to see it. Let me know if you'd like help.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I haven't taken any videos yet, but I can say that he had his first visit with the rehabber and I thought it went quite well. She was very thorough, the appointment was about 1.5hrs long and she had a ton of information for me. Basically Crush is having some issues with his leg, but needs to increase his low-impact activity. He has a sore lower back and groin muscles, and a sore cruciate on his right leg. She said it's definitely not torn but to stop any high impact activity. I need to think a bit about how to do this- sometimes it's really hard to keep him from jumping around, especially at dinner time. As soon as he sees his food bowl he starts jumping in the air.
She did note that his right hind leg was only bearing about 15% of his body weight (compared to 30% on the left hind) and the muscles have atrophied on that leg. It's several centimeters smaller in diameter than his other leg. She wants it stronger so we have some exercises and stretches to do at home, and he can start going for 5 minute walks, provided we keep them calm and flat. If he handles it well, we can up it by 2 minutes every week. She's putting him back on metacam and she's going to check in next week to see how that's going, we might add gabapentin if he's still having symptoms of nerve pain.
I feel better now that I have more information, although I'm a little worried about that cruciate. Trying not to be too paranoid though, the vet wasn't super concerned, just wanted to keep it from getting worse.
I can see that his exercises are harder for him on the one side, but hopefully over time we'll see improvement. His attitude has been much better, although he slept the whole next day when we got home from Kelowna- it was a big trip for him.
YAY! Wow I'm thrilled the visit went so well. You learned so much!!!
They sound like a great therapy centre. Which one did you use? I'd love to share your post in a blog here. I mean imagine not knowing about his needs? Now you know and you can keep him safe and strong. That's why we are so gung-ho about the rehab reimbursement program.
Do you have a photo or two of crush that you can share? I'd love to spotlight your experience! Here's how adding images works:
- Upload pics to a photo sharing site like imgur.com or your own Tripawds blog (https://tripawd...../supporter). Pictures and video have to be hosted (live) somewhere other than in the forums.
- Once the photo is uploaded somewhere, right click and copy the Image URL or just copy the image if you’re on a phone
- Return to your Tripawds Forum post and paste the image URL (or the image itself) in your post. It should automatically appear.
If you’d like help figuring out the process let me know.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
The clinic is called Tri-lake referral center, the vet I saw there has her own webpage here: https://www.tar.....wards.vet/
I have lots of pre-amp pictures, but I haven't been taking any since then as I've been too busy focusing on Crush to have my phone out. I'll see about taking some soon that I can share with you.
Crush is crushing it!! The Rehab input definitely sounds like the solution Crush needs!
Yes, it will require patience, but nownyounjave answers and a plan. You sauce every reason to be optimistic. I know we are!
Hugs
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!
Oh that would be wonderful to get some photos.
I just looked up Dr. Edwards' practice. WOW! WOW! WOW! She is the best of the best. Her credentials (rehab vet, pain management specialist, acupuncturist, sports med & rehab) are OUTSTANDING!!!
Crush seriously has the best vet he can possibly have for rehab. I'm so excited for you guys. I asked Dr. Edwards via her contact page if she would like to be our guest on our tripawd talk podcast. And you too! Wanna be on? It would be so great!
I'll keep you posted on what she says.
Thanks for the scoop!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks! I'll give it some thought. I'm still so new to this whole process I'm just not sure how much I'd be able to contribute! I feel like there's still so far to go before I can really relax and say he's recovered.
She does seem very qualified, and my experience at the clinic was really positive. I think Crush is supposed to go back in about a month, I'm really hoping we have some positive improvements to show her!
I'll try and take some photos this week.
Hey trust me you've contributed a lot already! No pressure. You've got a lot going on and we understand. Keep doing what you're doing and she is going to be so happy to see the improvements!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Here are a couple photos I've taken of Crush this week. He's doing well, his energy level is really high (he's been bouncing off the walls) and he seems to be doing well on that right hind leg. I don't know if it's the metacam, the exercises, or both but he's standing with it placed firmly on the ground now and he looks to be using it more actively. It's a relief to see him acting more like himself.
Oh you fluffball! He makes my heart do flip flops, it's so good to see him. Thank you!
Crush IS getting stronger, that's not your imagination. And yeah the NSAIDs help too. All your hard work is paying off. Good job!
He looks really, really happy.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
OOOOMMMMDDDD!! BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS!! Crush is truly stunning!
Thrilled to read this wonderful update...absolutely thrilled!!! Her sitting and standing positions are perfect form for a tripawd. PERFECT!!
Thanks for the update. Made my day!😊
Hugs
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!
Thanks guys, happy to share! I am also very glad he's doing so well, and he is super happy to be able to go for walks again. He's at 7.5 minutes a day now, I think when we get over 10 I'll start driving him around to some more interesting locations for his walks. Right now we're just sticking to our neighbourhood, but he's still pretty happy about it.
He enjoys his exercises too since he gets lots of treats. He's not crazy about having his knee iced for 10 minutes every time we do activity, but he tolerates it as long as he's being pet continuously, lol.
Jerry, did you hear back from Dr. Edwards?
I love that you are timing his walks by the minute, not distance. It's normal for folks to gauge their Tripawds' walks based on distances they did before amputation, but that's not the best way to estimate their activity level. Keeping track of minutes is far more accurate, and helpful for the rehab therapist to know how much activity a dog is/isn't getting.
And that plan to expand his engagement with the world by going to other spots sounds awesome. Keeping the scenery new, without putting added stress on his joints, is a fantastic plan.
No I haven't heard back from Dr. Edwards, thank you for reminding em.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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