Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is the place 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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Crush had his follow up today, and I'm happy to report that the vet was pleased with his progress. He's gone from weight bearing only 17% on his right hind leg to 40%, which is where it should be for him. He's much more comfortable, and while he still has some soreness it's being managed better. She says some soreness may not go away completely, and he may have early signs of cruciate disease on his right leg. But for now he's doing well. We are adjusting his gabapentin dose to try and find the right amount for him since he's still having some symptoms of nerve pain.
Overall though, he's doing great! His walks are up to 15 minutes and they are his favourite part of the day, for sure.
Some more recent pictures
WOW! One month later and what pawgress! 
I looked back on your April 9th post, to see just how far he's come:
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.
It's mind blowing that in just a few weeks, you and the therapist have helped Crush make such huge improvements. Kudos to YOU for going the extra mile to figure out what he needs, and sticking to the program recommended by the therapist. It's not easy to find the time, money, and energy to re-structure our routines to fit in exercises and such, but you are doing it!
And that happy look on Crush's face says it all. Thanks for the great update and photos!
Delighted to see how much his weight bearing has increased from 17% to 40%. You are doing such a splendid job of caring for him and doing what needs to be done to continue his progress. 👍
And the photos....OMD! Crush is such a stunning looking pup! So very hiandsome.
Glad to have this good news today and to also see his photogenic handsome self.
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!
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