Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone!
My beautiful maltese cross Rocky had his rear left leg amputated last week (7 days ago). Rocky was hit by a car and they couldnt save his leg with surgery. The vet said he would do fine etc as he is a small dog. However he just came home from the vet last night and he still wont walk, he wont even get up. He will not put any weight on his rear leg - he wont even move it! He shuffles around on his front leg dragging his back leg. The vet said there are no breaks, fractures, muscles tears etc. he feels pain in the leg, reflexes etc. Has anyone else had this problem post-op??? We are taking him to a physio on Saturday to see if she can help him start using it again.
The accident was very bad and he was bruised all over so he still might be sore but starting to get really worried that he wont walk again.
Any advice? Any stories?
Thanks so much!
Worried mum Laura
Welcome. I am sorry to hear about Rocky's accident. I don't have any advice as my Sassy had her leg amputated due to cancer. She walked out of the vets office. My guess is this though. If he was hit by a car I am assuming he got pretty bruised up internally. It might just take a few days to heal. I can't imagine the pain he is in not only from his surgery but being hit by that car.
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Hi Laura and Rocky. I'm so sorry to hear about Rocky's accident. I don't really have any advice either since Daisy was able to walk post amp.
Hopefully it is just bruising and that he is still really sore and that is why he refuses to use his leg. I know he is a little dog but have you tried using a sling to hold his back end up when he walks so maybe he will start using it? What kind of pain meds is Rocky on? Maybe they need to be adjusted/changed? Maybe you could try some range of motion exercises on his leg to get him moving it again?
Keep us posted on how he is doing and how the physio appointment goes.
Marla and Daisy
My Two Tripawds...Biscuit 
and Spirit Daisy 
Hello Laura and Rocky. I am sure that he is pretty sore all over. The pain meds was my next question, I see Maria addressed it. I think that you are taking the right steps to get him checked out. Maybe some rehab, I know some here have access to water treadmills and such. I wonder, since he was at the vets for an entire week, if he is not stiff from being confined. A necessary evil, to get him to heal, but maybe that is the case. Keep us posted on how he is doing and come here for support. Lori and Ty
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.
yikes.. I bet he is sore from having an accident like that! Perhaps you could make a sling that you could help him get up and you can lower it just a bit so that his bak leg is touching the ground sho he has to use it a little? Being a small dog, you would have to make yourself some long straps to hold so that you are not walking bent over like the Hunchback of Notre Dame!
Christine.... with Franklin in her heart♥
Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012. Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013. Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack... You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!
ok.. obviously I have not had enough coffee this morning because I just saw that Maria said the same thing about the sling.. lol
great minds think alike!
Christine... with Franklin in her heart♥
Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012. Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013. Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack... You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!
Laura and Rocky, welcome. I'm sorry to hear that he's having a rough time but it does sound to me like he has extra challenges from the car accident that would slow his recovery down. We've seen this happen before and with TLC and rehab, the dogs did walk again, it didn't take nearly as long as their humans thought it would, but it does take time. If you don't feel confident with your vet, get another opinion, if only to ease your worries. I also agree that a visit with the rehab vet is a good thing, let us know what they suggest.
Meanwhile, make sure he's not getting bed sores and his bottom half stays clean and dry if he's unable to relieve himself on his own.
Keep us posted, we'll be thinking of you both.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello Laura and Rocky!
As many have stated on here, seeing that poor Rocky was involved in an accident, it may just take some additional time to heal. His inners I am sure are still sore, and maybe placing weight on his back leg is just too much right now. A sling is a good way to start the walking process again. Just be patient with him as this goes on. Maybe PT will also help out.
ROCKY! We.need you.to get better little man, okay!? I know you are one spunky fella' and you can work through this!
Recovery.from accidents can be very different and involve so much more as everyone has said. We are all big on second opinions around here, as wel l as a good.rehab specialist.
I think everyone has pretty much covered all the suggestions. Please update us when you can, okay? We're cheering for.y o u and Rocky!
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!
Laura,
So sorry about Rockys accident. As everyone else has said I'm sure with being in the accident he must be extremely sore. I'd reach out to someone for pt in his recovery. That may help him along where he isn't straining any more than he needs to. Good luck in his recoup.
Esther and her Angel Snoop
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