Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi, have a 8 yr pit lost his front leg due to cancer. The first week home he seemed well, after that and we are into 4 1/2 weeks seems to be getting worse. He’s back on all meds and he’s having trouble walking, he’s definitely in pain but it’s worse than when he had the cancerous broken limb. They told me he would not miss it and be back to normal after 2, 3 weeks. He’s not, I’m hoping its soreness but like I said he’s not improving. He’s had 2 X-rays and a ct-scan all came out good for no spread. He was in the vet a week ago getting his stitches out and told me this could be soreness and will pass. Month later still no improvement, doc is out for the next 12 days, so has anyone else had this experience, could he have pulled something? Doc said he’ll look at him free of charge when he gets back.
Hi there to you and your pup. Your future posts won't need to wait for approval so post away!
Ok, first, four and a half weeks is not a long time. Especially for a mature doggie. Also know that this is not uncommon. Happens all the time, and there's usually a simple way to resolve it. In short, yes, he could have pulled a muscle. That's the most common situation. Most dogs do too much, too soon after recovery. It's not your fault, we all learn what our dog's limitations are on 3 legs.
Tell us more about his daily activity. How long and how far are his walks? And is he playing with other dogs?
How is his appetite?
Have you tried massaging him gently around the shoulders, neck, and low back? Do that and see if he reacts in some way. Just be really gentle.
Is he resting now that he's showing pain signals ? He needs to be. What pain meds is he on? Dosage and timing?
If your vet is out for that long, and he doesn't improve, he needs to see someone sooner. Is there another vet at the practice who can help?
One of the best things you can do for a new Tripawd is to have them evaluated by a canine rehabilitation specialist. These experts can help pinpoint what is causing him pain and how to treat it. They can also show you the best ways to get him strong and build endurance. And the Tripawds Foundation can pay for your first rehab visit too!
Sorry for all the questions. The more we know the more we can help. We look forward to hearing back.
So Django is on carprofen and gabapentine for pain relief but it doesn’t really seem to do much, he finished his prescription after amputation at the 2 week mark and then went back on it after a week. So far we don’t do long walks short 50 yard walks and back, he’s appetite is excellent. I hoping he just over did it with his ball, as of now the ball is off limits and the walks are shortened.
Hey there! Thanks for the extra info.
So yeah, definitely no ball playing right now. I'm going to bet that's what did it. We made a similar mistake when our Jerry was healing. We let him play with his hula hoop, which he liked to grab with this teeth and shake back and forth, side-to-side. One day not long after surgery he flung it so hard across the yard that he yelped really loud, and was out of commission for a few days.
Keep those walks to potty walks only until he improves. Usually a few days of rest and the medications are helpful. Stay ahead of the pain by staying on schedule with the meds, until you feel that he is 100%. There's nothing wrong with going back on them, many Tripawds need to. Both meds are good and should help.
Thanks for the advice, doc emailed me and wants to do a free exam when he gets back. Until then it’s chew toy’s laying down, no more ball chasing. It sucks but time is what he needs right now and it’s not what he’s got. Django’s on cbd, Rovera and gabapentine, Rovera every 12 hrs, gab. 2 to 3 times daily 300mg 2x. CBD 3 times a day 25ml. He’s been on these meds for 4.5 months
So glad you heard back! Yes, more R&R and wait for the exam. Keep things mellow, try interactive brain games too. Engaging his mind is just as helpful as physical activity and will keep him happy.
If your vet suggested Gabapentin up to 3x daily you might want to try that dosage. It's a pretty typical routine we see around here to treat acute pain like what he's having.
What CBD are you using?
CBD’s I’m using are charlottes web, heal and early bird. I would say Heal was the best out of the 3 but pricey. To be honest I don’t see a change in his behavior but he likes taking it.
Here's a link uou may find helpful Jerry posted regarding CBD.
https://tripawd...../cannabis/
We know this is scary not seeing Django be himself, especially if pain is jnvolved. It's so exhausting emotionally and physically for you right now and hard not to focus on worse case scenarios.
So take some deep breaths and k ow that, as Jerry said, thisnis most likely due to doing too much too soon early on. Once that happens it takes a while to recoup the original al ground d gai ed. You are doing exactly what needs to be done right now for Django to regain his mobility and comfort.
And absolutely, if you can get a Rehab consult asap, they can do wonders in identifying any issues and what therapy he needs to rebuild core strength, etc.
time is what he needs right now and it’s not what he’s got
We know it's easier said than done, but try not to focus on "staristics" or timeframes, etc. It keeps you from being focused on the here and now....and the here and now is all that matters. Django doesn't have a time frame sta ped a where on his butt and he's his own dog with his own make up and creates his own "statistics " .
Short leashed potty breaks. good pain management , lots of massages, no running, no jumping, etc. Restoring pulled muscles, soreness, etc for a tripawd doesn't happen overnight, but it does happen, slowly but surely! When you do the massages arou d his neck and shoulder, up and down his spine, take note of he tenses up in any of these areas.
Update when you can, okay? We care.
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!
django79 said
CBD’s I’m using are charlottes web, heal and early bird. I would say Heal was the best out of the 3 but pricey. To be honest I don’t see a change in his behavior but he likes taking it.
Thanks for sharing the names of the brands you're using. I assume you're trying the oils not the treats?
As a Veterinary Cannabis Guide, I'm always trying to learn more about the products that are being sold to pet parents. Out of the 3 you mentioned, Heal has the most comprehensive and current lab results about their products (less than 1 year old) which is what you want to look for in any CBD product you buy. But otherwise, although it's more expensive than the others, their transparency and extensive lab testing tells me you are getting more bang for your buck there.
Of course not that you asked, I'm just nosy! 
He does seem to tense up when rubbing the amputated side rear lower rib section. He still slow moving and uninterested in things, not like the first week he was himself with no mobility issues, it really seemed like he was going to be ok. Thankfully no issues with eating, seems to be the only thing he enjoys.
Ok so you might have found what's hurting him, try to lay low until the vet can see him and be sure to point out the area during your visit. You are making good observations about his behavior, that will help the vet too.
If it's any comfort, it's not unusual at all for a dog to have some ups and downs even four weeks after surgery. Happens all the time! Resting is usually what resolves it, along with some anti-inflammatory medication. Hopefully your vet will have some more specific direction. Keep us posted!
Enjoying eating IS a good sign. I k ow it doesn't seem like much right now because he was so much "better" the first week. In my completely unprofessional "opinion", the localized tenderness when you massage him just seems to point more and more overdoing it. And the first several weeks (especially first week or so), it doesn't take much at all to tweak something. All the muscles are being used in a different way.
I know it seems like an eternity before uoir Bet gets back, but you're doing what needs to be done in the meantime. Pain meds, anti flammatory, SHORT leashed potty breaks.
Hang in there!
(((((((Hugs)))))))
PS. In the meantime, is there a friend or family member he really likes who could come visit him?? Sometimes someone with an upbeat energy can perk them up some
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!
Well today, he didn’t want to leave the yard for morning potty walk and just got home from work, he can’t or get off the porch to potty. Something wrong he’s been getting worse. The carprofen and gabapentine just don’t seem to do anything. We’re heading into the 5th week of this.
A couple pf wuestions.
I've lost track of time, ,.. how much longer before the Vet returns and do you have a set time to see him when he gets back rather than taking g up more time trying to get an appointment?
Can you get him into another Vet to be assessed sooner?
Does the porch have steps? If so, how many?
Can he potty in yard rather than have to actually go on a walk outside of the yard?
Sorry for more questions.....
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!
Appointment next Thursday 20th, if call another it’s probably going to be scheduled for next week anyway. I don’t see much that they could do, he’s stiches were removed 2 weeks ago and I mentioned his decline, and he set the next visit 3 months from there. Week later made another appointment, for the 20th October. Porch has two steps and yhea he can potty in the yard, we actually don’t go for a walk down the street he can’t. But was able to two weeks ago and gotten shorter.
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