Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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When Jackson started his chemo, a new white spot appeared on his face. Then, on his tail. Well, not so! I was rubbing him down last night (that is to say, doing the thing we all cancer-parents do: feel them over for new bumps...) and noticed that this white patch on his tail is his undercoat and skin! He has been using his tail to help leverage himself UP, thus rubbing away his fur! Holy cow! No, it's not raw, tender, or problematic. Thank goodness he's got a double coat and long fur, so I think there will always be something there to help him maneuver. This patch is on the side of his tail opposite to his stump. I'm not worried about this and think it's a cool adaptation. We'll watch it to make sure it never gets raw.
Anyone else with a tailed, rear-legged amputee have a similar wear pattern?
~ Katy & Jackson
Pics:
(HE bolstered this blanket just right, to prop up Mr Wiggle Butt's noggin!)
See "white patch"? That's his undercoat and skin!
Look at how he's rubbed it away, compared to the thickness of fur up/downstream of it:
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Wow Katy. Of course Sassy never had a tail but I know when she was 1st amputated she used the side she was amputated on to help herself up and it rubbed the sutures so much that she almost had them infected from the rubbing it made a scab on them. I would be curious if others had the same thing as J or not. Sally & Happy Hannah?? she is a bigger fluffy dog and maybe does the same as J?
Hugs
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."
Gee thanks my Mom was looking at my butt again and checking to see if my tail was bald! Ugh, annoying.
But no, I don't have a wear pattern. Maybe it's cause I live in a trailer and don't have a lot of room to do the zoomies so I'm not always spinning on my butt, unless it's out on my walks.
Wyatt Ray Dawg . . . The Tripawds Leg-A-Cy Continues!
Read all about my adventures at my Tripawds Blog
Verrrry interesting. Nobody's ever reported something like that but I wonder how many haven't noticed it before?
How's his rear leg strength? Does he land on his butt a lot when he has the zoomies?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
That is fascinating ... I've never heard of that either. I am going to ask our vets today out of pure curiosity ... Shelby isn't using her tail (but as I have said before, not the sharpest tack in the shed - she cant' figure out how to scratch yet). That's awesome! Go on Jackson!
Have you seen him do it? that is so cool!!!
Alison & Shelby
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
I feel Jackson's rear leg strength is awesome. But, I've never been around tripawd before and there are only so many videos here. You've seen some of his videos, though. I think he's got mad skills and is very strong! When he gets the zoomies he doesn't spin on his stump or land on it. He gets in the Play position a lot and will do so to extract a toy from under the couch. His core is strong. He goes to his onco tomorrow, so I'll also ask their opinion of his strength, since they've seen more tripawds then me. Our whole house is carpet, so he doesn't have a choice but to face friction every time he gets up. Now that I've noticed it, I'm going to watch his tail more closely when he's resting stump-side up.
Thanks for checking your dogs! I'm sure they loved the up close inspection!
~ Katy & Jackson
Here are some videos to get a sense of his mobility, flexibility, core strength, and rear strength:
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Yes, Happy Hannah has a "less furry patch" and her hair is more "bristley" in that area.
The phot's not that great and Imhave the flashlight aimed at the wrong spot.....look just below the brighter area...you'll see it.
Could look at Jackson frolicing all day long! That dog is amazing!!
Update us after your appt. tomorrow, okay?? Yucky ole' appointments..ugh.
LOVE!!
Sally snd Happy Hannah
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!
WOW ... look at him go! That is so impressive!!! I am just in awe!
Great job, Jackson!
Alison & Shelby
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
I can see it, Sally. Although, it's hard to tell - is her patch on one side of her tail? Jackson's is firmly on the side opposite to his stump.
I'm gonna watch him and get a video of his this trick!
Glad you like his videos...he makes us so happy! He's loving life with the best of 'em.
Tomorrow is his 15 month! And checkup...which I've decided will just be a good feel-over, blood draw, and urine check. No xrays. NOPE.
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Jackson just kicks BUTT! That is hard work and he's handling it very, very well. Looks like one strong boy to me.
HOPPY 15TH AMPUVERSARY JACKSON! Let's get this pawty started!
That's interesting about Hannah's tail. Who knew? Anyone else out there with a bald spot on the tail?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I've taken 1 video of him getting up and I'll wait to post it until I get more videos.
I pointed it out to his onco this AM and she's not worried. She too feels he's strong and this "tail-action" is no sign of weakness. In fact, she commented that most dog tails aren't strong enough to do this sort of thing. So, are we honored? No idea! Either way, Jackson has some way of coping! Way to go, buddy!
I am still VERY intrigued to see who else besides Jackson and the marvelous Happy Hannah are using their tails.
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
It just makes Jackson even more original than he already is!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Look what I saw/ found on Shelby's tail today when we were down at the park. I KNOW she is not using it as leverage since I have seen her get up... she glides up w/her front paws and then puts the pressure on the rear leg. But perhaps when she is going down, she leverages with it somehow? It's definitely bare and definitely a callous. Fascinating!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
OH wow! Anypawdy else?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
No kidding?! Look at that! We're onto something here, folks. Keep these explorations coming. And I'll upload some videos soon of my monkey-butt.
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
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