Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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It seems my pets and I can't catch a break these days 
Finn is finally better and over his moving woes, but now Domino is my problem child.
I took the dogs to our local kennel clubs responsible dog ownership day this past Saturday, it was a lot of fun and the dogs had a blast. Domino wasn't anymore active than he normally is, and he didn't injure himself in any way, we were just out and about for half the day. He was very tired Saturday afternoon and evening but seemed ok. Then when we woke up Sunday he could barely walk on his remaining front leg!!! He was tripping about every 2-3 steps he took and was walking very slowly and cautious. I gave him an anti inflammatory pill and made him rest all day. Since yesterday morning he's no longer tripping as much, just occasionally, but he's still walking weird. It's hard to describe, he's very slow and is keeping his head down more and it almost looks like his elbow juts out every few steps. I've also noticed that he is maybe walking down lower on his wrist. I've done some flex and extension and some massage. He doesn't seem painful to the touch, but I'm feeling a good bit of heat in his shoulder and bicep area. I'm out of anti inflammatory pills now, so I'm doing tramadol twice a day. I feel like I'm over reacting but I've made an appointment for him to go see his rehab therapist Dr. Kennedy this Thursday.
Am I over reacting?! He hasn't been this pitiful for a very long time, and bless his heart he wants to play so bad lol.
Thanks in advance for reading my long post, I'm just a worried mom lol.
Cassie and Domino
“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.”
Domino had his left front leg amputate on May 13th 2014 after being hit by a car. He's now living a happy healthy life on three legs :)
You are not overreacting. Clearly, you are seeing something that concerns you, and you have to trust your gut. Now, maybe, he will get some good rest and be fine in the morning, or maybe he just pulled a muscle, but it makes sense to take him in if he hasn't improved by Thursday.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Cassie,
Not over reacting. You know Dom. Keep your head up and talk to your vet about maybe some acupuncture too. He probably tweaked something and just needs some rest. We did acupuncture & deep tissue massage with Jazz's leg. Still working out a few spots on the spine from almost 8 months of limping.
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."
Whoa! Wasn't expecting this! But first, really glad that sweet cuddle bear Finn is doing okay!
What you're describing with Domino sounds a lot like what has happened to my wild and crazy Frankie! I'm going to go fi d a poat I made "Ask A Vet" the first time it happened. If I recall, Dr. Pam mentioned something in the relation to his elbow. I don't recall the wrist thing, but I remember thinking something was "weird" with the elbow or the shoulder.
Anyway, it was one of those "all of the sucden things" where it was as though his front let or shoulder just xeem to not be able to hold him up. His head woild bob very, very low to the grounc.
I posted there because I took him to my regular vet and they suggested rest a d RIMADYL. Of course Frankie had been in the ER for four days because he had 2600 mg of the Rimadyl as his dessert! I was scared to do the Rimadyl or Metacam, so I just did rest and Tramadol and he recuperated inabout two or three days.
When he did it again, I did give one Rimadyl and rest and he recovered again. Knocking on wood over here, that seems ro do the trick.
If I recall, o e time I was very aware that he had probably over done it. The ither rime, I didn't think so.
No, I don't think you are overreacting at all when it comes to a rremaining leg!! If you can get some Rimadyl until his appt, I woukd definitely try that and continue with rest!
Gonna go see if I can find my post..
Hang in there friend!
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!
Not overreacting at all, Cassie. I think you are very smart to take Domino into the rehab vet. They have a way of figuring things out that would definitely elude those of us without their training. Could be that an acupuncture session might help, too.
Kathi and the Turbotail April Angel...and the Labradork
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Well, apparently I'm delusional as I cannot find where I made the post. Ugh!! And it was 1600 mg of Rimadyl, not 2600!
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!
Of course you're not over-reacting! Meg started falling over recently, completely out of the blue. I wasn't aware of her having injured herself in any way or done anything different. Freaked me out totally. I took her to the rehab vet, who diagnosed a pulled muscle in her shoulder. She did some laser and acupuncture, which seemed to help a lot. Then she was on extra Metacam and very restricted (5 min) lead walks on flat surfaces with no sharp turns. She's absolutely fine again now, though it took about three weeks. Sounds to me like you're doing exactly the right thing, and definitely good to see the rehab therapist. I'm sure Domino will be feeling better soon (and I love your desc of him as your problem child - know the feeling!)
All best
Meg and Clare (and Elsie Pie) xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
I think one of the first things I learned on this journey is to go with my gut feeling. Even if it turned out to be nothing it calmed me to get issues checked out. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. You are a very wise Mama. Hugs!
Always go with your gut! And I agree with the others ... perhaps he strained something ... and the rehab vet should be able to guide you! Fingers and paws crossed it's nothing serious! XOXO
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
Ditto x10. You are not overreacting, you did the right thing by calling Dr. Kennedy. Let us know what she says OK? We all have times when we're not 100%, and for a Tripawd they're a little more at risk just because of the way they use their bodies. She can certainly work her magic and get him feeling good again, I just know it!
Hang in there OK? Keep him rested and comfy and work that brilliant mind of his in the meantime. How's he doing today?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
How's our Domino?
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!
Domino is doing ok. We had our visit with Dr Kennedy at ARCC on Thursday afternoon. She believes that Domino has pulled or sprained his bicep in his remaining front leg :/ She also thinks that because of that he's compensating by walking lower down on his carpus. So for now we are doing heat and massage in both areas and searching like crazy for a carpus support brace. She wants him to wear a brace for 4-6 weeks and after that wants him to wear it during activity. Domino is mad of course because he can't play lol. But overall everything is going well!!
Cassie and Domino
“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.”
Domino had his left front leg amputate on May 13th 2014 after being hit by a car. He's now living a happy healthy life on three legs :)
I'm so pleased that you've been able to identify the problem and that Domino is now on the road to recovery. Good on you for trusting your gut!
All best to you both,
Meg and Clare (and Elsie Pie) xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Thanks for updating. I just saw your post looking for a brace so hope that works out.
I'm sure Domino is ticked about having to slow down! He's such aa feisty guy!
I'm glad you vot thingd figured out.:-)
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS. The photos in the other thread about the brace....So cute! He and Finn are a good looking team!!
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!
Glad to hear that he is doing ok. Hope you find that brace. Dom, get better soon buddy.
xoxox
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."
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