Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi guys,
Well, ever since my doctor told me that I might have a partial "ACL tear," my Mom and Dad have been keeping me mellow and on short leash walks, to see if my knee will get any better.
I still love to chase things and run around, but my knee is still bugging me.
Have any of you tripawds out there had a knee injury after becoming a tripawd? If you did, how did you deal with it?
So far it looks like surgery is the only option for something like this, and trust me, surgery isn't something I want to do. My pawrents aren't sure they want to do it, what with my health status and all.
What should we do? Any advice?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Jerry, your buddy Dee is also limping again - he might have the same injury? We are taking him to the vet tomorrow to check him out... I dont know what I will do if it is an ACL tear... Dont want to put him through another operation either! You have both been through so much!! Will let you know what the vet says. Perhaps he/she's got some new ideas/thoughts on ACL tears. Regards, Dee's Mommy
Best of luck to Dee and thanks for the update!
My people have been trying to keep me confined, and we're still just going on leashed walks. But it is hard because every time I get to go out I want to run and play. Especially if there are other dogs around.
They are also using Bella's Hot/Cold Pain Relief pack to apply heat to my knee, hoping that will help. It's only been about a week, and I still limp on my back leg so I guess i get to remain cooped up for a couple more weeks. We'll see if my condition gets better worse or remains the same and will let every one know here.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Jerry - just a thought - but have you considered acupuncture? This will relieve the pain for a couple of weeks at a time. I am considering it for Winston, as the latest x rays showed he had arthritus in his left front leg, which is clearly painful and he limps sometimes after walks. I am keen to avoid Rimadyl because of the reactions it sometimes has in dogs ( not all, but I dont want to take any chances given Winston's health). The director of my vetinerary practice is a licensed veterinary acupuncturist - so I think I will give it a go. I will let you know if it seems to relieve his pain.
Winston's mom.
From what my human has amanged to deduct from studying ACL resources, she undrestands that it could be common for us special doggies to get ACL, especially if we have "straight" legs and/or have been pretty active - especially hi-impact routines. My ACLS is just like Jerry's - in the leg opposite to the amputated leg (in my case the rear left leg); it was diagnosed about 6 months post-op, and I was placed on a daily regimen of 50 mgs a day, which a few months ago was increased to 100 mgs..I'm allowed to swim all I want, but I'm not allowed to walk more than 20 minutes at a time. What is difficult for both of us really, is to cut down on exercise - my human's even put on weight! So I guess its all about moderation and learning to be patient. WOOOOOF
Tell your mom thanks for the advice Winston! My vet actually recommended accupunture, but what my people don't know is if one session will make a difference. Or if multiple sessions would be better.
We have considered it, but since we're on the road full-time we're waiting until we settle down for a while to (hopefully) find a local practiioner.
Thanks again!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
The more I read about this ACL tears, the more I begin to wonder if this is not the case with Dee... (Dr says he feels a bit of swelling around the joints of his right back leg). Is it more painfull when it is cold outside? Because this seems to be the case with Dee... Today he is just laying in bed, not moving at all... (cold and wet outside) Does the swimming help at all Lalla? Dee will receive fisio in a heated swimming pool from next week - I do hope this helps! What effect does Rimadyl have on the dogs? Dee is currently taking it for pain... Wishing you all a speedy recovery!
Dee said:
Is it more painfull when it is cold outside?
This is hard to tell for my people since I refuse to express how much pain I'm in. We went to the snow the other day and I acted the same as any other day ... like I just want to run and play!
Swimming supposedly does help! And tomorrow I'm going to an accupuncturist. My doctor recommended that so we're gonna give it a try. We'll keep y'all posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hey Jerry,
My Buster had an acl repaired prior to his amputation.... If this is the case , I would fix it. He needs his remaining legs to help carry his weight. It is something that WONT heal on its own!! Buster would carry his hind leg in the air all the time until the repair. After 2-3 days he was fine. They recommend swimming as part of therapy after the repair. Find the best orthopedic surgeon that does repairs on larger dogs and find out how they repair the acl because there are different methods. I was told an acl repair on a normal dog could be a immune problem, but being a tripawd dog does have its limits.I worry since Buster's amputation his remaining forelimb is moderately hyper flexed. I have a ace bandage i put on him prior to walks. I hope he doesn't have to deal with that being repaired. If that's the case , it would have to be fused . Buster does have arthritis conditions due to the acl repair. I give him Dog Gone Pain.
Best Wishes ,
KIM&BUSTER
Kim & Angel Buster
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
–Anatole France
Yeah, we haven't totally ruled surgery out, but it's not something we want to consider as a possibility yet. If that makes any sense.
I've heard of DGP, it's supposed to be great stuff!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just a quick update about my visit to the accupuncturist. We'll be publishing a post and video in my three-legged dog blog – hopefully soon – so stay tuned there...
The accupuncture appointment was interesting. My people believe it
helped. Mostly though, it was enlightening. The procedure was more about
releasing my Chi, opening up my blocked energy field and discovering
which supplements are working well with my energy field.
Whatever, I am acting like I feel a bit better because of it all. The needles were no big deal,
and at one point I ley out a heavy sigh when one went in. Soon after that. i relaxed and let the doctor fill me full of pins, along my spine and around my knee.
Since the visit, I haven't been limping so much but I am still relatively confined and going on short walks. Hopefully today i get to go swimming!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hey Jerry,
Nice to hear it helped... I need help finding a qualified acupuncturist in my area! Any suggestions?? Buster didn't seem to like the chiropractor, for 3days after the appointment he seemed upset with me and was very picky about eating...
KIM&BUSTER
Kim & Angel Buster
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
–Anatole France
OKim1 said:
I need help finding a qualified acupuncturist in my area...
My people just found this link for an online acupuncture referral service. You might aslso try searching the International Veterinary Accupuncture Society to find a pet acupuncturist in your area. Good luck!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I have a quick question for anyone...what are the signs? My mom is concerned because I sometimes trip over myself...I'm 7 weeks post amputation (exactly today) of my right front leg and though I always shuffled my hind legs a bit when I walked, mom is wondering if it's something else because of the added strain. I run, no problem, but walking seems to be a little more difficult - is it because of the hopping? Mom has a call into my doctor and knowing her, she'll probably make me go through x-rays of my hind legs, but I thought I would see if anyone had any input on this...she has got to stop worrying about me so much!
Thanks guys!
Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
My symptoms presented as a favoring of the leg. I would lift it a little when standing, and have a lttle hobble to my gait. Kinda like a two and a half legged dog.
But my people are starting to wonder if it might just be arthritis, like Dee – or perhaps displaysia – because I've always favoredthat leg. When I was a puppy my first vet told my people "run him while he's young" ... if he could only see me now!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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