Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello all - It's been a long time, though all of you here are never far from my mind.
My husband and I just returned home from a week in Hawaii (woohoo!) but after we brought the dogs home from their "hotel" we noticed that Barret was hopping around kind of funny. I thought that he had maybe had pulled a muscle or something, which he does from time to time because he's an absolute nutball, and it would resolve in a day or two.
Well a day or two has passed and he is still limping. We've determined that we think it's his remaining front paw that is giving him trouble. He avoids putting weight on the front of his foot. He still lets me touch it and wiggle the toes, though he never liked his feet touched to begin with. I can't see any cuts or splinters, or anything physically wrong with his paw. It is a little bit warmer than his back paws to the touch, but not red. Nothing seems wrong on the rest of the leg and he still gets around, just a little more gimpy than usual. He shows no other signs of illness or pain - still eating, playing, etc.
So I am asking this great hive-mind for advice. I don't want to overreact and rush to the vet (my regular vet is out this week, but I could see another if I needed to)... but on the other hand he is my baby boy and he's already used up his spare leg! I mean... what could it possibly be, and what would they do for it?
Anything I can do to speed recovery (other than keeping him off the paw as much as possible... which is easier said than done)?
Ah, the joys of parenthood , am I right?
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
HEATHER!!!! BARRET!!!! Soooo good to hear from you! And we got to see a picture of Mr. ADORABLE!! We HAVE to have more though! There are so many new people here to need to see this cute boy a d all his pack!!
Are you still living in Alaska? I know vacationing in Hawaii had to be a welcomed change!
Not sure what to think of Mr. Barret's sore paw. Of course with four leggers, rest and staying "off" the paw and taking some anti-inflammatory meds would take care of it. A d then we have the "challenge" of doing that with a tripawd....a very feisty tripawd like Barret makes it all the more challenging!
The main reason I would say go ahead and get him checked out at the vet would be so he could get started on whatever med he needs, as well as maybe a low dose pain med. The other reason would be to give you the reassurance! Reassurance is a really nice thing to have because we all let oir minds go absolutely hay wire! We do it so well!
After all, didn't you rish Barret to the Bet one morning because he was having a hard time standing? Of course, he was walking perfectly by the time he got to the vet. I was determined his foot had merely "fallen to sleep".
Others will chime in with more insight. In the meantime....MORE PICTURES!!!
Mich love!
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!
Heather! You must be psychic, we've been thinking about you guys! Hawaii must have been great! Welcome back to the great frozen tundra!
As for that handsome Barrett. You're right not to be too paranoid. My first thought is he slipped at the boarding place. Have you called to ask the folks who were on duty if they noticed anything? I would give it a couple of days and see if it resolves itself. If he's not licking incessantly or yelping or vocalizing, it's probably OK to wait to see you vet. What's his appetite like? Pooping normal?
Yep, we're all super cautious about that spare leg!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hey Jim & Rene - Hawaii was amazing! But I would still rather live in Alaska. Crazy.. right? And believe it or not, the tundra isn't all that frozen here in Anchorage! Super disappointing winters so far. All ice or rain and no snow. BOOO! But the amazing summer is right around the corner.
Yes, I'm super cautious about that leg! He is eating, pooping, playing.. no licking or anything abnormal. I'll give it a few more days to see if it gets any better. I don't think it is anything too serious, I'm just not sure what the vet could even do for him!
Thanks Sally, so much, for your comments! As requested another picture 🙂
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
Wow he's so growed up! Look at that face! Gorgeous.
Crazy to think Anchorage isn't snowy. Yikes! Well you're right, stay focused on that summertime, I do hear it's gorgeous. One day we'll make it up there to see those northern lights.
In the meantime, I'm glad he's not showing any other pain signals. Let us know what happens OK? We're hoping this clears up soon.
Smooches to the pack!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
Alrighty! We're getting our smile fix for the day...week! Alison just posted some adorable pics of Jasper Lily and now we have the adorable Barret!
He really has grown up! Unbelievable difference! And look at him modeling how to rock the Tripawds gear! Such a fit hunk!
The picture of him lounging on his sofa....a very artsy photo. I love how the light and shadows play across his face...his fur.
Let us know how his paw is doing.
Again, wonderful hearing from you and Barret!
Lots of love!
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!
Heee hee! You know it! We love that photo of him!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Had to drop by and give an update. A few days after this post Barret ripped off a toenail. So he must've weakened it and that's what had him limping. All is well, the vet snipped it off and wrapped it up tight so he could walk. Now he's much better and his little toenail is growing back.
Thanks for all your advice and your thoughts!
Heather and Barret
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
Great news Heather & Barret. I am so glad all things are going well. 🙂 Love him.
xxoxox
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."
Yay, Barrett! We had been wondering about you, too. Glad to hear you like Alaska living. If we were younger, we would probably be doing that, 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!
Oh wow! That TOTALLY makes sense! YAY! Another example of how it's good to keep calm and hop on when something weird comes on suddenly. Very happy to hear this.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
LOOOOOOVE this kind of outcome!!!
I now have two favorite stories to tell about Barret when worried pawrents got off the deep in because of sudden limp on a tripawd!
There was the time you rushed Barret to the Vet because he woke up with a limp....and, of coirse, he was fine by the time you got there! The vet determined his foot/leg had merely "gone to sleep"! And now we have another "limp" caused by a broken toenail!!! YAY!!!
Thank you for being such a great example of hiw, sometimes a burp really is just a burp, a limp really can be just a sleepy foot or a split toenail!
Love and hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS...Okay,I know Alaska is a big place, but are you in any close proximity to TC and Sled 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!
Haha - yes, Alaska is a pretty large place. I think that TC is in Willow, which is about an hour and fifteen minutes from my place. In Alaskan terms we're in the same neighborhood! ha!
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
Totally in the same 'hood! You should go up and see her before they go in a few weeks, they would LOVE IT! I can connect you if you'd like.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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