Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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i don't think I want to be writing this post
Jack gave us a scare a few weeks ago when he was very obviously not happy and wasn't walking well, turned out he had sprained something unfortunately this doesn't seem to have stopped. He is going out and hopping around but is tiring very quickly now, so much so that we are restricting how far he walks. We have put a coat on him to keep him warm when he is out side as it is getting colder and damper now, he also stays in the house all the time instead of outside with the others in the shed during the day. He is also on Loxicom (Metacam) as a daily dose now as well as Golden paste and a joint supplement.
He is just looking sad and unhappy and preferring to rest rather than move around, even the tail doesn't wag as much as it did when he sees us.
There is no obvious breathing difficulty, which means nothing I guess but we are concerned. He had his amputation in August last year and a full dose of Chemo.
Any opinions or ideas please?
Oh Jack! What's up dude? From Bandit
Okay now from Deb,
My advice is take him in to the vet. It could be something really simple that would let him feel a lot better. If it isn't good news, the vet can answer all of your questions so you and Jack can make an informed decision. Take a breath...get information...then you'll be empowered. Lots of love from Bandit and Deb.
Awww Jack! We need you to feel better, okay?
So, up until he hurt his leg, he was doing well. This slump could still be related to that. Was he checked out at the Vet? Any xrays taken? Although, they wouldn't really show muscle strains, but they could show if there were zny disc/spine issues.
If he has muscle soreness or back issues, it may be uncomfortable for him to wag. If it's a torn ligament or knee issue, it is very painful and would limit mobility a lot.
What about adding a pain med like Tramadol to the mix? That, along with more rest and just short potty breaks may make a difference. Fighting pain can certainly make a dog tired too.
Of course, a trip to the vet for a good work up may put your mind at ease to properly treat the specific issue. Even IF, big IF, it's unrelated to the sore leg, there are still things that can help Jack feel better and perk up. Prednisone may be a good treatment tool.
No matter what, just like you have done everyday on this journey, make every day count! Make everyday JACK DAY!!
Give us a progress report when you can. And check into Trmadol.
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!
Sorry to hear Jack's having a hard time. Agree with the others re a trip to the vet, but also that this could easily be ongoing problems from the sprain, other muscles tired from compensating etc. If so, then it might be worth seeing a rehab specialist, perhaps trying some laser treatment and/or acupuncture. When Meg pulled a muscle in her shoulder, it caused tenderness right down her back and the laser really helped. Just a thought. I do hope you get some answers and that Jack is feeling better soon.
Meg and Clare (and Elsie Pie) xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 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 Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
It's easy to think the worst, but don't, it could be anything. Have you studied him for pain indicators? What you are describing is very indicative that he's hurting. See:
Pain Signs in Cats and Dogs: Learn the Symptoms
Take him for an exam and get a referral to a rehab therapy practitioner. I'll bet all he needs is the right tough to help him feel better. Keep us posted OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I've been observing him and even though we don't want to, don't want bad news 🙁 , I will be taking him to the vets this next week all positive thought please
Best wishes! Please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Me and Eurydice are sending waves 🌊🌊🌊🌊 of pawsitive energy your way and thinking about you and Jack 💞💞💞
As others said it could be a lot of things and you will know soon.
Pleas keep us posted, tons of hugs and cuddles flying your way 💕💕💕🐾🐶
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
All the positive healing energy in the world coming your way. And we're sending lots of love and hugs too.
No matter what the issue is, you'll come up with a trestment plan to help him feel better.
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!
Izzy and I have paws crossed that the checkup goes well. Is Jack still favoring the injured leg? Izzy had a hurt knee for ages and I didn't notice. She was less active and perky than usual and once she went lame, even her primary vet felt maybe this was the start of our farewell. Turns out she was just really hurting and, once we got that knee right, she was back to her silly self!
We'll be hoping for a similar outcome for Jack. Lots of pawsitive thoughts and energy coming your way!!
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
Positive energy from us to Jack!!! Keep us posted!!!
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
We've visited the vet and he was very happy and perky!
she thinks that the sore leg/pulled muscles is what is causing him to be so subdued although his lungs are not as clear as she would like. They ran his blood which was all clear although his thyroid was showing a bit low.
So he is now on tramadol and paracetamol twice a day, loxicom once a day and his thyroid meds have been increased so now we wait
Sounds like good news! Hopefully, this does the trick and he starts feeling better soon.
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.
Thanks for the update!! So glad ro hear Jack decided to be perky and happy!!! YAAAAAAAAAY!!!!! While the rest of the world think pulled muscles are a bad thing, we embrace them around here!!:-) 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
And overall, this is a pretty good report! So just keep on keepin' on Jack!! As usual, EVERYDAY IS JACK DAY!!
Extra treats, ice cream and steak all are great for sore muscles!! 🙂
Lots of 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!
He would like the extra goodies, I am very sure particularly since he has lost 2kg in weight since they last noted his weight this time last year
I am relieved if this helps him but it is a lot of painkillers, but he he can be happy on tramadol! Not happy that his lungs might be going, she did say we might be able to do a conscious XRay on him as he is such a good lad if we feel we want to do them - don't really want to do the whole anaesthetic thing if we can avoid it, we will wait out on that one I think
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