Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi all,
My 12 year old Elmer, a right forelimb amputee due to parosteal osteosarcoma, has always been a very relaxed pup, until the amputation. Since recovery, while he's doing pretty well hopping, and going swimming, he's been obsessively licking his remains front paw, to the point of removing hair and causing what is on the border of a hotspot. I'm really struggling to find the cause -- I've seen his vet a few times, and he gave him allergy meds, said he doesn't think it's pain, and believes it's anxiety due to his new, less physically active lifestyle and all the changes.
Has anyone else experienced this or something like it? I'm considering anti-anxiety meds at this point (for him, not me, tho I might benefit too :)), as my feeling is he's been through so much, and why should he suffer more.
Advise and shared experience most welcome.
Thank you,
Emily
Hi Emily and Elmer,
I'm so glad he's getting around better. Generally, I would say that obsessive licking is one of many important pain signals noted by pain experts. I would get a second opinion about this behavior.
Has he been to rehab therapy yet? If not, this is a great reason to have him evaluated. Remember Tripawds Foundation can pay for your first rehab visit so you have nothing to lose.
Thanks, Jerry. In fact, I have an appointment with a rehab specialist next week, and am counting the days! That reminder is much appreciated 🙂
Emily
YAY! I'm so happy to hear that. These therapists can be sooo helpful at a time like this and really make a huge difference in quality of life. I hope he's feeling better soon. Please keep us posted.
I just noticed this today with my pup, I knew I saw a post somewhere. So glad to hear I’m not the only one! Lucky ( just on day 3, almost 4 days home) started licking the remaining leg. I figured it was a sign of pain, but wasn’t sure. I will keep watching him and hope to see more of your experience too.
And thanks again for the support from this community!
It’s really been a great help in the process and journey for me and the fur babies:)
My experience with paw licking was due to anxiety.
My quad Pug Obie was not treated well at his first home, including being kept for hours in a carrier too small for him. Because of his history when I adopted him at 4 years old he had several behaviors related to anxiety including paw licking.
When he was younger I was able to distract him with puzzles, chews and toys. We also did activities like agility for fun. We kept chews all around the house, when he would start licking we distracted him with something else. I was lucky that he never injured himself- but the constant licking was really annoying!
We've had several people here over the years report paw licking- and in all the cases I can remember the pup stopped on their own once they got used to their new normal. You might try a few games and puzzles to occupy Elmer. Scent games are great for tiring out brain and body without a lot of stress.
You could also ask your vet about a calming probiotic called Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements Calming Care. My vet recommended it for my anxious girl. Elly is a rear amp Tripawd due to a car accident. She was re-homed several times- I was her fourth home at 10 months old and she came with separation anxiety and fear issues. Last December she had a dental and stressed herself so much she developed stress induced colitis! She has been on that probiotic for several months and it does seem to help her.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls and Boy
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Always have to chuckle a bit with stories about Karen and her Pugs. She's probably experienced just about any "unique" situation you can think of with them. And we all learn so much from the ways she handled each....err.....uniqueness.
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!
Thanks, everyone, for the advice. The vets were split on pain vs anxiety - but the good news is his foot doesn't have a cancer spread/reoccurrence, and I went with my gut and decided it was pain, and have him back on amantadine plus one gaba at night, and he's bouncier than I've seen him in weeks. It does sound like a tendon in his foot is causing the pain tho after some tests. I do think there's a little anxiety mixed in, but I am pretty sure it's pain. Our "rehab" visit was not great. I'll share more about that when I can process it a bit more. But the rehab vet had no experience with Tripawds, and that really threw me off.
Hope all of you and yours are well. Thanks to all for the ideas!
Emily
he's bouncier than I've seen him in weeks.
Great update!!! And yes, sometimes "going with your gut" is the best route. That inner voice is quite guided sometimes.
Bummer about the Rehab visit. Hopefully there's another one in your area that will be a better fit.
Give Elmer smooch for us🥰
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!
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