Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I need some info here please. This is the second time in two weeks that we had a big scare: Manni was playing (but really not all that wildly so this could've happened by just hopping around) and he fell. Now that does happen (he faceplants occasionally), but last night (and two weeks ago) his left leg went left and his body went right. He screamed and then held up his remaining front paw. That is a horrible sight, to have your medium-sized tripawd on the two back legs trying to hold up his remaining front one and not wanting to put weight on it.
I ran over and held him, half carried him and eased him down. I let him lie for about 5 minutes and then asked him to get up again to see if he could stand. Which he could, so I assume nothing's broken. His stride was a bit shorter, kind of wobbly. I thought about rushing straight to the clinic but two weeks ago everything was ok after a few minutes so I thought I'd wait a while. I took him for a very short walk about an hour later. He went willingly but again, kind of a short stride, kind of wobbly.
Now: we had a partially torn tendon about 6 years ago in the now amputated leg. This tough little bugger street-dog walked around with it for almost 6 months until I finally found out what it was. Meaning: he doesn't show pain if he can avoid it and also, it's not like you can see limping in a tripawd now, can you?
This morning he hopped around ok. Now I have been looking around here for ligament issues but I can only seem to find issues with hind legs, such as cruciate ligament surgery and such.
Does anybody know anything about front leg issues on front leg amps???
The vet visit is still on hold because I want to keep observing him a while longer. He still walks/hops ok and maybe it's nothing. but I would rather be prepared in any case, so any info would be tremendous!!
Oh, and what about braces? Our PT always said that she prefers to have them go without braces as long as they can and I second that from my horse experience but maybe it's time now?? any experiences with that??
thank you once more! a (rather worried) Tina
(to be honest: the thought of being lucky enough to be without mets for such a long time only to have a useless remaining front leg is killing me...)
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
Tina, try not to panic OK? I know it's scary to see your dog hurting like that. You're being wise by observing him and keeping a cool head right now.
From what rehab vets tell us, front or rear Tripawds are both at risk for cruciate tears. If Manni did anything, it could very well be on the rear. You won't know unless he is evaluated. I think your wait and see approach is smart if he's not showing you pain indicators right now. This blog post will give you some insight while you wait and see:
CSU Survey Assesses Risk of Orthopedic Disorders in Canine Amputees
As for the brace. It very well may be time. Yes they can be of tremendous help. A common injury for front leggers is a worn out carpal joint. It would be wise to talk about this with your rehab therapist.
I hope that Manni feels better. Remember, it's kind of like how when we move a certain way, we can throw our backs out or pull a muscle too. Dogs are no different. Both of us can recover from this and feel good again. He will too. {{{{hugs}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Geez,I know your neart was in your throat! Mine sure was when I first saw the title, a d then, on tipmof that, it was about our Miracle Dog Manni!
I have zero insight other than complete and total rest. For peace of mind, and because he is so stoic, and is showing some tentiveness when walking, I'd get him checked out.
Valentine is wearing a brace on her remaining front leg and it seems to be very beneficial.
Keep us posted okay?
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!
Thank you Rene! And sally: I love you. Your positivity is so infectious! You're amazing. Thanks.
So I waited a day but I'm pretty sure I'll end up at the vet tomorrow. It's really so hard to tell if they can't limp. But. Manni does hop about but not with much gusto. And basically only as far as he has to. I was very certain it's something in his elbow or thereabouts but tonight his paw is kind of warm to the touch and he doesn't want to be touched there. So I guess there's really something wrong but I am by no means sure. We'll see. I'll keep you updated.
regarding the brace: I know about these carpal ones but assuming we're talking elbow here: I saw that there are braces for all the way up to above the elbow. Anybody have experiences with that??
Also: anybody out there who's had problems with the remaining front leg?
Thank you, more tomorrow I suppose.
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
Of the 31 thoracic limb amputees with orthopedic disease, 21 had disease in at least one of their pelvic limbs, and 14 reported disease in their contralateral thoracic limb. Eight pelvic and 11 thoracic limb amputees selected surgical treatment, all for pelvic limb disorders, consisting of 10 cranial cruciate ligament ruptures, treated by tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (n=7/10), tibial tuberosity advancement ( n=1/10) and extracapsular repair (n=2/10) surgeries, four patellar luxation surgeries, three hip luxations, and two fractures.
This is from the survey above. Am I Reading this right that there were only ever surgeries on hind legs?? So does that mean to not do that on a front leg? Not that I really would probably, but still...
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
It's good you're gonna' have the Vet check him out. TRY, TRY, TRY,not to let your mind go crazy with every worse case scenario! It's so funny that, when we make scenarios up in our head, we never spend time making up good ones!!
It's probably something that can be fixed with anti-inflammatories and more rest, maybe assistance with harness for awhile. IF...IF...Manni needed surgery in his front leg,although difficult, it would be doable! It maybe that he would need to use something from Eddie's wheels for awhile. A dog named TREY comes to mind.
You'll have some answers Saturday and can move forward with solutions.
We'll all be sending tons of pawsitive energy!
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!
Ok. So we're back from the vet. Manni's on Metacam and tummy-stuff and rest for the time being. We had x-rays taken mainly to ease my mind. The joint actually looks pretty decent for 10 years and only three legs. Mild arthritis but I expected worse.
The carpal joint is warm to the touch and a little bigger than it should be so something's not right. But I knew that last night. It might be the capsule. So. Let's hope this is taken care of w anti-inflammatory and rest. It's not like I would have anything done that involved anesthesia if not absolutely necessary.
I asked about braces again and will also ask the PT next week. The vet basically said that anything splint-like takes away too much of the joint mobility and anything bandage-like probably doesn't help anymore than core strength does. We'll see what the PT says. No exercise right now though.
So. I'm a little more at ease and at least Manni will be pain-free. That's the most important thing. Scary stuff though. You have scenarios in your head where you have to -once more- decide between surgery (ligament) or euthanasia.
Anybody tried bubble-wrapping their dogs yet???
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
Okay Manni, you better get better quickly! Yiur Mom is about to bubble wrap you head to toe....And then probably start popping each bubble because no human can resist doing that! 🙂
Okay...big sigh of relief going on over here!! So glad the xrays were clear!! It may take a while, but sounds like complete rest and the anti-inflammatory will do the trick!
And Mom, you get some rest too! I know you've been up all night worrying, as we all would have been!
HUUUUUUGS!!
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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