Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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My dog had his front leg amputated 4 years ago , since then i've been back and forward to the vet trying to solve why he would fall on his face every few steps , he's had every medication and I very reluctantly let them fix his pattella.
The Patella op and regular cartophen did help but he still stumbled every 10 steps or so .
A couple of weeks ago a hole appeared where his leg was amputated , antibiotics didnt clear it. So I agreed for them to operate. They found two large spikes of bone with a large cyst on each and removed them.
I almost cannot believe it but ( touch wood , fingers crossed) since he had the surgery he has not fallen over. I was stood in the garden crying yesterday as he hopped around the garden getting faster and faster as he seemed to realise it didnt hurt anymore.
Has anyone else had a similar experience and is there anything I can do to stop the bone spurs returning
Hi Jeannette,
We're so glad your pup has been doing so well for so long! But of course bummed to hear about the bone spurs.
It's a good thing you posted though, because our #1 vet here at Tripawds, Tazziedog (Dr. Pam W), has had experience with bone spurs in her own Tripawd, Tazzie. Here's what she said in this post from 9/29/09:
Tazzie has developed some pretty major bone spurs/arthritis in her remaining shoulder in this last year. The best thing we have found to help her is acupuncture. She is due to go back next Monday but I think that she could use it sooner! We started with every 2 weeks, then every 5 weeks, and we were trying to stretch it to every 10 weeks but for her I think every 6-8 weeks would be best.
She may or may not see this (if she doesn't respond to this be sure to post in our "Ask a Vet" discussion forum later) and when she does I know she'll have some great advice.
It's good to know that the spurs can be the cause of persistent stumbling, thanks for making us aware of this.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks.
My nosey neighbour said he needed putting down last week which I obviously found upsetting , I know he's been through a lot but I dont think he wants to die and he's always happy.
I did suggest to the vet a few weeks ago that maybe the cysts where making him stumble ( we didnt know about the spurs until they opened him up ) He still moves his shoulder when he walks and I thought it may be like phantom limb pain , it hurt when he moved and he thought it was his imaginary leg so tried to take weight off "it" by collapsing.
He said it wouldn't be that, but he is remarkably better since the surgery.
I'm just crossing my fingers that he stays this good
That's wicked!
I'm so glad to hear it was fixable! YAY!
Inconsiderate neighbors are fixable too - put your fingers in your ears when they talk! 
Best of luck!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
jeanette said:
Thanks.
My nosey neighbour said he needed putting down last week which I obviously found upsetting , I know he's been through a lot but I dont think he wants to die and he's always happy.
Grrrr! Well, here's a great forum post about dealing with rude comments like that. Enjoy!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thankyou , She used to drag her 14 year old blind with eye cancer arthritic corgi up and down the street so she could see what was going on so I was taken aback that she would dare suggest my dog needed putting down.
Yes He falls over on our neighbours varnished drive ( but so did I when it snowed) But he keeps going with a smile on his face.
I do feel bad about what he has been through , the nurse who admited him for his recent surgery gave me a look when I said it was his 9th . but He is tough , He is always up and cheerful next day and has never complained. Even after his patella surgery he was up next day and learnt to walk on two legs with help.
My other dog is a terrible wimp so I probably would not put him through the same thing.
jeanette said:
My other dog is a terrible wimp so I probably would not put him through the same thing.
And that's exactly why we say that it's not always the right decision for every dawg. All pups are different, what some can do great at, others will not. Only the pawrents can decide based on what they know about their pup.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Interesting post. Do bone spurs show up on x-rays?
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
I imagine they would show up on xrays. I've only spoken to the nurse up to now but will ask the vet today how big they where.
I asked them to xray his other front leg when he had his patella op but the spurs must have been just out of shot unfortunatly
I went to the vet but the one I saw didnt do the operation so i'll ask for more details next week when he has his stitches removed.
He is a young vet and I think was a bit dissapointed that his diagnosis of patella luxation was not entirely accurate , but the surgery did help ( He went from falling every 3 steps to every 10) and I wouldnt have expected him to think of it being his missing leg causing the issue.
Very pleased that my boys hopped into the vet and out again on a collar and lead 😀 he's had to wear a support harness or be carried before.
Tazzie had her bony spurs (arthritis) in her remaining shoulder and they got bigger as she aged. There shouldn't be any bony pieces in the amputated limb unless they left the scapula or other bone behind (another good reason to take off the whole forelimb when amputating).
Pam
tazziedog said:
Tazzie had her bony spurs (arthritis) in her remaining shoulder and they got bigger as she aged. There shouldn't be any bony pieces in the amputated limb unless they left the scapula or other bone behind (another good reason to take off the whole forelimb when amputating).
Pam
His leg was amputated just above the elbow. the spurs where growing from the cut end of the humerus.
it probably would have been better if they had removed the whole bone this time , but they didnt ask me ( I thought he was just having 1 cyst removed ) and I would be reluctant to have him knocked out and opened up again.
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