Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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For those of you who do not know us, Bud is an 11 year old Golden. He has been a tripawd for 4 years due to a hip replacement gone wrong. This past winter Bud has lost most of his mobility. He was using his remaining rear leg mostly for balance. He is a otherwise healthy senior dog. The sweetest guy and strong in spirit. Our vet had us try a new cocktail of pain meds and acupuncture. The acupuncture has helped somewhat. Bud did an initial 6 weeks of treatment. He has been going every 2 weeks now. He does better with the dry needling up his spine rather than the electric current. It has helped loosen up some of the muscles in his back. Mostly those he strains to rise in his shoulder area.
However his mobility has not improved. It has worsened! Upon examination, the cranial cruiate ligament is in disrepair. He is falling down and cannot support himself.
I believe that sometimes when you meet new people, God gives you new opportunities!
Everything happens for a reason.
While at acupuncture, we have met a vet nurse who has recently moved here. She has a Tripawd American Bull dog. Her father is a doctor who makes prosthetics for people. He made his grand dog a knee brace. This has become a side business for him. He now also treats dogs around the state with mobility issues. There is a possibility that this brace may heal Bud’s knee in a non invasive way and give him the mobility we are searching for. He has said it may or may not work, it depends on the owner’s intent and management.
Well. I intend to get Bud up and moving!
So today, we are going to have Bud’s knee casted. The brace will require 3 appointments. I will let you all know how this new adventure goes for us. Especially those of you with senior tripawds who suffer with limited mobility.
Let’s hope this is a new hope for all of us
You go, Bud! We will be looking forward to heating about your new "adventure". What a fortuitous meeting!
Kathi and Murphy
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 gosh! Sooooo good to hear from you and the amazing BUD!!!
Yes indeedy Bud, if "intent" and pawsitivity has anything to do withnit, you'll be up and walking and running in no time!!!!
OMD! Is that isn't THE sweetest "mature" mug, I don't know what is!! Look at that happy smiles and those gentle soulful eyes! And I love the "touch of gray"!
Unbelievable how this new adventure of his started. Then again, nothing is really "just happenstance". I'm sooo glad this new opportunity has been presented. What a nice man to use his skill to help animals. Hope the Tripawd Bulldog will stop by here...with poctures of course!!
This is sooooo exciting! We are all cheering for ya Bud...really, reallyl loudly...and WITH INTENT!!
Lots of love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
I just adore Bud! For one thing, he looks a lot like my Chandler and his pawrent's help and advice on dealing with MRSA will forever be with me. I hope this is a new beginning for that precious boy. He may be hopping around like a puppy before you know it. I agree God puts people in your life for a reason. I mean, what are the chances that you go for acupuncture and meet someone who' s Dad makes specialized braces used just for what Bud needs. I am anxious to hear how he makes out with this. Lori, Ty & Gang
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Thanks for the update, we'll be following along and hope this does the trick! Give him a smooch from us!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Things are not going well at all. We got the brace and started doing short periods of standing and walking.
The week before last, we noticed Bud started having muscle spasms in his front shoulders while drinking even with the elevated dog bowl. I took him to the dogtor and it is the muscles behind his shoulder that is spasming. He gave him a muscle relaxant and I massage and heat the shoulder area. By the way, his knee ligament is for sure torn.
Well, all the relaxant did was turn his hind leg into even more jello. He can barely rise and is trying to scoot around using his front end to pull. The massaging seems to cause him pain.
So, I called the doctor and he is on a new pain reliever. This seems to be helping with the pain but his front end is still spasming. We are over a week of heat and massage. His rear leg is still jello.
I don't know what to do??? Try injections???? No wheel chair , it would just cause him additional back pain.
This is so hard because other than mobility, he is a healthy senior dog.
Is it time to let go??? Am I being selfish?
Say prayers for us ok? And if you have any helpful advice for the spasms...I'd like to hear it!
it's just so damn sad!
And just because I dont want him to be thought of as just sad. Here is a photo of him in the boat at the lake today. I just want one more good summer so badly.....
Me, too, Angel. I will cross all I've got over here that Bud gets his summer.
I have no advice because you've literally tried everything. You are intelligent, concerned and practical. If you've tried everything and nothing is working, what's next? Unfortunately, not much. But maybe somebody knows something that I don't. Do you think it's worth a drive my way to take him to CSU?
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Sending you positive thoughts Bud. You are an amazing boy with a true warrior spirit!
Oh sweet Bud! I know you'll get there! I'm sorry things are ruff right now. OK, some thoughts:
I looked up some rehab vets in WY. Unfortunately they are all in Jackson, so not near you. BUT my thought is; why not contact them and ask if they know anyone closer to you who can help?
Lucky Dog Rehabilitation, LLC
Jackson WY
E-mail: luckydogrehabilitation@gmail.com
Erin Downey, PT, DPT, CCRT
Marian Meyers Practice
9675 N. Snake River Dr
Jackson WY 83001
Phone: 307-690-3847
Fax: 307-733-4308
Marian Meyers, PT, CCRT
Spring Creek Animal Hospital
1035 West Broadway
Jackson WY 83001
Phone: 307-733-1606
Fax: 307-739-9515
Website: http://www.spri.....spital.com
Kaley Parent, DVM, CCRT
Another thought: I do believe that the wonderful Debbie Gross, rehab therapist extraordinaire, will do long-distance consulting. Give her a call and tell her Tripawds sent you.
Finally, if you do decide to come down to CSU, you are more than welcome to stay with us in Red Feather, so let me know OK?
Love that photo of Bud. Keep that vision close to your heart, we are, and we know he'll get to have another great summer! Let us know what's going on OK? xoxo
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Bud, what a beautiful, sweet face you have! I don't have any better advice at all, Jerry gave some great info, and others shared their lovely, positive thoughts, but just want you to know I am also sending my positive thoughts your way, and hopefully you can get a good solution to Bud's ailments. He seems like he is still enjoying his life, so that is a really great thing.
Keeping you and Bud in my thoughts and prayers,
Bonnie, Angel Polly, and new crew
Oh, that sweet, sweet face. Not sure if you have tried it or if it is even available for dogs, but I am getting something later in the week called Trigger Point injections. Supposed to relieve muscle spasms. They inject something directly into the muscles that are spasmed. Looks like he loves the boat!
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
THAT FACE!!!! OOOOOOMMM. DDDDDD!!!! The sweetest, happiest most precious mug on the planet!! Ho est to goodness, he's smiling!!
Ditto a "true warrior Spirit" indeed!
I can't add any real advice. You are doing EVERYTHING possible! Rene has given you some good direction.
And LORI, first of all, sending you some good positive energy too! Hopefully the Trigger Point injections will help you!
And what a great idea to see if they can help Bud! Certainly worth an inquiry.
Bud is living in the moment. He's making everyday a great Summer day! Bud isn't thinking in terms of Seasons, he's just thrilled to be by your side and lapping up all your loving and spoiling! TRY and stay in the moment, one day at a time. Having his pain managed really helps with his quality so I'm glad that's under control. Imq sure the torn knee ligament is adding to some of his mobility issues for now. That can tend to heal some with rest.
You know your Bud better than anyone! It sounds like he still has that "Warrior will" within him and ot being very mobile doesn't seem to keep him from being happy.....based on that picture anyway!
Sending you healing energy and lots of love and tones of hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Thanks guys for the sincere warm thoughts and ideas.
I appreciate the invite and resources Rene! Jackson is far and spendy. Only celebrities can afford to live there. I think traveling the distance to Colorado would be hard for him. I'm going to save that for a last effort.
I decided to take Bud for some more acupuncture. It may not help his mobility but perhaps it will help with the muscle spasming along with heat/massage. I also purchased a muscle rub for the massage.
I also decided to try a cortisone injection in his knee. It will be awhile before that happens due to the anti inflammatory medicine. I have to coat his stomach with Prilosec before the injection for his protection. He will then be confined for awhile so he doesn't over do it. I also purchased a rear harness based on the ol towel/ grocery sack idea.
Apparently there is a vet and trainer adding hydrotherapy pools in town. Hopefully there will be a rehab vet to coincide with one of those? We go the the lake often but I'm considering a kiddie pool for these warm months.
xxoo for all of your support...I'll keep you posted.
So glad you have some options in place. And they are options that could, indeed, bring some good results for Bud. You've given a lot of thought to Bud's well being and hacpve selected treatments that won't cause him any stress or interference with his day to day enjoyment.of being with you...and loved bynyou.
Sending you both good wishes topped off with lots of love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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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