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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Tungsten had his amputation on Oct 28th and recovered superbly. He got up and around and by the 2nd week after amputation (rear leg) he was playing a bit of ball and swimming. Things were going along pretty good with his getting around until about three days ago. He started showing weakness as if his leg was getting charlie horses and collapsing. Then this morning he could not stand or walk at all, almost as if he is paralyzed. When I do a bit of a massage there is a spot along his back that when I get to he tenses and gives a little squeal. I am fairly certain that is the source of his problem. We went to the vet today and he said that it is most likely a pinched nerve. X-rays showed no skeletal issues (no breaks, no cancer, no spinal disks out of place). Has anybody else had a rear amp with paralysis like issues to the good leg causing collapse and inability to walk? If so how did it turn out/how long before they were mobile again. Doc has him on prednisone and tramadol if necessary.
Tungsten Blue, diagnosed with osteosarcoma August 2016, rear leg removed 28 October 2016, left us on 12/13/16, he will be greatly missed.
I had a 12yo golden with bad neck arthritis (which we were unaware of) and while chasing a ball, she collapsed completely paralyzed. The vet put her on prednisone and she was up and about in less than 24 hrs. We had to curtail the retrieving however. My Fionn had surgery 3 weeks before Tungsten. He has not been anywhere as active as Tungsten, but he was pretty much a lump before surgery anyway. Tungsten isn't even 2 months post op. He likely over did his activities. We want them to get back to doing what they love and because they don't express pain like we do, I think it's pretty easy for them to seemingly be normal one moment and bad the next. As hard as it may be, you're going to have to convince him to slow down! Maybe try some rehab or chiropractic to strengthen his back? Good luck!!
Nancy- mom to the FABULOUS Fionn. He rescued me in 2015 when he was 6.
Right front leg amputation at age 7 for osteosarcoma 10/6/16. Taken too soon 6/12/17. Read about our journey here:
http://fionnsjo.....pawds.com/
Thanks, that is very reassuring. I figured he really over did it, but never figured he would get to the point of "paralysis". I figured there would be sore muscles and tiredness. We keep praying the prednisone helps. When he does move or when I get ready to pick him up, every muscle in his body goes rigid. I noticed this evening he wanted to stand get up on his own, but he cant. Maybe by tomorrow evening he will at least be able to stand to do business.
Tungsten Blue, diagnosed with osteosarcoma August 2016, rear leg removed 28 October 2016, left us on 12/13/16, he will be greatly missed.
I had a quad pug named Tani that had neurological issues which led to her knuckling her back feet. She had brain damage from hydrocephalus so different circumstances. But I wanted to share that I regularly massaged her feet and moved her back legs for her when she was resting. The theory is that my touching and moving you are reminding the brain where the feet are. I don't know for sure that it helped her, but it certainly didn't hurt.
I hope the pred works for Tungsten and he gets back on his feet.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Thanks Karen. We have been massaging his back and shoulders, and a few times a day I move his feet and leg....my thoughts on doing so are that I dont want them to stiffen up from not being used regularly. He does not seem to mind me doing it and doesn't show any sign of pain when I move them.
Cheers,
Barb and Tungsten
Tungsten Blue, diagnosed with osteosarcoma August 2016, rear leg removed 28 October 2016, left us on 12/13/16, he will be greatly missed.
Geez, seems like there have been a lot of similar things going on around here lately! Ugh!!
And yeah, it appears as though the leg just gives way and collapses.
CONFINEMENT as best you can! The Prednisone should help, but it still may take several days before you see any improvement. I woukd think the Tramadol would help when you try and help him up.
Tungsten Blue is such an active fella, I know it will be har to make him lay around. But it sounds like it hurts him enough that he's not too interested in running a marathon right now.
Glad all the tests cchecked out and didnr show anything too disconcerting. Everything's relative, right?
Let us know how he's doing. I know it's hard to be patient if a tripawd is having mobility issues. but he'll feel better soon!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS. Here's a link to Meg's post. She just went through something similar and Meg is doing great now!
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 Sally, Yep poor Tungsten Blue is not running any marathons at this point. He has been on strict bed rest for 2 days now. Yesterday he could still walk but only to go out to pee and poop then right back inside....today was far worse as I have had to carry him to do his business. We will give it a few more days and hope he is at least walking a bit.
Cheers,
Barb and Tungsten
Tungsten Blue, diagnosed with osteosarcoma August 2016, rear leg removed 28 October 2016, left us on 12/13/16, he will be greatly missed.
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