Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Barney is a 13 year old tripawd. He lost his front right leg to a mast cell tumor about two years ago. He has been happy and healthy but hurt himself over the weekend. We are not sure what happened. On Saturday he started laying down a lot during his walk. When he came back in he cried any time he moved his front leg.
We took him to the vet Sunday morning. He got a scan and they don't see anything broken but suspect it could be a soft tissue injury. He is on Tramadol and Rovera. Sunday night and Monday morning were going much better. Barney was able to get outside and go spotty and had a good appetite. He seems to have hurt himself this afternoon. He can't get up without crying again and doesn't have much of an appetite. We're keeping him on a limited routine - only short breaks outside but he hasn't been able to move much since about 4pm this afternoon. The vet also saw signs of degenerative joint disease.
Please keep us in your thoughts. Have any other front tripawds gone through something similar?
Hi guys! I'm sorry to hear that he's not feeling good. I hope you don't mind but I moved your post here to "Hopping Around" since this is a great place to discuss mobility issues.
Yes, other Tripawds have gone through this, you are not alone. There are many things you can do to help pinpoint the issue and feel better once again, the biggest being veterinary rehabilitation therapy. Have you discussed this with your vet? Is it an option? I would definitely want to develop a timeline and game plan for next steps to take if the pain medication and strict R&R don't help. Hopefully they will but if not, come up with a strategy to pinpoint the issue. Usually that involves rehab therapy with a professional therapist (one with CCRT or CCRP credentials, preferably a vet). Is that a possibility for you? Are you in an area where you can work with one?
Keep him on strict rest right now and meanwhile we have our past & fingers & tails & toes crossed that it helps. Give him a smooch from us.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for getting back to us. Barney is on strict R&R and we gave him a dose of acetametaphine with codeine. He was due for Rovera but wouldn't take the pill so we are going to try again later. We haven't discussed rehabilitate therapy yet but will ask about that as an option. We are in San Francisco and going to SF Veterinary Specialists. They want to see him again in a week. He doesn't want food or water right now.
Barney! You are quite an amazing fella! You've been a tripod for 2 years and you are a senior! Congratulations sweet boy! And I love you a picture. You just look like such a sweet soul.
I don't have much insight to offer, I just wanted to be here to show my support and to cheer Barney on. It could be so many things......... Back issues can certainly cause intense pain when trying to move, sprains, pulled muscles, all sorts of things.
I'm glad you did see some improvement, even if it was for just a short time. I think that's very encouraging. The medx may be messing with his appetite some too.
I know a week seems like an awfully long time to wait. Don't hesitate to take Barney back in a day or two if you aren't pleased with the results for his comfort level. Heck, even a second opinion might be an order. We're all big here on second opinion!
Take deep breaths, try not.to.worry and eat lots of.chocolate! B R E A T H E.....B R E A T H E........Barney`s a tough guy! You are a great advocate!
Hugs!
Sally and 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!
Thank you so much for the encouragement, Sally. It's so hard with mobility issues just getting him into the car but I do think we might try for a followup if he isn't more comfortable in the next day or so. Hopefully he will be more willing to take his next dose of medicine.
Oh, I wanted to add...try hiding his meds in cream cheese or turkey liverwurst. Dogs are absolute geniuses when it comes to figuring' out we.are trying to trick them!
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!
Hanks for the tip! We have been putting his pills in chicken and normally he goes straight for it. He just took some Tramadol. Maybe something new will entice him more.
I always stuck Leland's meds in a big dollop of peanut butter. I would open his mouth and smear it toward the back of his tongue or on the roof of his mouth. When I would try hiding meds in meat he'd always find the pills and spit them out with the meat. With peanut butter it was more difficult to spit out with the gooey texture. Plus he always enjoyed licking the peanut butter out of his Kong toy.
Every dog is different in what works for them and their owner.
Good luck with Barney and I hope he gets to feeling better soon!!
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
Oooh you're in a good area for vet care. I wouldn't wait a week to see the vet if he's not wanting to eat or drink, that is definitely a pain signal and should be addressed asap so he doesn't get dehydrated. I second Sally's suggestion for a second opinion.
Remember that staying on top of his pain medication is so important. Once it gets bad, it takes twice as much time to get it back to an acceptable level. If he won't take his pill sometimes you just have to do the ol' tough love "pilling" procedure so he stays relatively comfortable. This "how to pill a dog" video will help you learn how.
Try adding chicken broth (low salt) into his water to see if that helps entice him to drink. Tuna water or even a bit of gatorade is also good.
I hope this helps. Let us know how things are going.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Barney's condition has improved a great deal since yesterday. He ate twice today, took all his medicine at scheduled times and is drinking water. He has been able to get outside for brief potty breaks. He is resting comfortably and we are following the R&R orders. Thank you for the support and tips. Barney loves peanut butter so I will have to give that tip a try, Sahana!
Sounds like the medication is working. Yaaaay! Here's to a great day ahead, keep us posted and give him a smooch from us.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you! Had another good day today. He's eating well and taking meds, with lots of rest in between. Thanks for all the support from the community!
OK THIS is great news! All that pawsitivity is working, keep it up Barney!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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