Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Finley is about one year post front leg amputation. When she is outside running, she seems fine, but the rest of the time her front leg around the wrist area seems to give out.
I’m worried there might be some sort of injury, but the vet says it seems ok.
Hi Finley and family, welcome! Your future posts won't need approval so post away. We are in the Tripawds Chat for a bit if you want to hop on over and talk.
Tell us more about Finley. What age and breed type is she? And why the amputation?
I'm glad you had her checked out by the vet. But if they don't have a background in rehab therapy, I would go with your instinct and have her checked out by a canine rehabilitation therapist. Damage to the front carpal joint is not uncommon since front-leg amputees put so much stress on that leg. A therapist can show you what's going on and explain how to help her heal and avoid future injuries. Sometimes a brace is required but don't buy one until you have a therapist evaluate her. The Tripawds Foundation can pay for your first rehab visit so check out the link and get her lined up to see one soon OK?
Meanwhile, until she can see someone I would curb her activity to ensure she doesn't cause any more stress on that front wrist (carpus). What does a normal day of activity look like for her?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Here are a few videos of her. It wasn’t as bad that day. This last one is of her tonight.
Finley is 7, she turns 8 in December. She is roughly 33 pounds and is a mix (heeler maybe).
She had a sarcoma on her front leg that grew to a size that bothered her. We removed it once and it had a low chance of regrowth, but alas it regrew back and bigger than before. It was affecting her walking and was painful to the touch. Our vet recommended amputation and we went with it. It was a year ago in July.
She usually spends part of her day lazing in the yard or inside. We have a staircase that leads upstairs and also have steps leading outside that she has to climb. She loved long walks, but we haven’t been doing those. The only time she really gets to zooming about the yard is when the squirrels come out and tease the dogs, then she goes racing.
That’s about it. We try to limit her activity by keeping her in, but some days that isn’t possible.
She had a sarcoma on her front leg that grew to a size that bothered her. We removed it once and it had a low chance of regrowth, but alas it regrew back and bigger than before. It was affecting her walking and was painful to the touch. Our vet recommended amputation and we went with it. It was a year ago in July.
She usually spends part of her day lazing in the yard or inside. We have a staircase that leads upstairs and also have steps leading outside that she has to climb. She loved long walks, but we haven’t been doing those. The only time she really gets to zooming about the yard is when the squirrels come out and tease the dogs, then she goes racing.
That’s about it. We try to limit her activity by keeping her in, but some days that isn’t possible.
Finley's is a cutie pie.
Can only ditto Jerry abput gett an appointment with a Rehabilitation Specialist. The Tripawds Foundation will pay for the first appointment.
I couldn't really see the front leg action very clearly, on my small tavlet, but she does seem stiff and maybe even a bit uncomfortable in her gait.
For now, try a lot of massage up and down her spine and around her neck and shoulder area. Does she show any tension? She just seems very "tight" and lots of massaging may help until you can get a Rehab appointment.
Is she on any pain meds or taking anything in case she has arthritis?
Anyway,, just throw stuff out there.
I liked how she stayed on the rug for traction , then hesitated as she got to the hardwood, and then had more pep in her step as she got back in the rug. Smart girl!
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!
Thanks for describing her activity. So, how long were the long walks? Minutes or miles wise? My guess is that between the walks and the stairs she does on a daily basis, combined with the random explosive activity of chasing squirrels, she may be getting a bit too much activity for her fitness level at this point.
In the videos, I also see a bit of a limp or a stiffness on that right rear leg. Maybe I'm just imagining it? But a canine rehab therapist can tell you for sure, and figure out what's going on. Usually it's just a matter of therapy along with nutrition guidance and at-home exercises that will get a Tripawd back on the track.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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