TRIPAWDS: Home to 22974 Members and 2152 Blogs.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG

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.

JUMP TO FORUMS

Join The Tripawds Community

Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:

Instant post approval.

Private messages to members.

Subscribe to favorite topics.

Live Chat and much more!

Please consider registering
Guest
Search
Forum Scope


Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Register Lost password?
sp_Feed sp_PrintTopic sp_TopicIcon-c
Front leg giving out.
sp_NewTopic Add Topic

Member Since:
23 July 2020
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
1
12 September 2020 - 3:14 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

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.

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
2
12 September 2020 - 3:22 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

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


Member Since:
23 July 2020
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
3
2 October 2020 - 8:17 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

Video 1

Video 2

Video 3

Video 4

Here are a few videos of her. It wasn’t as bad that day. This last one is of her tonight.

10-2-20.

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.


Member Since:
23 July 2020
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
4
2 October 2020 - 8:46 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost
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.

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
5
2 October 2020 - 9:08 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

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!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
6
3 October 2020 - 2:46 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

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

Forum Timezone: America/Denver
Most Users Ever Online: 946
Currently Online:
Guest(s) 235
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 1268
Members: 17735
Moderators: 6
Admins: 3
Forum Stats:
Groups: 4
Forums: 24
Topics: 18610
Posts: 256809
Administrators: admin, jerry, Tripawds
Tripawds is brought to you by Tripawds.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG