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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Hello all... I'm new to the forum.. I did browse through and read a lot of posts back in November. George, my 6 year old Shar-Pei (hard to be sure of his age, he's a rescue from 4 years ago) had to have his rear leg removed. That actually didn't go too badly... bit knocked around but this week we had to get TPLO done on the other back leg.. so far so good.. been home since Friday (surgery Thursday)... little trooper he's a lot more of himself today..
Oh, wow! Good luck to the little guy. I am sure he will have a steady recovery. It probably won't be a lot of fun the first week or so, but little by little he'll get more mobility back.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Thanks! Yep he's not doing too badly... I got him a full body harness so I can carry him outside and he's making some movement with a LOT of support today. It was a bit of a blow to have to do such a major surgery on his remaining leg less then two months after he had lost the other one. He doesn't seem to be in much if any pain.. he's eating well.. seems to enjoy chomping down on ice cubes as well..
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First of all, George clearly won the puppy lottery when you gave him his forever home! WOW!! What a journey!!
This has got to be so emotionally and physically draining for you right now. I'm really glad you posted because you will find others who have gone through this too.
A tripawd hero here, Murphy is a tripawd and had a double hip replacement. Recovery was no picnic and It will be slow. Patience snd determination will help get you and George through this! Kathi, Murphy's mom, will chime in, as well as others.
Are you George's only pawrent or do you have help? Why was George's leg amputated? We can certainly offer you support and jnformation here so please stay connected, okay?
Sounds like George is a real Trooper indeed!! So very sorry you have to go through this so soon after amputation...or at all!! George clearly is a fighter and certainly a well loved boy!! We'd love to see some pictures of him when you can.
I applaud you for your dev to this sweet boy! Be sure and take some time for yourself.....eat lots of chocolate!!
Sending lots 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!
Welcome! I'm glad to hear he's doing alright. Those ice cubes are good medicine, our Wyatt Ray enjoys chomping on them too. Well, he chomps on anything but that's another story...
So yes do tell why George lost his leg, and whatever we can do to make this part easier just holler. This is Murphy's total hip replacement story that Sally was referring to. You're definitely in good company, some of our members have been there in a recovery like this and can offer their insight.
Keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hey... thanks! Yep my wife and myself and our two teen age boys are giving him a lot of love. We adopted him back in 2010.. he's big for pei about 60 ibs.. there may be some mix in there.. but its very hard to tell... he's 100% pei in some ways.. but he's very docile.. the vets and surgeons are amazed at how laid back he is.. we got the leg off, because of a large mast cell tumor in the hock.. he had one removed before from the flank and actually at the same time as he had the leg done, he had another one taken from the flank as well.. (funny we thought when he had the first one off, it was a big deal but the second one was like an an afterthought in terms of his leg). Last monday while out for a walk, he just collapsed, he had been a little unsteady on that leg for a while, thinking about it, he had probably had bad knees for some time before.. Not too sure how I can put a picture here? I have it locally on my computer.
Just watched Murphy's videos and read the stories.. so cool... an inspiration
Ohhh so it was MCT eh? Weird coincidence, we just had a guest post about her dog's MCT diagnosis here in comments about a prednisone article. You might want to offer your insight.
George sounds like a real sweetie. We'd love to see him! To share photos, you'll need to either start a Tripawds blog and/or post the pics somewhere like Photobucket or Flick'r, then paste the URL of the photo here in your Forum post. Here are detailed instructions for adding photos, let me know if this makes sense. If not I'm happy to help share them for you. Can't wait to see George.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Jerry, yes it was MST. It got really bad on his leg and amputation was the only way to go. He also had one on his flank which was removed. (and another about 2 year ago). Hes actually very drug tolerant. We don't really see a lot of drug interactions with him (apart from the anti anxiety meds, they knock him around). At the moment he's on Rimadyl. 100mg a day (2 doses 50mg 12 hours apart). He's also on doxy as he has a tick borne disease right now. I supplement (have been for a while) with the following. Fish oil capsules (4 a day). Glucosamine and chondroitin (2 a day) and Lechitin (triple) once a day. What we are noticing is that he's not having any swelling to speak of on the operated leg. I read somewhere a few days ago that a dose of Glucosamine along with Rimadyl was excellent at controlling swelling. He's able to stand right now.. but confined.. and outside he really wants to get on the usual walking route.. (no chance!!!!!)
George sounds like a strong willed determined fella'...and those are good traits to hsve on this journey! And he clearly has a family who loves him dearly and that's the best medicine of all!
Sounds like you have him on some good supllements! The Rimadyl is a good anti-inflammatory. But he's not on anynother pain meds? Does he show any signs of pain? He's one tough cookie!!
I love that he "thinks" he feels good enough to go for a walkie! Such a trooper indeed!
Keep us posted and give him a few extra treats and ear scratches! Poor thing...cantw really scratch himself very well these days! I used to give Happy Hannah all over body scratches, eslecially areas she could no longer reach without a back leg...she loved it!!
You rock George!!!
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!
Yep no other pain meds.. I was a bit suprised at that.. he was on tramadol after the amputation.. but this time he didnt get any .. he doesn't appear to be in any pain... tender on the leg.. but that im not suprised at that..
Wow he is a really good patient. I'm not sure about the glucosamine and NSAID to reduce swelling, definitely ask your vet about that one.
You are definitely giving him some great pawrenting, keep it up! Oh and did you figure out how to post pics? I'm happy to help if you'd like.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Jerry, actually the emergency vet George saw suggested Glucosamine (and fish oil), and perscribed Rimadyl at the same time. I'm looking for the article where the combination show great results in terms of swelling. Basically.. I think, just like us, all dogs are different.. so some react badly to certain drugs.. and others don't. I think I'm really lucky that George heals fast (unlucky for him that he's prone to MST and his CCL got shot so fast).. but he has a high pain threshold.. and a will to live.. we actually adopted him after I had a serious accident.. he really was part of my rehab... and looking at him now... he reminds me of what I had to do.. so I'm paying back what he gave me.. .. ... Pete
Awweee . . . can't wait to see pics! He's sounds so wonderful. MCT is quite the vicious disease. Looking forward to updates, and of course, pictures!!!
pam
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
Hey Pete that would be great if you could find the article. Thanks!
George sure does sound like good medicine, so glad he helped you heal through your ruff time. He's got a great dad looking after him now that he needs it.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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