Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I am really trying not to panic here, but all of a sudden Meg keeps falling over. She's now very nearly six months post amp, and up till now we have been blessed with a very straightforward recovery. Now all of a sudden (and I mean all of a sudden, just this morning) Meg keeps falling over. It's as though her leg keeps giving way and she falls over onto her amp side. She has fallen occasionally ever since her operation, but only occasionally. Not like this.
I know it could be various things, a muscle tweak or something like that, and I'm really hoping that's what it is but I'm terrified it's the IOHC and her other elbow is giving out. I have already decided that if/when that happens, I am not prepared to put her through anything else.
I'm taking her now to see her rehab vet (who thankfully is not a panicker, like me), but it's a three hour drive away.
Please keep your paws crossed for us.
Meg and Clare xx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Fingers, paws everything crossed that this turns out to be just something that  just needs a little tweak.  Please keep us posted on beautiful Meg.
Geez Meg! What the heck is going on?
Clare, you are absolutely right, it could be soooooo many things that got "tweaked"..soooo many things! It sounds like she's not yelping in pain so it could be some neurologic glitch as opppsed to ner elbow issue. Either way, it maybe that a brace rro help stabilize is all that's needed.
Hang in tnere!!! I know your mind will be going nuts during that three hour drive! Fill it full of positive thoughts, okay?
Pretty sure Meg will tell the Vet her balance is all.off because you trimmed her bloomers!!
Lots of love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too t
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!
Hugs!!! Shelby started tipping over too (it was her remaining rear leg that went out). Turned out it was super tight muscles and some  palliative massage helped. Hopefully it's a tweaked muscle and a little rehab will help!!!Â
Keep us posted!Â
Alison with Spirit Shelby in her heart (and little Jasper too)Â
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Thinking about you and Meg, and hoping for good news!
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016.  Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016.  Lung mets August 25, 2016.  Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016.  Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma. Â
Wherever they are, they are together.
Ohhhh no poor Meg.
I don't blame you, I'd be panicked too but try your best to set a strong, confident lead. I hope the visit brought good news. Let us know oK? You are in our thoughts and hearts. Lots of love coming from across the pond.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thinking of you guys, hoping it's something simple to fix.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Â
        Maggie's Story          Amputation and Chemo
SHE'S FINE!!!Â
I was so relieved I sang the whole drive home.
I mean, she's not fine exactly, in that she's pulled a muscle behind her shoulder blade. But a pulled muscle we can deal with. She had laser and acupuncture, which she loves, a packet of chicken and a whole load of fuss, and it's short lead walks on flat surfaces for a while, with no sharp turns.
PHEW!
Her elbow actually seems pretty good, which, after six months as a Tripawd, is VERY encouraging.
Thanks everyone for your support and good wishes. You really buoyed us up and got us through
C&M xx
PS And yes, Sally, the little monster did try and blame it on the bloomers. I think she over-exerted herself typing out her blog.
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Hooray for pulled muscle, and hooray for a packet of chicken!
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016.  Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016.  Lung mets August 25, 2016.  Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016.  Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma. Â
Wherever they are, they are together.
SO glad to hear it's an easy fix! Izzy heard you all talking about chicken, so I guess I'll head on in to the kitchen lol
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
Thank goodness this is, relatively speaking, NBD (no big deal)!! Â
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. Â His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR MEG!!!!!!! We love it when we get good news around here! 🙂
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!
Oh I love hearing good news! good thing u got her right in & now u know what it is. Makes sense the remaining leg would be more prone to overuse injuries. A little doggy massage is always a good thing! And yay for special treats like chicken 🙂 Meg sounds spoiled, I love it!!Â
Chris
Oh phew... that is great news ... well not great but best news you could get it! I knew it was probably a muscle thing. 🙂 Call it mother's intuition!!!!Â
Massage DOES work. I did that for Shelby and it really helped. As her doctors explained to me, when my muscles are over-used from running, the massage and yoga help so thus ... Shelby only using 3 legs clearly put more strain on the rear one.Â
Spoiled is ALWAYS the best plan!Â
Hugs!
alison with spirit shelby in her heartÂ
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Yay! Meg has a pulled muscle!
Pre-diagnosis we would have been upset with that, now it's cause for singing and celebration!
I'm so relieved and happy for you guys.
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
Â
        Maggie's Story          Amputation and Chemo
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