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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My Gertie is a L rear leg ampution since 1/1/2011. 2 weeks ago she luxated her right CF joint playing around a laundry basket. The vet attempted to pop it back in with no luck due to a shallow socket. She is unable to walk but pain management is working for her right now. I have no money and no money options for a FHO at this time. She is a 12 to 14 year old (rescued 6 years ago from shelter) small terrier mix about 12.5 lbs. She is not depressed, appetite is good. She is very srong on her front.
My question is to anyone that has had this experience with their tripawd. I believe that she wants to live, therefore I can't have her put to sleep. Any suggestions for us on carts used or new? Any other ideas to keep her with a quality of life that is acceptable to both of us? I don't want to seem selfish. She has brought so much joy and love to my life I can't PTS when there is a chance it's the wrong thing to do.
Nancy and Gert
Hi Nancy,
So sorry to hear about Gertie. And what bad luck!. What was her left hind limb amputated for?
To be honest, my experience with dogs in carts is the ones that are actually paralyzed in the hind limbs, with no motor function or sensation are the ones that adapt the best. There is a leg slot in the cart and I'm not sure Gertie would like having her leg with the hip luxation put into it, it may be very uncomfortable for her. Does you veterinarian have a cart at his/her clinic? If so, maybe they'd let you use it for a trial run.
What is in Gertie's favor is her small size. Even without any surgery, it is very likely that she will form a sort of false "hip joint" in the luxated position, and eventually be able to use it. How long this would take is very hard to say. Does she try to get up at all or stand on the leg with the hip luxation? I have had plenty of clients who rescue a dog from a shelter and bring it in to me because one leg kind of "looks funny"... they otherwise run and play and don't seem to be in any pain. And xrays will show that there is a chronic hip luxation. Because of where the hip usually luxates, it is usually sitting within muscle, and scar tissue forms around it. Although they usually are left with an abnormal gait, many times they do not seem to be in pain since there is no bone-on-bone contact.
What has your vet suggested?
Please keep us posted, Gertie seems like a real little trooper!
Right hind limb amputated 7/3/12 for OSA, started on alternating cycles of Carboplatin and Doxorubicin and oral Palladia. Single lung met 9/1. Met in the neck muscle removed 9/30. Large mass in sublumbar lymph node 10/2. Rescue chemo with ifosfamide 10/6. Mets to the rib and axillary lymph node 10/21. Started Leukeran and Pred 10/25. Wookie left this Earth for a far better place on 12/4/12. I miss you, Boo, you were my heart.
Hey Gertie and Family, welcome. I'm so sorry you're faced with this tough situation. Honestly I don't have experience with this scenario but it sounds like Wookie had some fantastic input for you (Wookie's Momma is a vet in case you hadn't guessed!). I'm curious what your vet thinks too. And how come Gertie is a Tripawd?
We're glad you're here, hope we can be of some help!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for you speedy reply and kind words. Gert's leg was amputated after a lump popped up on her knee. A cytology suspected synovial cell sarcoma with recommendation of a biopsy. The B.C. Surgeon did not want to do biopsy for fear of mets. He removed the entire leg femur joint and all. No nub for a prosthesis. However the post op biopsy came back hemangiopericytoma, which is a better prognosis.
My Vets say the same thing as Wookie's mom regarding the false hip joint. Since the FHO would be a salvage surgery I could do it in the future once I come up with the money.
Gert is doing good with urination but defecation is a bit tricky and painful for now. She does try to get up /stand but I am always there to support her.
We have an appt for laser therapy tomorrow. I will look for a cart. If you have any ideas where to find a used one or one for trail please let me know.
I will keep you all posted. Thanks again for your kind words, expertise, and genuine concern. God bless you and your pups.
Nancy and Gert
Nancy and Gertie, it sounds like you have a great veterinary team to help, I hope things get better soon.
You might find this book helpful, "My Dog Has Fallen and He Can't Get Up." It covers a lot of the things that this pet parent had to do when helping her dog recover from spinal paralysis, and you might find some good care tips in there. I have a copy in the Angel Exchange I would be happy to send you at no charge.
Also, Eddie's Wheels does offer refurbished used wheelchairs at a discounted price. See our blog post for more details.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi, sorry you had to find us here. I hope you can resolve your pups problems. I honestly don't really know anything about wheelchairs/carts for dogs, but I do remember seeing something online once about how to build your own wheelchair for a dog out of PVC pipe. (You could probably google it.) I don't know if that's a realistic option, but might be worth doing a little research into.
Keep us posted!
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
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