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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hi my border terrier had her front leg amputated on Monday, by day 3 she was walking in a fashion and going to the toilet, however I'm worried about her back legs they really don't seem to be working well. They keep locking and becoming stiff, before she had surgery she had 3 weeks total rest. Do you think it could be her muscles have gone to sleep?
If someone could tell me how to upload a vid I can do. All she seems to want to do is lie down
Welcome to the group. You will find tons of great info here.
It is not uncommon for the recovery period to be unpredictable. They just don't recover on a schedule, and no two are alike. Some rest a lot, others get up and move almost immediately. If you are concerned, call your vet and talk about it. It never hurts to keep them informed and they don't mind answering those questions that come up after a major surgery.
It has been a long while since I did the recovery thing, so I'm going to let those with more recent experiences be the ones to jump in and offer suggestions.
Sending good thoughts for a speedy recovery, and a long and happy life on 3 legs.
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.
You glt some good advice from Hugapit....and an additional welcome to you! Sorry you have to be here, but it's the best place ro be j nder the circumstances!
Others with computer brains will give you to link to post videos!
Is this stiffness mostly when she gets up and tries to lay down Did she have any rear leg issues prior to surgery..arthritis,etc? Does she show signs of lain when pressing gently up and down her spi e or her legs?
Regardless,a ge tle .assage and ge tle stretching before she gets up.and various times of the day may help. And yes, doggw legs can have that numb/tingling/go to sleep feeling too. One of the pups here couldn't get up o e morni g....she was rushed to vet. Of course, at the vets she was walki g just fi e! Vet determined the leg had. .merely gone to sleep!
Stiffness is not uncomoon, as well as hesitancy to walk. Although she seemed to be getting around better the first few days, she still jad a lot of hospital meds in her system...and. ow they've worn off and the pill meds are kicking in. Sometimes Tramadol can make them dizzy and unsteady.
What meds is she on now?
Studies have shown that it takes "approxi ately" two weeks to recover from the pain of the surgery itself, and a good mo th for dogs to adjust to mobility as far as joints, muscles, etc.
After massaging ner, you may try a towel sling to help lift her and help her move along. My Happy Hannah would just stand still when I tried the sling though!
Recovery is no picnic for about two weeks, that's for sure! In my Happy Hannah's case it was about three weeks before she started getting her full blown sparkle back!! Yeah, it was a loooooooong three weeks!!
Right now, just resting, going out for potty breaks, is lretty much all she should be doing. So rest is good! Humans would still be in the hospital begging for morphine!!
Look forward to hearing from you.
You are not alone! We are all right here with you, okay?
Take some deep breaths...EAT LOTS OF CHOCOLATES...and know that she will be getting better!!
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!
Hi and welcome! What was the cause of the amputation?
A couple of things I'll add to what others have said:
What is her weight like? If she is overweight at all, even a pound, that could be putting extra stress on her joints and tiring her out.
What is her activity level like? Once Tripawds learn how to move around they often try to do too much too soon. She should only be going on leashed potty walks and that's it. R&R for at least 10 days or when the stitches come out.
Yes, pain meds can make her dopey and tired. Gentle massage can help sore muscles.
Video upload instructions are in our Tech Support Forums. Sorry I'm on my mobile and can't seem to open the page for the URL, it's easy to find though: http://www.trip.....com/forums
Can't wait to see your pup!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Murphy's surgery was 2 years ago, also his front leg. The first 2 weeks are by far the hardest, but after she's weaned off her pain meds, she should be better. He was really stiff for awhile, too...so much so that I had them x-ray his back legs to make sure everything was ok...I was worried that his knees were slipping or something. I think it's just all a part of adjusting to their new gait..they have to hop now more than walk. Even if they weren't weight-bearing on that bad leg before, it was there and their balance was different than what it is now. We've found that Murphy loves to have his back/hips/back legs massaged...he moans & groans and arches lol There are times that his walk is more stiff than other days, but for the most part Murphy gets along really well. He jumps on the furniture, chases rabbits and squirrels and can even dig under the wood pile for mice!
donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Thank you so much for answering me, she had nerve damage from an old injury that got worse very sudden. She can get herself up and today walked a little better. She is back at the vets tomorrow of a check up so will get him to have a good look at her legs. I will try and upload a vi d for you all. She's a special little girl we have her son , we only got sprocket July last year even though I've known her all her life.
AWWWWWWW.....AND. AWWWWWWWWW...AND. AWWWWWWWW.! She is SOOOOOOO CUTE!!! OMD!!! My heart is melting over here!!
I can offer NO insight into what's going on with her gait. Odd, very odd. Neurological? Sipped disc? Backmissues? Sprained muscles? She still has a lot of sparkle shinr through though! That's good!
I love how determined she is and continues to get up and get that ball! What a courageous little trooper.
Please let us know what the vet says, okay? Things should get sorted out and get her back onthe road to recovery!!
Sending you andnyou adorable pack lots of hugs and love!!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
Is she in pain meds?
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!
She looks like she's unsure of her step with her front foot....Murphy hops...I'll see if I can upload a video lol
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
From those videos you've posted it definitely looks like a neurological issue to me, or maybe some sort of nerve/spinal issue.
I would definitely recommend having her checked out by a vet, preferably a neurologist if you have access to one.
Thank you she is going to the vets today, so will update you all. Once she gets going she does seem to get a little better so I'm hoping its all muscle related maybe her back muscles are affected?. God I hope I've done the right thing getting her leg removed I hope we don't loose her
I understand I would be worried also. This is all new to you. I'm sure the vet would not have amputated if it was not the right thing to do. Please remember there is also rehab, acupuncture, chiropractic treatments - some or all can help with getting her moving easier. I took my cat for chiropractic and she was tap dancing after that!
Keep at it, she sure is a cutie and looks very determined.
Kerren and Tripawd Mona
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