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 everyone
I have a westie Hamish who had his leg amputated in March, his back leg following a cancer diagnosis.
He has been doing so so well, even the vets were amazed at how quickly he recovered.
9 days ago I found Hamish panting in the garden and he wouldn’t put any weight on the remaining back lack, so wouldn’t walk. We’ve had X-rays done and there is no tumour or break, but they suspect it’s acute arthritis.
He’s had 9 days of rest now and sadly no improvement. The next step would possibly be Femoral head and neck excision surgery.
Has anyone gone through a similar operation for their dog post amputation? How was the recovery? What was the outcome?
Hi and welcome. We are sorry to hear about your pup. What's his name? Age? Is he on any pain medication right now?
To answer your question: yes, we have had many members' dogs go through surgery on a remaining limb. I'll share some links in a sec but first, has your veterinarian referred you to rehab therapy for him? Nine days is not a long time to decide that surgery is the way to go. And sometimes surgery can be avoided through rehabilitation therapy. Before jumping to surgery I would absolutely get an opinion from a certified canine rehabilitation therapist. The best part is the Tripawds Foundation may pay for your first rehab visit , so click on the links for details.
Now about those links, here are some articles that will give you hope, should surgery be necessary:
What to Know About Remaining Limb Surgery on a Tripawd
Remaining Limb Surgery Recovery for Tripawds
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Are you sure it's not just muscle pain? Tripawds walk differently than they ever did before, so they are using different muscles, or using muscles in different ways than before. Murphy was a front leg tripawd and we often gave him back/shoulder/hip massages to help with his back pain. A couple of times he had some very severe neck pain - pain that had him yelping out and had me scared that something was seriously wrong! Try some massage and maybe a pain pill for a day or two (Relafen, Carprofen or another NSAID) and definitely try a visit with a rehab vet. You would be surprised at how much of a difference that can make. I wish we had started that much sooner than we did. We learned some great exercised for Murphy that helped to stretch his back/neck and to restore some of his core strength.
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
Hi both
Thanks for your quick replies.
Hamish is 11 (although people consistently are amazed at how old he is as he acts and looks a lot younger!)
He’s been on tramadol and liquid paracetamol for 9 days now, he was also admitted for two days to give him some IV painkillers. With sadly no improvement. He did today put some weight on it to wee, which I’m hoping is a sign of improvement but trying not to get my hopes up.
We’ve taken him to see a specialist orthapedic vet, who has made the conclusion about arthritis and has said he is sceptical it will recover on its own. We’ve got a follow up appointment in a week to see how he is, and to discuss next steps.
its heartbreaking, feel so stressed about it, I’ve barely eaten since it happened.
Did you notice any soreness or lameness before the episode in the garden? I had a quad-Pug with terrible arthritis (all 4 legs and her back) and her pain and stiffness worsened over time. Tani was diagnosed at 6 years old and we started with joint supplements, by the time she turned 14 she was on quite a few supplements and meds that kept her comfortable (including fish oil, glucosimine, rimadyl, gabapentin, adequan).
Murphy's Story may be in one of the links Jerry gave you above but I wanted to be sure you saw it. Murph was hit by a car and lost a back leg, then had a Total Hip Replacement (THR).
HERE is The First Forum Post about Murphy
HERE is a Link to Murphy's YouTube Channel. Lots of videos of his recovery and rehab after hip surgery.
Unfortunately Murphy Crossed the Bridge a few years ago after developing cancer. His mom Kathi posts as murphsmom (click on that link for her forum posts) send her a PM if you want.
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
Hi Karen.
Nothing in particular noticed before, which is why it’s come as such a shock.
Thanks for posting Murphy’s story, that gives me some hope.
I'm in the Tripawds Chat right now if you want to talk.
Keep in mind that orthopedic specialists know surgery best, it's what they do, so when something appears wrong that will be their first conclusion, to fix it with surgery. A rehab therapist will look at the whole picture and see if avoiding surgery is possible. We have seen that oftentimes it is. We can help you find one in your area if you'd like.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I want ro second fetting ab appointment with a Rehab specialist if possible.
I'm owned by an adopted tripawd whi jad cruciate repair surgery done on one of his remaining back legs in December 2017. I know how frightened you must be as you try to navigate through the possibility of surgery. It can be daunting.
One thing that jumps out at me is the suddenness with how this happened. I'm certainly not a Vet, but generally arthritis isa bit more gradual and with warning signs. Also, arthritis shows up on xrays si ot should have been clear...I think anyway.
Has a cruciate knee injury been ruled out, as well as meniscus injury? My experience has been that a really good Rehab Specialist can determine this through manipulation and range of motion exercises.
So yeah, I hope you will check j ti ab appointment with a Rehab Specialist. 3ven IF this is arthritis, a Rehab may have options to try first. Mh tripawd I mentioned above has arthritis and a Rehab Specialist today wants him on Advance Dasuqun. Adequan Injections. tramadol and/or Gabapentin, would like to do laser treatments, Galliprant, and a couple of other ssuggestions. So while your Vet prescribed pain meds, as you can see, there are definitely other options to be considered to help Hamish feel better.....and walk better!!
Deep breaths...stay connected...keep checking out options!
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!
Thanks for your reply.
How did the surgery go? What was it like getting him back in three legs?
The vets that have examined him have found no discomfort anywhere other than the hip.
I have looked into laser treatment but believe because he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma he shouldn’t have it?
Hi, I met you in chat yesterday....I don't know that I've ever heard that you couldn't have laser treatment on a dog with osteo. I could be wrong, but I'm sure others will chime in. Hoping you get some definitive answers, and a recovery plan soon.
Paula and Warrior Angel Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
hamishwestie said
I have looked into laser treatment but believe because he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma he shouldn’t have it?
Some practitioners will, some will not. We discussed this in our interview with Dr. Amy Kramer:
Laser Therapy to help with incision healing. “If the diagnosis was some form of cancer, we don’t always use laser, just for the fear of that maybe causing increased blood flow to the area and if there is still some cancer, we don’t want to help that spread,” explains Dr. Kramer.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks Paula and Jerry.
I reached out to my local vet who said laser is unlikely to help but worth a shot given the situation, my orthapedic vet said it may help and has recommended it. Disappointing I’ve had to suggest it myself to them without them suggesting it. Willing to give anything a shot at this point. Have ordered some joint supplements as well but probably too late for that now. Going to ask tomorrow about catrophen or adequan injection.
Also ask about ADVANCED Dasuquan. Unlike regular Dasuquan, it is a prescription from the Vet.
Are you able to get an appointment with a Rehab Specialist?? It may be that hydrotherapy may help too. Frankie's Rehav Vet suggested laser also.
You asked how Frankie did after his surgery. The cruciate surgery is not the same as what your pup may ve facing (hopefully not), but I imagine recovery is similar. Keep in mind, this is just my experience so take ot for whatever it's worth. RECOVERY WAS HARD, REALLY, REALLY HARD! IF you have help, another person living in the household, that helps greatly!! Frankie is a strong willed approximately 70 lb determined dog. I'm no Spring Chicken and it was just myself. The first part of recovery takes a lot pf helping the dog walk with a harness, a lot of good pain management AND a lot of good Rehabilitation consults. IF you are a two person household, it can be an easier ordeal.
Good for uoj fot checki g oit sll options. And it may be that surgery 3nds up being a good choice. Or it may be that less invasive optio s work out also and just need some time.
Extra higs
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!
Great, thank you.
at the moment Hamish isn’t walking at all, so I think recovery will be just as hard, I’ve been on my own for two weeks and he’s been super hard, luckily the other two are back from holiday tonight so there are three of us to help so should spread the load. He’s getting very skilled already at walking around on two front feet when I turn my back, so worse case scenario I think he’ll do well in a wheelchair , as a last resort!
Physio/rehab is ringing me tomorrow to schedule an appointment to assess Hamish and talk about laser therapy.
Feeimg very positive today and a big part of that has been all of your input, thank you very much.
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