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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Oh gosh!! Good news on one level for sure.....and a BIG YIKES for "bad news" sorra'! It really I'd amazing that juju ferldthat good! Fogsjust will not be denied their rightful placeon the couch!
I do know of a case where the hooman for theirBulldog Bruno visit the legs off their loveseat so he could easily get up on the sofa. Probably not an option you want to consider.
I'm sure you've already though if somentypenof "stairs/steps. Or maybe a graduated "-step up " using some sort of snallpallets covered withaoft carpet
Maybe you could take the cushions off the sofa on one side and put something at the base Juju could step on and easily get on the sofa.
Hang on, others will have some thoughts. Notice I didn't mention anyway to specially keep juju off the couch! I find a "tuff liv" approach almost impossible for me. Vad me!
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!
Here is a photo of Juju. She's a cool little dog!
Here's one of her with our other dog, her wrestling buddy Johnny.
She loves winter! (I don't)
Awww Juju! You sweet girl, you have so much energy! And you are so ADORABLE!!!
Yeah containing her will be a challenge for a while. I think that she's going to jump on furniture so about all you can do is 1) turn the couch cushions up so she doesn't do it, or 2) put up pet stairs and give her more opportunities to use them. It's a tough situation.
I'm sorry your vet didn't give you instructions or encourage rehab. It's a learning curve for many vets, rehab is relatively new in the field and many still haven't learned the benefits of getting a dog into therapy. I'm so glad you decided to make the appointment and look forward to finding out how it goes. The evaluation will be here before you know it. Just keep things conservative and chill as you're doing, and take lots of notes about her progress for the therapist.
OMD!!! JUJU IS SOOOO CUTE!!! And I love the photo of she and Johnny together 👍 An adorable pair.
Boy oh boy, that expression on Juju's face speaks volumes about how she feels about that stroller and cone! 😱 Definitely not having it!
And it really does look like she is putting solid pressure on that leg. It's definitely more than just light toe tapping. Very impressive.
Thanks for the photos....made my day👍
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!
My quad Pug Obie had two knee surgeries (2 years apart) and he was a challenge too. The first week went OK because he wasn't really weight bearing on the repaired leg.
Our surgeon told us he needed to be on strict crate rest for 6 weeks which we modified (with his approval) to strict ex-pen rest. Each knee was repaired with the tight-rope type surgery but there was also significant bone modification done because his knee caps popped out. The vet said if he was out of the pen he had to be on leash and with me. No jumping allowed! I put my mattress on the floor so he could still sleep with me and not hurt himself if he jumped up or down.
About week 3 he got feisty. When I was fixing meals he started jumping up in the ex-pen. I put a blanket on top to discourage jumping which just made him jump more to get the blanket down. Then I put him in the stroller I mentioned above, the one like a rolling crate, so he couldn't jump. He proceeded to grab the net and fabric covering and go into full tug mode. So then I just let him out of the pen and put him on a short leash tied to cabinet and he stopped jumping (although he would still pop a wheelie).
When he was allowed out of the ex-pen he still wasn't allowed to jump for a few more weeks so I ended up putting the ex-pens around the furniture, or blocking the furniture with pillows.
I talked with the surgeon after he started doing all the jumping and I think what he told me was that it was highly unlikely that he could damage the repair, but what we were trying to protect was the bones.
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
We're having a rough time. As of yesterday she stopped trying to use her leg. The surgeon didn't seem concerned, but I know something is wrong.
Luckily we already had an appointment for acupuncture at our regular vet today. She isn't sure what to think of the x-rays so she sent them to the surgeon. We will see what he says.
Sat by the Mississippi before our visit.
It looks a little out of place, but I am not a medical expert. Waiting for the surgeon's opinion.
She seemed to enjoy the cold laser treatment.
Oh I hope she is feeling better after those therapies. This may just be part of recovery, remember it doesn't happen in a straight line. Some days may be harder than others but she is getting such great care that hopefully it was a fluke. Let us know what the vet says k?
I think the more limited mobility is her new normal. The theory from a tech was that maybe she was still riding a high from her fentanyl patch and that was making her move well for a few days. A week after surgery seems long, but it's the only answer that makes sense. The surgeon thought the x-rays looked fine. I took her to rehab today. There isn't a whole lot to do at this point besides some small ROM movement. Juju also has a little loop of sutures sticking out and the rehab vet thought she should go on another round of antibiotics. So I need to get antibiotics from the surgeon, cold laser again from our other vet, and start doing some exercises and icing with Juju. None of this is very interesting, but I am feeling overwhelmed. It's all a lot and I just want to be on the next phase where she's no longer a china doll. We got a harness and a cart from the rehab vet. She hates both, but the vet says we need to be supporting her more because she's putting too much weight on her leg.
Oh this IS interesting, and I'm glad you shared. Going through something like this with a Tripawd is so hard!
I know you feel overwhelmed and worried she will never get back to her old self again. This is not an easy road for sure. But you are doing everything possible to help her get there. Not that much time has passed since surgery. As pet parents, we are so used to seeing our wacky, wild dogs, that watching them struggle with mobility is hard.
There seem to be positives in your update! I think that overall your visit went pretty smoothly considering what she's been through. The x-rays look good, there is minimal rehab work that needs to happen. Unless the vet team said otherwise, this is a very temporary new normal. It really sounds like in time, she will get to be herself again! You have the dedication and willingness to help her through this, and before you know it she will be the dog you knew before all of this. She is a strong, determined pup, just like you.
Please keep us posted OK? We are your sounding board and you can lean on us when you feel frustrated.
Nothing new to report besides that she has to wear her cone for another week because she has some sutures peeking out!
I really do appreciate everyone's replies and support. This is not like a regular 4-legged dog recovery and it's nice having people who understand that.
I keep reminding myself to take it one day at a time and then at some point in the future that "someday" where she can run freely will be here. I just want to do everything right and I worry that I am not. But then I also remind myself that she is lucky to have someone to dote on her and go the extra mile for her.
Sometimes Ineven tyinknthe Aurgeons doing the cruciate repair forget recovery for a tripawd has different hurdles and takes longer than a four legger.
That being said, the fact that Juju was putting pressure on that leg, actually appeared to be standing on it on day four..yeah, that seemed a bit early for that type of rapid success!.
She does indeed look soooo unhappy in that picture of her in the cone and in the stroller. 😫 I'm sure she's quite displeased with that harness arrangement too.☹ It seems like Frankie 's Rehab Vet sold me something like that and I found it very hard to put on him by myself, as well as navigate with it by myself. Frankie hated any ivng and anyone the slightest, most gentle ROM.
You're prov tired of is saying it's early in recovery....but itnos....especially for a tripawd!
And BTE, you ARE doing everything "right". You're doing a great job of monitoring his mobility and making everything as easy as possible for him. Recovery requires a slow pace, flexibility and patience....sooo much patience!
I just want to do everything right and I worry that I am not. But then I also remind myself that she is lucky to have someone to dote on her and go the extra mile for her
You are definitely going the extra mile and doing more for her than some are able, or willing, to do.
Hang in there! Stay connected!+ And more pictures of her adorable self, and Johnny too!
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!
No news is good news around here! And you are so right, this is not the typical recovery, it's brutal and challenging for even the most skilled pet parent. You are doing this though, and when it's behind you, Juju and you will have a bond that's stronger than ever. You are doing GREAT WORK!!!
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