Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello everyone,
Rufa, our 120 lb Leonberger had a front-leg amputation almost 3 weeks ago. His incision has healed nicely, he is in good spirits (interested in food and people) and he is due to start chemo next week. While some times he looks quite competent hopping around (particularly when he is moving more quickly), most of the time he has this funny hunch to his gait now (Leonbergers have naturally shorter front legs than the back, so this may account for some of it), however, sometimes when he is walking more slowly his back legs look almost bowed and a bit shaky. This has me very concerned! We are due to see a rehabilitation specialist vet but we can't get in for 3 weeks. I would love to know if this has been anyone else's experience and potential advice for what I can do in the meantime. He is currently on Metacam and Gabapentin.
Thanks so much,
Danika and Rufa
Hey Danika and Rufa!! Sooooo glad to hear from you! 'Been wondering how that big chunk of love has been doing! And kt sounds like, overall, he's doing really well!
Of course, I'm not a vet, but it sounds like Rufa is having "normal" admustment "issues". With front leggers, they do tend to walk at a faster pace as they need the momentum for balance and to move forward with less effort.
As far as muscles, joints, etc., adjusting to three legs takes at least a month. Rufa's back legs are now being used in ways they haven't been before. The shaking probably is indicative of weaker muscles nkw straining mlre to help carry Rufa where he wants to go!
Is it possible he's overdoing it a bit too much too soon? How long are his walks? Does the shaking happen right away or only after he's been walking a bit?
Assuming there are no underlying issues, this is something that should improve greatly working with a Rehab Specialist. It's just a darn shame the appointment is so far out there! Acupuncture, a d maybe even a Chiropractic adjustment could also be helpful.
Oh, and you .might try a lot of gentle .massage before and after each walk.
Sending big hugs to that vig voy! You knkw we HAVE to have poctures, right?? And maybe even post a video of him walki g so others who jave had that experience can chime in.
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!
Agree totally with Sally. Sounds like pain. Call the rehab place and let them know, they'll probablybe able to squeeze you in much sooner.
Dont forget to apply for the Tripawds Foundation rehab grant!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Murphy is also a front leg amputee, and he went through a stage where it seemed like his back was hunched & his back legs looked really, really stiff. What we've figured out that helps him is when he's laying on his side we start rubbing his back and he really starts arching back, he stretches back almost like a "C" curling really good and we just rub up & down his back and down into his back legs ... he seems to like it, he moans & groans lol. I think it helps to relax the muscles in his back & his legs and helps him walk better. He does seem to do better when he moves faster compared to when he goes slow.
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 Sally, Jerry and Donna. I am hoping the rear leg shaking thing is just muscle adjustment. He hasn't been too active (we haven't done walks but let him roam in the yard with us). The other day he actually RAN up to greet us outside, so that was new and exciting! We have cut out walks since his surgery since he tires so quickly. I do hope that rehab will help with his strength and stamina, as he was going to dog parks and on pack hikes just before his diagnosis, so he's probably a bit bored, poor guy.
As for the pain meds, I got him another refill of Gabapentin and that seems to be helping. I do notice that he is groaning a bit right around the 8 hour mark so I try to keep on top of his dose times. He's definitely not whimpering all night long anymore so that's an improvement! Last night was a good night - I didn't hear from him until 5 am (a vast improvement from him being up 3-4x a night the past few nights). Is it common for dogs to have to stay on Gabapentin for a prolonged period of time? I don't mind at all as I just want him to be comfortable - just curious. Also, thanks for the massage suggestions - I will try that along with the methods mentioned on the site and e-book.
Also, Jerry - I am still having such problems with uploading pictures and getting the blog going, etc. Could you pm me?
Thanks everyone,
Danika and Rufa
Danika you are doing great. Yes, stay ahead of the pain, what you're doing is perfect. As far as how long dogs are on pain control, it just depends on the dog, there is no standard length of time. Generally speaking, 10 days is about how long most dogs are on, but some dogs need more, some less. Everyone is different.
I will message you about photos, no problem.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
If I recall, my Happy Hannah was on Gabapentin about three weeks.
Rufa will continue to get his sparkle back. He isn't focused on what he "can't" do. He is perfectly content with what he can do! He'll still enjoy walks, but he will also enjoy taking more breaks to just stop and catch the scents of nature while he's getting tummy rubs from you! Dogs are great role .models for teaching us to stop and smell the roses!
So glad you see moments of his sparkle coming back. That will continue to happen, slowly but surely!
Can't wait to see the pictures!!
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!
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