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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I don’t believe it - after 3 weeks of a pretty stressful recovery from a front leg amputation due to bone cancer, Chief has likely torn/partially torn his back left knee ligament.
I have read some of the posts about other dogs experiencing this and just wanted to post to see if anyone has some advice on what the heck to do now. I think surgery is out of the question at his age and for his condition...
So I am more hoping for recommendations for healing. He is on a joint formula and CBD oil. I am going to add an anti inflammatory (Metacam didn’t agree with his system), and some green lipped mussel powder ...
Has anyone experienced this defeating feeling of a new serious injury in a recent tripaw?
I’m so thankful for anything you can share ❤️
And I should add - prior to his surgery, he was hiking for hours a day, is not overweight and was in amazing shape (I thought). Clearly he has some weak joints but he is generally extremely healthy.
Geez Chief!! What the heck are you spong messing up your knee you crazy boy!!
Okay...deep breaths....this HAS happened before and it IS doable! I think Chief set the record for doing it so quicky after amputation though. I think tripawd Murphy had a total hip replacement six weeks after his amp.
My very first question, how has this been confirmed??
Probavly haven't had time yet, but has he been evaluated by a Certified Rehabilitation Specialist ?
Is he on some pain meds now? What's his ability to walk/hop like now? Obvioisly, he needs to be taking it really easy right now.
So you think the "weak legs" he has had during recovery was due, in part, to the torn ligament, or did it happen all of the sudden?
And is it on the same side as the amp, or on the side of his front leg?
Will look for your feedback .
((((((((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!
Oh gosh I'm so sorry about his injury. Don't panic; a cruciate tear in Tripawds (partial or not) is not unusual and there IS hope for recovery even without surgery if you go that route. Our own Jerry had a suspected cruciate tear and also rehabbed without surgery.
As Sally asked, how was this confirmed? And what is your vet's plan for dealing with the suspected problem?
It's important to get a specialist involved so you can know exactly what you are dealing with. It also pays to see a canine rehabilitation therapist to find out what kind of non-surgical therapies may help with the problem. If Chief has never been to rehab, the Tripawds Foundation may pay for your first rehab visit .
Also, check out this article about rehabbing soft tissue injuries. You may find it useful.
Finally, IF surgery is your only option for a successful repair or relief, these remaining leg surgery articles explain the process (and how it's not hopeless, Tripawds can recover from a surgery like that).
https://tripawd.....gged-dogs/
https://tripawd.....-tripawds/
Let us know how things are going and how we can help OK? We hope that Chief starts feeling better with some R&R.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you Sally ❤️
I know eh!? (Head shake!!!)
Thanks for the reassurance...
so - it is his left back leg - the side of his front leg (phew?). This diagnosis has not been confirmed. He yelped in pain the night it happened and was shaking afterwards - so it seemed sudden. However since then, he does walk around, put his foot down with some weight on it. So It seems that it is not a complete tear to me?
i took him off the Metacam so the only pain killer he is using is CBD oil. But he is eating great and wanting to explore still ...
I am taking him to the vet this week. And he has been only walking to go to the washroom - although trying to escape for longer walks (seriously the most adventurous spirit).
at this point - I feel he hurt it but not a total tear. So I’m making him take it easy for a few weeks and seeing what the vet has to say ...
great to hear this has happened before. Such an emotional roller coaster! Thanks for being there ❤️
Thanks Jerry too! Sorry didn’t see your response until just now...
okay I will read those. We live in a super isolated community on the west coast so there is not specialist here for dogs ... just two vets and that is all! No acupuncture or rehab or anything.
Thanks so much for your support and I will report back once we hear what the vet says. Thanks beyond words again!
Okay, this is sounding better. When my Frankie did the complete tear, he could not do anymore than a tiny toe tap just for balance. Basically he was truly walking on two legs and it was NOT getting bettrr!
And when he's tweaked on of his three legs, it does show improvement as opposed to not getting better. So hopefully that's what's going on with Chief. A partial tear is better than a full tear!
Unless there is a reason he is off the Metacam, it is very helpful in keeping the inflammation down, as well as handle the pain. Of course not a Bet, not give g Bet advice.
Update tomorrow and sending pawsitive energy!
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!
Okay thanks so much and good to know about the toe tap.
I found the Metacam was making him not eat and just through off his system (no poo, weird poo, waking up at night to eat grass )... it totally did help his pain though so the vet said he can switch him to a different NSAID which I’m going to talk with him about next week. Good to know that I should keep him on one.
again thanks more than words. It feels less like I’m walking in the dark with you here 🙂
Yeah, makes sense to drop the Metacam.
And no, you never have to "walk in the dark' with us around.
We'll always shine a light to help guide you😉
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!
Ahhh OK. Glad Sally asked about the Metacam. Yes, there are other NSAIDs you can try.
Also, you would be surprised at how often we can find specialists and rehab therapists for members who think there is nobody within a few hours of their home. If you want to PM me your town I'm happy to do a search for you. Also, a few therapists will do telemedicine consulting for people living remotely, if it came down to that.
I hope this week goes smoothly with the R&R, let us know how the vet visit goes.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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