Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Wabs update: Front left leg amputation May 7. He bounced back really well after ~3 weeks, had regained his appetite and energy. We started chemo 5/29, and backpedalled quite a bit. He lost his appetite, had accidents, seemed mopey again. He's been doing a little better about eating and walking this week, and now we've noticed that he's skipping a little on his back left leg.
He'll put weight on it while he's standing to eat or around the house (which is not often, since he mostly lays down and sleeps), but he swings his back right out to the side and shuffles a little on the back left. His head bobs up when he puts weight on it, down when he doesn't, and he'll even skip putting it down when he picks up a little speed.
I read through a bunch of others' posts about limb weakness (it's a lot to put on that one front leg), and the suggestions about rehab and PT, but he's got OS, so my panicky brain is fearing the worst. We're going in for an X-ray this afternoon. Please cross your paws for us. <3
Okay, ALL PAWS CROSSED and sending good healing energy!!
Of xoirse you're thinking the worst. Thst's what we all do here so well!! Experts at it!!
Now, take some DEEP BREATHS! First of sll, yoh jave to "issues" going on. One seems to ve the chemo reaction, a bit harder on him than some. The Onco will adjust the dose or spread out the dose. Sometimes chemo needs to be stopped of side effects cause too much distress. Just so you know, CLUDE JUST CELEBRATED TWO YEARS and never did any chemo!
Highly, highly likely Wabs has tweaked his "good" leg during this early recovery time. Unfortunately, we do see this happen. Probably the Bet will put him on Rimadyl , or some other anti-inflammatory, as well as maube baxk on pain med and complete rest!! The fact that he's not active works in his favor right now
My Frankie is a three legger. (Front amp). The gait you are describing sounds lot lot like his. In his case, he did damage to his knee (cruciate), and later on, either a bad tweak or meniscus. Still identifying exacrly what's going on with the latest issue.
Pointing this out to say it is probably NOT that crap disease, okay? Not that dealing with the other possibilities is a cake walk, but all doable.
We'll be watching for your update. Take care.
Extra 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!
Good news! The vet said "there's no medical reason for his goofy gait other than that he has 25% less leg than he did a few weeks ago." He thinks Wabs is just still trying to figure out the moves to this new dance routine, and that if anything it's a good sign that he's trying to pick up the pace, but that that's why we noticed it.
On physical exam, his hips and knees and neurological responses were all spot-on, and I insisted on x-rays just to be extra cautious (and because I think they'll help me sleep better). His hips are picture-perfect! Vet even said some two-year-old dogs would be lucky to have hips that good. Didn't even see signs of arthritis yet.
As an added warm-fuzzy, everybody at the office was asking about him and a nurse even brought out a little scrap of yoga mat for him to stand on when I mentioned that's what we have for him at home.
The specialty vet clinic where we're doing his chemo has a rehab branch affiliated with it, so maybe if he's still not getting the hang of things over the next few weeks, we'll talk to them about getting some exercises and PT for our guy. Meanwhile, back to snoozing and walking at his own pace!
Thanks for talking me off the cliff. 
YAAAAAAAY!!!! GRINNING EAR TO EAR😁😂😆
And loooove that the Tech brought him a yoga mat to stand on....now that's service and outstanding customer care!!😗😙😚
Glad you got sich great reassurance! Yes, mobility issues are not uncommon at all during the first month plus. Give Wabs some good massages up amd down the spine , neck and shoulders. Muscles are really tight right now.
GOOD JOB MOM!!
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!
Wooohoo! You're a mighty fine advocate for Wabs, good job! I'm glad to hear he's all good, goofy walk and all 😉
What clinic are you working with? They sound wonderful.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We're lucky to call the Austin Vet Hospital our go-to for these sorts of checkups and our annual exams. We've also been really pleased by the folks up at the Central Texas Specialty Veterinary Hospital for the surgery and chemo needs.
How is your handsome boy doing? I hope all is well ❤️
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
He's doing great, thanks for checking on us! He's been eating better, getting less stubborn on walks, and more enthusiastic about toys and his other beds again. Only hiccup last week was that he was due for his second course of chemo on Tuesday, but his white blood count was too low for them to do it (in the 3K range, instead of 5K-16K). Trying again tomorrow (on a lower dose), and we'll report back.
That's great, I'm so glad for you! It's not unusual for the white blood cells to dip, it happens a lot in people too. Thanks for popping in and updating, I'm really happy for you!!
❤️❤️❤️
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Yeah definitely not unusual and better to be overly cautious. Good luck this week, let us know how it goes.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Wabs did *way* better with a lower dose of carbo this time around (250mg instead of 300). No accidents, no new issues with energy, same pickiness with food.
I took him in for a nail trim today, and honestly I think he found that way more traumatic than chemo.
Oh good! Good update! Thanks!!😎
And Wabs, next time go on strike if your Mom gives you a "nail trim" after chemo " treat" as opposed to a cheeseburger and a Puppacino!!! 🤨
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!
Don't worry, he got a homemade peanut butter pupsicle yesterday! (But also: I'm pretty sure retired greyhounds' default mode is "on strike.")
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