Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My almost three year old Doberman was diagnosed with Fibrotic Myopathy, we decided it was in his best interest to amputate his left hind leg. As devastating as this has been I am trying to hold back the tears and be strong for my Sloane boy. We are looking to the future and want it to be healthy and happy. I am looking for ideas on the best PT options his surgery was 7-11-13 so we are in the very new stages of learning. I am planing on putting him in water therapy as soon as the stitches come out. But we would love the knowledge of others on what they have done and what worked best.
We are an active duo and are also wondering if he will ever be able to run with me again or go hiking? Any thoughts are much appreciated.
Cheers
Dari & Sloane
Hi Dari, welcome to Tripawds. Your future posts will not require moderation.
I assume that is Sloane in your avatar- he is very handsome! Don't try too hard to hold back the tears- just get all your crying done while Sloane is at the hospital. Then you will be ready to greet him and be the strong, positive pack leader that he needs now.
We have lots of information on PT and exercises in our Gear Blog. And you might find some useful information in these Videos from Rehab Vets.
As far as running or hiking- well that kind of depends on Sloane and how diligent you are about taking care of his needs. Many tripawds find they can't go quite as far, and you do want to be a little careful since that spare leg is now gone. But we have seen tripawds here who do agility, run, hunt, swim and just in general be a dog! My little pug Maggie also lost her left rear leg. Before the amp she could easily walk 2 to 3 miles. After the amp it took her a few months, but she worked back up to walking a mile on her own, but she never got any farther than that.
I almost forgot- for Sloane's immediate care be sure and read through Jerry's Required Reading list, and definitely check out the new download Loving Life on Three Legs- lots of info and ideas to keep Sloane healthy and strong.
The first couple weeks can be full of ups and downs- so don't get discouraged. Let us know if you have any questions and let us know how Sloane is doing.
Karen
Online
Sloane is a very handsome boy and has a great advocate by his side!
The "gift" of this ordeal is that you will become a master at "living in the moment" and an expert in the millions of ways you can spoil Sloane! My only 2¢ worth for now is to try and keep it chunked down....recovery from surgery will require your focus and it can be kinda' rough the first twoo weeks, more or less. Most will advise for complete recovery to take place before you engage in too much PT.
Amoint of full oit activity will become less important as you see how Sloane may enjoy having more belly rubs, walks that give hime the opportunity to stop and sniff thr breeze or pee on as many trees as possible!! The lovimg bomd you two have now-----BAM----get ready---it will become more than you could ever imagine!!:-)
You are not alone in this--we are here for any concerns AND celebrations you may have! Please stay connected and let us know when your boy is home. He'll be high as a kite on drugs but he'll know he's home and may even try to over-do it while he's so drugged....so make sure he really takes it easy---no stairs, jumping, etc.
How old is that handsome boy?
Get a good night sleep----you may not be able to for a few more nights:-)
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Thank you to both Sally and Karen, your support already is much appreciated the advice and the great articles, much needed and valued. Sloane will be three August 3rd, so we have many years to enjoy life together. He is my little hero, always looking out for me in every aspect of life but more than any as a confidant and freely giving love and strength. Before surgery he was my running, hiking, camping, beach going, and horse barn enjoying partner, and for most activities hope he will be again.
His surgery was yesterday and he actually came home same day. I know this in uncommon but prior to this surgery we thought it was a cancer so we took that out, after the first procedure even with cones many other custom made devices he tore out all 14 inches of stitches while at the vet....can you say determinated dog. So for the last 4 months we have been heeling a huge open wound and he has had 24 hour care. I drop him of at the vet before work and pick him up after. I haven't even been to the grocery store without having a sitter for him. So we are staying the course in the same manner. Striving for healthy stitches.
Last night was very hard, he was up and down crying and not able to get comfortable in bed I logged 2.5 hours of interrupted sleep. Coming off morphine is always a challenge coupled with the loss of his leg....hard. But as I write he is in bed next to me his head on my legs.
Thank you again for your support and advice
Dari & Sloane
Dari and Sloane, welcome. Karen and Sally already gave you fantastic advice I just wanted to stop by and tell you how handsome Sloane is!
What exactly is Fibrotic Myopathy? I'm not sure we have ever had a dog with that condition here unless it's called something else too?
Hang in there. The first two weeks can be rough but Sloan looks like a very strong dog, and with your dedication and love you two can get through anything.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sloane, wjst's this about you eating up your stitches? No wonder your mom had you come home early!
I hope you get a few ore hours sleep toight, but I'm afraid the restlessness and whing and cryimg might go on a few more nights....or more! Larger dogs sometimes, not always, take a lkttle longer to recover and, on top of that, they adjust to three legs! And in Sloane's, still recovering from previois sirgery! Clearly Sloane has no problem staying at the vets! I bet they really spoil him!
How much Tramadol does he have him on? As you probaly already know, adjustng his pain meds after the nospital meds wear off can be tricky! The panting, restlessness and whining may go on a touch longer---just know that's all normal!
You will be so happy once Sloane's sparkle comes back full force! It just gets better and better!
Sloane is clearly your best bud. I thi k you'll be pleased at how much of his " normal" activity he recaptures. Karen gave you plenth of links on core building exercises to consider.
Let us know how the next couple of days go for you. We're Here and we're not goiing anywhere!
Sloane! Stay away from your stitches! Your mom needs her horse barn partner back!!
You two have a terrific connection and we look forward to hearing all sbout your adventures:-) 
Welcome home Sloane!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Hi Dari and Sloan! Wow what a handsome guy he is! I think everyone has already given the best advice, I just wanted to answer you about water therapy. We are three months post amp and Atlas had his first hydro-treadmill event yesterday. I posted in the forum is you want to see the pics. He did good and we will keep working at the physical therapy thing to help gain core strength. When you have such big dogs, it requires a dedication (I believe) to P.T. in order to maintain quality life. We also get acupuncture and the vet said he has always seen the best responses from the Doberman's that he works on. Maybe it would be good for Sloan too?
That said, I think you are a few weeks away from worrying about any of that. First, Sloan has to recover and I know he is so happy to be home with you now. Try not to rush it, just try, both of you, to get some rest right now. It took Atlas until about day 11 before he really realized his leg was gone and started making adjustments in his potty standing and mobility navigation. It's taken me about two months to get my head around our new life style. 
So go easy on yourself and remember the folks here are the best support you could ever imagine. I don't know what I would have done without Tripawds!
Patricia & Mighty Atlas
Hi Jerry,
Fibrotic Myopathy is an uncommon acquired, disorder which probably occurs in muscle contusion that heals primarily by scar tissue. The whole muscle or part of the muscle is replaced with fibrous connective tissue within the semitendinosus and, occasionally, the quadriceps muscles of the hindleg. When most or all of the traumatised muscle is replaced by fibrous scar tissue that contracts to an inelastic band, it is termed fibrotic myopathy or muscle contracture. It is very rarely seen none of the vets that I have been working with have ever seen a case.
Sloane update: He is calm and seems to be out of the hard pain, we were able to sleep through the night without getting up even once.......thank heavens because I know we were both quit wiped out.
One thing that seems interesting when he had his first surgery he wouldn't leave his surgical sight alone and with this amputation he hasn't even licked it. This leads me to think he knew there was still something wrong with his leg??
Patricia & Mighty
Thank you for touching on the therapy, I also have a Dane in Hydro therapy and gets regular acupuncture and chiropractic and he loves it! I will follow in the same foot steps for sure with Sloane. I love hearing other success stories with these types of work. I spent a lot of time looking through all the exercises and equipment to work on core. Have you tried any of the balance discs or paw pads?
Dari & Sloane
Oh Sloane you do look dashing in your Tripawd harness!
Well, so is the condition that you had also known as straight leg syndrome or something to that effect? If so we have a couple of members who have also dealt with it (and also lost their leg because of it), like Hannah.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hey Jerry
It is only known as Fibrotic Myopathy as far as I have been told but in horses it is called string hault, if that helps. I will look into straight leg syndrome and see it there are some correlation.
Cheers
Dari & Sloane
I'm thinking it's probably not the same thing after seeing the Straight Leg Shepherds website. But in either case, I'm glad you took the time to mention it here and start a blog (thank you again for becoming a supporter!) because some day, someone will be looking for the information you are sharing, and Sloane's story will give them the hope they need. Thank you!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sloane is sooooooooooo handsome! A beautiful dog! Thanks for the great photo!
I know you are BEAMING with pride everytime you look into that magnificent face......so bright.....so alert.....Just two days post amp.? WOW!
Saly and Happy Hannah
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!
Love those Dobermans!! Sloane looks like he is adapting really well to the tripawd life. Being young I would bet he will be doing just fine and going places with you soon. Look at the videos of Atlas to see how fast he can move and he has other issues besides being a tripawd. Will be looking forward to updates!!
Luanne & Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
Hey Luanne and shooter,
It is nice to make your acquaintance, Atlas is truly an ambassador with all the hard work that he and his family put in I feel so blessed to have this web site to connect with other tripawd families. I am learning so much every day. I made my first acupuncture appointment for the 31st and then we will start right away with our therapy core trainer. Do you use any of the core equipment? If so what is your favorite piece of equipment?
Cheers
Dari and Sloane
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