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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Hi Heather, welcome. Your future posts won't need to wait for approval so post away.
What is your Dane's name? Was bone cancer the reason for the amputation? Just curious.
Many times, dogs will have a setback like this after seeming to do so well after recovery. Oftentimes it's a matter of doing too much too soon. What is your dog's daily activity level like? Walks? Play sessions? Do you have slippery floors? Could he have slipped? Two weeks is not a long time and he should still be taking things very easy.
Your pup is on some pain medication, which is good. But true pain management takes a multi-modal approach many times, so things like massage, acupuncture, laser therapy, etc. may need to be incorporated into a plan to help him feel better. What is your vet's recommendation to manage and treat the cause of the pain?
Did you know that the Tripawds Foundation can pay for your first rehab visit ? This is a great way to meet with an expert who can evaluate your pup and teach you the best ways to help him get strong, build endurance and prevent future injuries. If your vet doesn't seem to have a plan, I would strongly encourage you to check out a therapy center near you. We are happy to try to locate one if you would like help.
Stay tuned for feedback from others!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just catching up and letting you k ow we are all sending pawsitive e ergy to your sweet Dane.
It is sooooo easy, soooo very, very easy for a sog to tweak a muscle, strain their back, their shoulder, a disc, etc early on in recovery. And especially for a bigger dog..
We''ll wait to hear what the Vet says, but hopefully some pain meds, and anti inflammatory and completed bed rest for a few days will do the trick. In the meantime, try lots of ge tle massage all up and down his spine, his shoilder, etc. Do you notice a y tense areas?
Update when you can
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!
Ah ok thanks for clarifying. Try not to panic. We really do see this happen all the time and it's usually just a blip in the recovery. GREAT idea to check in with your vet. Please keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Good, glad the check up went well!! You should see him feeling better slowly but surely. Anything for pain or inflmmation?
Continue with the massages as mentioned previously. You can do them over a nice warm towel out of the dryer. Neck, shoulder, ip and down spine. I think he'll love it!
Jerry will come a,long with best suggestion for a harness from our Gear Shop.
Thanks for updating us!
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!
That's a good sign that the vet can't find anything specific right now. What muscle relaxer did he get?
Hopefully the R&R will help. If it doesn't, I would consider having a canine rehab therapist evaluate him. They can often find pain sources that general practice vets cannot.
As for a harness, yeah that's a problem for rear-leggers who need hind end support. Leg loops just don't stay on. We tried a few different hind-end harnesses on our Wyatt Ray like the Ruffwear Doubleback and the Care Lift, but the only one that could consistently stay on him so we could assist is the Get-a-Grip Harnessor Custom Pet Support Suit, which was invaluable for him as he grew older.
Let us know how things are going OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Good job of observing his apprehension when he has to move. Sometimes anticipating pain is enough to make a dog not want to move very readily..
Glad the Vet is prescribing Prednisone. It's usually effect in reducing any swelling or inflammation that might be going on in his back.
Are you doing a cwash-out period for several days before switching to the Prednisone?? If so, for how long??
All paws crossed that with rest and the Pred you will see improvement. Ditto Jerry as soon as you can about getting a consult with a Rehab Specialist. Keep up with the massages as an extra bonus bonding and relaxing time for both of you😎
Keep us posted!
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!
Aww poor guy, that really sucks. Sounds like you are managing any potential GI effects really well.
Not to sound like a broken record, because I know you're nervous and exhausted and worried. I would be! But a rehab therapist does so much more than ask a Tripawd to exercise. They address pain, oftentimes much faster than a general practice vet. They can help distinguish the types of pain a dog is experiencing and how to fix it.
Pred is fine for decreasing inflammation in the short term, but it doesn't address the root of the problem, and a talented rehab expert can do that. It would be so good to get a second opinion right now if you are able. I'm more than happy to help find one near you, and remember that the Tripawds Foundation can pay for your first rehab visit too.
Keep us posted OK? We're cheering for your guy.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
WONDERFUL NEWS!!!! Celebrate this!!!!👏👏👏 Every little improvement is a HUGE VICTORY!!!👏👏👏
Thanks for lettiing us know that he sat up for the best greeting evvvvver!!😎
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!
YAAAY! That's so awesome! Celebrate! Sounds like the Pred is doing it's thing. That's good.
Did you ever think you'd be so happy about seeing him sit up? It's crazy how much we take for granted until something happens. Stay pawsitive. All these "little" things add up to one big happy recovered Tripawd!
If you'd like help finding a rehab clinic let us know OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
And we have a few happy tears right a,long with you!!!! To see improvement this fast is quite miraculous!!!
Continue to still take it slow and easy and ontinue with the massages,. I'm sure he's enjoying all the extra attention👍
So delighted to read this!!!!😁😁
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!
THAT IS PAWESOME! I'm so happy to read this. Take things slow and easy, he will get his mojo back before you know it.
Finding a rehab therapist can be overwhelming if you're lucky enough to have choices. This info can help:
https://tripawd.....ces/#rehab
Keep us posted! Our paws are crossed for more success!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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