Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi all,
I have a 10 year old, 4 lb female yorkie will be having her right hind leg amputated early next week. Unfortunately, she also has a grade II medial luxating patella on what will be her remaining hind leg. I am nervous post-op about stressing the remaining knee too much. I want to have all my ducks in a row so that I can I can be as prepared as possible post surgery.
Does anyone have any suggestions for rehab/exercise/strengthening/diet/etc to help the longevity and health of the other leg? I've talked to a professional rehab facility already...they said they have never dealt with a situation exactly like this before and are willing to work with her but also suggested I try Tripawds.com for resources and advice.
I am pretty much open to anything to make her life as easy and successful as possible as a tripawd. Thanks in advance!
Hello and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I'm sorry you are facing amputation for your girl- why the surgery? And what is her name?
First I wanted to give you a link to the Reading List, lots of links there on what to expect with amputation and recovery.
It's great that you have talked with a rehab facility, it's the best place to get started. We even have a Rehab Reimbursement Program, the Maggie Moo Fund , that may pay for your first visit!
We have a variety of blog posts on exercises, here is a link to what I got when I searched on fitness. We also have a variety of fitness gear available in our Gear Blog , but I would wait to get anything until you have had at least one rehab visit.
I've had/have two small rear amp Tripawds, but they are monsters compared to your girl 
. Maggie was a 17.5 pound pug who lost her left rear leg to mast cell cancer. Now I have Elly, a 15 pound pug mix who lost her right rear leg after being hit by a car. I work everyday with Elly on core strength which is really important for Tripawds. Some core work can also be done using food puzzles and toys which Elly really loves.
We would love to see some pictures of your girl!
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Hi Karen! Thank you sooo much for all the wonderful information. It is so nice to hear from someone who has gone through this process and can give me a hint at what direction I should first be taking.
A little bit about my baby...her name is Muffi and I adopted her last September from a county humane society. She was an owner surrender at the age of 9. She came unspayed, had no teeth besides 2 canines, a collapsing trachea and 2 luxating patellas. None of this mattered as she is the most loving and perfect dog in the entire world (I may be slightly biased
).
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[Image Can Not Be Found]
(Not sure if the picture links will work - I'm still learning how to use the website)
Almost 2 weeks ago we were traveling (which we do very frequently) and by shear bad luck she got her hind paw stuck in the moving walkway at the airport. Initially, the injury looked to only involve her two middles toes/pads but as the days have progressed the injury has progressively shown to be more ugly than initially thought and now encompasses her entire foot and even extends up her wrist. They believe she experienced a "crush" injury and her foot has become necrotic and is not salvageable. The paw pads have died and sloughed off despite intense medical management. So alas, as a last resort, we are now facing a mid-femur limb amputation.
My worries are that she was an EXTREMELY active dog prior to this injury. I don't want this to stop her from being able to play fetch - she LIVES to play fetch. I always joke she is a Labrador trapped in a Yorkie body. I just want to do everything and anything possible to allow her to succeed, especially considering she has a not-so-perfect knee on the other side.
Also, we had a recheck this afternoon and her surgeon doesn't feel comfortable waiting any longer as he is worried she is going to systemically start getting sick from the injury and possible infection. They have planned to take her to surgery tomorrow morning and I am a nervous wreck even though I know it is the right thing to do at this point.
I went ahead and read all the articles on the recommended reading list - all very interesting and very helpful! I am going to look further into the Maggie Moo Fund as I do want to pursue use of a rehab facility to aid in the process of recovery and strengthening.
Any and all advice or resources would be beyond appreciated! I can't get enough information to aid in her transition to tripawd life. Thanks in advance! 🙂
Muffi may had had a rough start, but she hit the Puppy Lottery when she picked you for her happy furever home! It is so clear how much you adore her! And look at that avatar photo....she is sooooo ADORABLE how could you not fallnp in love!!
Apologies for this being sonshort right now...having taclet crashing issues. So the Vet is going to leave a lot of "stump",'is that right? Most amps take the full leg, of course, a crap disease is involved. Anyway, just check with the Vet about leaving so much stump. Sometimes the dogs will try and use the stump and it gets raw and infected. No right or wrong, I was just curious.
STAY CONNECTED!!! YOU ARE NOT ALONE AT ALL!! WE ARE HERE BY YOUR SIDE EVERY STEP OF THE WAY!
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!
http://tripawds.....-photos-1/
Oh, and here's a link to add photos
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!
It sounds like it is a good thing to get the surgery done ASAP.
Maggie had a mid-femoral amputation. It's a bit of a misnomer as they really only left a small piece of the femur which was wrapped with muscle. You could feel the stump but not see it. Elly's leg was taken up to the hip. Now that I have experienced both I far prefer the mid femoral amputation. Maggie had a much more stable base to sit on, Elly can not sit on hard surfaces.
There is much discussion on this site on whether or not to leave a stump- it is almost always a problem when a stump is left on a front amp, but I know many rear amps who had the mid femoral surgery and none of them have had problems with their stump.
At the time of Maggie's surgery I was told that a mid femoral amp was an easier surgery to do, and easier on Maggie. I adopted Elly as a Tripawd so had no input on her surgery.
You should clarify with the vet for your own peace of mind and so you know what to expect. Also- will Muffi be staying overnight at the vet? Most pups do stay at least one night unless the vet is not staffed 24 hours or in some cases to save on costs. You should ask about the pain meds that will be sent home with you.
Be aware that the first couple weeks after surgery can be full of ups and downs, so don't get discouraged if Muffi isn't herself. We often see the more 'mature' pups take a little longer to get going. All dogs deal and heal on their own schedule.
Here is Elly's Blog so you can see some of the things we do. I don't know what her life was like on 4 paws, but she is living large on 3!
Keep us posted on the surgery.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
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