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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Here's a link where our volunteer Vet mentions aynovetin
Kerry, there was also something Clare tried for Meg A Star. So ethos g like keramentiIm really destroying the word. Will try and find her post but it seems like she had good results. n..
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!
benny55 said
Here's a link where our volunteer Vet mentions aynovetinKerry, there was also something Clare tried for Meg A Star. So ethos g like keramentiIm really destroying the word. Will try and find her post but it seems like she had good results. n..
https://tripawd.....arthritis/
Thanks for sharing that link, Sally. I guess that's where I heard about it!
Regarding Meg, is the Ketamine for Arthritis post the one you're talking about?
Oh gosh!!! I just love Max sooooo much!!!! And the devotion you and your family have for him just warms my heart.
Considering all he's been through, to see him"hopping" along like no beeping deal really is amazing.
Isn't it wonderful having a food motivated doggy? You can accomplish so much with just the tiniest morsel😎
Just wondering out loud if it's possible that the leg giving way has more to do with his balance and with his gait. He still hasn't developed a hind leg gait yet where it's less of a two leg hop woth both legs together, as opposed to one back leg moving forward and then the other? Does that make sense?
I know when Frankie was recovering from his cruciate, the Rehab Vet wanted him to move the rear legs separately and move away from the "bunny hop". This didn't happen overnight, that's for sure. And Max is definitely putting weight on that leg, so that's good improvement.
What was so cute about Max (among other things), it didn't bother him in the least when he did the little face plant. Just kept looking for his treat. And face plants do happen with front leggers anyway sometimes regardless of whether they had cruciate surgery or not.
Continue with the massages and the lottle walks around the yard. It looked like when he did turns that his back legs moved independently from each other for a step or two. It seems like that was one of Frankie's exercises to turn one way in a circle and then another. I'll have to go back into the "files in my mind" to recall some of the other things she had him do.
You should be very pleased with his progress. Goodness knows thos mature fellow has been through a lot! What's trul wonderful though is to see how happy he is and seemingly completely unfazed about any of this!
And he still has one the most exquisitely designed ramps on the Planet!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS....One more thought. When he goes UP the ramp, does he tend to ise his rear legs separately at all het? If I recall, it seems Frankie did less of a bunny hop for a couple of steps going up the ramp. But for now Max is getting where he needs to go and is enjoying all the attention and that's all that matters! Form is still a work in progress and, again, with everything he's been through, it's still very early in cruciate recovery!
I did just go back and watch it a third time and I could see he was indeed using the back legs separately some more than I thought a first view or two. And using the cruciate leg with such strength at this point is really good too! Yes, Ax and hishooans have accomplished a lot!!👏👏👏.
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 Sally,
Thank you for all the positive feedback! We have been trying our best. I didn't know I should be looking at how his back legs move; separately or together. I am going to call my vet's office and ask if there are exercises we can have him do to help him use them separately.
I will send a video of him attempting the stairs, he doesn't seem to know what to do with the surgical leg. Dr. Said to really support him as he is not fully healed. When we let him put some weight on it he kind of swings it to the side. I will have to ask them those questions too.
I wouldn't know half of the questions to ask or things to look for without you and Jerry and the tripawd community.
Thank you all for everything!
Theresa
Hi Sally,
Well Max seems to be struggling. His front leg is taking a lot of stress. His back legs are still doing the bunny hop, and we noticed him not bending the surgical leg much. I spoke to vet/surgeon and they are still suggesting doing the Synovetin shots. One in front elbow and second it back knee they did the TPLO on. Its $3700 plus staying for a few days overnight. It sounds invasive, they say the first couple of days after he will be in more pain than prior to the shots, but then he is supposed to have relief for 9-12 months.
To be honest we are leaning towards no, because he will still have to be on all his pain meds for the arthritis in his spine and shoulder, plus his bulging disk. Vet said we may be able to lessen the doses but we won't know for a while.
I've read Synovetin is mostly for dogs with moderate arthritis and the success is about 90%. But Max's arthritis is severe, so she said they hope to get 75% better mobility out of him and hopefully the shot will last him a minimum of 9 months. Its just so new. I don't want him to be a guinea pig for this. He has been through so much. Right now we are doing the canine red light therapy on his elbow and knees at home on our own, and we are trying to make him walk a little more each day. I think we are going to see how he does before we decide on anything else.
If anyone's dog has had the synovetin injections done on their dog I would love to hear what they have to say about it.
How are you and your clan doing? Hope all is well.
Thanks for checking in,
Theresa
Hi Theresa,
OK I'm not Sally but I'm going to jump in here ...
I'm sorry that Max is not feeling good. Ugh! Regarding synovetin, here are some Forums search results and there's even a mention of it from Dr. Pam. Scroll past your mention of it for the first couple of posts.
Did they mention anything about ketamine injections. Meg had great results with it for her elbow dysplasia and severe arthritis. Also see if monoclonal antibiodies with Solensia are a possibility. Meg is on that therapy now and doing well.
Thanks so much for checking in and sharing everything going on with sweeet Max. In "normal" circumstances, better "form" with his gait would be ideal, if he is able to be somewhat mobile on his own, even with a bunny hop, I'd rake it as a sorta' win considering all the hurdles he had to overcome. Of course, that's my very unprofessional FWIW thought.. He's had a lot of Rehab and truly the best care a dog could ever have. As long as his pain is managed, and although his mobility may, or may not be able to improve, do you still feel like he's enjoying being treated like the King he is? Earing, drinking, enjoying sunbathing in the yard, etc?
I hear ya' loud and clear about the synovetin. The cost alone, would ge a deal breaker for me. Then in top of that, the "uncertainty of results, IF any, having to stay at the Vet's yet again and be away from home and in PAIN.....this just doesn make me feel it's worth it. Again, FWIW. What matters is what YPU think and how YOU feel about it. All that said, I don't have any insight into the injection and maybe others would jave a more positive spin.
Do check out the links Jerry gave you. I'll also PM Clare (Meg) and see of she can hop in with insight. If I recall, I think Meg still uses a "bunny hop" sometimes and quite effectively.
I. aure it's already been mention, and probably beyond any positive impact, but has Max had any hood ole' steroid shots...especially for spine?
We've said it over and over, Max is a lucky boy, even with all these hurdles, to have you as his hooman.
Love and light to all
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS. Would you say his mobility is about where it is in the June video?
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!
Hello All,
Max is having a difficult time sitting and getting up in the last month or so. He is also curving the surgical leg in towards the other back leg and bunny hopping which also causes him to be off balance, and has fallen a couple of times in the last week.
After speaking with the Vet, she said, he might be keeping the back feet together because the other back leg may be getting weak . Has anyone had any experience with their dog receiving anabolic steroids to help muscle strength?
He is also having more discomfort in his lower spine, but that is common in an 11 year old Lab, not to mention he is a tri-pawd. I asked about giving him CDB, looking for a more natural solution for inflamation and pain. I have a call in to my holistic vet to see if she has any recommendations.
Does anyone have any information on the steroids, or is anyone using CBD for inflammation and pain management ?
Thank you.
Theresa and Max
Hi Theresa, it's so good to hear from you. I just pointed someone to Max's story the other day. I'm sorry about his mobility challenges. How's his spirit? Is he still doing things he loves and having good days? I hope so!
Here are some Tripawds Forum search results about anabolic steroids to treat various conditions. As you can see there aren't many who have tried it for this type of situation, and it's been a long time since anyone has mentioned it. I'm wondering if there are newer or better options?
Regarding CBD, the right product makes all the difference. Yes, it can certainly help with pain management , but it has to be a quality product and dosed appropriately. Since each dog is different, the best results are found when working with a veterinary cannabis expert. Otherwise, about 90% of the time people are wasting their money on ineffective products and dosing.
I can connect you with an expert if you'd like, through my work with Veterinary Cannabis Education and Consulting. They will look at Max's situation, his CBCs and other labs, to come up with a matched product and appropriate dosage. Let me know if you're interested.
Give Max extra belly rubs from me!
Hi Jerry,
Thank you for the quick reply! I will certainly give max extra belly rubs! HIs spirits are doing well and he still loves to eat! He is just doing more laying down during the day than before. The vet said yesterday that he has inflammation in his left hind ankle, which is why he is putting the right leg(surgical one) inward for more support. She did think Cannibis is a good idea. She doesn't prescribe it nor does my holistic vet. My holistic vet suggested going on line and ordering from a company called "Ellevet Hemp Chews" they dose based on weight.
We would definitely be interested in speaking to an expert! I feel so out of my realm with this. Let me know what information you need and how I can get it to them.
Thank you so much!!
Theresa & Max
So that's good, he's still Max and doing things a little differently right now, but still enjoying life? Yeah!
Inflammation is painful, I can see why the poor guy is resting a lot.
So yep, vets cannot prescribe cannabis pet products. In some states they cannot even talk about the subject with clients. Crazy! Ellevet is a good product, but to get the most accurate dosing I do recommend working with an expert. Many times they will have clients blend certain tinctures / oils from more than one company, based on the dog's bloodwork. I'm glad you want to talk to them! PM me your email & tel # (remind me of your time zone too), and I'll connect you.
Thank you for the update on one of our most favorite Tripawds. Max really is quite a determined fella, as are his hoomans!
With everythingnje's been through, I'm so happy to know je's enjoying being Max, even at a slower pace. He is "vintage", so slowing down, especially with all he's been through with those legs of his.
HIs spirits are doing well and he still loves to eat!
Your Bet's assessment makes sense. Os the inflammation basically due to the arthritis? Hopefully the info Jerry is sending you on the CBD will be effective.
It really was good hearing form you and our beloved Max♥️. Would love to see some more photos of this Legend!
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!
1 Guest(s)