Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hey all, Petra is 9.5 months out from left rear leg amputation. She’s 10, so a senior. She’s been doing great, still loves walks but does not go very far, most of our excursions are just a few houses away in either direction, but occasionally she’s been game for going a longer walk.
Last Friday she started having more problems with the remaining back leg giving out, to the point where she is sometimes dragging it. I searched the forums here and immediately restricted activity and started carprophen every 12 hours. I also made an appt with my vet to discuss a more robust pain management regimen. Petra was improving but today was a real setback, with difficulty getting around at all. I have a sling, which she does NOT like but have been using it to help her get out to potty and get around the house (from one bed to another). My vet is coming on Thursday (she’s a house call vet), so we’re trying to hang tight, but I’m so scared that she has a torn ACL. I don’t think surgery is an option and I’m so worried about what will happen next.
So I’m looking for moral support, ideas about best options for pain mgmt, and any other insights. This site has been such a lifeline for us. I should also mention we lost a pack member suddenly a few weeks ago, my 13 year old Harper passed in the night. Petra and Truman are adjusting well, but it’s been tough for all of us. And has me feeling very vulnerable.
Thanks much, Jill
First of all, I'm so sorry your sweet Harper had to head to The Bridge. I hope the memories of all the happy times you shared help ease uour grief. When you can, we would love to hear more about that sweet pup.
As far as the adorable Petra, try not to jump to conclusions just yet. The fact rhat there was improvement with the rest and anti inflammatory is a good sign. It may well be a soft tissue injury which would require more confinemnt, more anti-inflmmatory and some pain meds. Doable though!!
And even IF it is a torn ACL, it may respond to "conservative" management. I would DEFINITELY try and get an appointment with a Rehabilitation Specialist in addition to your regular Vet. It's possible that a brace or leg sleeve may help.
If you pinch her toes, does she react, pull away, etc.? Massage up and down her spine, neck and shoulders. Any tense spots? Maybe a disc issue or something like that.
Hang in there and update us when when 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!
Thank you, Sally, your words always provide much comfort! I will reach out to rehab specialist and see if we can manage this nonsurgically. Will post more after we see the vet tomorrow.
Jill, I'm so sorry about Harper, and now that Petra isn't feeling well, oh my gosh. Things have been ruff for your pack lately! My heart and condolences go out to you, I'm so sorry you lost your pup so suddenly.
How is Petra doing today?
It's not unusual for a Tripawd to have a minor muscle pull or strain. Our Wyatt Ray pulled his illiopsoas (inner thigh area) muscle once and it presented very similarly. Usually R&R will help and so will rehabilitation therapy so I'm glad you are seeking that out. We look forward to hearing what your vet says so keep us posted.
P.S. How nice that you have a house call vet coming over! I tried finding one this week for our Wyatt Ray and they are so in demand in our area that none were available. Petra is a lucky pup to have home care!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks, Jerry, hope Wyatt Ray is doing okay, we’ve had a housecall vet for about 4 years and it is really a blessing, esp with seniors.
Petra is still unable to put weight on her leg so we are using the sling. she’s getting slightly more agreeable with it, but will not potty on it (I’ve had to let her do it on own with almost no back leg power) and she hasn’t pooped since yesterday, so of course I’m worrying about that. I figure when she has to go, she will go, right?
Sent a message to rehab doc (also a housecall doc!) about getting on her schedule, so hopefully will hear back soon.
Feeling a little less frantic about it all today, def helps to get y’all’s support.
jill
I'm so glad we could help you feel a little better. Sounds like her medical team is queued up to figure out how to get Petra feeling good again!
My guess is that her reluctance to use that back leg has something to do with her reluctance to poop. Wyatt has trouble pooping when his back leg is really bothering him. If you add some fiber-rich foods into her diet, that can help. Steamed squash, pumpkin, olive oil, bran flakes, all those things will encourage her to go. Definitely let your vet know about this signal though.
Keep us posted and give her some extra spoiling from us.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Some good news from vet, she does not think Petra has a complete CCL tear (not sure If it’s a partial tear or something else causing weakness in the leg). We added gaba to the NSAID and started Adequan injections. No sign of improvement yet but she’s eating well and back to pooping regularly! We have a rehab vet coming next Friday to do Chiropractic/acupuncture/laser and movement therapies and we’ll see her once a week for a minimum of 4 weeks. So feeling like we are on the right track and hoping to see improvement. Thanks for all your thoughts and kind words!
Okay, all things considered that's good news! You are covering all your bases with the various therapies and meds you're using. It may seem like it's taking furever to see much improvement, but a partial tear does take a lot of time to correct itself. The Rehab Vet can give you some good tips.
Ask about a brace (one special fitted for Petra's measurements) of some sort and about the Assis (sp) Loop as possibilities too. In both cases I think you'll find some that say they may help....and some who say they don't help at all. Worth ask about anyway.
Petra is a lucky gal to have such devoted hoomans in her corner. I do think you'll get that leg healthy again!
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!
Wow that's fantastic 
Eating and pooping is WONDERFUL!
I'm so glad she's responding to the therapies (Adequan is amazing stuff for many dogs), and that she will get the rehab too. Sounds like a great therapist you have coming over, I'd love to hear how Petra's first visit goes.
Cheers to better news! Enjoy the weekend and keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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