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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Hello everyone. I've been a lurker for a while and this site has helped me greatly. Thank you.
In March, my Sara had her rear leg amputated due to a nasty fibrosarcoma. The vet got clean margins and gave Sara a good bill of health. Sara just turned 11 in September and she was doing wonderfully. If you didn't see her from the other side, you would never know she only had 3 legs!!
Yesterday she woke up and couldn't put any weight on her back leg. She would try but it would buckle. We helped her go outside to the bathroom and she's fine squatting but can't stand. I was massaging her leg last night and found the spot. It's on the outside of her leg. I didn't feel anything there but she nipped at me when I touched it. I gave her some tramadol last night. She's not crying out in pain. It's only tender to the touch. This morning though, I touched her leg and she didn't nip me.
I'm praying this is just a strained muscle. Sara forgets she only has 3 legs and she gets wild. She tried to jump up on someone that came into the house Friday night.
Also, she got her rabies and bordatella shots last week. Maybe it's tender from that? But so much that she can't put weight on her leg? I just don't know.
What is this harness you all speak of. Sara did so well coming out of surgery, she never needed any assistance. I'm thinking maybe I should get one now in case this happens again.
If she's not better tomorrow, we will take her to the vet. Keep us in your prayers.
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Hopefully others can provide advice regarding Sara's new pain. The Ruff Wear Webmaster is the most popular harness in the Tripawds Gear blog , and the one we recommend for most Tripawds. Other options are available on the Gear Shop page. And for direct-hip support, some have found the help-em-up harness beneficial.
Good luck, and please let us know what your vet says.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hopefully it's just a strained muscle. We had a similar issue with Abby recently - she goes full speed and it's tough to slow her down. She hurt her toe/toenail on her lone front leg, and then could barely walk. At first I didn't realize it was just the toe and was very worried. I had the folks here send good thoughts and it totally worked - just some toe trouble. So, sending good thoughts your way now. Hope you have a similar 'no biggie' outcome and she is back to her old self shortly!
sending pawsitive thoughts and healing Abby kisses,
Jackie, Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Interesting thought about the shots, I'm hoping someone will comment because I just don't know. Praying for a good outcome, please let us know how things turn out.
Jan & Tate
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
paws crossed for a pulled muscle. we're sending our best ET juju to sara, hoping for good news from your vet. we recommend increasing the number of medicinal naps: nap, nap, treats, nap....repeat as needed.
charon & gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Welcome Sara and Family!
I sure hope it's just a strain! The other possibility is a ACL tear in the knees...maybe? It's common in our older ones even with 4 legs. Keep us posted on what the vet says!
Sending lots of healing wishes!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
i am not makinng light of it and i would say see the vet and hopefully they can give you an answer, but greyhounds are not the bravest of dogs normally when it come to pain, and will often make the most of the situation.
Dizzy diagnosed with osteosarcoma 24 may 2011 amputated same day doing fine hopping around on three legs giving the neighbourhood cats what for
Update on Sara! Thank you all for your prayers. She's fine! It must have been a sore muscle. The doctor said as long as she is getting better each day, not to worry and she gave Sara the all clear to go to Dewey!!! (annual greyhound gathering) She gave us some more tramadol and some Deramaxx and said to give it to her if she seems to have discomfort.
Monday night she was able to stand a bit more. She ate her pill with peanut butter and was standing the whole time. We carried her outside and once out there, she was fine. Monday night I massaged the spot again and she didn't try to nip at me.
Tuesday when I got home from work she greeted me at the door and she was able to go down the stairs! I still carried her up though. And lthat night, she was back on the couch!
The doctor said that she's just overdoing it since she's 6 months post surgery and she forgets she only has 3 legs. Even just a little twist and she could injur that back leg.
By yesterday, she was perfectly fine. She's a little hesitant to go up the stairs so we carry her but everything else, she's fine!!! Thank you again!!
Well that's good news! Hope she's back to her normal self real soon!
If you are able to, consider looking into a certified canine rehab therapist. It's a great way to learn how not to overdo things and what to do if she does. Our video series with California Animal Rehab shares a little about this wonderful service available to canines and their humans.
Have fun at Dewey! Be sure to spread the word about Tripawds!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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