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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my dog was hit by a car last week. She had to have her rear leg amputated and also broke her pelvis. She is able to walk OK to the garden when I call her for a wee but when she stops moving her good leg is falling underneath her and she falls down. This means she isn't using the toilet properly. She doesn't seem to be any pain but it's worrying that she's getting worse not better on her back leg?
Hi and welcome. Your future posts won’t need to wait for approval, thanks for joining.
I’m on my phone now so I will write more later but for now, your instincts are spot on. Her mobility doesn’t sound like it’s in a good way but if she is on painkillers (I hope she is), that may be part of the problem. What kind of medication is she on and did your vet recommend any rehab therapy?
Also, tell us more about your dog like her age, breed type and health before the accident? All these things can influence recovery.
For now, make sure your dog is only going outside to potty on leash and let your vet know what’s going on. I’ll be back in the AM with more thoughts. Stay tuned for feedback from others.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for the reply.
She is a border collie. Fit and healthy before the accident.
She is on metacalm and paracetamol. Told the vets about the falling and they didn't see it as a concern. We've been told to keep her rested and only up to go outside to toilet which we are doing. 8 weeks on a less to ensure her pelvis heals.
Aww you are so welcome. Glad you saw the reply.
Oh those nutty BCs! SO much energy! Well she's got the breed type to bounce back for sure, especially because she's already fit and healthy. I'm glad you are in communication with your vet, their advice about activity is spot-on, she should be doing bare minimum right now. However, it sounds to me like she has bare minimum pain relief (the equivalent of an aspirin and ibuprophen for a human, which would never happen after an amputation surgery, people get sooo much more pain relief, so why not dogs? It's the standard among vets practicing modern pain relief). If her appetite is waning, she shows any of these pain signals (follow link) please let your vet know so that they can get her on something strong. A broken pelvis and a leg amputation deserves adequate pain management .
Strength will come but in the meantime I would consider getting her into physiotherapy as soon as possible. It will make such a big difference in her recovery time and show you the best ways to keep her healthy and strong for the rest of her life. If you'd like help finding a therapist just let us know. Sounds like you're overseas? We have members in the UK and other countries and they may be able to help too.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I know this has been such a stressful time for you.
Jerry has given great advice. Just want to ditto the importance of good consistent pain management suitable to handle the MAJOR surgery your sweet pup just had.
Be sure and give lots of gentle massages up and down her spine, neck and shoulder area. Her muscles have to be tight as a drum considering all she's been through.
A slow, slow, slow and easy. As Jerry said, her rear leg will get stronger and, more importantly, her core strength will get stronger too. The Rehab Specialist will advise the best plan forward for her. She's not only dealing with the leg amp, but also has the pelvis surgery to heal from also.
So do check into advocating for more pain management .
Stay connected and let us know how things are going. Recovery is no, picnic for awhile, but it does get better!! Anyway we can help, let us know.. In the meantime, try and get some rest yourself, okay?
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!
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