Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone,
So the saga continues, last week we started noticing Charlie's hind leg was collapsing when walking or going up the stairs, etc. that wasn't happening before - he doesn't fall the whole was down but the leg kind of gives out and it goes all the way down and he is able to pop it up again. Â He no longer gets on the couch with us, unless we help him, but will still run outside when we open the door and try to play with our other dog (somewhat unsuccessfully). Â Has this happened to anyone else? Â
I am concerned because he seems to have a soft lump on his remaining leg located just above the chemo site. Â I am really hoping this is just a muscle weakness/fatigue that has come on and not a complication or metastasis. Â Just seems weird he was doing so well and then came on 4 weeks post op. Â I am calling his oncologist Monday morning to see if we should bring him in for an eval, or just wait until thursday when he goes in for his second round of chemo (which I am dreading after the first one, really hoping for the Cerenia change and less of a reaction this time) Â - Â but maybe his leg will put it off, I don't know.
I will be back on later today if anyone has any feedback.
Thanks,
Mary Beth
It could be a pulled muscle. Â We do see that here from time to time as the dogs adjust to using new muscles and getting around in a new way. Â But, you are doing the right thing in terms of calling your onco.
With chemo, a lot of folks started the Cerenia day of chemo. Â Otis was also put on daily Pepcid A/C. Â I found it helpful to feed him boiled chicken breast and white rice day of and for two to three days after chemo.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016.  Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016.  Lung mets August 25, 2016.  Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016.  Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma. Â
Wherever they are, they are together.
For me, the soft lump near chemo site is worth checking into soon. Â It really could be so many things, but it seems like whatever the cause, it might be causing some discomfort. Â
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. Â His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Ouch, poor pup. Usually when this kind of situation comes up, it's because a dog is getting too much activity, too soon. Remember, building up core muscle strength is critical and happens over time. Otherwise a dog will definitely have mobility issues.
Some questions for you that might help pinpoint things. Is Charlie overweight? What was his pre-surgery fitness level like before? What is Charlie's regular day like? And are you doing any core-strengthening exercises with him? I would also use care when letting him out the door. Sudden, explosive activity (going from zero to 60) is tough on a body that's being used in all new ways. A more controlled exit would be helpful. Sorry, I know this is a lot of food for thought here.
It sounds like a visit to a certified rehab therapist will be super helpful for Charlie. Therapists can help show you what kinds of exercises to do to help strengthen his core muscles and so much more. And the Tripawds Foundation will even pay for your first visit! See: http://tripawds.....-tripawds/
Definitely bring that lump to your vet's attention. Odds are it's just a fatty tumor but better to be safe.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
When you look at all of Charlie's history, the infection, the second surgery, the leg twitching, the chemo being given during his infection and second surgery recovery (if I'm recalling everything correctly), tne rough side effects he had from the chemo, the Reglan, etc....geez!! And, if I recall, the leg was swollen where the chemo was given? I may be waaay off base in some of my rrecollection.
And goodness gracious, I'm NOT trying to br an alarmist in any way, shape or form! Just make sure if yoh go back to that same Onco, or another one, that everyone understands the whole picture!!
A Rehab Specialist can definitely give you some insight into strengthening that back leg. You can apply through the Tripawds Foundation for reimbursement on the first appointment. Most likely just needs more core strengthening exercises . TRY and not let him over do it! Can't remember if he was ale to take Rimadyl or not, but that, with a little rest, should help. Talk to your Vet about it. Poor fella' He hasn't exactly had a NORMAL recovery and no a lot of time to build strength yet! He's getting there through!
Sounds like Charlie IS enjoying himself and is a happy boy!! Getting on with life and enjoying himself after all thise hurdles is a beautiful thing! One tough Dude!! YAY!!
Lots of love!
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!
benny55 said
When you look at all of Charlie's history, the infection, the second surgery, the leg twitching, the chemo being given during his infection and second surgery recovery (if I'm recalling everything correctly), tne rough side effects he had from the chemo, the Reglan, etc....geez!! And, if I recall, the leg was swollen where the chemo was given? I may be waaay off base in some of my rrecollection.
Oh YEAH! Sally remembers things far better than I do, I didn't take all that into consideration. Yep, a rehab therapist is the ticket for this guy, his poor body's been so beat up lately.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Geez, Charlie really deserves a break!
Always get lumps and bumps checked out. More often than not it is nothing serious but you don't want to wonder...
Rear amps tend to take awhile to build up strength in the one back leg. I adopted Elly about 2.5 months after her rear amp (car accident). She was fully healed but not very strong. She would sink on her back leg a little, or sit down quite often. We work on her core strength and balance every day now. My first Tripug Maggie was also a rear amp. She was very wobbly on her one back leg for several months. I didn't know that much back then about strength and balance training so we didn't spend enough time on it. It took her about six months to build up to half her activity level pre-surgery. Then again she was a stubborn, lazy pug!
Do get that lump checked out. Hopefully Charlie just needs some time and rehab to build up his strength and endurance.
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
Â
        Maggie's Story          Amputation and Chemo
Our dog Bella had her hind leg amputated. We noticed several months later that her leg would sink and on days when we let her become real active, it would get worse. We have learned to live with it and just monitor her activity. I have learned they have more problem when just walking then when trying to run. I would still get it checked out but see if restricting her activity helps. The stairs could be causing the issue to.Â
Scott&Jan said
...her leg would sink and on days when we let her become real active, it would get worse. We have learned to live with it and just monitor her activity.
There are MANY exercises and stretches you can do to help keep Bella in tip top shape and prevent that sinking!
We always recommend consulting with a certified rehab vet/tech (CCRT or CCRP ) for a professional opinion. That's why the Tripawds Foundation launched the Maggie Moo Fund for Tripawd Rehab.
We also have many articles videos and podcasts in the Tripawds Featured Blogs. And Loving Life On Three Legs is filled with tips from experts and direct links to our best rehab and conditioning blog posts, forum topics, videos and podcasts.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you to everyone for your replies. Â I do think he has weakness and maybe some muscle strain, it is painful with certain sinks/falls, he fell twice yesterday so I am back to walking him down stairs, and making sure outside (deck) surfaces are treated for non-slip. Â He doesn't have too much activity going on, I actually stopped his walks when he started sinking, so its just yard time right now and one small flight of stairs a day when we go to bed. Â He does attempt to play with our other Great Pyr now and that is a bit of a problem, although wonderful to see.
I am calling the onco this morning to see if she wants to evaluate him now or when we go for chemo on thursday. Â The lump is definitely still there. Â Sally you were right on all your recollections except he never had swelling at the chemo site, just the surgical site. Â The lump is just above the chemo site so maybe its related somehow to that, or just a weird muscle issue. Â We shall see, but thank you to everyone for sharing, especially the references to sinking and others that experienced it, definitely made me feel better.
I don't know what I would do without our Tripawd family! Â I do hope to return the favor soon for others.Â
Mary Beth, Charlie, Annie & Winky,too
Let us know what you find out.  Hopefully, it is related to his activity level/muscle strain, and you can control that!
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016.  Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016.  Lung mets August 25, 2016.  Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016.  Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma. Â
Wherever they are, they are together.
I love that Charlie wants to play! That's been a long time coming! A little playtime is probably very healing...for both of you!! 🙂
Lots of massaging up and down Charlie's spine, neck and shoulders may help too if he has tight and sore muscles, etc. I guess some disc issues could possibly be at play and pinching nerves and potentially causing weakness and a bit of pain.
Charlie is such a good boy!! He's come a long way and has been through a lot! It looks like he is getting along pretty darn good now! And we look forward to each and every update getting better and better as we follow Charlie living life to the fullest! 🙂
Update when you can!
@ots of 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!
Late to the party, as usual, and I don't know Charlie's history at all. How old is he? Isa's remaining back leg essentially stopped working entirely about two weeks after surgery - turned out her back was less than optimum (described to me as an "old lady back") and adjusting to three legs pushed it over the edge. She (eventually) got a cortisone shot in the worst spot and it worked miracles.
Just throwing it out there for consideration. I hope your chemo goes as well as can be expected today.
hugs, Teri and Isa
Right rear leg amp 7/12/16 due to OSA. Metastatic lesion on her right front leg, January 2017. Joined the Winter Warriors January 19, 2017. Run free my sweet girl.
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