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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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Remaining leg now lame
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Member Since:
2 September 2011
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9 October 2011 - 1:09 am
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Help!

After Lady finally recovered from her operation and learnt to move around really well on 3 legs, she now faces a new complication.

A couple of days ago, Lady started showing a sudden weakness in her remaining rear leg and I noticed that her gait had changed from a tri-pod look (with her remaining back leg being placed on the ground between her hips) to a 4 legged look (she now places it on the ground at the side as she would do if she had 4 legs). Yesterday, it gradually got worse to a point where she could barely hold her self up when moving. I rang my vet last night, checked for ticks and took her in this morning thinking she had either ruptured a cruciate or had the start of Wobbler's disease, both of which my vet had said were possible. However, once he had seen her this morning, he ruled out both conditions and also added that her muscle tone was good, spine was straight, she is not exhibiting any pain, she can support herself while standing still and that she had probably just strained a muscle and needs to be confined for a couple of weeks, given anti-inflammatories, heat packs and taken for a visit to a dog physio. I have an old cot sheet that I am using as a sling to support her rear end, but it is really upsetting me watching her look so helpless. My husband wants to send her to doggy heaven, but I want to see whether she improves. Now I don't know what to do?! I am so sad, distressed and upset. Has anyone else experienced this kind of problem?

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San Diego, CA
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29 October 2010
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9 October 2011 - 9:29 am
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I didn't have the exact same situation, but our Abby hurt her toe on her remaining front leg very badly and couldn't put weight on it. At first I didn't know it was just her toe and feared the worst. But the vet realized what the problem was and we just had to let her rest a few days.

I think if Lady isn't exhibited signs of pain, as you mentioned, and if the vet doesn't think it is anything more serious than a strain, then if it were me I'd just try to keep her as quiet as possible for several days and see if it improves. Is she normally a very active dog? Will it be hard to keep her quiet?

Please keep us posted. I hope she starts to feel better soon!
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!

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Pahrump, NV
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17 February 2010
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9 October 2011 - 10:30 am
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I'm sorry to hear that Lady is having trouble. Hopefully, it's just a temporary setback that lots of rest will take care of.  Not showing  pain is good, so I would wait a bit and then re-asses the situation. Did the vet do any x-rays? I hope she feeling like herself again soon.

 

Lisa

Sadie is my 9yr old Rott/Shepherd mix. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right scapula 1/28/10. Our brave girl had her amputation 2/13/10 and her last chemotherapy on 6/6/10. Unfortunately, a tumor appeared in her back right leg and on 10/7/2010 Sadie's earthly journey came to an end.  On 10/24/2010 we adopted Ranger, a handsome Rott/Lab mix tripawd (got hit by a car) I think Sadie sent him to us.
http://ranger.t.....pawds.com/

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On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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9 October 2011 - 11:41 am
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Oh this has got to be hard. It's so tough when nopawdy seems to know what's going on.

Can you take her to see a certified canine rehab veterinarian? We have seen these folks do amazing work on animals that doctors practicing conventional medicine just gave up on. Check out this article we wrote about how to get help.

What is Lady's age? Why is she a Tripawd? Forgive me if you've mentioned it before but I'm having a brain fart.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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9 October 2011 - 5:24 pm
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No experience with this but I sure am hoping and praying that Lady gets back to normal soon!! Hopefully some rest and the meds will help the problem. She is a Doberman right? How old is she? I have a 9 yr old Doberman named Emalee. smiley

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9 October 2011 - 9:43 pm
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Thanks for your comments, yes, she is a Doberman and will be 11 in December. Everything about her is normal, including her appetite. I am seeing another vet this afternoon who specialises in orthopaedics. She hasn't done a wee since yesterday morning or a poo for nearly 3 days because she can't squat, even though I am taking her out and supporting her rear end.

Unfortunately, my husband has badly injured his back so can't work for about 6 weeks, so having more x-rays is financially out of the question 🙁 

I have a blog going http://www.lady.....ipawds.com

Hopefully things will improve by the end of the week, otherwise.... 🙁 🙁

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9 October 2011 - 9:45 pm
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Hi AbbysMom, I am wondering if it is her foot. Hopefully the vet this afternoon will be able to identify.

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On The Road


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10 October 2011 - 9:52 am
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That's smart of you to get another opinion. If her appetite is good, that's a good sign. You may want to help her bowel movements by feeding a bit of either: olive oil, mineral oil, fish oil, pumpkin or even Metamucil.

Please let us know what the ortho doc says. I know you're in a heartbreaking spot right now, but do check out our Financial Resources info here in "Tips & Resources", there's a list of organizations that might be able to help if more tests are required. Good luck.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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Las Vegas, Nevada
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14 August 2009
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10 October 2011 - 11:34 pm
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We are so sorry to hear that Lady was put to rest. 

http://lady.tri.....er-2011-2/

Her Retired AvatarComet - 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.

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