Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My corgi, with known back/knee arthritis, is almost 2 weeks post-amputation (right rear). The past couple days I've noticed when he gets up to walk his back leg is sometimes out at an odd angle and it almost flaps around like a wing rather than hoping up and down inline with his body. He eventually gets it under him and moving properly. Is this normal and to be expected as he's adjusting or should I be concerned with his arthritis that he's in pain and having a hard time? We meet with our vet Tuesday and I'll discuss this with him however hearing from all of you with direct experience would be appreciated. Thanks.
Bogey, my 9 year old corgi. Right rear leg amputated 7/25/16 due to subcutaneous hemangiosarcoma. Now living life on 3 legs ready to enjoy the day.
Bogey's avatar picture is so cute! Can't wait to see more!
Why did Vogey have ro have the amputation? Is he still taking it easy...just short potty breaks and then back in for rest? Is he on Rimadw or anything similar?
Many surgeons will tell you that generally, even with arthritis, you can still proceed with amputation.
It sou ds like Vogey would be an EXCELLENT candidate for a rehab consult. I'm certainly not a vet, but since he eventually gets his gait figured out, that some good rehab/physical therapy .ay take care of the issue.
In the meantime, lerhaps you could give him some gentle massage and gentle leg stretching to just help him "unkink" and loosen up.
If you go to our Fou dation link, you will see that we have a reimbursementprogram set up for the first certified rehab consult.
Others will chime in. But it sounds like Bogey is doing very well this early in recovery.
Look forward ro .ore updates...AND...pictures!
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!
Hi Erin and Bogey 
I agree with Sally you should see a rehab specialist.
Sorry I cannot give you specific advice as my girl is a front leg amputee and a huge Great Dane.
She is also quite young (5) so no arthritis problems.
Even so, she is starting hydrotherapy soon as I thought (and the physio agreed) it could be good for her to help her keep the muscles in good condition.
I would have thought in your case, therapy could be very beneficial as your boy has arthritis, hydrotherapy is great as they get to exercise without putting any weight on their legs.
Keep us posted, sending you a big hug and cuddles to your cutie
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Thank you both for your replies! He had a subcutaneous hemangiosarcoma in his foot, no signs of it spreading, so amputation was our best option (along with upcoming chemo). I found the links to find a certified rehab place and we live in Wyoming so our options are very limited -- only 3 certified specialists in the state, all in the same town 6+ hours from us. We see the vet on Tuesday to have his staples removed and I'm going to ask about any physical therapy or hydrotherapy. I haven't heard of any local options but maybe my vet knows of something.
Bogey is currently not on any pain management medicine like Rimadyl but it's also on my list of things to ask about. Even though he doesn't appear to be in pain a little "preventative" for those days he tries to do a little much might get ahead of the arthritis soreness.
I'm sure I'm impatient and rushing things, I know he needs time to adapt and every dog is different, but it's hard not knowing what's normal and what isn't. My thanks to everyone in this tripawds community for the knowledge and support that's hard to find elsewhere. 😊
Bogey, my 9 year old corgi. Right rear leg amputated 7/25/16 due to subcutaneous hemangiosarcoma. Now living life on 3 legs ready to enjoy the day.
Hmmm...wondering if putting him back on some pain meds woukd help. Most dogs, not all, are in pain meds for two weeks. Bogey is on none, right? Rimadyl, Dasaquin supplements, etc will allhelp with arthritis.
I've attached a link to videos of tripawds at various stages of recovery. Maybe you'll find one that looks similar to Bogey. He really is still early in recovery. It takes a good two weeks to rrecover from the MAJOR surgery itself, and about one month for muscles, joints, etc adjust to walking on tnree legs..
Can you post a video of Bogey and his tripawd strut here? Maybe some others can offer suggestions.
Give that cute boy a smooch for me!
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!
It's so pawesome that you're keeping a close eye on Bogey's stance and gait. Definitely talk to your vet about what you're seeing. Having careful notes about when it happens is also helpful.
Since you live in a less populated area you might want to consider working with Debbie Gross of Wizard of Paws. She wrote the book (literally) on canine rehab therapy and she does long distance consults via the web and phone. We shared some info about her here:
DIY Canine Rehabilitation Therapy for Tripawds Course
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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