Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone.....Serge is now 11 days post amp.
When Serge is hopping around, the leg, from the hock to the foot, ends up splayed out at an angle to the body, because he is lowering the hock, and pivoting on the foot as he moves forward, rather than, how can I put this, "plant it, and push off".
I'll try to get a short video, when I can take him out, and he is reasonably "compos mentis", so to speak !!
This has to be a result of the way that he always compensated for the missing hock in the other leg, by lowering his good foot and hock, to get a better balance, and pushing off.. ..Sort of like those sad German Shepherd "frog dogs", that can be seen stumbling around in the 'conformation' show ring, walking on their hocks, instead of on their feet. When he was running at speed with Raven, he was bunny-hopping, with both rear feet on the ground at the same time. Because he was stronger in the right rear leg, he was always crabbing slightly sideways.
I can only assume (correct me if I'm wrong) that as he continues to grow, he will adapt in whatever way is most efficient and comfortable for him. He still adopts the 3/4 German Shepherd stance, with his one remaining hind leg outstretched, and in that instance, it is good and straight, with a nice angle from the hock to the foot on the ground. Eventually, he should work out that it is probably easier to push off a straight foot..
I am more curious, rather than concerned about this, because he is not falling over, or stumbling around...I wonder if anyone has any input.. . Should I leave it for now, and look at it again, when he is off the meds. ?
Thanks and have a good weekend
Richard
"No matter how eloquently the dog may bark, he cannot tell you that his master is poor, but honest".....Bertrand Russell
I know that Serge is much younger than Lexie, but if you can get in to see a PT vet or dog PT specialist I highly recommend it.
The more you know about compensatory cause and effect adjustments the better, IMO, since there are things you can do to help build up other muscles and relax and stretch the ones doing more work during the adjustment period. I only wish we had tried PT sooner.
Good luck, and keep us posted!
Deb and Angel Lexie* Diagnosed at age 13. Tried radiation first; wish we had amputated upon diagnosis (even with lung mets). Joined Club Tripawd April 2014 & Lexie loved life on 3 legs! Advice: Start physical therapy as soon as your vet clears it, especially hydrotherapy if available :-) See Lexie pics here.
This sounds a lot like how Wyatt and his GSD buddies the Oaktown Pack (aka Codie Rae etal) started out as well. Young Tripawds like him have it a little rougher; they didn't have their coordination & proprioception (awareness of one's body iin space) down before losing a leg, so once they become a Tripawd the little bit of coordination they did know goes by the wayside, they just haven't been living long enough for it to be an automatic thing. If they're GSDs and already have that low slung stance, it's even harder to get proper stance and gait down.
This is where PT comes in to help (after he's healed from surgery). We once did this blog post explains how we helped him so he's not so low-slung in the back:
Why Longer Walks Won't Strengthen a Tripawd's Leg Muscles
You can really see in this photo of Wyatt just about 2 months after his amp, how his remaining rear leg was hitting the ground so much that he actually grew a callous on his hock. Today thanks to regular PT workouts with his FitPAWS gear, like the Paw Pods, he is much much stronger.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks Jerry,
It is surprising how many people still believe that walking on a leash is all the exercise a dog needs..Even more so for German Shepherds, who are trotting dogs. "Proprioception" eh ???... I am impressed by your perspicacity..... !!!
I read through some of the articles and blogs, and can see there is a lot of work to do in the coming years... It took two long years of time, repetition and dedication, to train Raven.....An exceptionally stubborn female GSD, who (fortunately loves people and dotes on small children).....However, is not good with strange dogs, so we simply keep our distance, and avoid any problems...
This will be an entirely different adventure, and I'm looking forward to it. The biggest "pain in the behind", is going to be putting up with Raven endlessly complaining from the sidelines, "Is it my turn now ???".....
Fortunately, our breeder will have nothing to do with 'conformation' lines, and her dogs all come from very solid and traditional lines. She would breed East German or Czech if she could, but they are pure "working line" dogs, and in her opinion, the average family would not be able to cope...She is completely opposed to the severe angulation that has been bred into the show lines, and will have nothing to do with it. Her dogs all stand straight, minimal slope to the back, firmly on their feet, and the angulation is only apparent, when they adopt the 3/4 stance.....
At least I have a good traditional structure as a starting point.
When the next couple of months are over, and I have finished my neglected yard work, and other stuff around the house, I will attempt a blog...
In the meantime, begin planning the "rehab" regimen for Serge.. (and suitable distractions for Raven)
Have a good week
Richard
"No matter how eloquently the dog may bark, he cannot tell you that his master is poor, but honest".....Bertrand Russell
I do have on last question,
Bearing in mind that Serge is still young, (almost 5 mths), which training aid would be most appropriate to begin his rehab..
The "wobble board", balance disk, etc.. ?
Please don't say "all of them"..I've had to postpone buying my Lamborghini already ....!!!
Regards and have a good Memorial Day Weekend to you all South of our Border..
Richard
"No matter how eloquently the dog may bark, he cannot tell you that his master is poor, but honest".....Bertrand Russell
Don't jave any i sight i toyour particular situation..... jist want to say how lucky the adoravle Serge is tohave you as his human!
Can't wait to see pictures of he and Raven together!! Smiling just at the thought!
Higs to you and all your pack!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
At least he isn't walking like an Egyptian!
Sorry, my local radio station is playing 80's tunes this weekend and that was playing when I started reading this thread.
I don't know much about GSDs ( although I do seem to know a lot to three legged ones!) but that low slung stance always looks odd to me. In fact when my old pug girl is sore and her back end starts sinking I call it her GSD stance.
How handy are you? I think there are instructions here somewhere (help Jerry!) for building your own wobble board. And you can use firm cushions in place of a balance disc, at least to start. When I was trying to build confidence in my rescue pug I build a little agility course in my back yard, mostly out of PVC pipe. I'm not saying Serge should be jumping (not yet anyway) but for my older girl who does have pretty severe proprioceptiive issues I would put PVC pipes on the ground and have her walk over them. I'm also talking pug size stuff, but you could easily raise PVC pipe as Serge gets stronger. And you could use the same course for Raven.
I think if I was investing in one thing to start I would get the balance disc (yes, I have one). You can use cushions for awhile, but you can do lots of things with the disc for both dogs. It's easier to create or build the other types of equipment.
It's funny, but I think Tani and Raven have a lot in common. She is a black pug, almost 14 years old and the Queen of alpha bitch dogs. She is only 15 pounds and is now quite gray. Because of her mobility issues she often is riding in a stroller when I walk Obie. Everyone's first reaction is 'she's so cute! Can my dog say hello?', they always surprised and sometimes a little put off when I say no! It's not a 'small dog' thing with her, she just doesn't like dogs. The best I could do with her is to sit and 'watch me' when other dogs pass by. She is better off leash, but that is rare now as she is completly deaf. I've always worried about her because she is so little and is an instigator. She could easily get hurt when she goes after a bigger dog, so we try to stay out of the way.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
We made a Cavaletti course out of 4x4 blocks and garden tools. Already had them both on hand. There are any number of ways to be creative with rehab tools.
Hope this you tube link works. I am on the ipad, and sometimes it doesn't play well with you tube.
http://m.youtub.....lqacAEddwQ
Kathi and Murphy
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
krun15 said
At least he isn't walking like an Egyptian!Sorry, my local radio station is playing 80's tunes this weekend and that was playing when I started reading this thread.
I don't know much about GSDs ( although I do seem to know a lot to three legged ones!) but that low slung stance always looks odd to me. In fact when my old pug girl is sore and her back end starts sinking I call it her GSD stance.
It's funny, but I think Tani and Raven have a lot in common. She is a black pug, almost 14 years old and the Queen of alpha bitch dogs. She is only 15 pounds and is now quite gray. Because of her mobility issues she often is riding in a stroller when I walk Obie. Everyone's first reaction is 'she's so cute! Can my dog say hello?', they always surprised and sometimes a little put off when I say no! It's not a 'small dog' thing with her, she just doesn't like dogs. The best I could do with her is to sit and 'watch me' when other dogs pass by. She is better off leash, but that is rare now as she is completly deaf. I've always worried about her because she is so little and is an instigator. She could easily get hurt when she goes after a bigger dog, so we try to stay out of the way.
Karen
Hi Karen,
Raven is now 4 1/2 yrs old and has two playmates.. A female GSD belonging to friends of ours(who has since sadly passed away) and a male pug (a little older) at the farm across the road, that she has played with, ever since she was 5 mths old. Now, because of the size difference, they trot around together, and generally enjoy each others company. As soon as Raven grew too big, we stopped the madcap chasing and rough housing, because the little guy would get hurt.
As for walking in public, I had a sign hung around her neck that said "NO PETTING". It's only then you discover how ignorant, and irresponsible as parents of young children, some people can really be....... In actual fact, Raven would have loved the attention, but I've seen how quickly German Shepherds can move, and I demanded that her attention was focussed on me and me alone....
I'll take up your suggestions about the cushions. We have 4 small cushions, that would do nicely. 2 round and 2 square, about 12" diameter (square 12 x 12 ins) and almost 2" thick, filled with firm foam. The square cushions have a domed shape, and will wobble enough to give Serges' back leg a work out.
I have enough timber, and bits and pieces lying around to create "something" useful..
Have a good Weekend
Richard
"No matter how eloquently the dog may bark, he cannot tell you that his master is poor, but honest".....Bertrand Russell
murphsmom said
We made a Cavaletti course out of 4x4 blocks and garden tools. Already had them both on hand. There are any number of ways to be creative with rehab tools.Hope this you tube link works. I am on the ipad, and sometimes it doesn't play well with you tube.
http://m.youtub.....lqacAEddwQKathi and Murphy
Hi "murphsmom",
I had to play the link, as I had no idea what a Cavaletti course was. Luckily, I do have a number of fairly long 4x4 and 6x6 pieces of lumber lying around outside. Thanks for pointing out, and illustrating a very effective, yet simple exercise to implement.
One could almost write a book titled " 23 useful things to do with all the stuff lying around in your garden".......lol
I'm not really sure why there has to be a number(of whatever) in the title of this type of "help" book... The greater the number of tips in the title, the more likely you are to buy it ???
Thanks a lot for your help,
Regards
Richard
"No matter how eloquently the dog may bark, he cannot tell you that his master is poor, but honest".....Bertrand Russell
You're right, you can even have him walk through a ladder placed flat on the ground!
Here are more cavaletti & DIY games posts
High Stepping with FitPAWS Cavaletti Poles
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
jerry said
You're right, you can even have him walk through a ladder placed flat on the ground!Here are more cavaletti & DIY games posts
High Stepping with FitPAWS Cavaletti Poles
Thanks so much Jerry,
I'm going have to go out at night and begin stealing traffic cones !!!!! The RCMP would never think of looking for a 70 yr old plastic red traffic cone thief !!! Maybe I should leave 3 paw prints on a calling card behind (Sort of like the Scarlet Pimpernel, only not quite so heroic ) I can see I am not going to have much time to "ponder the imponderables" for the next couple of years ....
I tried the cushions out this morning, and the material is too slippery, they are a little too small, and all Serge really wanted to do was to see how quickly he chew his way through the covers, to the foam.
Amazing what you can do with a 6" step, (down from kitchen) and some high quality treats. It is now apparent how much work needs to be done, just to build up the strength in his rear leg... When he stands with his front feet on the step, his rear leg nicely aligned, and fully utilized, after a few gentle stretches forward to reach the treats I was leading him with, he backed down. He was obviously feeling the strain. His front paws were firmly planted on the step, (stationary) and he was using his back leg to push forward. I could see the slight trembling during each stretch. I could not entice him back up immediately, gave him some treats anyway (copious "Good Boy" praises) and after about 10 mins, we did a repeat.
His sutures come out tomorow, hopefully the meds will be done by the end of the week, and Raven comes home from the kennel at lunchtime tomorrow as well... Going to be a busy day..
Take Care
Richard
"No matter how eloquently the dog may bark, he cannot tell you that his master is poor, but honest".....Bertrand Russell
Haha no getting arrested now!
Glad to see you're finding all sorts of impromptu methods to exercise. Remember, these games should be more than 3-5 minutes at a time. If he sits down at all, he's done too much. Go slow, he'll get there.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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