Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My girl Maizy has taken a tumble and seriously injured her right front shoulder. She is a right rear amputee. It seemed to be getting better for the first 2 weeks but has gone downhill since then. Xrays came bacl ok and her lungs are clear (yay) She has yelped 2x since this happened but we are having difficulty pinpointing the exact spot and injury. She is so tough and wont tell me where but is really struggling. She is barely weight bearing on her front leg. She has had laser treatments and massage and is on an anti-inflammatory and pain meds. I bought the Front Range harness to help her get up and down, but it isn't seeming to help.
How does one keep a tripawd from making it worse when they have to use it. After all she has been through in the last year, she doesn't deserve to have to go through this.
Feeling helpless to help her.
Since you said she has had laser treatments and massage, I will assume that she has already seen a certified rehab vet. If she hasn't, I would really recommend a visit to one. Our rehab vet was also a pain management specialist, and she did wonders for Murphy in pinpointing the point of his back pain. In the alternative, perhaps an orthopedic specialist would be able to find the source of the problem.
Hope you can get some answers soon.
Kathi and the Turbotail April Angel...and the Labradork
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!
I'm so sorry to hear about Maizy. How did the injury happen? Poor baby!
Every recovery is different but it sounds like she is getting great care. What is the therapists' plan for getting her back to her old self? Did they give you any kind of timeframe for trying other treatments if these don't work? I agree that if she isn't under the care of a rehab therapist, it's the ideal way to help her through this. A second opinion is always beneficial.
How does one keep a tripawd from making it worse when they have to use it.
You mean as far as using their remaining leg on the amputation side? First, following the vet's instructions to the letter. You can't be too careful. What are the instructions you received?
If you're trying to use the Ruffwear Front Range harness as an assistive device, it's not meant to be one since it doesn't have a handle on top. Or did you mean the Ruffwear Webmaster harness ? It should work to help lift her up and aid her in going outside to potty, up and down stairs and such. Keep in mind that no harness will "support" her the way a brace or orthotic will. The harness is so you can help her by gently aiding her so she's not putting her full weight on steps, getting in and out of cars and such. Make sense?
I hope she feels better soon. Poor girl.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi there,
I'm sorry to hear about Maizy. I know how frustrating these things can be, especially when she's been doing so well otherwise.Big YAY for the clear X-rays.
My Meg injured her shoulder too. She's a front amp, and she kept falling over and was unable to bear any weight. Her rehab vet diagnosed a torn/pulled muscle behind her shoulder blade, gave her laser and acupuncture and prescribed Metacam and strict rest. She was allowed five minute lead walks only, on flat surfaces and with no sharp turns. It took time to get better (several weeks at least), but she did make a full recovery and has not had any problems since.
Ditto Kathi re seeing a rehab vet, if you're not already. And just to stress staying on flat surfaces. Uneven ground was the thing to avoid until she had really built up her strength again. It was so easy otherwise to reaggravate the injury.
Hope this helps and very much hope that Miss Maizy is feeling much better soon. Please keep us posted.
All best,
Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Well, on Friday we had another xray of her shoulder....The first ones 4 weeks ago were pristine. Now...cancer. It has spread despite all efforts to combat it. Amputation, chemotherapy, mushroom therapy, homemade diet, No sugars no grains. Daily hops and tons of love.It is killing me to know our journey has come full circle. Our vet said we could try a bone cancer drug which i can't remember thename of atm but I think im going to keep her a comfy as possible with pain meds and nsaids until she has more bad days than good.
the last 3 days we have been to some of her favorite places and she had some serious puppy joy. When we get home she has a little comfy snooze and cuddles with mom. I need to do right by her because she has been so brave thoughout this whole ordeal and doesnt deserve for it to end in misery. Miss Maizy would stay with me forever if i let her but the sweetest gift I could give her is her leg back when she gets her wings.
badlittlepuppy said
I need to do right by her because she has been so brave thoughout this whole ordeal and doesnt deserve for it to end in misery. Miss Maizy would stay with me forever if i let her but the sweetest gift I could give her is her leg back when she gets her wings.
Even though I know your heart is breaking, your love, your devotion, your commitment to Maizy's well being comes shining through. You have
mercy for Maizy guiding you every step.of the way.
For now though, Maizy is still experiencing puppy joy and has no intention of getting ner leg back just quite yet, okay? As you know, those xrays mean nothing to her. The loving and spoiling tbough, the cuddles and comfy snoozes with her Mom, those are the things thst are important to her!
There ARE some drugs that were just noted on another post for dogs where amputation wasn't an options. I'll see if I can find it. Don't know if any of them are an option for Miss Maizy, any side effects, how "invasive", etc.
This is a vicious, disgusting, brutal disease that makes up it's own rules. There is one thing it cannot do. It cannot interfere with your unbreakable bond. It CANNOT rob you of your time together because you and Maizy are going to LIVE IN THE MOMENT and MAKE EVERY MOMENT COUNT! There will be a rime to grieve and NO ONE knows when that will be. We do know, it's NOT TODAY!!! And today is all that matters!
Keep spoiling and loving, just like you have everyday of her life with you!! Time for all the junk food Maizy wants!! See, sometimes "good nutrition" means different things at different times! Happy Hannah convinced me ice cream and a few M&Ms were the best vitamins ever!! Add some popcorn, some pizza crust and a couple of cupcakes...yeah, best nutrition ever!!
Now, we must have some pictures of Miss Maizy! We love "cuddle on the couch" pictures, eating treat pictures...actually, ANY pictures of the'MAGNIFICENT MISS MAIZY will light up our world! EVERDAY IS MAIZY DAY HERE! 🙂 🙂
Lots and lots of love and 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!
Darn it I'm so sorry! I wish that the news was better, this is the kind of heartbreak that hits you like a ton of bricks. Even though we understand what the outcome could be when we get the diagnosis, it's never easy to step into this part of the journey. You and Maizy are surrounded by the love and support of this community so never forget you're not alone now or ever.
For now, enjoy the puppy joy and spoil that girl rotten. And yes, good idea to ask your vet about palliative medications that can help keep her comfortable OK? They make this time easier for everyone.
We are thinking of you both.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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