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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Instead of progressing and getting stronger, Obie's mobility has decreased. Here's the timeline:
Rear leg amputation on 7/25. 1st round of chemo 8/14. First signs of weakness or soreness, 8/18.
From about two weeks post-amp, my now 122 pound Newfy had been hopping around pretty efficiently. He was getting up on his own and only needed assistance or a sling when he managed to get himself on a hardwood surface. He even started venturing down a few steps from the porch instead of the ramp. He had even come off all pain meds with seemingly no problem.
But, four or five days after chemo, I started noticing what appeared to be new weakness. He was sometimes "splaying" as he tried to get up, even on the rugs. He seems much less confident. This has continued and even worsened to the point of him being reluctant to move around much. When we go out to potty, he will take frequent breaks. I noticed he is squatting much lower to urinate or poop. At times he will plop down in the yard and refuse to get up for extended periods of time. (Great fun at 1a.m.. when it is 90 degrees and the mosquitoes are attacking me!)
I've put him back on pain meds. I discussed the symtoms with his oncologist. She does not think it is related to the chemo. His bloodwork seemed fine. WBC was in the low normal range. While I suspect it could be that he has "tweaked" something, I'm not sure. I cannot pinpoint the trouble spot. Sometimes I think it is his rear, sometimes maybe the front. Other than limiting his activity, massaging him regularly and increasing the pain meds... any suggestions? I had hoped to get him in for a physical rehab consult this week, but the the therapist was unavailable.
I'm frustrated and a little scared. My mind keeps going to all the what ifs. This is not a dog I can dead lift. He outweighs me. I'm single, doing this one on my own for the most part. I live in a ridiculously long New Orleans raised shotgun house and have a back yard that is equally long.
Okay, I mostly needed to vent, but if anyone has had a similar experience riding out a setback, I'd love to hear it!
Christie & Obie
Oberon the Newfoundland, born 8/26/09. dx osteosarcoma 7/11/17
Hi Christie!
Sorry to hear Obie is struggling a bit. He's really not that far into recovery and, while I can't remember when Izzy came off all pain meds, I sure don't think it was within two - three weeks, so I'm glad he's back on them. Given that he's such a big boy, I would think his recovery might be a bit more drawn out ... that's a whole lotta weight to redistribute and given that he's a rear amp and male, there's a few more adjustments to going potty. Where'd that leg I like to lift go? 😉
Hopefully Teresa will pop in to the thread to weigh in and give her input. As I recall, Eurydice took a bit longer to recuperate her full strength than some of the "small fries" on here - my pup included. Given that she was roughly HALF the size of Obie, I'm not surprised.
I think the massages are a good idea - all that adjusting puts extra stress on muscles/engages muscles that played a much smaller role previously, so he may just be sore. Plus, chemo can make pups a bit more tired. Obie has a lot going on!
I'm no vet but it seems to me that it's likely just a combination of everything. Amputations are major surgery and the 1-2 punch with the chemo is likely just slowing him down.
Fingers crossed for you both!
Amy & my big bulldog in the sky, Izzy
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
Christie, first off if you're in New Orleans I hope you guys are safe from the crazy hurricane weather. You doing OK?
I would get the first appointment you can with the rehab therapist, and see if you can get him in sooner. Be sure to let the office staff know the situation, they might be able to squeeze you in. Or, look for another one. Where exactly are you? I'd be happy to look up a clinic. And don't forget, the Tripawds Foundation will pay for your first rehab therapy visit if you haven't done one yet (I can't recall).
Now, don't panic. This isn't at all unusual. What happens is that as the Tripawd starts doing more activity, the risk of some type of muscle strain increases. A therapist can help you figure out what's going on. I'm betting that it's something totally treatable and not cancer-related, other than it's related to the amputation. Keep doing what you're doing with gentle massage, make sure he gets R&R and get to that therapist as soon as you can OK?
Keep us posted. We are thinking of you both.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I agree with everything everyone else said. From what I've seen around the forums, and what I experienced with my girl, this is pretty normal. Cora definitely did a downturn at about the same point in recovery as your guy. Rest was the biggest thing that helped her. I know it's super disheartening and scary to see. I hope you can get into a rehab therapist soon. That will also help.
As far as not being able to pinpoint where the pain is coming from and it seeming to move around, I've been through that several times with Cora. My new theory is she deals with myofascial pain syndrome. I do, so I am well acquainted with how it works. If she tweaks something, the pain signs can come from a very different part of the body. Some of this can be because of compensating, and some of this is because once the muscles knot up in one area they can knot up in another area that wasn't the original problem. I am NOT saying your guy is dealing with that. Cora is a special girl with special issues. But it does help to understand that the body sometimes reacts in weird ways and pain can move around.
Good luck and keep us updated.
Topher
Vet Assistant (in school to be a licensed vet technician)
1.5 years Oncology department, moved to rehab & sportsmed December 2024
Tripawd Angel, Cora the Determined <3
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