Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello, our Bella is about 4 1/2 weeks post-op from a rear leg amputation. She seems to be doing well, although still doesn't seem to have her full spirit back. Family vet and also vet at A&M hospital both say she looks good, pain seems controlled or gone (though we had to put her back on Rimadyl at two weeks and she is still on that), she is moving around well, and her incision site is completely healed.
Here is my concern:
When just walking (hopping) around the house at slow or normal speed she often "sinks" on that back leg - like it is going to collapse, but doesn't. This has just started within the last week. I didn't even notice it before the last vet visit, although my husband (original poster) did, so I didn't mention it to the vet. When she is moving fast, she is much smoother and never sinks (that I have noticed) like that.
At the last vet visit (3 days ago), they did a full exam, running their hands all over her, pressing here and there, and didn't notice any issues. Of course, she did not "sink" like she sometimes does in their office. I have also pressed up and down on that leg with no response from her.
When she gets super excited (like sees another dog, someone visits, etc.) she spins around, jumps and runs a LOT, though we try to get her to calm down, and sometimes falls on the bottom. She hops right back up but it always scares me that she is going to injure her remaining hind leg.
Has anyone experienced this in their dog's gait? Could this just be her way of adjusting to getting around or does this sound like she may have an injury to that leg?
Thank you for all your help.
Aww so glad to hear that Bella is doing great overall.
It definitely sounds to me like her core muscles can use some strengthening. Picture it like this: we need strong abdominal to balance and stand up straight, right? Well so do dogs. Without an extra leg, those core muscles work extra hard and if a dog wasn't already really fit to begin with, it's up to us to turn those core muscles into a six-pack! 🙂
And yes, she can injure that leg if she comes down on it the wrong way. Strong core muscles help prevent that from happening.
You're lucky that you're working with the Aggies, they have a GREAT rehab therapy program. In fact we just visited a couple of weeks ago and will profile it soon.
Most family vets are not well-versed on rehab therapy, it's a very new type of practice. You can get a referral from the A&M vet you worked with to their rehab center, they will be happy to see you and Bella!
Here are some articles that discuss core strengthening, and don't forget our e-book Loving Life On Three Legs also has lots of tips.
http://gear.tri.....e-muscles/
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
4.5 weeks out is still very early when it comes to building strength in that back leg.
I adopted my current Tripawd, a smallish pug mix rear amp, when she was 10 months old and about 2.5 months post amp. She still would 'sink' on her one back leg when standing or walking slowly. Her rescue/foster mom did a great job getting her though the surgery and recovery but with 7 other dogs (5 fosters) Elly didn't get the individual work a Tripawd needs to get strong.
We work everyday on core strength through food puzzles, games, and exercises. We also work on stretching, although that is a work in progress. Elly is much stronger and has better balance now than when she joined my little pack 7 months ago. I only notice 'sinking' now when she is really tired. She doesn't fall as much as she used to either, but with a Tripawd they are going to go down sometimes because they get off balance. I do regulate her activity to some extent, but she is not even a 1.5 years old yet and she is a dog!
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Thank you so much for both your responses.
It is good to hear that other dogs have done that "sinking" thing on their remaining leg and that it doesn't necessarily mean she is injured. We will definitely read up on dog rehab and start on some strengthening at the appropriate time.
Bella is very fit and the vet says her weight is perfect - but we do have to be careful now that she doesn't gain any weight, especially since she is not as active.
We are definitely limiting her activity, and it is hard to know if I am being too protective. My husband tends to let her do more. As I said, I get really scared when she gets too excited and "hyper." But I also like seeing her get excited because I see a glimpse of that old spirit again. She used to get in what we called her "crazy mode" at least once a day where she just tore around the room at full speed (with lots of twisting and turning) for about 5 minutes with a toy in her mouth. She doesn't do that any more (thankfully, because she could definitely hurt herself), but I miss that crazy dog at times.
She is going to start chemo soon as her cancer was in the lymph node in that knee. They haven't found it anywhere else, so we are still hopeful that it may not have spread past that leg, or that we can catch any spread quickly. I know this may affect her activity level some also, so we will definitely consult with the oncologist there about her rehab.
Thanks again for all your kind words and advice.
Jan & Bella
Jan, you're asking all the right questions and have a great attitude, don't worry. It's always better to be safe than sorry later, so yes, being too protective is the way to go. There are tons of things you can do together besides running and going bonkers. Check out our interactive doggie brain game posts for ideas.
I'm glad to hear that she's a good weight and the vet approves. Yay!
Good luck with chemo this week, let us know how it goes.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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