Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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So, bad news on the home front. Jack's been having a hard time walking the past few months and we haven't been able to figure out what's going on. We're down to walks that are less than a block long and she's having trouble laying down and standing up.
We saw a rehab vet and she noticed that Jack's favoring her back left leg, the same side as her amp. I had assumed that the problem would be in her remaining front leg and hadn't paid attention to her back legs. But now that she points it out, I can see that she's not putting much weight on the leg and she's been reluctant to do tricks for us that involve using that leg.
She felt for signs of arthritis and a cruciate tear, but wasn't able to detect any symptoms. Maybe because it's neither of those things, but Jack's a tough cookie and makes it difficult for anyone to handle her, so she didn't get a great feel. She prescribed rimadyl, but Jack started having a bad reaction to it and we had to take her off. We discussed acupuncture and laser therapy, but Jack won't lay still for any treatment.
We've also seen two other vets this week who were puzzled and prescribed antibiotics in case it's lyme disease. I'm wondering if anyone else has seen similar symptoms - a slow, steady decline in stamina, soreness in knees, but no swelling or popping noises. She's so young and I'm starting to worry that we don't have many options for treatment.
Oh no! I am so sorry to hear this. And yes, it must be alarming but I am sure there is alot of investigation left to do. Have you had Jack's hips x-rayed for dysplasia? That is the first thing that comes to mind for me but then I have three GSDs, so I am just biased that way. But it wouldn't hurt to take a look.
The second thing is just the anatomical changes that occur with life on three. Have you seen the podcast and blog about CSU's tripawd gait studies? Those might shed some light on whats going on, both for you and your vets. In fact, I should take a good look at them again as well. We have noticed some "interesting" things with Codie Rae's gait especially in the last couple of years (she became a tripawd at 8 months old and will be 10 in October) and I would like to see if what we see in her is similar to results found in the study.
CR is a right rear leg amp but we have noticed that she does most of her balancing (and puts most of her weight) on her left legs. It seems like she only uses her right front leg to touch down and avoid tipping over on her left side. Does that make sense? In the process she steps wide with the right front leg, that step is not in line with her body but out to the side. As a result, over the years, she has gotten really wide in her front end, which I really only notice when she is lying down.
Anyway, it may be a totally different thing for front leggers but I wonder if Jack could be doing a similar balancing act, walking wide with her hind leg on the same side as her missing leg. If she was it seems like that would drive the ball of the femur into the hip socket and would end up being becoming painful over time.
OK, I am going to go look at those studies again! Hope this helps and I hope that Jack feels better soon! Oh, and none of my dogs can tolerate Rimadyl but you could ask your vet about trying Previcox or Metacam. We are trying to figure out what to do for them as pretty much all of them have arthritis!
xoxo,
Martha, Codie Rae, and the Oaktown Pack
Woohoo! Tripawds Rule!
Regulator of the Oaktown Pack, Sheriff of the Oaktown Pawsse, Founding member and President of the Tripawd Girldogs With 2 Names ROCK Club, and ... Tripawd Girldog Extraordinaire!
Thanks for sharing the CSU study link Martha, you were reading my mind.
I think that if you tried a calming cap with Jack you might be surprised at how she will lay still with it. We use it all the time with Wyatt and it's a miracle for vet visits. I think the acupuncture could do wonders, I'd opt for that over laser.
Poor girl! Try not to panic, there is a cause and you'll figure it out. She's got a great team on her side!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sorry sweet Jack is haviing these issues.
.Martha, that is really good information you shared. And I can definitely see what your talking about Codie Rae "walking wide", or "laying wide" in that licture. Really interesting.
Rearding the calming cap, I saw how well it worked first hand with Wyatt at the Tripawd Pawty. Lots and lots of doggy and human commotion, PLUS, Rene was holding Tripawd Frankie on her lap right in front of Wyatt Ray !! "His momma" with a dog on "his lap"! Took it cool as a cucumber!
As Martha said, there seem to be a lot.of thing yet to be checked out. I know it's frustrating tryi g to "eliminate" one cause after another. But it could be so many things.
I have had a dog treated for Lyme disease with antibiotics. 'Went thru a few treatments for "wrong" diagnosis first. Limb weakness, almost "wobbling weakness", low energy, limping were definitely symptons inBarney's case. I can't remember if I had to do two courses of antibiotics or not. I think it was Doxycycline. It did eventually clear up though.
Really hoping the antibiotics work for Jack, or some of Martha's suggestion.
Hugs to all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
So sorry for the problems Jack is having, seems like you have gotten really great advice from the others.....I don't have much in the way of valuable information, but just want to add my support to you and sweet Jack, and hope there is a good resolution to her problem soon.
Keep us updated on her, and sending my positive thoughts your way....
Bonnie, Angel Polly, Pearl, and Zuzu
Wow, all- thanks for your thoughts. I knew posting here would make me feel better and give me new ideas when I talk to the vets next.
Martha- what an interesting observation about Codie Rae's gait and how she balances. It's reassuring to know that there are other tripawds who use only one side of their body and are still getting around well. And the hip suggestion! I went down a rabbit hole watching youtube videos about hip dysplasia and other problems, and the symptoms/the way she uses that leg looks suspiciously like the dogs who have been diagnosed. Again, I think we were looking in the wrong spot (her knees) and have ignored her hips so far.
The calming cap is also a fantastic idea. I'm ordering one. Jack's reactive and I've discovered that what she can't see, doesn't bother her. So I often cover her eyes with my knees on walks when we're surprised by a dog and it works wonders. In the vet's office, I use peanut butter to get her to look a different direction from the vet for shots - this cap sounds like a much easier way to lower her stress levels.
Thanks, Sally and Bonnie. I have gotten discouraged. We just moved and lost our fantastic vet and even though I've found someone I like, it's hard to explain what Jack's 'normal' is and how her current gait and behavior are different.
Well, we had the X-rays done today and there's no evidence of dysplasia, arthritis, cancer or anything else going on in her spine or hind end. We're all puzzled! We were sent home with a different anti-inflammatory and had more bloodwork done to test for anemia and anything else we might be able to catch that way.
I'm relieved that it doesn't seem to be hip dysplasia or arthritis, but I was hoping for some definite cause of her slowing down. She's only 3 and I don't like seeing her struggle.
I'm starting to think it's time for a stroller - she's bored not being able to walk far from the apartment and it's hard to avoid other dogs on my street (she's reactive). I know I shouldn't care about what people think when they see us, but I have to say, that's the thing holding me back at this point. How have people reacted to seeing your dogs in strollers?
Hmmmm.....it is good news that some of these things were ruled out! Definitely good news!
Something that just came to mind. He was put on a antibiotics in case it was Lyme or some other tick borne disease. How long did he take them? It seems that it can take up to four weeks worth sometimes to knock that out.
As far as the stroller with Jack in it...I guarantee you he will be the hit of the neighborhood!! And besides that, quite frankly, screw ehat othes might think! Jack needs to get out and be able to sniff the breezes...and be comfortable doing it!! Strollers.can be a great treatment tool in cases like this!
Thanks for updating js. Hopefully the. Ew anti-inflammatory will help! Can't wait to see pics of Jack in her stroller!
Hugs to ua'!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
dcjack said
I'm starting to think it's time for a stroller...
Forget what other people think, and don't miss this selection of recommended pet strollers. 
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
You might also check out Eddie's Wheels. That could keep Jack more mobile on her own (and maybe happier?). I was looking at their website and it looks like they have experience with making wheels for dogs with all kinds of mobility issues. I honestly don't know if it would work for a front leg amp, it might put too much pressure on her front leg. But I think the peeps at Eddie's might know. Just another option.
I am glad the xrays show no signs of the "Big Three". Woohoo for that! But yes, frustrating to still not have a cause or diagnosis. Here's hoping the new anti-inflammatory works. Have you considered hydrotherapy?
I have never used a stroller but I do use (gasp) prong collars on my dogs and have gotten plenty of evil looks for that. Screw 'em! They don't know me and they don't know my dogs! Do what you think is right for Jack and damn the torpedoes!
xoxo,
Martha, CR and the OP
Woohoo! Tripawds Rule!
Regulator of the Oaktown Pack, Sheriff of the Oaktown Pawsse, Founding member and President of the Tripawd Girldogs With 2 Names ROCK Club, and ... Tripawd Girldog Extraordinaire!
Just checking in on Jack and seeing how things are going. Is she still having weakness?
Sending love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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 Sally! Well, I guess the answer is she's a bit better, but not great. Shortly after this, we got the results from another round of blood tests and her liver levels were dangerously high - they think she ate something toxic off the street. So we had to take her off the new pain medication that was working so well and concentrate on getting her liver back in shape.
Since then, she's walking more than she has since April...but that means we can walk about 1 block in the morning and evening. Is that normal?
She doesn't seem sore as much and she wants to play, but this level of mobility strikes me as odd. We've been told to stay off any pain meds for the next few months and reevaluate in December. The rehab vet is puzzled and has no ideas and our usual vet thinks that if she's happy, that's all that matters. So, for now, that's where we are. Do you think I should be concerned about the distance she can walk?
Thanks for checking in Sally!
I'm bummed to hear Jack isn't getting around better. I wouldn't be so concerned about the distance as to why she is having issues. Distance is all relative. Our Wyatt Ray can go much farther than say, a Chihuahua. Plus, 1 block where you live is gonna be different, i.e., longer or shorter, than where everyone else lives. A block here is a country mile for us!
Here's the thing: if it's odd to you, it's odd. Seek another opinion if the vets you are seeing don't have answers. Go with your gut, it won't lead you astray.
P.S. There are other pain relievers that might not take such a toll on her liver, which ones did they recommend?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
This is a head scratcher. I think whatsw "good" is that nothing to be concerned about has been uncovered. Obviously raised lover levels aren't great, especially if it means you have ro take her off the meds that work so well.
A couple of things...of course checking with yiur vet first....milk thistle has been shown to be effective in helping with liver issues. There's also a prescription, I'll be darn if I can think kf the name... Rebitol... Revertol....anyway, it starts with a "R"...big help, right?
I definitely agree with your regular vet and your overall asses...Jack's happy and that's all that matters!! I think in some dogs, once they become tripawds, walking as much as they used to just doesn't interest them. Clearly it takes more effort and some dogs dony mind and some dogs prefer the trade off for laying on the sofa and getting tummy rubs, or playing more with their human. You may evemn find she responds better to half the distance with energy left over. Or half the distance broken up into a third walk.
For me, and this is just me, I would just let go of the focus on distance and relish in the trade offs of more couch potato time or more one on one time playing with stuffies and bones and devouring treats. Once she's avle to get back on some pain meds, then you coukd see if she wants to walk some more.
And we haven't seen pictures of Jack since...since I don't know when!! HINT!!
Thanks for the update. JACK IS HAPPY and that's the best news ever!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Geez...while I'm spending time typing..a hundred other replies come in first and mind look a little "late to the pawty".
Following up kn Jerry...isntw metacam less harsh on the liver, but basically the same as Rimadyl?
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!
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