Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Our baby Diesel is a 130 lb rottie and had his front leg amputated 15 days ago for osteosarcoma 😔 luckily it was early and hasn’t gone to his lungs! Since his amputation he has had sore back legs though. To the point where he is crying when he gets up after lying down for awhile... he is getting gabapentin, an nsaid, Tylenol 4, cbd, and I just started him on a joint supplement. I’m just really worried that it could be cancer in his back leg because it seems to be 1 leg that bothers him most. Do dogs have a lot of soreness with their change in gait? Is this normal? Thanks for any response.
Mike
Hello and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
It is not unusual for pups to be sore at this point in recovery, getting used to their new gait can be hard on the body. 15 days in is still very early in recovery.
Did he fall at any point? Does he have good traction where ever he tries to get up or lay down and where ever he hops? Traction is very important for Tripawds, especially new ones who need to build confidence in their new bodies.
It is very unusual for OSA to go to another limb, and would be really rare to met this fast, especially with clear lungs at the time of surgery.
Now would be a good time to get him evaluated by a rehab vet who can give you an exercise program to get Diesel as fit as possible. And Tripawds may even pay for your first visit through our rehab reimbursement program.
We have lots of ideas for exercises and massage which might help Diesel.
Of course discuss with your vet if Diesel isn't getting better, but I'm guessing that he is dealing with his new 'normal'.
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
Ditto Karen. Srill very early and your sweet Diesel is using different muscles in a different way.
As an aside, just wanted to double check on the Tylenol. This was given with Bet approval , right t?? Not sure about Tylenol 4 (4?) but regular Tylenol is not usually prescribed for dogs.
What has Diesel's activity level been like these couple of weeks. Should just be rest , rest, short potty breaks and more rest Try ,as saying up and down his spine, all arpund his shoulders and neck. Does he show any tension anywhere?
Before Higshe gets up, try massaging him all over and some GENTLE stretching of his legs.
How old is Diesel? Any arthritis? .
Definitely try and get an evaluation from a Rehab Specialist if at all possible .
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!
Thanks for the responses! Diesel is 5.5 years old and otherwise healthy. He got the Tylenol 4 from the vet because he was really painful postop day 3. Thankfully he hasn’t fallen at all and is now able to get around pretty well! I’m just glad that his soreness isn’t uncommon! We love him and are just worried.
Mike
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