Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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The past few days have been a bit rough with Ginge. She's struggling to get up from laying down, and has a hard time getting around, even on carpet and outside. Today's been the worst, and I can tell she's getting frustrated. She's not showing any visible pain, but her hind legs keep spreading out and she goes splat on her butt. We've increased her Rimadyl to 1/2 tablet every morning for now, but may give her 1/2 morning and night just in case she is hurting. I've also increased the supplements of glucosamine, hemp oil, olive leaf extract and a few others that are anti-inflammatory to see if that helps. She's been eating pretty well since she's been getting breakfast/dinner in bed, at least. My cousin is coming to stay with us for 3 weeks starting tomorrow, so hopefully that'll perk Ginge up and she can start moving around more. I'm definitely worried about her, though.
Sorry if I've missed some critical tidbit here but just want to ask if this is a sudden development? I might have missed something - lots of posts in the forums 🙂
Izzy is a front amp like Ginge - she went through the same and I kept attributing her hind leg weakness to the meds or old age or slowing down. Turned out that the ligament in her knee was going ... has the vet checked the stability of her knees? Izzy is almost 14 now but had knee surgery as a tripawd at 13 years old. It was a tough recovery (harder than the amputation, which for her was relatively easy) but she's right as rain now!
Not wanting to alarm you, and again, maybe I missed some info but in any case, I hope she's feeling better soon!
Amy (& Izzy, too)
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.
No real info that you missed, since this has come on a little fast. She was fine last week, even though she'd have the occasional slippery day, but not this bad. 2 weeks ago she had her 6 month post amp exam/bloodwork/vaccines and was in PERFECT shape. Hopping around great even on the slick vet floor. Today she can barely stand in the grass. And yet Miss Stubborn decides she wants to lay in THIS bed, so I help her settle. Then 5 min later she's like No, I meant THAT bed...so I help her settle there. She's still full of grumpy personality! I'm hoping this is just a sore day and tomorrow she'll be loads better, but I know things can change quick with 15 year olds.
Miss Grumpy, you pick any bed you want anytime you want!! You have your momma eating out of the palm of your paw....as it should be!!
One of my 15 yr young gals developed hind end leg weakness and did that splay thing too. If I recall, it was a bit more gradual though. I'm sorry that I really can't remember what the Vet said, other than pretty much attributing it to old age. I do recall that I didn't do any extensive testing and she didn't seem painful. Also, it seems that she may have developed "droop tail" at the same time. And maybe there were some things he suggested it "could be", but whatever "it could be", something wrong with her spine, disc, whatever, I would not have done surgery at her age.
I know I'm zero help. I just know that, whatever the things the Vet said were, in her case, mostly old age things that happen in some dogs. .
Hopefully things can turn around for Miss Ginger. It is good that there doesn't seem to be pain.
Certainly pulled misxles, thi gs like Amy mentioned, etc could be at play.
One thing we knkw for sure is at play is Miss Giner Grumpy Pants is getting plenty of loving and spoiling 🙂 🙂 🙂 I hope each bed she selects has an extra pile of treats in them! 🙂
Hugs and love
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!
Ginger is just precious! 15 years old - Wow Miss Ginger you are amazing. My dog, Lucy, started splaying out with her back legs as she got older too and to me it seemed as though it happened all of a sudden. She would be trying to stand and eat and would start to sink in the back or one leg would start sliding or she could be walking across the kitchen and her back legs would just go out from under her. We never got a definitive diagnoses other than hind muscle weakness. We did get Paw Friction and the "blue-footed Lucy" did much better at keeping her back legs in check. I hope she continues to do well and can get her footing back under control.
Best wishes to you both tonight - Amy & Rusty
misterrustybucket said
Ginger is just precious! 15 years old - Wow Miss Ginger you are amazing. My dog, Lucy, started splaying out with her back legs as she got older too and to me it seemed as though it happened all of a sudden. She would be trying to stand and eat and would start to sink in the back or one leg would start sliding or she could be walking across the kitchen and her back legs would just go out from under her. We never got a definitive diagnoses other than hind muscle weakness. We did get Paw Friction and the "blue-footed Lucy" did much better at keeping her back legs in check. I hope she continues to do well and can get her footing back under control.Best wishes to you both tonight - Amy & Rusty
Thank you, everyone! Ginger's experiencing pretty much exactly what Lucy did. I hadn't seen Paw Friction before, so I just ordered to give it a shot! Thanks for the suggestion!
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