Robyn said
My question is...can he now do pretty much what a 4 legged dog can do as our vet told us, or do we need to really limit his activity?  He LOVES running after the balls and trying to catch them.

Hi Robyn, welcome back! It's so good to hear from you. Can't believe Totem is almost another year older!

To answer your question: one of the reasons we exist is to get the word out that while Tripawds can do anything a four legged dog can do, that doesn't necessarily mean they should. Vets used to say that we should just let our dog be a dog after amputation. It's old-school thinking, and times have changed. The growth and development of canine rehab therapy has taught us that allowing a Tripawd to do anything and everything a four-legged dog does is just not safe over the long term.

Dogs will run, jump, and fetch until they drop. They might be having fun, but it's not always good for them. Explosive activity like chasing and catching balls, frisbees, etc. isn't good at all for Tripawds. In tiny increments it's OK but repeated activity like this will eventually cause damage and injuries.

It sounds like Totem is dealing with muscle strain, these are pain signals you are describing. I know we sound like a broken record about rehab therapy, but based on what you are describing it's highly advisable to seek help before things get worse. He is so young and you really want to protect that remaining limb from more damage.

That doesn't mean he can't exercise, but you just need to rethink the activity you do with him. There's so much more than running and walking.

Keep his activity dialed way, way back. Avoid those explosive activities and let us know how things are going. Consider gentle massage in the meantime and book an appointment with your vet to get some pain management going on.

Also check out the book Loving Life On Three Legs , the Rear Limb Amputee Rehab Therapy Program, Tripawds Gear blog exercises, and consider booking an appointment with a therapist. Let us know if you'd like help finding one and remember the Tripawds Foundation can pay for your first rehab visit . 

Ohhh that's right, I remember now that you live way out in the boonies. Dr. Waterhouse's at-home program is very good. It will give you the foundations to build strength and stamina. It comes from the core muscles that support the body and in turn, protect the leg from injury. Also, watch tomorrow's Tripawds Gear blog . I have a post running about telemedicine rehab therapy consults!

It's so hard to make a young dog chill out, especially with other dogs who love to play too. You just have to give Totem leashed rest breaks when he has friends over.

I'm so glad those attackers are gone now. It's all coming back to me. WHEW! Super happy you are both safe. Must be nice to walk around the neighborhood.

Sally the idea to reinvent fetch is GENIUS! Thank you for thinking of that, I'm taking notes!

You are on it! Yes, that's the way to rethink his exercise and activity. Incorporating obedience gets his mind working more and his body not so much, which is good.

We are glad you posted an update. It's so nice to know that you are both doing well.

Hi Patricia, thanks for chiming in! It's so helpful for others to know that they are not alone in these kinds of puppy raising challenges. We raised Wyatt Ray from the time he was 8 months old so I totally get it as well.

The problem with letting a dog be a dog is that it's a way of thinking that was common before canine rehabilitation therapy rolled around (it's only about 15 years old in the vet field). Before then, vets had no idea about the long term effects of an altered gait on a Tripawd. Those taht aren't keeping up with the science of canine rehab still don't know. Plus, dogs weren't living as long as they do now. Now that canine rehab therapy is becoming more common and understood, we see the long-term effects. Even the most well-regulated Tripawds will be more prone to early osteoarthritis effects over time, like Spree. 

It sounds like we are asking folks to keep their dogs in bubble wrap, but that's not the case. Learn to balance the needs of Alvin's activity level with injury prevention. A canine rehab therapist is the best person to guide you, which is why Tripawds Foundation can pay for your first rehab visit . It's a real learning experience.

Check out this video from canine rehab expert Sasha Foster, about how what looks like normal activity in one dog can be different in another:

Do dogs self-limit their activity? Or are they in pain?

Also

How To Prevent Common Injuries in Tripawds

Robyn said
Thanks for sharing your concerns.  Here is an update on Totem.  We took him to the vet and of course Totem appeared perfectly fine.  The vet who performed the amputation suggested "straight line" exercise was probably best, rather than quick stops and starts.  He gave us a Rx for a mild pain med if he appears to be in pain.  He also said he is of the school to let a dog do pretty much what makes them happy for as long as we have him.  He gave us a referral to a therapist in Dallas but we have not yet made an appointment.

Since then we have made a discovery.  Totem loves to squeeze himself in beside me in my chair and it is plenty snug.  He falls sound asleep.  When we get up to go to bed is where we see him almost unable to use his hind leg.  We now suspect the leg is falling asleep.  After about 10 minutes he begins walking on it again and does just fine.

So, who knows?

  

Awww Totem, you are such a charmer! I hope that's all that's going on with you, sleepy leg syndrome 😉

Robyn, at least you have that referral now so that's something to keep in your back pocket if you decide to go.