Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello all, I just found this site today and I wish I had found it a long time ago! My tripawd, Lila, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (rear leg) on June 22, 2017 and became a tripawd on June 29, 2017. Despite being an elderly girl she bounced back quickly and adapted to three legs very well. Things were going well until winter set in. She seems to be quickly losing strength in her remaining back leg, which has lead to falls and a loss of confidence. She almost refuses to get up and walk now. She has gotten a few UTIs since becoming a tripawd and was most recently diagnosed with one a couple of weeks ago. She seems to be doing much better but we're having issues with her not letting us know when she needs to go outside. I feel that she is so scared/uncomfortable that she'd rather just go on a rug/carpet. One morning I was right behind her to take her out and started to squat on the rug in front of me! Has anyone else had issues with decline this far out from surgery? What can we do to help her?
Thank you!
jeba14 said
She seems to be quickly losing strength in her remaining back leg...What can we do to help her?
Welcome! So sorry to hear about Lila's mobility issues.
Please: Consider getting a professional orthopedic evaluation from a certified canine rehab vet/tech. Visit a CCRT or CCRP and the Tripawds Foundation can even pay for your first visit. Check out the Maggie Moo Fund for Tripawd Rehab for complete details.
The weakness could be caused by just about anything, but is most often a case of overdoing it and/or improper exercise. Tip: Walks do not build strength, only endurance. Search the Tripawds Blogs for rehab posts or download Loving Life On Three Legs for more information.
Please keep us posted, your future forum posts will not require moderation.
PS: What do you consider elderly?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
HAPPY SEVEN MONTH AMPUVERSARY LILA!! 🙂 🙂
Yes, ditto the Rehab consult if at all possible! If you get the right one, they can be invaluable!
Is Lila on Rimadyl? Guessing if she's a "senior" she probably has arthritis as being a tripawd for seven months. If that's the case, Rimadyl should help, as well as Adewuan injections.
You might also talk to the Vet about putting her on a dose of Tramadol or other pain meds.l
How was she treated for the UTI and is she clear of it now?
Would she let you use a harness ro help her up? Give her a good massage all.over before she does try to get up.
Has a Vet checked her out to make sure she isn't having any knee issues, back issues, etc?
Give this sweet girl an extra treat for us. Hopefully she can get past this hurdle. Just dealing with the cold temperatures can cause a lot of stiffness in muscles.
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 your suggestions! I looked at the list of certified rehab locations and there is actually one nearby! I will look into that. I think she would wear a harness but I'm not sure how well she would like it. She is a very independent b***h (said with the most love; she has an attitude and we love it!) and has historically been resistant to help but she's actually gotten very good at accepting help since amputation. She actually does much better with me than my husband.
My husband got Lila as a rescue so we don't know her actual age, but putting together how long he's had her and how old he thought she was when he got her, his guess is that she is 12-13 years old. Our vet said this is probably pretty close.
When I took her in for the UTI I also talked to my vet about her mobility issues and he put her on gabapentin and recommended glucoasmine and fish oil. I just received the glucosamine last night so she's started on that now. The UTI was treated with amoxi/clav. I stopped in yesterday because my vet had requested a urine sample at the end of the antibiotic run to make sure the infection was completely gone (almost but not quite, she's getting another week of antibiotics to make sure it's good and gone) and while I was there I updated my vet about her condition. He decided to add in a week of deramaxx; he said that if she has drastic improvement on that it will rule out certain types of chronic pain.
You are a great advocate for your strong-willed Lila!! 🙂 Good job! 🙂
Hopefully the Deramaxx will help, along with everything else you are doing.
Keep us updated and ee'll be sending good pawsitive energy to yiur sweet pup!
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!
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