Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello Tripawds,
My Mochi is 11 (12 in March). She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in September 2023, surgery 9/12/2023 to amputate left hind leg. She went through 4 rounds of chemo. She is still doing great, which is amazing, still no lung mets, but lately is having more trouble getting up and falls over more. She had one instance about 6 months ago of what appeared to be a strained groin muscle. Perhaps she is continuing to strain muscles on her hind end or has back issues? She had an x-ray on Saturday because it seemed like the tendons around her knee were thickened. No apparent osteosarcoma in the remaining hind limb thank goodness. Any advice about rehab or help for her to remain mobile? We did get rimadyl to help her with pain management .
Any advice would be appreciated.
Patty and Mochi
Hi Patty and Mochi, welcome!
I'm sorry she's having some challenges right now, I know that's tough to watch. But you are asking great questions and we are here to help!
It's not uncommon for a Tripawd to have some mobility issues over time. That's why we always recommend that a Tripawd has an evaluation from a canine rehab therapist. They are masters at pinpointing where pain originates, and how to help resolve it. And Tripawds Foundation can even pay for your first rehab visit so you have nothing to lose! Let me know if you'd like help finding a practice.
You can try massaging her gently in shoulder and neck area to see if she's got any sensitive areas. Remember most dogs won't yelp unless pain is super bad so you can watch for other signs of pain like if you touch a spot and she suddenly looks back at you, or her breathing gets faster (watch her ribcage to check). But trying to pinpoint it yourself can be a guessing game and that's why seeing a therapist can really help get to the matter sooner.
Right now I would scale her activity way, way back so that she can recuperate from whatever is causing her current issues. If you have slippery floors, add traction to them right away. Look toward interactive brain games to keep her happy and engaged, and book that appointment for a therapist OK? Sooner is better. Make sure they have her medical records so they know you've done an awesome job with looking into this via xrays etc.
Thanks so much for the response. I phoned the oncologist to see if rehab would be appropriate for her situation, he will return to office next week. Luckily their clinic has rehab so if it's appropriate she can go there. I do have hardwood floors and have yoga mats all over, but I especially don't know what to do for the 2 steps up from laundry room to kitchen, any thoughts on footing on steps with slippery floors? The flooring in there is pretty slippery. I will scale back her activity a lot. she loves her walks though so it's hard. If I take my other dog she for sure wants to go! We typically go for 2 walks a day, flat, on sidewalks, about 1/2 hour each. Maybe too much? Once she is up she seems good but the getting up part is hard. She has interactive feeders and we do training every day for entertainment. But hard to think of things to do that won't make her overuse her leg...I'll delve into the resources here.
P+M
Hello and welcome to you and Mochi.
First off- congrats on kicking cancers A$$!!! Love to hear success stories.
My current Tripawd is a little Pug mix who lost a rear leg to a car accident 9.5 years ago, Elly just turned 10 at the end of December. We had no real mobility issues until about 2.5 years ago when Elly strained the iliopsoas muscle in her remaining leg/hip. Since a Tripawd can't 'rest' the injured leg recovery took quite a while, and of course we are also dealing with the challenges of an aging Tripawd.
We have added meds and supplements and changed her rehab vet prescribed exercise program over the past few years.
A summary of her supplements and meds that help with her mobility:
Krill oil. She has taken some type of fish oil since she was 4 years old.
Dasaquin with MSM. She has also been on dasaquin since she was 4.
Myos, a muscle building supplement. Prescribed 2.5 years ago by her rehab vet.
Adequan injections. Prescribed by her rehab vet 1.5 years ago.
In mid December she started on two Traditional Chinese Vet Meds (TCVMs) prescribed by her chiropractor vet:
Hindend Weakness and Di Gu Pi San. They help with joint pain, stiffness, inflammation and weakness.
I saw improvement after starting the myos and then the adequan. But to be honest I have seen the biggest improvement in her energy level and mobility in the last month since she started on the TCVMs. She is moving better now than she has in the past 2 years!
We continue with her home exercise program and I do think the chiropractic adjustments help her.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls and Boy
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Always good feedback from Karen1
Karen, could you provide s link where to order that specific two herbs you mentioned?
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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