Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I have a 10.5 YO Great Pyr. that had front leg amputation in late May. His other front paw was sore from the limping he was doing while he still had the bad leg and is still sore. There may be some arthritis in that paw as well. He completed 4 rounds of chemo and had clean lung x rays.
The last few weeks he has really struggled with getting up from a down position. Seems like he struggles to get his rear legs under him to lift himself up. Once up he is unstable and shaky. We have put a harness on 24/7 to assist him. He likes this.
He also seems to be having a lot of discharge from his eyes and some days just looks old and awful. I am wondering if he is just in pain. Once he is up and moving he seems much better though he does some face plants if he is not careful.
He is a stubborn dog who is fully manipulating us around food and does like to play dead when he does not want to do what you want him too.
His back seems very stiff as well.
Any thoughts??
Hi and welcome, your future posts won't require approval so post away and tell us about your handsome big puppy!
Well, honestly it could be so many things. It helps to note when the symptoms happen, how often and how quickly it resolves itself if at all, then meet with your vet. When was the last time he had a full work up? Oh and what's his name? We'd love to hear more!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
LOVE HIS AVATAR PICTURE!!! I want to jump throough the screen and snuggle him!!!
Is he on anything for arthritis right now.....perhaps Rimadyl or Metacamand maybe even some mile pain relief meds (Tramadol)? I would think that would help a lot.
The eye discharge could indicate some m low grade infection that maybe a dose of antibiotics could clear up.
Really glad to hear likes his harness. Such a good boy!!!
Yeah, nothing like being "trained" by our tripawds to do what they want when they want it! Spoiling the heck out of them is one of the best parts of this journey!!
LARGE DOG...SENIOR DOG...TRIPAWD DOG........STANDING OVATION GOING ON OVER HERE FOR YOU BIG FELLA'!!!!!!
Cannot wait to see more pictures!!! Look forward to your update. Really hoping some variety of meds can help him feel better and become more mobile. Perhaps some sort of rubber grip botties could help...especially the sore paw.
Sendingnhugs to all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Here's hoping he has nothing more wrong than routine senior dog things. If that is the case, I would wholeheartedly recommend physical therapy/rehab if you have it available. In the time that our Murphy has spent doing rehab, I have had the opportunity to see several senior dogs who made huge strides that way. Murphy has also done laser treatments and acupuncture, which can help immensely with sore muscles and "tired bones".
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
+1 on physical therapy. Hydrotherapy, cold laser and the water treadmill helped Lexie tremendously. Rimadyl was also a big help do her, and we added Glycoflex 3 supplement. There is now a generic equivalent for RiMadyl so it may be worth asking your vet about.
Lots of folks here have tried acupuncture with good results. Good luck, and keep us posted!
Deb and Angel Lexie* Diagnosed at age 13. Tried radiation first; wish we had amputated upon diagnosis (even with lung mets). Joined Club Tripawd April 2014 & Lexie loved life on 3 legs! Advice: Start physical therapy as soon as your vet clears it, especially hydrotherapy if available :-) See Lexie pics here.
Some X-rays may be in order to be sure there is no bone issues, also can see arthritis in X-rays, maybe that has spread.
If it is arthritis there are lots of supplements and meds to try. Rimadyl did wonders for my quad pug with bad arthritis (all 4 legs and spine). We also have had great results with adaquan injections. Adequan is quite expensive though, and I'm only buying for a 15 pound dog.
I hope you find some relief for your pup.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
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