Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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http://peppypoo.....pawds.com/
Above is the link to our story so far.
Pepper can now hardly walk. Wednesday before last we went for a walk and she had her first proper swim since amputation, I was sooo happy. By Friday she was really off colour, didn't even want to go for a walk, no scavenging and just really down. This didn't improve over the wkend so we took her to the vets on Tuesday, she seemed to be holding one of her back legs strangely. He suspected she may have overdone it and caused a disc problem so gave us tramadol as that's about all she can have with the prednidale. By Thursday she could hardly walk.........and it's not getting better....I now have to carry her into the garden and upstairs.......she's eating but not enthusiastically like normal.........and she's struggling to get comfortable at night.......really don't know what to do....have rung vet again who said to see over the wkend...May need imaging on her legs or another medicine he can order in......it's heart breaking seeing her like this.......she's really not happy but I don't feel ready to make a decision ....there's something holding me back.....keep thinking if it was a human with a bad back they can be laid up for weeks......but equally in the back of my mind thinking what if this is it and I'm letting her suffer needlessly.......really struggling at mo.........she does wag her tail tho when we get up close to her and talk or come in the house......she's still in there!! She doesn't have that reflex on one of her feet when you turn it under and they instantly put it right......she's had that before with a back problem. I keep clutching at issues/symptoms she's had before but is that just to make me feel better? Doesit just seem worse because she's a tripawed? We're leaving her to rest as much as poss but not sure if that's right cos she'll stiffen up more??! Would a heat pad help? Just don't know what to do 
Do you have access to an orthopedic vet? Or a canine rehab specialist? It does sound like there could be a back problem, as you said. Particularly since she has problems before and this seems to have come about after new exercise. Speaking as a human with back problems, I can certainly see where this may be the cause.
Kathi and Murphy
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!
Forgot one thing. The latest practice is to use ice rather than heat at first with injuries. Then after a few days they can be alternated.
Kathi and Murphy
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!
Sam struggled with trigger points and arthritis in his back and hips. Heat, laser therapy, acupuncture, and t he TENS machine all helped. But without them, some days his back end was really stiff and he'd have trouble getting going. I'd try heat, and maybe see if you can get in to a vet who does laser or has experience with orthopedic issues .
"Let us think the unthinkable, let us do the undoable, let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all."
-Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
"May I recommend serenity to you? A life that is burdened with expectations is a heavy life. Its fruit is sorrow and disappointment. Learn to be one with the joy of the moment."
-Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
Awww Sweet, Adorable, Peppy and Loving, Devoted Niki!
This is definitely a bump in the road. But it REALLY sounds like a bump that is FIXABLE!! It realy, realy looks like it's just related to over-doing and causing some TEMPORARY back issues!! As with any pptential back issue, she's not comfortable and certainly doesn't watto walk, but the tramadol should help as it continues to kick in. Then, of course, thst'll make her not want to do mich and maube even a little panting, so try not to let that part other you.....yeah, right! I think also they can give Peppy a steroid injection to really attack any spinal inflammation head-on. And it could be something pulled, or straned, or pinched, in his leg too. So I would think resting is the best route to go. Can you carry herout topotty...or use a slng?
It sou ds like you have so e really good suggestiins already. I know there are plentyoflinks on here with similar issues and solutins...I jist ave no idea how to post them. Ugh! And it's always on a week-end when the vet's are closed!
And I bet Peppy is still grinning because she had such a good time swimming and "scavaging" around.
Here you are going through your own challenges' and yet you were so very kind to reach out to Happy Hannah and myself the other day. It meant a lot and it really did help! THANK YOU! So you stay connected right here with us, okay? We are right by your side infusing you with even more strength and more ability to be " in the moment" with Peppy. Keep it chunked down to treating the issue and don't jump forward beyond that, okay? REMEMBER, she's not worrying about a thing! She's just lovng waggng her tail everytime you come over to her and give her loving!!
Please update us often. This is just another crazy hurdle n this journey but Pepy has every ntention of workng through it, okay?
Now go give Pepy a hug forus all and watch that tail wag! Great sight!!
Sending you healing energy and lots and lots of hugs!!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Is the drug they need to order in Gabapentin? It would probably be worth trying if it is. It's prescribed for nerve pain, such as pinched or irritated nerves, or phantom limb pain etc. If it is a disc, it should help.
It could well be that she did something swimming and/or walking. Sid is often very stiff the day after a swim if it's been a while. We're going to have to be very careful with him next time he goes, I know that. Can you get the hydrotherapist to just support her in the water without letting her swim so that she can just lay on the water and relax? Sid's guy does that sometimes for him.
Sorry to hear she's in this state. It's so hard to see, isn't it? If it were me, I'd want to do all I could to find the cause of the pain before taking that final decision for her, but it can be really difficult and we do need to bear in mind what the dog's quality of life is. Only you can decide. 
It sounds like it could definitely be a back issue or maybe a torn ligament. Both of those would seem worse with a Tripawd because they have one less limb to compensate with. Hang in there, and push the vet for imaging. If you don't feel comfortable waiting though the weekend then you shouldn't!
She's happy, and that's a great sign. If you think she's uncomfortable ask the vet if she's at the maximum dose of Tramadol...many times they start with a low dose to see if that's enough.
Keep us updated!
Hugs,
Carol
Peppy is so handsome.......I really don't have any advice for your worrisome situation with Peppy, just want to add my support of him and you, while going through this difficult time. All the hills, valleys, and dark forests, we all have to navigate on this journey, is challenging, but one we are very happy to do out of love for our furry friends.
Keeping you and Peppy in my thoughts......
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Oh I know this is scary, I'm sorry to hear about Pepper not feeling well. Sounds like the swimming might have been the culprit. Yes, because a Tripawd has an altered gait, any kind of muscle pull or strain is likely to have more distinct effects than a dog with 4 legs.
You've gotten some great insight here, I agree with all of the suggestions. And yes, rest is the best right now, usually that will do the truck.
Oftentimes pain is the cause of this type of behavior but regular vets often don't know how to resolve it properly with anything but medication. Rehab does wonders for acute and chronic pain in dogs. If you have any access at all to a certified rehab vet (see this website to locate one near you) that's where I would go next if this doesn't clear up in a day or two at most.
Please keep us posted, we're hoping she feels better soon.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks guys for all the support but with tears streaming down my face I have to tell that we said goodbye to Pepper today. She just got worse and we couldn't let her go on in that pain. Please don't tell me we did the right thing or she had a good life or it was for the best or even remember the good times........I know all this deep down and in a day or two I'll believe it but at the moment it doesn't help with the unbelievable heartache....I've lost my baby and I can't breath............and tomorrow we have to all try and be brave because it's my baby girls 16th birthday..........finally it's easy to live in the moment........ But now I don't want to......
We cry with you. So stunned and so very, very sorry. So sorry.
No, there are n words that can comfort you right now. I wish caring could help esse the pain, but iit can't.
Surrounding you with Peppy's eternal grace.
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Ohhhhh I'm so very very sorry.
No words. Just lots and lots of {{{{{{hugs}}}}}}.
We are here for you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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