Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I've noticed that Mikey still holds his tail down (straight down) when he walks.
He came to us the end of June, and it was at least a couple of weeks before he wagged his tail for anyone or anything. But now he does greet us with a wag, just not when walking.
Is this common with rear amps?
Mikey, 2/14/16, came to us as a foster the end of June, 2wks after rear left amp. Now, at 6mo, he's doing awesome! Perfect, except for wanting to play with 9yo kitty Pumpkin, who isn't interested. At all.
Love to all! Jo, Mikey and, reluctantly, Pumpkin.
Hmmm. We've seen this before here and I just came across an article about "limber tail" syndrome but of course can't find the exact one right now. Here is one that may match Mikey's symptoms:
Limber Tail Syndrome
Suspect “limber tail syndrome” if your whippy-tailed dog stops wagging.
As the article says, it usually accompanies extra heavy-duty activity. In Mikey's case, it could be because he's getting used to life on three legs.
Thankfully it sounds like it's not very serious.
If your dog develops limber tail, treatment should include at least a few days of rest. Depending on the advice of your veterinarian, you may also administer an anti-inflammatory in the first 24 hours, under the direction of a vet. There is no evidence that anti-inflammatories speed healing, but some owners say they’ve noticed faster improvement when the medications are part of the mix.
Owners should also consider what activities their dogs were engaged in prior to the onset of the condition. Limber tail will show up quite soon after the triggering event, usually within hours or overnight. If you can isolate what it was that brought on the condition, whether it was a over-long off-leash hike or a swim in cold water, you can avoid repeating the situation.
Keep us posted on how he's doing OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
It's much harder to determine that something is wrong when you didn't know the pup before amputation- I'm in that situation with Elly.
With my first rear amp tripawd Maggie I never noticed any issue with her tail. As a pug her tail curled up on her back and it ticked back and forth when it wagged. One thing I did notice with her is that after her amp her tail tended to tick back and forth when she was standing- seemed like a balance thing.
Elly is a rescue like Mikey. When she first came to me her tail was down a lot- more of her mood I think. Now that she is more comfortable and more confident her tail is up more and even has some curl to it! Elly is skitish and wary so her tail is at 'half staff' or down when we are around people or other dogs. Is Mikey in an uncomfortable (for him) situation when his tail is down? You said it does wag when he greets you? If there is no physical issue maybe he needs more time with you?
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Thanks, guys! I appreciate the chance to just get opinions and talk to others. This site is wonderful.
Mikey does wag his tail in greeting & play. And boy, does he play! His new "trick" is running to the end of his tie-out trolley while I wait on the porch. He runs full out to me and semi-jumps into my arms! Ok, so my CRPS isn't overly thrilled with the game, but my emotions adore the fun and trust he is having! I think he really is happy & trusts us.
The only time he has "down tail" is when we are walking. I think maybe it is a balance thing, because walking (as others have mentioned) seems to be harder than running. Maybe it's like riding a bike the slowest? But it is definitely not a permanent condition. Karen, I appreciate the insight with Elly. I think (certainly HOPE!) that it isn't Limber Tail, as any inflammation in the body is NOT a happy condition. Jerry (do I call you Jerry?) thank you for the info! That eases my mind, since I know he hasn't had an onset of something that is continuous.
((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))
Mikey, 2/14/16, came to us as a foster the end of June, 2wks after rear left amp. Now, at 6mo, he's doing awesome! Perfect, except for wanting to play with 9yo kitty Pumpkin, who isn't interested. At all.
Love to all! Jo, Mikey and, reluctantly, Pumpkin.
Tripawds do tend to use momentum to their advantage - a fair number of them seem to have an easier time going faster than a walking pace!
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Yeah, I actually have to use a Halti with him! I've used it before, because of the CRPS in my arms, but didn't think I'd need one with a tripawd!
For those that haven't heard of them, it's basically a nose collar. Pressure on the chest is like saying MUSH to a sled dog. The Halti is annoying for them to get used to, but well padded and not at all painful. However, it is especially helpful in training or for a chronic "puller", since they are led by the nose. Not a muzzle. They can eat, drink, pant, etc. although I'd never just leave one on. Just for walks. 😊
Mikey, 2/14/16, came to us as a foster the end of June, 2wks after rear left amp. Now, at 6mo, he's doing awesome! Perfect, except for wanting to play with 9yo kitty Pumpkin, who isn't interested. At all.
Love to all! Jo, Mikey and, reluctantly, Pumpkin.
You are absolutely right- tripawds are almost always more comfortable going faster. It's way more pronounced in the front amps I've met since their slow hop is really noticeable, but it is also true for rear amps. One of the reasons many people don't notice a missing leg when tripawds are running is because their gait is much smoother, more like a quad-pawd.
I believe that a walking pace for Elly is much harder for her than her tripawd trot. Unless we are in a place with lots of people and/or dogs I use a flexi lead (the horror!). I've always have had good luck with them and my dogs have all been small. I tried one of those long training leads with Elly but she absolutely freaks out when a lead touches her back (so many issues!). Anyway- Elly is small, 15 pounds, and I have trouble keeping up with her. I let her get out in front and set her pace. If she pulls at all I stop and she has learned that she has to come back to me when I stop.
Funny story... I took a call on the hotline one day talking with a very nice older woman about a 11 month old front amp tripawd she had adopted. Among other things, she was having trouble keeping up with her pup. She was over 60 years old and her daughter thought that a three legged dog would be just her speed!
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
LOL! Yep, we thought that would be one of the pluses of keeping him, with my issues. On top of that we've never had a puppy. Fostered one, but that was only a couple of weeks, then this guy came along. Thank heavens, already well potty trained!
My last assistance dog, my Drake... His biggest job was comfort, especially when I was alone. Mikey makes me laugh! My hubs works at home now, so he helps me out where I need it.
But I think this baby could learn enough to be called "assistance". Especially since there isn't a certification required in my state.
Sometimes a laugh can be the best thing. Or making sure you move around more. He already helps me a lot. 😊
Mikey, 2/14/16, came to us as a foster the end of June, 2wks after rear left amp. Now, at 6mo, he's doing awesome! Perfect, except for wanting to play with 9yo kitty Pumpkin, who isn't interested. At all.
Love to all! Jo, Mikey and, reluctantly, Pumpkin.
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