Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My Australian Shepherd Rusty has chondrosarcoma. I amputated his front right leg in January and he's been undergoing chemotherapy ever since. I'm having a problem with his walks. When I take him out, he stops at the end of the driveway. He won't go in one direction. So I try another. And another. I try to take him back in. He won't do that. Eventually he decides which direction to go. We go a little bit and then the same dance starts again. He won't go forward. He won't go this way. This morning he insisted on crossing our busy street. So I waited until there were no cars. In the middle of the street he decided he didn't want to cross any more, but didn't want to go back either. So I practically had to drag him off the street. The funny thing is that when he finally decides he wants to go home, there are no stops. He practically runs home.
I’m aware he may be in pain or sore. I know having three legs is hard and that chemo may be rough on him. In time, he should be doing better. I need a solution for right now. Should I stop walking him? I hate to do that because I never know if he wants to walk or not and he used to be a very active dog. He could walk all day. Is there another solution?
Thank you and I'm glad to join your community.
Hi there, thanks so much for joining our community, your future posts won't require moderation.
Rusty's behavior is interesting. Has he been examined to find out if he is in any pain? Does he exhibit any kinds of pain signals ? See this post: How to Recognize Pain in Dogs and Cats
You may want to check out this recent discussion "Refusing to Go on Walks."
If he checks out fine at the vet, I would keep careful track of any pain indicators and behavior that he displays.
Another thing to consider: a lot of times Tripawds really get to cut loose after surgery and pawrents let them do whatever they want. It's hard not to, especially when cancer is involved. How can you NOT spoil a dog with cancer, right? But at the same time, discipline sometimes goes out the window and all that training and leadership you provided pre-surgery is gone. If Rusty isn't showing any pain indicators and you still can't figure out what's causing it, he might be testing your limits and his boundaries. To test that theory, consider starting over with training 101. This book by Saran Wilson My Smart Puppy, is a great place to begin. Training games are fun, and a great replacement for walks in the meantime.
Just a thought! I know others will chime in too. Thanks again for joining!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
That is so weird! I am going through the exact same thing with my dog! (see my forum post here)
It's very weird, and it's not that she isn't strong enough at this point, it seems to be all in her head!
I had a bit of success driving her to a park where there is wooded area with winding paths ... I think that once she didn't know what direction the car was, she was wandering around just fine. Then we found the path again and she started pulling back towards the car.
It is still a bit of a mystery to me, but you may want to try driving him somewhere and confusing his sense of direction and he might go a little farther with you 
Good luck!
Mica
Wow! Jackson likes to stop and smell the roses, too, and will simply pause in the middle of a walk. But it's not long and it's more of "reflection" time for him - I don't think it relates too much to your pup. What Jerry said is great: get him checked over for pain first. What about long toe nails? Anything pulling on his incision/scar area? If all those check out, I'd start packing! Packin' treats, that is! Begin with routine training and bribery... All my walks with Jackson are with a little treat tote - for getting his attention away from other dogs (he's reactive). Try it! Perhaps try at home, inside first. You want to set him up for success and if that means getting him really, really good at listening to you inside, on carpet, without traffic or unique smells, so be it. Get him proficient inside then move outdoors.
Keep us posted!
Oh - and speedy recovery! I hope he continues to heal and bounce right back from that nasty diagnosis.
~ Katy
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Hi Rusty and co gratulations on a successful surgery and recovery (still in process):-)
This may not apply at all...not even remotely....I remember watching Cesar Milan on the Dog Whisperer about a dog who did something similar. Now, it wasn't a new tripawd adjusting so.......
If I recall, he simply dropped the leash, ignored the dog and walked away....the dog followed as he saw Cesar as his pack leader. He also would just stand and wait for the dog to move and used the momentum to keep him going......seems like he made it a real fun thing with treats, etc. Once the dog moved. Anyway, just in the "for whatever it's worth" column:-)
Let us know ow it's going, 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!
Thank you for your replies. The physical therapist thinks it's a pain issue. She said that Rusty's back was as tight as any she'd ever seen. The vet prescribed some pain medications and I'm giving him Metacamm. We're doing therapy in the pool and on the treadmill tank. I think that he's been trying to be a 4-legged dog in a 3-legged body and that's gotten his body out of whack. I'm hoping that the PT and the meds can get him back to the dog that loved being active.
dblasdon said
I think that he's been trying to be a 4-legged dog in a 3-legged body
That is as best a description as I've ever heard when it comes to this kind of situation. We have our paws crossed that the PT helps. Keep us posted, we'd love to hear how things are going.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yeah....that description really says it all:-) Glad to know the problem has been identified and solutions are in the works?
Thanks for sharing because that's really a good heads up when, sometimes, OK may just think a tripawd is being stubborn......reality is it's an undiagnosed pain.
Rusty will continue now to get better and better:-) You are a great Mom....your diligence paid off!
Enjoy your water therapy Rusty...take it easy...don't overdue...and you will be an active tripawd in a brand new way soon:-)
Pictures when you can!!!
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!
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