Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My dog Beesly had her back left leg amputated a little over a month ago. She has been doing great, she is back to her old self and seems so happy to be rid of the giant tumor. However, we took her to run around at the park two days in a row and afterward her back remaining leg was very weak. She would try jump on the couch and it would give out. Even while she was walking it looked very weak and would give out. After a day or two of rest, she is walking better, but we can see that it is still a little weak. Do you think we just allowed her too much free running, too soon? Or should we be worried?
Here is a video of her running
Beesly looks soo hoppy to be outside! I'm so glad things are mostly going well, that's awesome.
Based on what you are describing, yes, that type of activity is still too much for her right now, at least for the length of time she was allowed to run around, and for two days in a row. One month out is still very soon and not enough time for her body to move in new ways and build strength. I know it's so hard to hold her back, but it's for her own protection (and her joints). As you observed, the R&R helped, so she definitely needs to take it easier when she gets to do things like this.
If you have a 20 or 30' training lead you can use, that's always helpful to give her freedom to explore while still being able to reel her in. Mandatory rest breaks are also helpful. While you don't want her to be a "weekend warrior" and only do this kind of thing occasionally (which is just as detrimental and injury-prone as doing it all the time), you do want to limit these sessions to just a few days a week with rest days inbetween. They should be short, fun play times of no more than 5-10 minutes each, with plenty of rest breaks if you're staying at the park for a while. And if she ever sits down or doesn't want to walk afterward, that's a sign she's done way too much.
We have tons of activity tips like this in our Tripawds ebook Loving Life On Three Legs , and you can also learn a tremendous amount about her current and future capabilities when you consult with a canine rehabilitation therapist. They can assess her and let you know how to keep her feeling good. And the Tripawds Foundation may pay for your first rehab visit , which is generally the most expensive so I encourage you to make an appointment with a therapist. If you can't find one let us know, we can usually locate one even if you think there are none nearby.
I hope this helps! And in the meantime, you may want to try some gentle massage on her hips and neck muscles, and heat and ice therapy on that back leg.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Okay, thanks Jerry! Such useful information that will be put to use!
We figured we just let her do too much. We thought enough time had passed, but we are probably just eager to get her out and about. We will definitely hold her back a lot more. The last thing we want is for that remaining back leg to have issues.
I will look into rehabilitation places for dogs as well. 
So good to hear from uou and to know jow well Beesly is doing! She really does look fit and Happy and has her tripawd gait flowing easily.
Ditto everything Jerry said. It is soooo easy this early on to do a tweak here and there. As Jerry said, rest up for a few days, lots of good massages all over her spine, her neck, her shoulders help.
Keep is posted. And, with Vet approval of course and if you have some, maybe you could give her a Rimadyl for a day or two.
Tha ks for the cideo! She is so pretty!
Higs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
Pawesome! You are on the right track. Let us know how she's doing OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Tawny! Beesly looks amazing in that video! I am so glad that she has come so far in her recovery. Like Jerry, I highly recommend physical therapy. Griffin was evaluated by a rehab vet 2 weeks after surgery who determined that he didn't really need formal rehab, but I have taken him to a physical therapist twice since then to work on Griffin's flexibility. I can tell that Griffin is uncomfortable during the session as the PT works out the kinks in his muscles, but his is a limp noodle by the end. Hugs to Beesly for her amazing progress! ~ Stacy
Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com
A month out from surgery isn't very long. My first rear amp Tripawd Maggie took about 6 months to work up to half the activity she could do before surgery. Back then I didn't know anything about rehab or building strength. Then again she was a 7.5 year old lazy Pug so that have might have had something to do with it
I adopted Elly when she was 10 months old and 2.5 months out from a rear amp due to a car accident. She was not at all strong and had very limited stamina. I immediately started her on core and leg strength exercises as well as balance exercises. We do a lot of food games and puzzles as well as trick and obedience training which help with her balance and strength and are a low impact way to keep her mind busy and tire her out some. She loves her walks but I try and keep the 'cement' time to a minimum and the grass or dirt time to a maximum. We don't do the same walk time every day- I do short days and long days and balance the daily activity with games. I also try to take at least one day a week off from walking at all- those days we do more games or maybe some Nose Work practice. And when I say long walk days its not to the point that she is really tired. If the first thing she does when we get home is pick up a toy then I know we didn't go for too long.
I would love to take her to rehab to have her evaluated but she has severe anxiety issues and absolutely shuts down at the vet. I was actually thinking earlier this year that she might be ready to give it a try but then.... well, you know! She is due at her eye vet in July and I am dreading taking her since I can't go in with her.
Beesly does look good and happy in that video! I know it's hard to hold her back but it will pay off in the long run.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
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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