Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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My Boxer Jack is dragging his hind leg. About a month ago, our Vet told us Jack has Peripheral Neuropathy and he is not in pain but eventually he will likely develop soars to his leg which will cause pain drive us to make a decision. He has progressively gotten worse and still doesn't have any wounds too his foot, but we have a Vet appt this afternoon to find out what our options are. I want to know if amputation is an option. I know 10 is old for a Boxer but he really doesn't act old and still has a lot of puppy in him. Can anyone tell me what I need to know and what I should discuss with the Vet?
welcome jack and dad. if you feel jack would do fine on three legs, then don't consider his physical age a deal-buster. how is his other back leg/hip? any arthritis or issues that would hinder that leg from doing double duty? is he overweight? weight is a major concern for our tripawds. are there other medical issues that might be more of a concern if the bad leg was gone?? we've had many pups that were 'seniors' who did well on three legs. not having to face this with a cancer diagnosis is a blessing for you guys. let us know what the vet says, and we'd love to see some pictures of jack when you have a chance to catch your breath.
charon & spirit gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
His weight is fine and I think his good leg is just fine. He runs all over the house and yard but doesn't corner as well with his bad leg. He picks himself back up and on he goes.
If he's doing that well now, he should be ok on 3. As charon said, we have many pups here who are "more distinguished" and get around great! If you notice the post today about "Buck" - he's a 16 year old tripawd, still getting around well!
Hang in there and let us know what happens with the vet appointment,
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Zeus was 11 at the time of his amp (6.5 months ago) and he has done very well. He is a husky mix so he is certainly considered 'mature' and other than the cancer he was also in good physical health (mobility wise) and he also had that puppy mentality still. Good luck!
Lisa
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
Welcome, we hope that we can help you and Jack in some way, we know this has got to be a tough situation. Not sure about the diagnosis and whether or not amputation is an option, but my biggest suggestion based on what I've seen when it comes to neurological issues, is to definitely seek specialty care. Are you seeing a neurologist? I know it's expensive to get other opinions but in the long run, you can make a good decision and feel more confident, if you have the support of a neurologist to help you decide. Another option is to seek a veterinary rehabilitation specialist, who can also assess the situation to see if there is hope for bringing the leg back to full use. We've seen many dogs rebound when a vet says there is no hope for walking again, but it does take a lot of dedication to regular physical therapy.
This book,"Help My Dog Has Fallen" describes one such journey. It's a terrific read and filled with great information for dogs in Jack's situation.
Please let us know what the follow up assessment is, we are here to support you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Unfortunately the vet didn't have any good news for us. He said the problem is in the spine and while he only has 1 bad leg now, it is eventually going to go to the other so amputation doesn't solve our issue.
My boy does something that can't be very common. He will wake me in the middle of the night with his lips to mine. He has only been doing this over the past year.
We'll enjoy our remaining time together.
I'm so sorry the vet didn't give you better news. Enjoy the time you have together. It really is about quality and sometimes it is health scares that can bring you even closer together and truly appreciate the time you spend with each other.
I remember waking up one morning a few years ago to find my Magnum with her head on the pillow a few inches from my face just watching me. It was a beautiful experience, it was like she had just been enjoying watching me sleep. There were a few other occasions where she wanted to sleep facing me like that but mostly she would sleep facing away from me. I think it is adorable that your dog is waking you up like that all the time. If you haven't already you must make sure you have a photo of it.
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
I'm sorry you didn't get good news at the vet. But you are right - you have to make the best of the time you have together and enjoy it. I hope you have a lot of time, and many more mornings awakening to his sweet face. He sounds like a love!
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
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