Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello, my name is Elizabeth and I have a very active and happy 6 year old Golden Retriever named Hattie. She limped off of her right front paw for less than a day in early September and had this small bump in her wrist. I assumed it was an injury, Hattie played a lot of chuck it that day. I had it checked out and was given an anti-inflammatory for 10 days and if the limp got worse then they would do an x-ray. The limp went away and she was feeling good.
I was worried so I got an x-ray anyway. 4 vets looked at it and said that it wasn't obviously bone cancer and that it was likely to be arthritis. The bone looked healthy and I didn't need to limit her activity. They suggested to watch it and come back in 1-2 months for an x-ray unless something changed. A month came on Thursday this week and nothing was different.
Then yesterday she played a lot of fetch and went on a walk. I worried that she could injure herself but she seemed fine when we went to bed. Then all of a sudden she jumped out of bed or fell, I am not sure, and I find her limping off that paw about 20 minutes ago.
So now I am scared and freaked out. She seems comfortable lying down, and it doesn't bother her when I touch it or seem any different. The only thing is the limp. I am going to call the vet in the morning. I could be overreacting, this definitely could be from over doing it yesterday. I guess I just needed to put it out there. I have been obsessing since this started. Maybe she will be better in the morning but I am definitely calling the vet.
Thanks for listening. This is a fantastic site.
Elizabeth
Hi Elizabeth and Hattie, and welcome!
This could be so many things, but I definitely don't think you're over-reacting. You need to establish what it is, so you can decide on a course of action, and also get Hattie some pain medication, as if she's limping then she is clearly in some degree of pain. An Xray does sound like a good idea, and if it does confirm arthritis, then could you take her to see a rehab vet? They would be able to help in all sorts of ways, perhaps with some acupuncture and/or laser and also some gentle exercises and advice re Hattie's activity level. First though, I think you are absolutely right, to contact your vet and find out what is causing Hattie to limp.
All best to you both, and do keep us posted.
Meg and Clare (and Elsie Pie) xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Hi,
There are a lot of obsessive types in this group. You should feel at home.
So did she have the follow-on x-ray at one month to show things hadn't changed, or was it just the size of the lump and her demeanor that hadn't changed? If the x-ray hasn't changed, that is great news.
All limps and lumps aren't due to cancer. Milo lost his left leg to cancer. In the 6 weeks before his limp on his left leg, he had a limp on his right leg. Injured, limped, back to normal, re-injured, limped, drugs, almost back to normal..... then boom... limped on the other leg. We were lucky in a weird way, because the we x-rayed both legs just days after the left-leg limp and found the cancer. The right leg and shoulder were fine. Then a few days before his amputation, I found a lump on his good right leg. It was near where he had been shaved for the IV for anesthesia for x-rays and such. We were at Tufts University with lots of specialists and Milo was a clinical trial study dog, aka, royalty. So one more x-ray of that leg, comparison to the original, consult with orthopedic, prodding at the lump -- it was nothing bad! It was a tendon insertion point that had probably been injured at some point, so had some increased calcification around it. And it could be tender, and was possibly the cause of the original right-leg limps.
We lost Milo 10 weeks later to a rare, aggressive form of osteo, but the lump on his right leg never changed a bit.
I would NOT recommend a biopsy, especially out of curiosity. They hurt! Big time! And they are frequently inconclusive, with many dogs going on to amputation, then full pathology confirms osteo or cancer. Milo had a fine needle aspiration to suck a few cells out of his left leg lump. It was enough to determine it was a sarcoma of some type. Not though info even to confirm osteo, let alone the rare giant cell osteo.
Good luck with your vet visit. I'm sending strong wishes your way that your girl just has an inflamed tendon insertion point from an injury or overdoing it. But good for you for watching.
Peace,
Jenifer & Spirit Milo
Hi Elizabeth and Hattie, we're glad you found us. Please try not to panic. I know, it's crazy to even try NOT to, but until you know what you're dealing with, you'll drive yourself (and Hattie) a little crazy. Go to the vet and see what their plan is. Let us know and we'll try to help you make decisions with that treatment information. We're not vets, but IF this is cancer (we have our paws crossed it isn't), many of us have walked that same treatment path (myself included) and would be glad to share our experiences.
Oh I forgot to say, your future posts won't need approval. Let us know how it goes OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you everyone for your replies, it has been so wonderful to hear from people who understand. I really appreciate the support and insight. I have been going crazy with worry.
I am happy to report Hattie was no longer limping this morning when we went out at 6am. In fact, she was running around and I was trying to stop her!
I did not call the vet today since the limp was gone this morning, but I did work from home to keep an eye on her and she is great.
I definitely plan to get that second x-ray in a week or 2. I spoke with her doctor on Friday and she believed that since I didn't notice any changes in her paw it might be best to give it just a little more time and this seems reasonable given that Hattie is feeling like herself. I really do think she fell out of bed this morning, she is usually very quiet when she moves and this thud woke me up. She was pretty close to the edge when we went to bed. So I hope this was just a fluke.
I will keep an eye on her and if she isn't her goofy self I will not wait to take action. I will for sure update when we know something.
Thanks!
Elizabeth and Hattie
What great news! Hopefully this all turns out to be a big nothing.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Thank you so much. I just wanted to say I am so sorry for your loss. What a shock that must have been. I just know she was an amazing girl.
Elizabeth
It's so hard to NOT worry and jump to awful scenarios when it comes to our pups! But as we've all seen, it often is a waste of valuable time and energy that we could be devoting to tummy rubs and couch snuggling instead!!
The only suggestion in the "for whatever it's worth" category.....have her take it a little easy, if possible! I know the vets said initially there was no need to limit her activity (paraphrasing). Any little tweak that causes a momentary limp for a day,needs little extra time to fully recover.
Now go give that sweet girl a tummy rub and snuggle on tne couch! So happy to hear this good news!! 🙂
Hugs!
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!
Hello!
I just wanted to give an update on my girl Hattie.
She had her follow up x-ray on Friday and it showed an improvement from the first one. The vet had to double check her chart because she couldn't tell which leg it was.
So Hattie has some arthritis, which isn't great, but it is so much better than the alternative.
Hattie is feeling great, she is as wild and goofy and it's awesome! She is just taking her glucosamine and fish oil for now and enjoying life! I feel very relieved and very lucky.
Thanks so much for the support!
Elizabeth and Hattie
Unlike most "normal" people, we pretty much love an arthritis diagnosis around here!! 🙂
Soooo glad ro hear that Hattie is being her wild and goofy self!! YAY FOR WILD AND GOOFY! 🙂
Thanks for updating us. We like good news around here!!
Give Hattie some extra treats for js, okay?
Lots of hugs!
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!
Great news! Glucosamine and fish oil worked wonders for Otis when he was first diagnosed with arthritis. That, plus some minor adjustments in activity, allowed him to go from unable to walk one day to apparently pain free for about three years.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Hooray for Hattie's Hoppy Update!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
So pleased Hattie is feeling better.
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
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