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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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12 1/2 yr old borzoi Monet.
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Member Since:
17 September 2017
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21 September 2017 - 8:17 pm
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last Tuesday I let all 5borzoi into the yard after work so they could run and play while I made them dinner. The 2 boys eat upstairs in the kitchen, they came in. The two 3yr old sisters each on the porch, no problem. 12 1/2 yr old Monet eats downstairs in the Landry room. She is normally a chow hound so I found it odd that she was not waiting at the back door for her food. I call her, nothing. It is 8:00pm and dark outside so I take a flashlight and go to look for her. Halfway down the yard I see her laying in the grass not making a sound. As I get closer I see that her mouth is covered in blood. Then when I get right up to her I notice that her back leg is at a funny angle with the bone sticking out, also blood covering that leg and the one below her. She is not making a sound, just looking at me. I run inside and tell me husband that I need help with Monet as she had broken her leg. I work at a vet's office so I call the on call doctor for the night and explain what has happened. She is about 1/2 hour awhile just finishing up a horse emergency. I wrap Monet's leg to try to help with the bleeding. Luckily it is just oozing out and not spurting out. After the dr arrives she gives her some pain Meds and we get Monet on a stretcher and take her to the clinic one mile away. The dr anestitisis her to assess the damage. We splint the leg and get the bleeding stopped. In the morning after a X-Ray it was decided to send her to the specialist to fix the leg with plates and screws. It was broken right above the hock. After he removed the splint and took more X-rays he said that the bone looked kind of funny and he was worried about osteosarcoma and that amputation would be a better option so that is what we did. It has been a week now and she is stronger on her remaining back leg but still has not mastered the getting up on her own. We are still using a towel to help get her up and keep her balance but she is doing more and more on her own. She was having trouble with fecal incontinence before this happened and that is still an issue. We had been doing acupuncture which had helped with back end strength so we are continuing to do that. We just take it one day at a time.

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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21 September 2017 - 8:48 pm
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Hi Lois and Monet, welcome. We are so sorry that you joined our club in such a frightening way. Those osteosarcoma breaks are the worst way to find out about the cancer. Good thing you are in the veterinary field, I'm sure Monet and your family really appreciated your expertise during such a tough time.

Twelve and a half years old as a Tripawd is amazing! What a strong, stoic girl. We really look forward to following along and if there is anything we can do, please let us know OK? 

It's been a while since we had a Borzoi in the community. They are such beautiful dogs. You may want to read about Radar, I know you'll be inspired!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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21 September 2017 - 10:27 pm
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WOW!  So'sorry things unfolded as they did!  At least you were home And this didn't happen while no ine was there!!

Many dogs here limp off and on for a couple of months before the actual osteo diagnosis and they have a little time to "practice" on three.  Your sweet pup went from four legs to three instantly, with no "practice" time.  Plus, she is a senior and it takes a bit longer for ollder dogs to get their sea legs.

The first two weeks shoukd just be short, short potty breaks and then back in for rest and more rest.  No stairs, no jumping up on sofas, etc.   What kinds of pain meds is Monet in?  Usually dogs are sent home with Tramadol, Rimadyl, Gabapentin, and an antibiotic.

You might try some gentle massages and gentle leg stretching before Monet tries to stand.  Be sure and massage up and down zMo et's spine, shoulders, neck, etc.

Once she gets past recovery, you can check into working with a certified rehabilitation specialist.  Also, search the forums here for somemgreat tips on core strengthening exercises .

All in all, it sounds like she's have a ":-) normal" recovery this early on, especially for an older gal.

Stay connected and let us know how we can help.

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!

Livermore, CA




Member Since:
18 October 2009
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21 September 2017 - 10:54 pm
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Hello and welcome.

How what a traumatic way to find OSA, I'm sorry.

We have often seen here that the more 'mature' pups seem to take a little longer to get moving on their own.  As an older girl she might need more assistance long term so you might look into a harness. Many here use the RuffWear WebMaster to help their pups around.  I've used them for one issue or another in all four of my small pugs/pug mutt.  Both of my current pups have them: quad-pug Obie has had two knee surgeries and I used the harness during his long recoveries.  Tripug-mutt Elly lost her rear leg after being hit by a car, she never goes out of the house without her harness.

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

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo

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