Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My name is Sheri. Our Chocolate Lab 8 1/2 years old, SYDNEE. Was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, in her tibia of her right back leg. We had it amputated 3 weeks ago. The pathology came back good. Nothing in upper leg or lymph nodes. They think we may have caught it in time. She gets around good. On and off. She runs around one day. Next day she can hardly walk. I had to give her Tramadol yesterday. The novox and also buffered aspirin made her throw up. I want to help her get better. But I don't know what to do. She is and amazing part of or family. I want her to be happy. She has always been in really good shape. She lives to chase balls. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Sheri and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I'm sorry you are dealing with cancer in your girl- congrats on getting through the surgery and recovery!
Although you are not through the recovery yet... three weeks post op is still really early. Sounds like Sydnee may be overdoing things which results in her down days. Although our pups do a remarkable job recovering they still need time before they are let loose to do all the things they used to do.
It will take Sydnee some time to build up her strength and endurance- remember she is using her body differently now. I have a little pug mix rear amp named Elly. She was hit by a car when she was 7 months old, she is now about 16 months old. We spend time every day working on core strength through food puzzles, obedience and games. Elly would run and walk way farther than is good for her- I have to regulate a little.
Have some patience with Sydnee- she will get back to most of what she used to do. Maybe shorter walks and a little moderation in her ball play.
Oh- and of course keep your vet informed of how she is doing and take her in if you think something is wrong.
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
Online
Hi.Sheri and Sydnee! Yeah, ditto everything Karen said! For the first two weeks plis, Sydnee should only have been doing short potty breaks and rest. No jumping, chasing balls, etc.
The Tramadol and a few days rest should help. It takes approximately two weeks for dogs to recover from.the surgery itself and about one month for muscles, joints, etc to adjust to three legs. Walking on three legs takes a lot.of effort and can take a huge toll on muscles and joints at first. Her "down" days are definitely her body's way of trying to recuperate...but it takes more than just one day.
Sounds like she's one of those dogs who sailed through recovery a little too fast! She's clearly a very feisty girl!! She can still enjoy everything she did before.once she fully recovers. You don't have ro throw the ball as far and have her est more in between, and she'll be just as hapoy as can be!
Glad you aren't doing aspirin anymore...too many issues pop up sometimes.
Try some gentle up and down massage...neck...spine...back.
Keep us updated. You're doing a great.job! It does get better and better!
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!
Agree with everyone else. We were still giving Tramadol in week 3, but were able to stop shortly thereafter. Otis jumped onto the sofa in week 3, but we didn't try walking until close to the one month mark. Running and playing began about that time too, but in short bursts. Unfortunately, while we need to follow their lead in recovery, they do not always know when to stop. Every dog is different, but sounds like your job will be to moderate her activity, at least for another week or so. My vet said to think of having to hop on one foot everywhere you wanted to go. I heard someone else call it leg day at the gym every day. Not surprising that Sydnee might be a bit sore!
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.
Yep, I agree, it sounds like Sydnee may be over-doing it a bit. Her muscles still need to get used to the different way that she's walking now. You might want to try some gentle massaging to help her muscles relax, too. Especially along her back.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Hi Sheri and Sydnee, welcome. I ditto what everyone says: she may be overdoing things. What is her day like? How long are her walks? What's her playtime like? Do you have other dogs? Also, is she overweight at all? Your answers can help us help you better.
Also, do check out the Tripawds e-books , we have lots of good insight there about getting and staying fit and injury free, especially in "Loving Life On Three Legs ." Check out the Tripawds Gear blog for lots of tips too.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. You guys are awesome. I feel so much better. Sydnee is a typical Lab and lives to fetch. I figured she was over doing, and that was what her problem was. We live in the country and taught her early to go potty in the woods. During her recovery we could not break this. We used a wagon for first week to take her back and forth. She did well but wanted to walk. I have not gotten much feed back from the vet on her activity. Just she can do whatever she wants. I see that is not how it should go. We don't throw the ball at this time. I have been massaging her back and legs the past few days. We are going to put more runners through the house to help with walking. After a weekend of being outside with us while doing yard work we had to give her Tramadol. Everything else bothers her stomach. We are going to start giving her Yumove to help her joints. Is there anything else for imflammation we could use? Novox upset her stomach. We were so scared there was something wrong past couple of days as she had such a hard time walking. And second guessing our decision to amputate. Now after reading all the responses, I realize we were letting her over do. That will not be happening anymore. I feel so much better. Again thank you everyone for your thoughtful help. Here is a picture of our baby Sydnee.
[Image Can Not Be Found]
I have not gotten much feed back from the vet on her activity. Just she can do whatever she wants
That's what lots of us were told- once the sutures come out they can do what they want. I was lucky in a way with my first Tri-pug Maggie- she was such a slug for a few weeks there was no way she could over do! My chore was to get her out and doing things.
For supplement ideas check out our Nutrition Blog . I have used glucosimine supplements for my pugs over the years with good results.
And as far as pictures go- they have to be hosted online somewhere, and you can't upload them from a mobile device.
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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