Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My boy Bouncer is a lovely black ex racing greyhound. He will be 11 on Christmas day 2011.
I first noticed him limping occasionally, could not find anything wrong. As time went on, thoughts obviously turned to Osteosarcoma. He had xrays, bones look lovely, he was referred to a specialist here in the Uk fitzpatrick Referrals.
He had MRI done, they came back inconclusive, so he was sent home for 4 weeks on previcox and gabapentin. On our next visit, th vet noticed that bouncer had lost some feeling in his front leg, so more MRI's done still nothing obvious.
The vet felt that all the tell tale signs were pointing to a nerve root tumour. So I had to take a leap of faith, and agreed to him taking bouncers front right leg off.
On doing so, he found the nerve root tumour.
Bouncers op was on friday evening 19th August 2011. I brought him home on Sunday 21st August. To be honest my heart sunk.
He was coping reasonably well, but had a very unsettled night, he knew how he wanted to lay, but could work out how to get in that position without falling over!
Well now he is a little better, coping considerably well, but I'm not sure how much exercise he should have? Obviously he needs to have some as the muscle in his remaining front leg needs to bulk out.
He gets very tired, and despondent when i take my other two greyhounds out. He so wants to come, but it would be too much for him.
I know in my heart there will be a time that he will play and manage better, and I need to be patient. He's on previcox and gabapentin.
How can I help him build up his muscle in the other front leg? What I intend to do when his stitches are out and he is healed is take him to a hydrotherapy pool.
I'm getting him a harness, as whilst on the lead and he stumbles I tend to strangle the poor boy!!
Hi to Bouncer and his family! Welcome to the club you didn't want to join! You've found a great group of kindhearted, compassionate, intelligent people (me, too, of course!).
There are some greyhound people here who can answer you better about how to get Bouncer's bounce back. I know you have to moderate for those dogs who just can't put on the brakes, like the greys and the Aussies and the border collies. The harness will prove helpful for lots of situations, including speed control. I use mine a lot to keep Dakota from running away at the vet's.
Did you check out Jerry's Required Reading List? Mr. Admin will link to it, but you can find it here http://tripawds.....ng-list/ It has a lot of information that will help you out.
Again welcome to you and Bouncer!
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Hello Bouncer's Mum.
Just wanted to make contact with another UK Grey owner going through all this … I'm at a slightly earlier point to you, awaiting biopsy results as everything else has been inconclusive, but if we get a positive result today then my boy Rowan – 5 in October – will be operated on tomorrow. If we hear tomorrow, then Tuesday. (Monday is a public holiday in England.)
The first inkling that anything was wrong was last Friday .. I imagined he'd pulled a claw. RH front leg too.
At the moment he's very quiet, and my other hound, an 18 month tiny whippet girl, is confused by the change in him.
So, sorry to meet you here, but glad to make contact.
I would definitely recommend buying the downloaded ebook .. although there's a lot that is more relevant for US readers there is some really good stuff in there - I feel much more prepared for having worked through the earliest parts about initial surgery and aftercare.
Polly X
Welcome to the family. The vets will tell you to try and keep them calm for a couple weeks at least after surgery, our told us too much activity could result in fluid buildup and the possibility of needing it drained. I'm not sure on muscle buildup, that might come with time, but someone with more experience about that might help you answer that. Gus was pretty mich business as usual after about the third week, the only issue he had to sort of learn was laying on his other side, he was a front left amp and he always laid on that side, so he just had to learn to lay on the other side but once he was healed and pain free he adjusted to his left again. Not sure why Bouncer would be falling while on the leash unless he is pulling and if you hold him back it throws his balance off, we never used a harness so I can't help you with how they work. Part of this journey is us learnig what it will take to help our buddies adjust since every dog will adjust different. Good luck and Paws up, Spirit Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
Hello Bouncer & family! Welcome to the Tripawds family, we're here to listen, give support & provide advice if we have it.
Skyler had a rear leg amputated, and was on pain meds for 2 weeks. We kept her sister Chloe away from her, so she could rest and heal. She needed help the first few days (with a sling to support her) when going potty outside. By 3 weeks, she was running around the back yard.
Bouncer should remain "quiet" for 2 weeks, until the stitches or staples are taken out. The pain meds will affect him too, possibly making him loopy or feeling unsettled. There will be plenty of time later to build up strength in the remaining legs.
Make sure you get lots of rest, and read...read...read all the great info that is here. Please keep us posted!
Sending you lots of golden hugs,
Cathy
Welcome and thanks for joining! Sorry to hear about Bouncer.
Be sure to bookmark the link Dakota's mom posted to Jerry's Required Reading List. And you'll find lots of links to exercise tips and videos on the Tripawds Gear Blog Fitness Page. Hydrotherapy will be very beneficial, as is stretching and active exercises. Watch the videos from CARE for more rehab and exercise tips.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Think us UK sighthound owners may have to have our own sub board soon. Dizzy had her front left leg amputated 3 months ago today and finished her chemo tuesday. Welcome to tripawds the support on here is amazing and its a good place to come when you are trying to remain positive on the outside but you just need someone to listen to you.
Dizzy is about 8 and a saluki, greyhound/whppet cross. The first week ws pretty rough she wasn't sleeping properly was able to get uo and down the stairs and able to go for short walks. Sometimes the walk just invloved having a potter around for 5 minutes than sitting in the car while we waited for my other half and the other 2 dogs to come back. She just seemed to want to go with them. Dizzy seemed to know her own limitations but to be honest we were I think allowing her to do too much too soon to begin with but things have leveled out now. Now she can run around for a short time and we just keep an eye on her she is ok when its not too hot today we had a very special walk and she managed an hour but with a rest break included
We want to take Dizzy to hydro but she HATES water and being the stubborn madam she is she will probably throw a hissy fit.
The very best advice I can give is to get some rest because when you feel less tired everything seems better and the better you feel the more that wil help Bouncer. We don't use a harness for Dizzy because most of the time she is ok on her lead but when she sees a cat we could do with a harness because to say she is determined to get to every cat she sees is an understatement
Dizzy diagnosed with osteosarcoma 24 may 2011 amputated same day doing fine hopping around on three legs giving the neighbourhood cats what for
Thank you everybody for your tips etc. I think I may be expecting too much from Bouncer. Obviously not having had a tripod before, I have nothing to compare to.
He is fine in himself I think, and (as I keep having to remind myself) it is still early days, he only had the op 5 days ago. He tends to sleep most of the day, but as i seem to remember, he did that when he had 4 legs!!!
The reason why I am getting a harness (if he will wear it), is at the moment, he is still getting to grips of having all his weight on his one front leg, and sometimes he stumbles, my immediate reaction to that (when he has a lead on) is to pull the lead up, so as to stop him falling.
@Polly - Nice to meet you too, I have my fingers crossed for you.
Thank you all once again, its nice to come and talk to those who have been there, done that. 
- I did actually notice last night that he was laid on his 'bad' side something which he has been reluctant to do. He gets up and goes outside when he needs a wee. So all in all I think he's getting there.
I'm just very thankful that after this, he should be with me for however long he was going to be with me. I still have him, I am fortunate, unlike so many others. 
I'll keep you posted.
Jo
Well it sounds to me like Bouncer is doing wonderfully well for only 5 days out. Be prepared for minor setbacks that may occur, little milestones you see one day may not happen the next. Tate's recovery definitely was not linear. And if you're worried, just ask here. Someone's probably seen it before.
What a wonderful attitude you have!
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
Two greys in the UK at the same time - wow! Welcome to Bouncer! We have a local greyhound rescue and I got to visit with them and the dogs a couple of weeks ago. So beautiful and graceful. I bet they even make graceful tripawds.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Just thought I would give you an update on bouncer.
It's now just over two weeks since his amputation, and he is doing great.
Stitches are out, and he's slowly getting back to his old self. Its lovely now, as when i come home or in the morning, his familiar smile greets me and a wagging tail.
Tends to get pushed about a bit by my other two greyhounds, but now he is pushing back!
Way to go Bouncer....your a star.
Thanks everyone for your help, got me through the down part. 🙂
I hope everyone else is doing ok?
Jo and Bouncer
xxx
Hi Jo! Thanks for updating. It's so good to know how Bouncer is doing and even better to know he's doing very well!
So your other dogs are causing some minor irritations for Bouncer? You officially have monkeydogs!
Shari and Dakota and monkeydog Evelyn
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
That's great news! Bouncer sounds like a star in our book too!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
It's so lovely when you start to see your old pal return after the surgery! Hooray for Bouncer!
All the best for continued good recovery!
Jackie, 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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