Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I need some help asap. My 13 week old dobby puppy Missty broke her leg on Monday night while playing outside with our other older pupps. We immidiately brought her to our vet who was kind enough to come in at 8pm. he put a splint on her for the night and scheduled x-rays the next morning. Tuesday we get the call that Missty's leg would require immidiate specialty surgery in Mandeville, La. but that if she had the surgery she would need at a minimum 4 more surgerys as she grew and if that was not enough informed us that at 1-2 years old would need to be on medication not only for pain, inflamation, stiffness she would need meds for arthritis and would be in extreme pain the rest of her life. We immidiatly asked what could be done to save her so much pain in the future and were told immidiate amputation of the leg. He explained that normally he would give us a couple days to decide but with the extent of the breaks in her leg we would need to tell him asap. Needless to say after much tears and prayers in a matter of an hour went back to the vet and gave him the goahead for the amputation.
it has been about 48 hours since we brought Missty back home she is now a new member of the tripawd community. in the short time home she is eating, giving lots of kisses, trying to play with her toys, and pulling herself with her front paws a couple feet from her bed. the problem begins when she trys to sit up her one remaining rear leg gos out at a 90 degree angle from her body and she acts like its not even there. Her doctor called this morning to check on her and we told her what was going on he wants to see her first thing in the morning to do some tests and possibly x-ray her other leg. we are so scared that when she had the accident that she may have messed the other leg up also and are afraid that we might be told she needs that one amputated as well.
someone please help us try to figure out what is going on we both need some sleep we are scarred to death to even think about loosing our baby.
thanks
I am definately not a vet but some of Missty's issue could be she is only a pup. She may have pulled a tendon combined with not figuring out how to shift her weight yet. She is only 13 weeks. Titan is almost 6 and he had to strengthen his rear leg muscles to balance his remaining front leg. Does she seem in pain? Did the vet notice this when she was there? Is she on pain meds? If she is she may not be feeling totally herself on her meds. I think she will be ok. I know it is suppose to be a little easier on them having a rear leg amputated opposed to a front. I know it SO HARD they ARE our babies. When something like this happens you want to jump everytime they make a move. The best thing I learned from this website is you have to set the example for Missty. So you need to stay positive and not break down in front of her. You need to get in mommy mode and be strong for her. You need to act as if everything is positive, going to be ok or else she will feed off your negative energy. A couple things that may help is I read the book The Secret(also on DVD) and read the book Withought Regret. These were a tremendous help to help me stay on track with being positive. Titan and I know Missty can do this and get better. Please take care of yourself and get as much rest as you can. I know it can be extremely emotionally draining so you guys will need your strength.
Take care
Heidi and Titan
Titan said:
I am definately not a vet but some of Missty’s issue could be she is only a pup ... Please take care of yourself and get as much rest as you can.
thank you both so much. her vet said she was trying to move around in their cage so he told us to come get her. she is on two different pain meds plus something to keep her from getting an infection. what's odd is she didn't show any signs of pain when she broke the leg or after the amputation she is such a laid back pup and has such a great personality and tempermant i know she's glad to be home right know and she will be really upset when we bring her in in the morning. thanks for your support heidi and titan i'll let yall know what the vet says when we get back
thanks
debbie and ross
Debbie and Ross
I think since she hasn't shown any pain is a great sign for that leg. Sometimes they may pant alot if they are in pain. So just watch for signs. At least you can carry her. Titan was 135 lbs pre amputation and there was no carrying that boy!!!!
You know you should just do an xray and then you will definately know for sure. Even if there is something it may be something that will heal in time. Just try to keep that little pup as calm and quiet as you can. Titan was on pain meds that made him feels so good he did a 25 yard dash. Then he had started limping on his rear leg he probably pulled a muscle or tendon. I had to keep him quiet for the next 8-10 days. I would only take him on a leash to pee and poop. Then I made him come right back in and rest. Let us know what happens. Titan and I will be praying and sending positive thoughts Missty's way.
Take Care
Heidi and Titan
I wish we could offer you professional advice, but since we don't know what is going on all we can offer you is hope.
I bet Missty just needs time to build up the strength in her remaining back leg. Give her time, rest, and lots of love. She'll be sprinting again before you know it.
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Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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Debbie & Ross! Oh my gosh, how on earth did I miss this thread? I am hoping that Heidi & Titan are correct in that little Missty may have over-extended a ligament. They, also, gave some excellent advice regarding x-rays. Of course, your vet will know exactly what the problem is (hopefully) when you go and see him. He sounds like a very compassionate vet in that he called to check up on Missty to see how she was doing. Some vets wouldn't even bother. Please keep us posted on what you find out. We're keeping our paws crossed in prayer for you.
Your friends, Vicki, Blazer & Kitty Kimber
hi everyone sorry we haven't been able to give an update on missty alot has gone on since i started this post.
We brought missty back to the vet two days after she came home from her amputation. later that day we were told to come back to the vet to talk to them. they had done some x-rays on her remaining back leg and pelvis. her other leg was broken and pelvis was cracked. they put a pin in her leg. we were going to get to bring her home this week but got a call from her vet yesterday telling us the bone around the pin broke all the way around and she needed another surgery to try to replace the pin. they did what is now our baby girls third surgery in a week in a half. the vet called us this afternoon after her surgery to tell us that she is waking up but her bones are very thin and looks like she has a genetic bone defect or disease that is causing her bones to not calsify like they are supposed to which would explain why her fall off of our ramp did so much damage. we are holding our breath and crossing fingers and paws to see what monday's x-ray is going to say.
thanks for all of yall's support. we will try to keep everyone update as we get new news.
debbie and ross
Hi Debbie & Ross,
Well, this certainly is an unusual turn of events. And, three surgeries in a week and a half; I can only imagine what you are going through. I am really anxious to hear what the x-ray's say on Monday. That little puppy has been through so much in such a short life. If they can get the pin to stay, then she has a chance to heal nicely, but it is concerning to hear that her bones are thin and may not be calcifying correctly. Perhaps there is a medication that can be given to help with bone absorption and, of course, a blood test to check her calcium levels is indicated as well, as she may be having a problem with her para-thyroid gland. My wirehaired dachshund produced too much calcium and many vets thought she had lymphoma, until I finally found a vet who would listen to me. I explained that, for years, Drucy had always had high calcium levels and wouldn't she have died by now if it really was lymphoma? The new vet agreed and ran several tests (some of which were rare & very expensive), but we got our answer and it was a tumor on her on one of her parathyroid glands. By then, she'd had two operations to remove bladder stones and under a sonogram you could clearly see that the calcium had really built up in her kidneys, the ureters and, of course, her bladder. So, this is why I am curious as to whether Missty's para-thyroid gland is out of whack and that's why she's not producing calcium. It's just an idea, but it would be worth it to mention it to your vet. We are keeping our fingers & paws crossed in prayer for your beautiful little girl. I hope the x-rays show good news on Monday. Good luck, to you and please let us know how it is going.
Love, Blazer, Kitty Kimber & Mom (Vicki Tankersley)
Debbie and Ross:
I am so sorry to hear of your traumatic experiences with your precious dog, Missty. If at all possible, try to get another vet opinion, even with the x rays alone, don't take the dog, just take the medical records and films/CD's with you. If possible, get an opinion from a veterinary teaching hospital, or mail a copy of the records, films, etc. to them for their opinion if they are far from you. Sometimes local vets give a very dismal prognosis, when a larger facility can offer some hope. It sounds, however, like things are coming at you at a very fast pace, with hardly any time to make very important decisions. This type of situation is very emotionally draining, so take care of yourselves. You certainly are doing all that you can for your dog, and you are to be commended for that. We will look forward to your update on Missty's condition in the near future.
Sandra
I agree with LuvYour Pets... some thorough testing needs to be done to determine the cause. Perhaps even a specialist or if possible take Missty to a teaching hospital that usually does everything on the spot. Don't panic, you need to be calm , so you can help Missty...
Best wishes,
Kim&Buster
Kim & Angel Buster
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
–Anatole France
Dear Debbie and Ross,
Wow, that's alot to go through. Your resilience is admirable...I am sure Missty is comforted by all the love and care you are giving her. We are all crossing our paws and fingers for you, please keep us updated. We are thinking of you.
Hi Missty and parents,
This is so much for all of you to go through. I agree that testing is in order to determine if Missty has brittle bone disease or other condition that is preventing her body from using calcium properly. Be strong and positive for her. We'll all be rooting for her quick recovery.
Hugs
Connie & Radar
ok sorry its taken so long to let everyone know how missty is doing. thanks for all of yalls advice haven't been able to even talk to anyone things have been hectic with phisical therepy and everything.
they finally did the x-ray on her leg this week. pins aren't working her bone has broken three times. the vet wanted us to bring her home so she could move around and not be in a cage day in and day out. they said if she doesn't try to at least hold a little weight on the leg they may have to amputate it also. she came home on wednesday and on thursday noticed her knee won't bend called the vet wants to see her this coming wednesday or thursday to see how she is doing. he told us he wants missty to try to use a cart ross and i tryed to build a cart for her but all she does is stand there looking so helpless and embaressed having the wheels straped to her. if anyone knows how to build a cart correctly let us know please cause we just used things we had lying around the house and afraid it going to do more harm then good cause it tips over if she even trys to do anything. we only put it on her twice and both times we had to try to encourage her to take a step but not even treats would entice her to try it. maybe it because its not built right or something but we vowed not to put her in it again until we know we have something that won't hurt her more than help.
hugs to everyone will try to post again soon.
debbie and ross
Is this vet an orthapedic surgeon? ...Sorry to hear about her leg....thats ashame. You can buy a cart here: http://www.hand.....hairs.html
to measure:
http://handicap.....asure.html
What has blood work revealed as to why her bones are breaking??
Kim&Buster
Kim & Angel Buster
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
–Anatole France
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