Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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hordine said
This is quite sad 🙁 I hope it's going ok by now.I don't have any tips for this, so I'll just send love and prayers to you both.
Oh my gosh not at all. You're new here, and I see that you're facing this same situation with your own dog, which is why it might seem sad, but so if you look further back you will see that this is HUGE progress for Frankie, a ranbunctious, stubborn little spitfire who has come such a long way. This is what VICTORY looks like in the Tripawds Community! 
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sally and Frankie ( and always beautiful Myrtle)
Hoping your rehab is going smoother now and that you had good quality time over the holidays. I kept thinking about the bubble wrap.. well you know how I am 
Wishing all of you a happy, healthy, strong New Year!
Hugs to you Sally, belly rubs and ear scratches to your furbabies 
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
OH JACKIE!!!!! YOU ALWAYS FIND THE BEST PICTURES TO CAPTURE THE MOMENT!!! LOVE THIS!!😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂 A new definition of "tripawd body suit"😎
And a happy bubbly New Year back to you!
hordine said
This is quite sad 🙁 I hope it’s going ok by now.
It's just short of three weeks since surgery and I'm so pleased with how well he's doing (knocking on wood)! I am, really!! Everything is relative, so I make sure I keep things in perspective. For a many year tripawd (at least five), who has arthritis, hip dysplasia, cruciate surgery one rear leg a year ago, and cruciate TPLO surgery on the other, yeah, Frankie is doing really well (more knocking on wood)!! And this WITHOUT proper Rehab follow up.
Hoping to get him in next week for a follow up with the Surgeon and, hopefully, add one Rehab visit with their in-house Specialist. I just don't know if that will be too much for him.
And I'm very pleased/relieved at how well he has adapted to being content with laying around a lot more. He does seem to, oddly enough, know his limitations. I think he's able to "self regulate" a bit simply because it's exhausting trying to do too much on these "special needs legs" of his!😎
Thanks again everyone for everything!❤❤❤
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!
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!
Thank you Sally, that was totally wonderful You GO Frankie!!
xoxoxoxo
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
"OF COURSE I WANT A COOKIE MOM! DUH!"
It makes us soooo hoppy to see him look so spunky! Thanks for sharing.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just doing a little chronicling/journaling so I can make progress comparisons. And yes, in a "perfect world", he should still be harnessed and walking tripawd speed but sloooowly. Just not always a "perfect world" over here in my doggy home!
Again, just chronicling where we are. I continue to fail miserably at any attempt at ROM, even with increasing pain meds AND giving him half a dose of Trazedone! The only difference the meds seem to make is that the "anticipatory pain howl" isn't as ear piercing. I'm not able to...hmmm..."flex" or go through the ROM...too much "tension " in leg...too much "stiffness". I feel like I'm "forcing" it...he yells... I stop.
I do a little bit of foot massaging and a little movement with ankle while he's half asleep. But I still feel "resistance" within the leg itself.
Appears to be doing "bunny hop" less and less. Still has most pressure on left rear and uses head bobbing and pulling with front leg. TPLO leg DEFINITELY takes some pressure fairly consistently. I think, looking at the video, his right leg should be bent more....using more of a push off. I do know the left leg (original cruciate), is not exactly un great forn either. I remember the Surgeon mentioned mayve "something could be done" later depending on how well he's doing.....osteotomy (?)
Attitude...GREAT!
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!
I think Frankie looks wonderful! Definitely more stepping and less hopping! I hear you on the ROM. Good idea to get a rehab visit with surgeon specialist. That way they can show you exactly how to do it and they will be able to feel if the resistance is there or not. Just keep up with the massages for now....bet they're helping too. Then give yourself a huge pat on the back......you've done splendidly too Sally. Don't sell yourself short. You and your love go a long way in helping both Frankie and Myrtle. Trust your instincts......you're always spot on my friend!
Wow, Sally! He looks amazing. That is fantastic progress. Thanks for sharing all of this and giving others a benchmark. And thank you for showing people what things look like when it's not a 'perfect' world and how you work around limitations. You're doing an amazing job with Frankie. When I last checked in a few weeks ago, I was worried about him and now I can see his spirit is back in full force. I do still see the bunny hop, but for three weeks after, he is in really good form.
That silly dog. Just thinking back on the past few years with him, it is incredible how much you've been through with him. He may have even given me a few gray hairs from worrying over his surgeries and his 'adventure' with Myrtle. I'm really happy to see that he's improving and getting back to being in a good place again.
That's a great video Sally, just pawesome 💕
Watching him get back to his norm is just a joy after all the worry. I know you see things more critically because you are with him every day, but from here he's looking stronger by the day.
He's still such a short time post surgery, and this time around he's progressing a lot quicker.
I agree, between the love you have and the experience, you're doing an amazing job 💖
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
I think he looks pretty good for not that far out from surgery. Try to do what you can. I know and you know sometimes that recovery hurts (doing my rehab I know. lol) I had some days of tears trying to do what my PT said was too much and not to "force" things. Yeah he should have known after doing my first rehab with me I don't quit.
I think you keep on massaging and moving it while Frankie is 1/2 asleep. Heck give him a full dose of Trazadone LOL and you can do a little more j/k. I think you are doing a GREAT JOB Sally.
xoxo
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Ditto, I can totally see that his gait is much improved and he is doing more weight bearing. The hardest thing about doing any kind of surgery or rehabilitation therapy on a Tripawd, especially a front-legger, is that their gait is abnormal to begin with so it's hard to quantify the progress sometimes. In my non-expert view he looks so much better.
And I agree, you are doing GREAT, far from failing. As long as you keep trying that's what counts and what will get him to better mobility and range of motion.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sally,
since you wanted to use this as a journal I was wondering how things were??
and one more thing regarding the last video: I once made a video of all of Manni's progress over the 12 months after his amp. What definitely became apparent was how much his gait changed while he was gaining the power and balance. It went from fast and legs all over the place to a definite right-left-left (right hind, left hind, left front)
That's exactly what I see with frankie and I think that's fantastic that he's already back to the "proper tripawd gait"!!
just saying... 🙂
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
Thank you, each and every one of you! Your caring replies are always da' best of da' best!!
And Tina, thanks for your observation of how Frankie walking compared to Manni...good to know.
And, as an update, this speaks volumes.
This is the video of Frankie trying to get up before surgery. Uou xan watch now Paula, because it gets better in the next video!
And now Frankie sitting, and then standing three-plus weeks after surgery! Keep in mind rhe leg thst looks a bit weird, is actually the first cruciate repair leg. He still isn't real ...hmmm..."fluid" or "flexible" with his TPLO leg, but doing so much better than I ever thought possible! I hoped though!
I asked Frankie if he was happy that we were able to proceed with this Christmas Miracle surgery .........see for yourself
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!
Wow I think the surgeon installed a spring in his butt! Hahaha just kidding but wow he got up so fast and confidently, that's wonderful!
And I agree Frankie, your mom and your Christmas angels are true miracle workers.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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