Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi Tripawds!
Maizey Blue our 2 year old mastiff had her rear leg amputated on October 4, 2013, so she is 18 days post op. Maizey was hit by a car in May and after many months of healing there was just too much nerve damage to save the leg. She walked on the top on her paw, had no reflex or feeling. She is doing truly fantastic. I fear that she is feeling so much better that she may be over doing it. She is an outside puppy (don't feel too bad for her, she and our other dogs have a heated kennel and constant love! LOL) I will sit down with her and rub her shoulders and it feels like she's having muscle spasms. She appears to be in no pain what so ever. Just wondering if this is normal. What type of supplements should I be giving her? Should I force more rest time? She wants nothing to do with resting.
Now that's a good update! YAAAAAAY Mazey Blue! And mom too!
Yes, ou do have to make sure they aren't overdoing it...especially this early on. And, of course, big dogs with three legs can definitely have problems down the road if they over work their remaining joints, etc.
If her muscles are twitching on her amp. site, that's prefectly normal. The nerves are still firing off messages to a leg that's not there and everything in that area is still just readjusting. And if she's ot experiencing pain, that's most likely all it is and may continue for quite awhile.
Now, how much running around, jumping, playing is she doing? I kow that's hard to guauge, but she definitely shouldn't be jumping on and off things.
Usually big dogs take more recovery time and monitor their "exercise" very well and don't do much this early on. Clearly MAZEY BLUE disn't get the meo!! I LOVE that she's feeling so good though!
I try and make Hapy Hannah's "treats" be ones that have the joint supplements "built in"...Zukes" is one and you don't have to give big dogs a hundred a day to get their requirements!
I give Hapy Hannah Wild Salmon Fish Oil, Apocaps
, K-9 Immnity, Vitamin E...these I do on a consistent basis...sometimes I sprinkle KAL Bone Meal o her food.
Hey, Mazey Blue! We just have a woodsrove for heat. Can Happy Hannah and I come spend the ight with you on those blistery cold wnter ights?
Thanks for updatng us! It really sounds like Mazey Blue is having a wonderdul recovery!
Hugs and big sloppy Mastiff kisses to all!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Sally and Hannah,
Thank you for your kind words and advice. I will definitely look into the joint supplements.
We live on a farm and have Maizey, her litter mate Sasha, a choc. lab and a Jack Russell. Maizey tries to keep up with them...she is definitely staying closer to the house and lays in the sun with the other dogs most of the day. She is not jumping or playing rough with the other dogs so I guess I may just be being an over protective mom. I appreciate the feed back, it does put my mind at ease.
Thanks Again!
Jennifer and Maizey Blue
Hi Jennifer and Maizey,
I'm not a vet but it does sound like she's overdoing it. 18 days post-op is not a long time and most dogs are still lounging most of the day at this point. Having siblings, being young and spending so much time outside makes it extra challenging to get the rest she needs to recuperate and get strong.
If there is any way at all that you can spend time working on core-strengthening, rehabilitation exercises with her, that will do wonders to help her build stamina and keep up with the pack. Our ebook, Loving Life on Three Legs, has tons of ideas for how you can do this.
You're super observant and a good dog mom for keeping such a close eye on her!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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