Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Just a question, Winnie had a rear leg amputation and I started to notice the other day her remaining back leg turns in when she's standing, it seems to straighten out when walking though. I'll mention it to the vet tomorrow when we go but just curious if anyone else had a similar issue.
Also been giving the Prednisone every other day because the twice a week did not seem to cut it and I even notice on the days I skip the next morning she's very shaky and looks in pain so i'll ask the vet if we can do it everyday. There has to be something else to do instead of pushing meds....right? Hopefully getting the rehab referral tomorrow too.
Thanks again 🙂
Dogs compensate in all sorts of ways when they lose a limb. Sometimes it's a natural gait change that happens when losing a limb, sometimes how they do it depends on if and where they are sore somewhere. The rehab therapist should be able to pinpoint a cause and help her exercise / stretch in ways to minimize the effects of compensation. Paws crossed you get the referral.
As for the Pred, that's a vet question, I don't have any recommendations about the dosage. I do want to say though, that try not to see daily medication as being 'pushed.' The meds are there to help her and whatever works right? It's not a bad thing for dogs to be on certain medication if it improves their quality of life. I think that we pet parents in general see daily meds as some kind of failure on our part to do something right, or get a fix to a health issue, especially when it comes to pain control meds. But oftentimes these pharmaceuticals are just an unavoidable but beneficial part of living with a dog with certain health issues. And also, remember that rehab is a part of the puzzle that is missing right now, and can oftentimes decrease or even eliminate the need for meds. So hopefully that will happen when she gets in.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Exactly as Jerry said
It’s not a bad thing for dogs to be on certain medication if it improves their quality of life. I think that we pet parents in general see daily meds as some kind of failure on our part to do something right, or get a fix to a health issue, especially when it comes to pain control meds. But oftentimes these pharmaceuticals are just an unavoidable but beneficial part of living with a dog with certain health issues
Im sure Winnie would agree to continue the med if it gives her quality. 👍
Soooo, with the every other day, she seems to have "pain signals " on the off day but she is able to walk okay?
And yes, the Rehab assessment may shed some light on some other cause, or an additional cause, to the issues Winnie is having. Really, really interested to see if the Rehab detects any spine, disc, muscle, etc issue that has still gone unnoticed.
Keep us posted
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!
On her off days she walks a bit slower, pants heavier, she just doesn't act herself. Now she had a Prednisone yesterday morning and this morning she's acting all weird again, and she had two pain pills yesterday (300mg one in the morning and one before bed). The vet also said she would do an X-ray this morning to rule out anything else.
Of course I would keep her on meds if thats what the vet suggests, it's just I want to know if my vet is doing all she can instead of being like oh that fixed it instead of finding what's really causing her pain, is that crazy?
SO we're now on Prednisone (everyday), Gabapentin (everyday) and Furosemide (20mg once a day). Vet did an X-ray and saw fluid so she pulled a sample and its not good, Pleural Effusion I think she called it. Her chest showed up all white on the xray. She said it was another type of cancer not related to her Osteosarcoma. Thats why she was breathing heavy, she has about 50-60% good tissue and some dogs can manage with as low as 15%. So I guess we have weeks to maybe three months. We'll go back to the vet in a few weeks to see if there's any improvement though.
I knew deep down there had to be another issue. I'm a little relieved to know what is going on now but it breaks my heart that Winnie was dealt this hand. She couldn't be anymore sweet and that makes it tough. Let the spoiling commence 🙂
Sending lots of love and strength. Glad you are commencing with the spoiling, make sure to include yourself with some TLC. 
Yes, it just seemed like there was "something " going on. Good for you for advocating for more tests.
Gonna ask some questions, okay? I k ow uou have to be exhausted from all this, but just want to throw out some more options when you can catch a moment to regroup.
Did the Vet drain any fluid? In many cases, that can be helpful and provide relief.
Have you considered a second opinion....especially digging deeper I to exactly what is going on and further treatment plans. Maybe an opinion from an Oncologist?
Hang in there. Hopefully we can find ways to make Winnie feeling better and get good extended quality time!!!
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!
Hey there just reading your update. I'm sorry to hear about the x-ray, but I'm curious, how did the vet know what type of cancer it is, if it's not related to her osteosarcoma diagnosis? Did she do diagnostics other than the x-ray? Usually with osteosarcoma, it progresses to lung metastasis. Are you sure that's not what the vet meant is going on?
If your vet isn't an oncologist, and your gut feeling is telling you that there's more to this story, then I'm with Sally. A second opinion from a specialist can help and even if it's not better news (hopefully that is not the case!) at least you will know you did what you needed to do to feel better about the situation.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
The vet took a sample of the fluid in her chest that determined it was Pleural Effuision. Also mets show up on an xray as spots and these were not mets she said.
If i get a second opinion what else could it be and could there be anything else to do?
Gonna make a suggestion. How 'bout going over to the "Ask A Vet" thread
As briefly as possible try to hit the process that has gotten you to this point.
Just throwing out some "examples" as I remember them, somewhat vaguely though.........feel free to tweak, add, delete, correct or disgard!!
# Winnie starts shaking and cant walk
# Vet does bloodwork says platelets are low and may be autoimmune issue. Wants to address with Prednisone. No xrays, apine xrays, crtc were done at that point.
# Bloodwork improves and walking improves with Pred.
# Shaking, panting starts again when Pred is tapered back to every other day.
# Chest xray done the other day. Fluid shows up. Says all white on xray. 50 to 60% good tissue. Vet says Pleural Effusion. Told this is another type of cancer related to Osteo but no mets.
# No fluid was pulled off other than sample amount. on Prednisone (everyday), Gabapentin (everyday) and Furosemide (20mg once a day).
Explain you are confused on what ques to ask, what options to check out, etc if you go to an Oncologist for a second opinion. This Vet is not an Oncologist
Hope you can get some clarification. Our Vet is a volunteer Vet who originally came her because her dog had amp due to cancer. May take her a day or so to see this, but she will get back to uou.
(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!
Ah OK. I'm so glad you posted in Ask a Vet, saw that today. Good job.
A second opinion from an oncologist will give you more clarity on the situation and possible treatments. Not being vets ourselves we can't tell you exactly what they will find, but having that other set of eyes on her case can really bring peace of mind if you decide to do it. The best thing to do would be to ask your vet for a referral to an oncologist because you want to get more educated about what's going on. A good vet will refer you without hesitation.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Ugh Winnie looked so sad this morning, could barely walk and was shaking after she came in after her morning business. Messaged the vet and she said to give the Prednisone, Gabapentin and the Furosemide every 12 hours. This evening after the second dose she seems better, we hung outside for a bit while we split some wood 🙂 She's sleeping soundly on her bed now, must have worn her out with all the fresh air 🙂 Here's hoping for a good tomorrow!
Awwww, sweet, sweet Winnie, Its good that she did enjoy some fresh air....very therapeutic.
So glad the med dose seems to help make her comfortable so she can rest and recharge. I j ow you don't want her on meds, butnif they help her quality j til you can get get that second opinion from an Onco, then they're a good thing!
Take care and get some rest uiurselves.
(((((((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!
Its not that i don't want her on meds, I just wanted to get to the root of the problem. She had two doses yesterday and this morning she is pretty peppy haha, she was very excited for breakfast.
Oh gosh I'm glad she's better! WHEW!
Maybe that is the combination she needs to stay on for quality of life? Did the vet give you any instructions on continuing the meds?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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