Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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She is still so new into recovery, and she's still healing. I'm not a vet, it appears that right rear leg is a bit sore. And like Teresa and Karen said she is still finding her balance and her gait, and she's a bit older so it will take time.
Please don't give up yet, your girl needs you to be strong for her right now. She's so early into recovery right now, even younger dogs would not be a ton different from what you have now.
I agree massage and maybe even some cool packs on her back legs would probably feel wonderful to her.
Hang in there 💖
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
I can't remember if I told you this before- sorry if I did...
TriPug Maggie was a grumpy slug for 6 WEEKS after her rear amp for a mast cell tumor. She pretty much stayed in her bed except to eat (Pug!) and go outside to potty. She seemed to have lost her joy in life- I was sure I had made a terrible mistake by doing the surgery.
Tripawds wasn't established yet so we went it alone.
She got used to her new normal on her own terms and then hopped happily through life for almost 4 years.
You have to stay strong and positive to show that everything will be fine. I made the mistake of being grumpy around Mag- we fed off each other, I didn't know any better back then.
I know it's hard to be patient but you aren't even three weeks in yet, don't give up. Some pups are running and playing in two weeks, and some, like my Maggie, take longer to get the hang of things.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Is Belle still showing an interest going into the kitchen eyeing the sofa, giving a woof every now and then? Just remember, those things are signs of improvement. Go absolutely bonkers praising her and encouraging her every time she does ,anything like that. She needs to know she's doing well. She needs to know you are proud of her and believe in her.
I can only ditto Karen, Teresa and Jackie above. It is sooooooo hard to be patient! So many of is second guess ourselves and start doubting our decisions during these first several weeks. I know this doesn't make you feel any better...but just maybe a little more "normal" and, hopefully a little more reassured.
And here goes the broken record about reintroducing pain meds in some form....nah....never mind...you've heard that mantra enough!!!
Extra, extra 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!
https://photos......oEnUKo3hTA
Here is another video. Does she step more in with her left rear leg due to her new center of gravity? Did anyone else with a front leg amp notice the rear leg steping in with a twist?
I'm worried she will hurt her leg and if we missed something else neurological.
Yes, she does step more in with the rear left BUT she stopped to get her balance right.
It seems to me she is "pairing" the two legs which are on the opposite side (left front and right back).
Those look really good whilst she hops on.
The left rear leg is left a bit on its own whilst she "pairs" the others.
Different dogs find different ways of learning their new gait.
As I think I mentioned before, Eurydice's way was to stand up not moving for longish periods of time.
She needed to learn how to keep her balance and that is the way she practised.
Belle is practicing too, the proof is she stopped and stood there for a second and then started again.
I think she needs more time, sweetie...
She is making progress, even if your Momma's heart is worrying too much to see it ...
I would say it wouldn't do any harm if you see a rehab vet for your peace of mind.
Sending you a warm hug, you are doing great sweetie and you will both get there, promise !
😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
All Tripawds will develop an adjusted stance and gait to compensate for the missing limb. "Twisting" is not necessarily normal. The best recommendation is to visit a certified canine rehab therapist for a professional evaluation, treatment recommendations and specific exercises you can do to keep her fit and strong, and prevent future injury.
Visit a CCRT or CCRP and the Tripawds Foundation can even pay for your first visit from the Maggie Moo Fund for Tripawd Rehab.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for all your valuable comments!
The surgeon also thinks its due to her trying to find balance on 3 legs. She does not know what's still causing her panting at night -its still on 🙁
She will check her on Monday when we go to remove stitches
Well, that's not bad news is it, sweetie ?
It seems it is all part of beautiful Belle's learning process, she is trying and she will succeed 💪🏾 just give her time and let her have short walks for now.
I bet when she is confident she, herself, will want to extend those walks further afield 😉
The panting at night ... hmmmmm ... is it hot there? Is she comfortable in her bad? Is she wanting to attract your attention so you cuddle her (even) more ?
This panting may well be psychological ("Doctor" Teresa's hint here, for what is worth), just a way of attracting attention whilst she is not yet feeling completely herself and independent ...
In any case, we have an upcoming date to celebrate. stitches removal 🎈🎈🎈🎈
That is generally the turning point where our babies start making phenomenal progress!
Hugs and cuddles 😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
You may think this silly, but have you tried playing some nice soft music for her at night?
I did that a lot for Huck and i think it really helped him. I know it's frustrating trying to decipher pain vs. needy.
I'm glad your doc thought she looked good. I'm not a doc but i thought she looked really good considering how recent her surgery was.
I'm attaching one of Huck's first videos walking around when we gave him free run of the house. This was about 3 to 4 weeks after his amputation. Maybe that will help you out. I know he's a cat but there are many similarities in how they carry themselves when they walk.
Hugs ❤️
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Thanks for the encouragement! Yes, it feels better to have some reassurance that there does not seem to be a neurological issue behind; although still worried about the panting (@Teresa, i am also thinking about anxiety) and i noticed in the past 2 days she started grunting again (it happened when she was with the tumor, i guess that's the only pain sign she gave us -besides the limping- ) Other than that, we notice little improvement in her mood day by day and makes me happy. My boyfriend carries her every day up the stairs to our bed, so we are all back together -although she does not really like being carried, I think she knows she has no choice ...
btw, I <3 Huck's video: he is such a cutie!!!
Thank you ❤️. We have a beautiful relationship now, he's a cuddle bunny believe it or not.
I just thought you'd like to see the new "normal". That's why i keep his trails with throw rugs and runners. When he truly runs you'd never even notice he had just three legs.
Once sutures/staples are removed you should see more mobility. It can be an amazing difference. Her panting may stop if this is something simple like a pinch from a suture. Keeping my fingers crossed for you.
Jackie and Huck ❤️
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
We went to see the surgeon today, she re-did the orthopedic and neurological evaluation and came back ok. (Phew) She thinks her rear foot twist is part of her new gait. She still has no explanation about her night panting for what she suggested trying some anxiety medication only at night. She also mentioned to watch for another condition common on labradors Laryngeal Paralysis. (I almost faint!) And she wants to check her again in weeks.
The good note ...stitches are gone, pawty time!!
Okay baby 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
Your girl is (almost) as good as new YAY 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 and I bet with time her rear foot will adapt to the new gait and readjust itself.
For the panting, would you be willing to sleep by her side one whole night and see if she still pants?
If it is anxiety or due to her wanting to attract your attention then when you sleep with her she should be panting free.
I would make this experiment before starting anxiety medication, just to be reassured...
I never heard of this laryngeal paralysis before, did vet tell you why she thinks you should keep an eye on that?
Finally stitches are out, landmark moment achieved, that calls for a big celebration 🍔🍔🍔 you should see lots and lots of progress from now on!
Any pictures waiting to be posted here by any chance (wink wink) ?
Hugs and cuddles 😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Thanks for all the encouragements! We sleep by her side every night. Before was just one of us downstairs. Its been over a week we are bringing her up and down the stairs so we all sleep back together in the same bed and she stays glued to us but several hours panting still. 🙁 Last night was a bit better so i will give it another 2 or 3 nights before trying medication.
She just did her "downward dog-upward dog" usual stretch in 3 legs! I've never seen her do that since the amputation and she just did it professionally: i am gladly impressed!
Pics to come soon 🙂
Ah ... so you are already sleeping together and Miss Belle is still panting 🤔🤔
But it was better last night, was it?
I think your idea of giving another 2 or 3 nights before starting medication is a good one.
Fingers crossed now that stitches are out she will stop the panting soon.
Oh, I would have loved to have seen that stretch, it sounds so relaxing ...
Cannot wait for the pictures!
Hugs and cuddles 😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
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