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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Sarge was 5 days post of front leg amputation and was doing GREAT! All of the sudden he stopped walking, stopped eating and was in pain. It was obvious he was favoring his back leg (on same side as amputation). Vet confirmed ACL tear today. We are just crushed for our Sarge and don't know what to do. They suggested ice, stay on meds and do PT in the pool. the surgeon suggested that we put a hold on chemo for one week to ensure he is going to improve. I am nervous because I know it is critical to start chemo ASAP and it has been a month since his leg fracture. Anyone been through this?? He was hopping out to pee, poo etc, and now he wont get up without us carrying
him.
My Leland was a hind leg amp and his cruciate ligament in his other hind knee went out this past Saturday evening (3 weeks and 5 days post amp). I came to Tripawds about what happened and got a lot of responses that it wasn't the end of the world and that surgery could be done on 3 legged dogs. However, Leland had other health issues (autoimmune disorder, hypothyroidism, and I suspect issues within his urinary system/kidneys) that my husband and I made the decision to put Leland to sleep rather than put him through a 3rd surgery. Leland's surgeon had advised that if we chose to move forward with a TPLO that everything would have to go 100% right for Leland or he'd have to be put to sleep. We just weren't confident that things would go 100% with all the problems Leland had been dealing with from his previous 2 surgeries.
All I can say is speak with Sarge's vet/surgeon about your options. My husband and I just couldn't put Leland through more when a positive outcome of a 3rd surgery wasn't certain.
Sahana
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
So sorry to hear about Leland. I just feel like we need to know when enough is enough. Hard to make that choice right now, especially when he had been doing SO great!
You need to check out Daisy's story. She had knee surgery following a front amp and recovered very well. I think her thread is in Beyond Cancer. Maybe Jerry can help me out here. Our Murphy, who is also a rear amp, had a total hip replacement. I won't tell you that it isn't a lot of work to rehab another surgery after they become a Tripawd, but it sure is possible.
You might also want to check with a certified rehabilitation vet specialist if there is one in your area. When we were in to see ours with Murphy this week, a lady brought in an older boxer who could not tolerate the medications involved with surgery. She was being evaluated for the possibility of a rehab program instead of surgery.
Good luck with Sarge. Keep positive thoughts.
Kathi and Murphy
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Here is the thread Kathi was talking about, Daisy having knee surgery: http://tripawds.....e-surgery/
It's not easy to rehab a Tripawd that has surgery on another leg, but it has been done.
Sending good thoughts for Sarge.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Thanks, Karen. I couldn't remember where it was.
Kathi
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Sahana, that's very kind of you to offer insight while you are in such despair over the loss of your magnificent Leland. Tnrough you he is still touching lives. Thank you for your compassion and courage.
SARGE! Come on sweet boy, with thr proper rest you can get through this! I won't repeat my blog posts but I'm realky glad yiu started a thread for more input a d access to links. As Sahana said, Leland unfortunately had other issues and had already been through a couple,of surgeries. Each dog is different. Each case is different.
For now, just chunk iit down. Deal with recovery first snd then the chemo. I hink I mentioned that my Hapoy Hannah was a touch kver three weeks before she got her first chemo treatment. The Onco said that, for variius reasons skmetimes it has been close to five weeks b
AFTER AMPUTATION efore they can start chemo in some cases.....so delays happen. Yeah, you want Sarge feeling a little better first. I don't know that one week is enough time to see improvement that's all that noticeable though. The good news is he will feel,like resting andnhe will be,on pain meds so he wom't be over doing it.
And yeah, as Murohy said, I would defimitely contact a rehab specialist. I k ow others HAVE indeed recovered with rest, meds,etc. I dkm't recall that water therapy was used initially.
And talk to Sarge. Sarge let you know he was ready for battle when it came to the amputation. I've got a feeling he's still ready for battle!!
Others will chkmemin soon. Hang in there, okay? Check out al, the options. Try the one you and Sarge feel most comfortable with and proceed withmoptimism and confidence!
I cannot imagine...cannot imagine.... the fear and frustration yiu are feeling! I can inky offer support amd the knowing tjatnyou will ,ake the right decision....you always have when it comes to you anur amazing Sarge!
I'l,mkeep checkjng back and see whatmkj dmof replies you are gettkng. In the meantime,remember Sarge is living kn the NOW! He is not worrying a bout anythjng! Sarge is bekng dog...follow his lead snd let nothing rob you of your time together!
Cheeringnfornyoj Sarge!, Keepmkn rockim'.....we're all,pullkng formyou!
Sally and Hapoy 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!
okay, I'm not sure if these will shownup as actual "links" or not, but here goes (Jerry posted these u der Ask A Vet asa response)
When a tripawd needs another surgery
Ligament rupture on remaining back leg
ACL/CCL surgery for Ajax
There were a couple of suggestions from Dr. Pam, Tazzie's mom...a 190 lb Mastiff, and Wookie's mom (both "vet people").....they preferred lateral suture technique..tigntrope....in many cases. Tazzie was up walking the day after surgery!!!!!!
This apparently involves no bknes, no screws, plates, etc. and is far less invasive, etc. I'm no vet and I maybe passing inmincorrect info., so please check with your Orthopedic .
Just some things to research.
I think if you move this over to Ask a Vet thread, she might see it and respond.
And I KNOW I saw a link for solutions when surgery was not an option....I'll keep searching!!!
SARGE can get through this!!! I KNOW he can!! He is still showing that he's fit and healthy and sympton free and ready to get on with life!!
Please keep us informed when you can and give him a big, huge smooch .for us.....and big hugs to his humans!!
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!
benny55 said
okay, I'm not sure if these will shownup as actual "links" or not, but here goes (Jerry posted these u der Ask A Vet asa response)
Thanks Sally! Here is that link.
How is Sarge doing today? I hope he's feeling good. Keep us posted OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sarge seems to be doing phenomenal the last 48 hours! Favoring his back leg a lot less. I couldn't be more thrilled or happily surprised at the rapid improvement. We will move forward with chemo treatment number one on Wednesday! Carboplatin (sp)? Going to research the forums for info on that now. Thank each of you for your insight and mostly the positive encouragement that things would be ok. Knowing you have been there is what gets me through and able to be strong for Sarge!
Oh yay Sarge! That's fantastic, I'm glad to read this before I sign off for tonight.
Lots of info on carboplatin here and in the Tripawds News Blog
, be sure to check it out.
Keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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