Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My dog underwent amputation last Saturday for a fibrosarscoma on her front leg. Before this lump appeared she was a very healthy 6.5 yr old goldendoodle. She got through surgery, but it appears that she is now partially paralized in her rear legs. The legs cannot support her weight at all (she is 90 pounds). The one leg is totally limp, the other partially - she has feeling and pushes back on it. Her tail moves. First, it was thought it was due to the pain killers; but now the vet thinks she may have thrown a FCE (fibrocartilagenous embolism). He thinks it's a total fluke that it happened right after the surgery. The vet reported nothing unusual happened during the surgery; but after surgery she was on the morphine drip for 2 days due to her crying when they tried to decrease it after the first day. An MRI is another $1800 dollars to confirm, and I'm thinking of waiting to see if she improves in 1-2 weeks before doing this. The vet said it was okay to wait.
I've searched for other instances where something like this has occurred, but could not find anything.
Has anyone out there seen anything like this with an amputation?
kdoodle, welcome. I'm so sorry you are dealing with what I hope is a very temporary situation. I hope you don't mind but I moved your post here, because I know you'll find more insight from others by it being here.
Is your pup home with you? Does she appear to still be in pain? Is she on any pain meds? After one week out she should be doing a little better than her first days home, but it's still important not to expect too much too soon. It sounds like you know for sure that the one leg is paralyzed; has your vet actually looked at her to confirm this?
My other question: is your vet a board-certified surgeon? If not, I would suggest that your next step be a consultation with a specialist, like a neurologist. If you ask for a referral from your vet, s/he should be able to advise you as to whom to see next. A consultation is cheaper than the MRI to start with, and can help you decide if an MRI is even necessary.
If you are at all near a veterinary teaching hospital, you may want to go there for an exam and consult. IMHO when a dog is dealing with weird symptoms and undiagnosed or rare conditions like a FCE, a vet hospital is where I want to be. Any chance you're near one?
Again, welcome. I hope that your pup starts to feel better this weekend. In the meantime we are here to help. Feel free to join us in the chat room , there's usually folks in there during evenings, and even right now. Keep us posted OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for the feedback. We are hoping to bring her home today. She is still on pain meds (tramadol), she finished up the fentanol patch on Wednesday. She doesn't appear to be in pain. The vet looked at her, and xrayed her to see if he could see anything. I am in the DC area, and the vet practice I used is supposed to be one of the best. Unfortunately the nearest vet school is 4 hours away.
That's really tough. I am sorry you and your dog are dealing with this. Taking some time to figure out what to do next is ok
Topher
Vet Assistant (in school to be a licensed vet technician)
1.5 years Oncology department, moved to rehab & sportsmed December 2024
Tripawd Angel, Cora the Determined <3
She now has an infection at the incision site - probably from the vets techs moving her into and out of her rehab cart. The vet wants to keep her another 3-4 days until that clears. He has it draining (and it's a mess). She may also have a urinary tract infection, which he's currently culturing. He said he'd have the vets start expressing her bladder on a regular basis.
oh my goodness I'm so sorry you are dealing with all of this together. thinking of you and your pup and hang in there... keep us posted.
Personally I would take her somewhere that has acupuncture for the rear legs. and get a second opinion. and get the second opinion on the rear legs as well as the infection
Acupuncture can work wonders for some dogs, it helped Jerry. But please be sure to find a certified rehab vet therapist when considering any physical therapy for your pup. You may also find this Tripawds News blog helpful:
canine acupuncture and rehabilitation therapy tips for tripawds
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
She does seem to have turned the corner. She is moving all three legs, and responds when I touch her feet. She can't support herself, but she can get her cart to move. She is pushing herself out of the cage. Her infection is cleared, they'll close the gaping hole tomorrow and put a drain in. We're hopeful she can come home Saturday. I am looking into rehab for her.
That is great news. Hoping it continues to get better for your baby and she can come home soon 
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."
Kdoodle- you said you were in the DC area, can i suggest Chesapeake Veterinary Surgical Specialists, in Annapolis. That is where Polly had her amputation and we have had no problems at this point. They also can refer you to a great physical therapy pool place in Crownsville. Which I hear is very reasonable in cost. The Specalist run $120 for a consult but if you arent getting anywhere it might not hurt to try them out. We worked with Dr Burgess, but from what i hear, all of the specalists are great! Good luck! Keep us updated!
I'm glad to hear that she's doing better, your earlier update was so scary. We have our paws crossed that the positivity continues.
You're definitely in a great place for quality vet care. If you'd like some tips on finding a rehab vet, this article will help. Good luck and let us know how she's doing each day, we are thinking of you.
Canien Acupuncture and Rehabilitation Therapy Tips for Tripawds
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
My goodness, you and your pup have been through so much. So glad things are looking up and I hope she does get to come home soon.
Thanks for the encouragement. I will look into that Therapy Pool in Crownsville, once her stitches heal. They closed her back up again today from where the infection had opened her incision. So, she was still pretty drugged tonight; which was a little discouraging after seeing her her alert the last few days. But, she should be back up tomorrow.
I do encourage anyone reading this, that is looking at having their dog's leg amputated to read the Tripawds information on finding a surgeon, to ensure the best care possible. I don't think my original vet never could have handled this, and the complications
She is getting stronger every day. She has a problem though, in that the one back foot keeps knuckling under. So when she moves in the cart - she's walking on top of the toes. The other back leg seems to be funtioning properly - it's just weak. I"m researching ways to help this, but was wondering if anyone had any experience.
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