Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Rusty went to see Dr. Huber, Orthopedic Surgeon who performed his amputation, today for his evaluation of Rusty favoring his left shoulder. Dr. Huber could not find any significant issues with either of his front legs or remaining back leg. He said that it is very rare that they have a cancer amputee live as long as Rusty and they don’t have a lot of experience with the stress on the joints resulting from the amputation. He feels that there is definitely some additional wear and tear on the joints from the amputation; also, Rusty has changed the stance on his front legs to a “wider” position which puts more stress on his shoulders. He is recommending a pro-active approach of the joint supplement “Adequan” to head off possible future joint issues. We will probably start the series of injections next week; after twice weekly injections for four weeks he will be put on once monthly injections for maintenance.
Has anyone had any experience with using Adequan? Dr. Macy has agreed to the injections and does not see any issues with his other medications; we are a little nervous because of all the intestinal issues that Rusty that he has had with the chemo, etc. But we also want to make sure that we stay on top of any potential joint issues.
Chuck & Rusty
Rusty is a Labradoodle who was diagnosed with level 3 Fibrosarcoma on January 16th, 2010 and had his left hind leg amputated on January 25th, 2010 five days before his 18 month birthday. Please see Rusty's blog @rusty.tripawds.com. He is putting up one heck of a fight against this terrible disease.
I don't think many vets have any long term experience with tripawds. I never found one in 12 years. Comet was a tripawd for 12, almost 13 years. (I had her 12 years). She didn't have any mobility issues until she was 6 or 7 when her 1st back knee went out.
Wyatt Ray , Rene and Jim's dog is coming up on probably 3 years of having him as a back amputee and I think they are seeing some mild hip issues which is a more common genetic disorder to the GSD breed.
We did Adequan when Comet was about 11 years old. It may have helped, I really couldn't tell but then she didn't have as much arthritis as we thought when she did it. She had disc issues. However, Samson here who isn't a tripawd but is almost 14 years old is getting it and it seems to help him a lot. He has a lot of arthritis.
Knowing Rusty's condition, I'd almost favor acupuncture over having something injected into his delicate system. There is scientific evidence that shows acupuncture works according to my vet.
You may want to search the site because we have talked a lot about mobility issues and adequan.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Yes! yipee! 
- finally a topic that I can help with!! I am a true convert of Adequan, I am actually surprised that more Tripawds are not on it as a preventative measure. I 1st started using Adequan on my horse 15+ years ago. She lived to be a spry 28 years and in her senior years it kept her going. They came out with a canine version about 10ish years ago. If it wasnt for Adequan, MB Samson would never had made it to today. He has arthritis so bad his front wrists are the size of tangerines and cannot bend them, hip dyslp., torn curciate<<which I know is not a joint but he has to use the other back leg like a tripawd (Yikes he cannot believe I just typed that and says he is a monkeybutt through and through)
Anyway- You start out with 1 injection 2x per week for 8 weeks, then you go to the maintenance schedule of 1x month, then as time progresses and mobility decreases between shots you can increase the shots to every three weeks, two weeks. Sam did well on the 1x month until about 9 mths ago, our PT vet had us increase to every two weeks.
I think it doesnt do well for some dogs because the owners wait until they are having problems before they start, then the joint is already bone on bone and its harder to get the Adequan to work properly.
Cost? MB Sam is 75 lbs and is on 1.7 ml per shot. Each vial contains 5 ml and through Dr Foster and Smith is $45 bottle. Its too early in the day to do math but you get the idea? If you compare that to the cost of Rymidal or other expensive NSAIDs that are just covering the pain its about the same.
Admin-you should really have a vet talk about Adequan as a preventative to joint degeneration on the radio talk show, a lot of PT vets use it, some general practice vets (like my vet) do not regularly prescribe it unless you ask.
Julie
Spirit Samson was Spirit Tripawd Daisys four legged "brother" and ruled as the self proclaimed head of the Monkeybutt Federations East Coast Division. Lady Chunky Monkey stayed from Oct 2011 and left for the bridge in Apr 2012. Miss Perdy is left and has some big pawprints to fill.
Do you have what it takes to be a Monkeybutt? Find out more at the Monkeybutt Federation
We don't have firsthand experience with it yet, but here is a blog post that tells what we learned when researching it:
The Adequan and Beef Trachea Connection
Dr. Waldman, our favorite rehab vet, said in this chat:
‹Dr.Waldman› Adequan is GREAT for degenerative joint disease, I use it once weekly long term
Also, in this discussion Tazziedog (Dr. Pam) says:
Adequan is always worth a try and is not harmful but it can be pricey. It helps the cartilage cells make a healthier, thicker joint fluid to cushion the joint and help reduce pain. The typical regimen is one injection twice weekly for 4 weeks then once monthly as needed.
I tried Adequan with my dog Kona (12 yr old Pittbull) but it did not help, most likely because she has horrible arthritis and probably does not have many cartilage cells left in some joints. It has done wonders for my French Mastiff Loki (for his shoulders) and he currently only takes a meloxicam tablet (generic Metacam) only if he overdoes it.
You may want to consider visiting a certified rehab vet before going down this road. A rehab vet can do a more accurate assessment of the areas that are bothering him, and use several modalities (acupuncture, stretching, massage, as well as adequan) to help him stay strong and flexible. Also, remember that regular rehab games as seen on our fitness page are also very helpful for staying flexible. Rusty is so young, I'm sure he can overcome this challenge quickly.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I did it for a while on both Maggie(tripawd) and Haley(quadpawd with shoulder injury). Did it long enough to tell it wasn't doing anything other than costing me $ and having dogs really HATE going to the vet office 
The vet I went to though, did tell me he'd show me how to do it myself but I truly wasn't see that it was doing anything for them.
That said, I do give oral joint supplements to both. Do they work? I dunno. But with both their histories, it's my preventative for their joints and not have to go to the vet office for it.
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
Cost? MB Sam is 75 lbs and is on 1.7 ml per shot. Each vial contains 5 ml and through Dr Foster and Smith is $45 bottle. Its too early in the day to do math but you get the idea?
Lordy! Three years ago, I paid $65 a shot and Comet was only 37#'s! I always get ripped on cost. But then I am willing to pay $750 to have a toe nail clipped. UGH.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
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