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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Day 1 post op - WHAT HAVE I DONE ?!
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On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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29 October 2020 - 5:26 pm
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I know you're worried that she's not very mobile today. I'm wondering if her recent walk was too much for her? It's so hard to say not being there. My best recommendation is for her to see a physiotherapist as soon as possible so they can troubleshoot her mobility issues and instruct you to help her get strong again. She can do this, you can too. Patience and time are golden.

The Flagline is our #1 selling all-weather harness. Our Wyatt Ray wears his all summer and he's a double-coated German Shepherd so that's sayin' something. We've never seen him overheat while wearing it and nobody has ever reported it as being too warm so I'm sure she would do great in it, although it is nice to have a choice of harnesses isn't it?

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Virginia



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29 October 2020 - 8:58 pm
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When I saw how mich walking he did yesterday (or day before?), plus had all the excitement and exertion of going to the Vet, I thought she overdid it.  So this does not surprise  me that her legs are weak.

And then, on top of that over exertion, and recovering,  she has the spondylosise  stuff to deal with.  Adjusmto the new fait may have aggravated  the spondylosis temporarily,  but it should clear up as her  mobility  gets more stable.

Did the Vet mention  a steroid injections well as the anti inflammatory??  Also, did he mention a special back brace that is worn like a harness?  Both of these may be  helpful  in her case.  Acupuncture  may be of use too.  Definitely keep up with the Metacam. 

I would fo back to just short potty breaks for a couple of days, even though  I know she's eager to walk more.  If part of this is from overdoing, a little more rest should help immensely. 

(((((Hugs)))))

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!

PS.  Why do you think Leyla will have joint and knee issues?   Did the Vet find some issues?  Most Tripawds here are on joint supplements.  Some use fish oil.  Both help keep joints healthy. 

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!

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30 October 2020 - 4:37 am
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In the doctor's office there is a physiotherapist. And she said I just should give her a massage and CBD oil to prevent problems.
I regularly give her oil with omega 3 and omega 6 fat acids and I can give her collagile dog (a collagen supplement powder) in addition.

My old cat got gold implants because of his osteoarthritis. Can't tell if this was effective.

Yes, the Flagline is ok for summer, thats why I do not send it back. But I think she will wear the K9 in the winter, because it is safer and it is warm enough that she does not need her wintercoat. I just put a bathing-coat under it.

I can upload a video this evening so that you can see if this is normal walking.

Virginia



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30 October 2020 - 9:19 am
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Interesting about the gold implants.  We are always open to different therapies. Thanks for sharing.

Hopefully Leyla is getting some good rest now for a day or two.  It is soooo easy for a dog to overdo as they move through recovery.

Yes, looking forward to seeing , a video .  Has the physiotherapist  seen her walk thus  made any comments?   I like the suggestions  abput massage and the CBD oil.  You can even use a warm towel out of the dryer when massaging for an extra bonus for her.

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!

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30 October 2020 - 1:08 pm
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feature=youtu.be

Virginia



Member Since:
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30 October 2020 - 8:27 pm
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First of all, Leyla is BEAUTIFUL!!!  She is such a lovely girl.  And I love her "frosty mig"❤

Oh my gosh!!!  I cannot believe how well she is. walking!!!    She is engaged, her tail is wagging, she has good momentum....PERFECT!!!  Seeing this video makes me soooo happy!!!   

From some of the descriptions in your updates I did not expect her to be doing this well at all!   She is doing fantastic!!! 

This is just  past the two week mark, right??  Leyla is doing extraordinarily  well!  Really!!!  I still would make sure she does overdo as it is still EARLY in recovery, especially  with her back issues.  Just let her go at her own pace and rest if she shows signs of being tired.  It is exhausting  hopping on three and takes a lot of energy  at first.  

I love how she would turn around to make sure you were still there😉    I think the whole comm jist fell in love❤❤

I hope all oir feedback gives you more reassurance about how well Leyla is doing.   The video really did show a hapoy dog, walking well, continuing  on the road to full  recovery.

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 The Road


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30 October 2020 - 9:16 pm
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Wow, I agree that she really looks terrific! What a hoppy girl!

If she is showing signs of collapsing, when does it happen? Is it typically at the end of the day, maybe when all her daily activity has caught up with her? If so, you may want to cut back on what she's doing so that she's not so tired. Hope that makes sense.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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31 October 2020 - 6:08 am
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Thank you so much! sp_hearticon2
For me, she still is the most beautiful dog in the world. 🙂 And she is full of love and happiness, even now.

Do you really think, this walk is normal for day 16 post op? It was in the morning, only 5 minutes away from home. And she was already panting as you can see in the video.
The vet said on tuesday, this is dogsport now. But: she was never allowed to do sports like a normal boxer, because of the spondylosis. Her only sport was running, playing and swimming (in the summer).

The walks of some other dogs looked much easier. Do you think, her walk will be better soon?

Yes, she always looks around to see if I'm still there. 🙂

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31 October 2020 - 8:06 am
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Oh WOW! Leyla looks fantastic! I am like Sally and Jerry, I did not expect her to look this good AT ALL! Maybe because we see them differently in video than we see them in person, but if you look at somebody else's video and compare to this one I think you will see she DOES look like one of those happy dogs loving life. 

Thank you so much for sharing. I did not imagine she would look this good at all. I have seen a lot of pups 2 weeks out that did not look nearly this good and did not get around this well so early into recovery.

Yes, she looks fantastic!!! And like Sally said she is still healing. You have taken great care of her and I know you have worried yourself to death. I used CBD for my Mitchell and I believe it helped him a great deal on many different levels. I use it myself and it has helped my arthritis a great deal. 

You made my morning! Slow and steady and I think you will continue to see improvement. Leyla is a beautiful pup... just gorgeous sp_hearticon2sp_hearticon2sp_hearticon2

Hugs,

Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry

Huckleberry's Blog

New York, NY
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31 October 2020 - 9:27 am
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Hi!  I'm Stacy, mama to Griffin (10 year old goldendoodle) whose right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020 due to osteosarcoma.  Griffin recovered very quickly after surgery and is known on Tripawds for how well he rebounded.  I'm providing the video below which was taken 16 days after his surgery so you can compare how well Leyla is doing.  You are managing her recovery so well! ~ Stacy (Griffin's Journey)

Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com

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31 October 2020 - 1:56 pm
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Wow look at Leyla!  She looks so Awesome!  I know in the beginning you thought this day would never come.  But look at her now!  Most of all she looks happy!  I do not understand what you were saying, but Leyla seemed to listen to you very well.

GREAT JOB LEYLA AND MOM!

My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019.  With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer.  I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud!  He will live forever in my Heart!

Brownie Bubba Bell

04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020

"March Saint"

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1 November 2020 - 7:09 am
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sp_hearticon2sp_hearticon2sp_hearticon2 Thank you sp_hearticon2sp_hearticon2sp_hearticon2

I wonder if the way she moves her legs will cause some problems later. Yeah, Griffin is really walking. Leyla either wants to run or to stand. If I put a leash on, she will pull me through the streets and I have to run, too. A normal walk with leash seems to be impossible. But sometimes it is necessary. I wonder if I should stop her with the leash or if that would be bad for her frontleg?

Dog owners in the neighborhood moved on quickly when we met them today. As if they don't want to have anything to do with a threelegged dog. 🙁 Only the non-dog owners asked how Leyla is doing. 

And there is another knot growing on her neck, the same place where the mastcelltumor was removed in summer. What if it is a mastcelltumor again? 

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1 November 2020 - 7:40 am
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People who don't want to meet a three legged dog is their problem. Don't let it get you down. After Brownies amp he never saw his best friend again. His owner said he wanted to remember Brownie they way he was. I never understood that, but I really don't think Grizzly would of cared.

Just keep doing what you are doing.

My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019.  With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer.  I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud!  He will live forever in my Heart!

Brownie Bubba Bell

04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020

"March Saint"

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1 November 2020 - 9:07 am
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Some of them said in advance (I did not ask for) that they would rather have their dog euthanized than have the leg amputated. I thought, they liked their dogs. But of course, this is not what I really worry about. 

Maybe from the stress in the last weeks the tumor at the neck grew again. 🙁

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1 November 2020 - 2:04 pm
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I don't think anyone can really answer that question regarding their dog until they are faced with the same situation and diagnosis. Just as them, what would you do if it was you? Would you chose your leg or life? I would chose life.

I can't answer your question regarding the tumor. Did you let your vet know? There is a forum on this site "Ask a Vet". Maybe Dr. Pam can help you. 

My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019.  With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer.  I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud!  He will live forever in my Heart!

Brownie Bubba Bell

04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020

"March Saint"

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