Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Good news
. Bellas blanket and floor was wet this morning around her backside. She had peed during the night.
She is drinking and eating but not huge amounts.
We now have to work on her constipation and not standing.
Today is day 7 of constipation. What can we give her?
Is it too early to be expecting her to stand?
Well, more progress today. Bella pooed but still not standing.
Bella is holding her head and neck up more now as well, but refuses to move the lower half of her body. 
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Hi Anne,
Yay you did it! Your future posts won't need approval each time.
How is she doing today? It's good to know that her bowel movements are becoming regular again. How is her appetite? And her pain? Is she showing signs like anxiety or restlessness?
Have you talked to her vet lately? If so what did they say?
Sorry for more questions than answers. Just curious how she's doing, and hoping your vet has a plan for helping her. If the vet does not it's time for a new vet to check her out, at a different practice.
Hi Jerry,
Day 8
Spoke to Vet two days ago. Am in contact with her every second day. The vet wants to see improvement, even if it is minor.
Improvement thus far has been that Bella is eating,drinking, peeing, pooping, raising her head and neck. I was having to syringe water into her but now she is able to lick from the bowl with assistance. Her poop is normal looking.
The vet advised that we start some physio or rehab by moving and exercising her legs. She also said to try and get Bella on her legs but with our support.
Bella was walking on the first and second day but somehow then crashed. The vet believes that she may have caused some strain to her back or other legs when trying to walk initially. She said we could do xrays but that would mean more sedation and Bellas does not do well with this. We decided to monitor and if Bella did not continue to improve, then we would consider further testing.
We have been doing the exercizes but are not able to get her to stand on her legs. The lower half of her body seems like dead weight. The amputation was on her foreleg.
Bella is an outside dog, but has been inside this whole time. We know that she does not like it. We live on a few acres of land and she normally loves to chase the kangaroos and rabbits and watch us do the gardening. During the day , we are now placing Bella outside in her favourite places . We noted that somehow she moved a couple of metres to pee.
Dont know when the stitches will come out. What has been the experience with others for standing?
Thank you for this wonderful site .
Okay, there is impr6 as far as drinking, eating , pooping and peeing, so YAY for Bella!! And more head movement is good too.
As a senior it may take a bit longer to get her mobility and fet her up and moving. However the fact that she was able to stand and move about some the day after surgery and not now, does sound like she mist have tweaked something.
Massage up and down her neck and sh area, her spine and back....does she show any signs of tension anywhere while doing that?
During her first day or two being hone, what was her activity like? She only should jave been up for a SHORT hop for potty and then back to to rest. No stairs, no jump, etc.
Try pinching her toes, her paws. Does she flinch and try and pull back in -reaction?
Has the Vet recommend an anti-inflammatory? HastheVet mentioned a disc issue? Some medics issue, depending on which one can cause weakness in backlogs, even urinary and bowel issues.
Glad that you are able to get her outside some. . I know that helps her emotionally.
Usually stitches come out around the two week mark.
Just throwing out some thoughts. Let us know if the Vet suggests and anti inflammatory and how the toe test and massage work out.
Cheering for yiursweet Bella👏
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!
Hi Virginia
My vet did not speak about anti inflammatory meds . Bella had stopped eating and I could not get any medication into her.
We are re introducing all her meds one at a time. I have started on the anti inflammatories again after your post.
My vet was not in today, so could not speak to her about the disc. What may be the problem with the disc.
I have Tried pinching her toes, her paws but not too hard. She does not flinch and try and pull back in -reaction.
I will try harder and see if she reacts.
Many thanks to all
Just tried to get a reaction from pinching toes of hind legs. No reaction. Lift both legs and they just drop.
On the other hand the foreleg reacts to pinching of the toes and the leg moves of it own accord.
What are we facing here? Paralysis of the lower part of the body???
Oh goodness, don't jump to any worse case scenarios. Of course, that's what we wll do here at the sooo of a hat.
Or course I am not a Vet and not giving vet advice. Of course consult with your Vet about any med change, o,ay?
And again, not a Vet, but sometimes no reaction from toe pinching or lack of leg response may....may...mean a disc issue. And meds and rest can often help with that. Also there may.... may... ge something neurologic toong on but most likely there would be more wise effects in that scenario. Onde the ossue is identified, solutions can be forthcoming.
Share all this with your Vet. Also, for now, maybe stop with any leg exercises until l she can get jn to see the Ver. And yes, we wre big on second opinions here. So if this Vet can't see her eight away or or uou don't feel like you are getting the answers you need for Bella, then by all means get another opinion. A new set of eyes sometimes can so wonders.
You are foving Bella aich good care. I know her lack of pee for so long, not standing, etc are concerning, but the problems should be identified and solved. That's what we all want for sweet Bella♥️
You are a good advocate for Bella so be strong and firm avout the Vet seeing her right away.
As far as xrays if needed, maybe just a light sedative/ant anxiety like Trazedone would avoid sedation.
Give Bella an extra smooch for us and exte treats, okay?
((((((((((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!
So that's good, she is definitely making progress and it does sound like your vet has a plan to troubleshoot this mystery. It's impossible to make a diagnosis at this point just based on her foot reaction (but that is a good job to narrow down the source!), so it really is in her best interest to be seen in order to figure out what's going on.
What happens when she has sedation? Does it take her a long time to come back from it?
I'm wondering if getting in with a physiotherapist at this point would be the best course of action. Tripawds Foundation can pay for your first rehab visit , and it would be a way to find out more about her inability to walk as well as any pain issues. A therapist may or may not suggest xrays right now.
If you want to ask your vet for a referral to a therapist that would be smart. Or we can help you find a physio if you want to message us your town and province.
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