Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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We have a golden boy who just turned to 7. Due to what was a bit of sensitivity and limp we discovered that he had hip displaysia. The hip was almost out of the joint and it had chipped his pelvis. We were referred to an orthopedic surgeon in a larger city. He thought he could help Bud with a toatal hip replacement.
On the day he was to be released he broke his femur. The surgeon removed his hip and wired his femur back together. 1st checkup went great. 2nd check up not so much. His femur had fractured again and it was decided that the hind left limb could not be repaired. The amputation took much longer than expected. The leg was full of scar tissue. The bone appeared to be infected.
We brought our tripawd home on Monday. At first he seemed happier and in less pain. Friday, we received a call that the bone culture was positive for drug resilient MRSA . He was put on a antibiotic. Sat he seemed very sleepy. By Sunday he was lethargic. We took him to an on call vet and it was determined that he had an upper respitory infection and was placed on another antibiotic. I contacted the Bella Moss foundation (foundation in honor of 1st dog diagnosed with MRSA ) and they were wonderful about replying quickly and offering support! However I have come to find out there is little information out there on dogs who have had a MRSA bone infection.
We are on week two….Bud still seems to be moving at a slow pace with little energy. I dont know whether he is depressed because he has to be kept isolated, still feeling poorly because of the URI, in pain because of the amputation or the MRSA is winnining?
It is so frustrating and heart wrenching! We have an appointment tomorrow to have the staples removed and I am hoping for the best but fearing the worst! We just want him to be Bud again, roll in the snow , swim in the lake or wag his tail like he means it! I would loooove to hear a successful survivor story!
anji, we're so sorry, you and Bud have been through so much. How long was it since these events started happening? Since he's only two weeks out from amputation, it's expected that he would be tired from going through so much.
It definitely sounds like Bud is exhausted from all of the surgeries, drugs and the infection. But he has youth on his side, and very loving pawrents who are doing everything possible to help him recuperate. He will get through this, it just takes time.
You're right; we personally don't have a lot of experience with MRSA and dogs, so we can't be of much help there. Can you tell us what the foundation people said, so that someday if someone looks up "MRSA " here they will have some info to go on? Thank you so much.
We send our best and lots of hugs that he bounces back soon. Please let us know how the vet visit goes tomorrow OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello Anji
Just wondering how you made out today?
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
Thank you so very much for your kind words and encouragement! Bud's check-up went fantastic today. His lungs are clear. His incision is healing and the staples were removed. We have antibiotics and continue treatment for the MRSA
. We are finished with the other meds. Bud was given permission to go out and be a DOG!
I would be happy to share more about our journey with you in hopes of being a resource for someone else in this predicament!
I should start by saying 98% of total hip replacements are successful. However, we didnt think that we would be 2 percenters in a not so great way
The last week of October was when we saw the Xrays and the hip dysplasia. We live in a rural state so out local vet referred us to an orthopedic surgeon and specialist in another state and larger city. Xrays and information were exchanged. The Tuesday before Thanksgiving, Bud travelled 5 hours for his surgery. The surgery went wonderfully and a full recovery was expected. However two days later when Bud was to be released from ICU,his femur shattered!
He was rushed into emergency surgery where the new hip was removed and the femur wired back together.He spent four more days in ICU and they we were given pain meds, antibiotics and anti inflammatory meds.We came home.
Two weeks later, Bud was to have his staples removed and a quick orthopedic exam here at home. That week, he stopped using the hind leg. Xrays were taken and it showed that the femur had not shifted and everything was intact. We were given more pain meds and asked to encourage Bud to use the leg more.
The fifth week, Bud travelled to the specialist again. He examined Bud and was happy with his progress and recovery. We were told to continue on the same path. Pain meds and short leash walks.
Our vet sold her practice and we were referred to another local vet. This new vet had an orthopedic background and had worked with 4 other dogs in this condition so we were encouraged!
The 11th week, Bud travelled again. The specialist this time was concerned that he was not further along in his recovery and mobility. Xrays were taken and it was determined that Bud had another femur fracture further in the bone. It was decided that the bone could not be repaired and the hind left limb should be amputated. Bud became a tripawd the next day on Feb 12th. The amputation took hours longer than expected. We were informed that the leg was full of scar tissue and it appeared that the bone was infected and this had caused the second fracture. The surgeon took a culture sample of the infection from the bone. Two days later we came home with pain meds, antibiotics and anti inflammatory meds.
The culture was grown for 5 days. We were notified by the orthopedic specialist that it had tested positive for drug resilient MRSA
The antibiotic most effective for treatment Baytril 136 was prescribed. I knew that MRSA
can be fatal so I started looking for resources to refer too. I ended up contacting the Bella Moss foundation at http://www.bell.....ion.comThe site has a Q&A page with many topics including what MRSA
is, how it is transmitted, how it is treated and etc. Bella was a beautiful white samoyathat died a very tragic death due to MRSA
and the lack of information regarding the infection.The foundation does all kinds of wonderful work such as financing research and educating pawrents and medical professionals. I went to the support center and filled out a questionnaire. Jill Moss the founder contacted me right away. She sent articles she thought would be helpful, contact info for other pawrents with MRSA
dogs and forwarded my questions to a vet friend who specializes in MRSA
. However I did find out that there is very little literature about MRSA
bone infection.
This past Sunday,Bud was shaky, lethargic and had a cough. It was a holiday weekend and we went to the on call emergency vet. Bud had bronchitis.....more antibiotics.
Today's vet visit was a blessing
We will continue treatment for the MRSA
. Both our new vet and the Orthopedic surgeon specialist have been wonderful to us and available to us! They have consulted with each other and with us. They both follow up with us, make recommendations and answer questions. We will continue this journey together!
Wow! No wonder he is exhausted. With all of his surgeries and infection Bud has a right to take it easy. I hope recovery continues to improve.
Debra
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Poor Bud! Sending pawsitive thoughts your way.
Samson and tripawd Daisy
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
THANKS! We have a Daisy at our house too! She is Bud's best girl! I think he will do better that he can be out with everyone now!
Oh my goodness! I am just so very, very sorry. I'm so speechless all I can say is how sorry I am. What a fighter she is! You guys are heros too for staying so brave!
Please keep us updated. I am sending you pawstive thoughts.
Angel Comet's mom
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.
Three week ampuversary! Bud seems to be showing more of his Budness.He is able to go down stairs fairly well but needs some help going up them. He is standing more and wondering.He went for some car rides this week and put his muzzle in the snow. He is still napping alot. 1 more week of Baytril for the MRSA . He gets to celebrate tonight with some bites of grilled ribeye!
Yum, Ribeye! 🙂 Rear leg tripawds will naturally have a harder time going upstairs, just as it is harder for front leggers to go down. Thanks for the update. Please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
It sounds like Bud's luck has taken a turn for the better. Poor boy has been through quite a lot. Stay positive, it looks like the worst may be over. Ribeye sounds like a great celebration!
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Oh! What a nice post to read this morning! Go BUD!!!! We are so rooting for you!
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.
Bud finished his last dose of antibiotics for the MRSA
today. He is officially done with all of his post amputation meds! I guess there is now way to follow up and make sure the MRSA
is gone since the source of infection (femur) is gone and would be near to impossible to find it in a blood sample. So we are just going to pray that he continues to get healthy and stay healthy while staying alert to any other signs of the infection. He is doing pawsitively wonderful in his recovery! He started rolling in the snow, making Bud angels, going for short leash walks and acting like his pre Bud self! Thanks for all of the encouragement! This website has truly been such a blessing to us!!!!!! Thank You!!!
Hooray for Bud!
Thanks for the great update, we want Bud Angel pictures!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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