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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Holly's about to become a tripawd... Tomorrow
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Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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17 April 2020 - 7:49 pm
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YAAAAAY FOR THE INJECTION SUCCESS!!!👍👍👌     Good job!!!  We knew you could do it!

And three physio reps for a tiny little senior on pain meds after surgery and no exercise..SPLENDID  JOB HOLLY!!👏👏👏👍👍

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!

New York, NY
Member Since:
24 March 2020
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17 April 2020 - 7:55 pm
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You both have been through so much in the last few days!  I hope tonight is a turning point that allows both of you some much needed rest.  Holly is a trooper and you have been the best, most fierce advocate for her, Sophie.  Well done!  Griffin and I are sending healing vibes from NYC! ~ Stacy

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

Livermore, CA




Member Since:
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17 April 2020 - 11:40 pm
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It's hard to say for sure without seeing a video of her before her surgery but she still looks a little wacked out to me in the video you posted.  It's quite an improvement for her to get those pain meds adjusted but some dogs are more sensitive to them no matter which ones they are on.  My Pug Maggie was very sensitive to most all pain meds we put her on- she would be agitated for hours sometimes.

Another thought- you said she was on pred for quite a while- weakness in her limbs could definitely be because of that.

The other thing I see in the video is that she doesn't seem to know how to move her front leg.  You said she pulled her leg when you pinched her toes so she has feeling- you might try some massage on her foot and leg.  Also see if you can get her to push against your hand with her foot/leg.  My Pug Tani had mobility issues related to a brain injury and I was told that massaging her feet and getting her to push against my hand with her foot/leg might help 'remind' her feet how to move.

When she tries to get up you might try lifting just a bit with hands or the sling you have- enough so that she can get her front leg under her and get the idea.

Her feet also look very furry- this might not be the best time but I end up trimming the fur between my pup's toes and pads to help with traction

You are doing a great job staying positive and advocating for Holly!  She is having a rough recovery but hopefully she is now on the right path.

Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls

Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.

1999 to 2010

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo

Member Since:
10 April 2020
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18 April 2020 - 2:30 pm
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Hi everyone, sorry I've been a bit slow on an update. 

Once again thanks for your kind words and advice! I'll definitely trim her paw fur to see if it helps and well I've been trying today to give her a helping hand up (I've tried since day 3 post op when she came home)... And well guys she hovered with help on her puppy pee pad and had 2 pees!! She then proceeded to sit up while sat in her bed unaided, she did fall but guys she SAT UP!!! So happy here. This was after paw trimming, extensive massage therapy and physio exercises as well as metacam so assuming she's feeling less stiff.

She's currently asleep on my bed laying on incision side. Made me panic but I've browsed Tripawds and it's definitely not unheard of. Our pets are smart and won't do things that hurt right?

Our usual vet is off this weekend but we went for a dressing change and the infection is worse unfortunately. Not responding to antibiotics and very oozy. Also some necrosis. The vet flushed it and applied more manuka and a fresh dressing. The swab results are delayed with coronavirus apparently, but should be back Monday. No fever (yay).

I'll get more videos of me helping her if I can, and I'm eagerly awaiting some traction boots for her. 

A happy Holsmum 

Xo

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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18 April 2020 - 2:43 pm
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  Screenshot_2018-01-17-12-11-45-1.jpgImage Enlarger

YAAAAAAAAY  HOLLY!!!!!!!😆😆😆😆😆😆   WE KNEW AHE COULD DO IT!!!!  AND WE KNEW YOU COULD  TOO!!!!       OOOOOOMMMMDDDDDD.   HAPPY TEARS!!!!   WE LOVE HAPPY TEARS HERE!!!   EVERY SINGLE THING YOU DESCRIBED IS SUCH  A MONUMENTAL  VICTORY!!!    YOU BOTH HER PRESERVED AND IT IS FJNALLY STARTING TOM PAY OFF 😁😁😁

Okay, bummer about the ingection and skin tissue, but that IS fixable.  So try not to focus in that at the moment.  She's getting g past her most immediate  hurdles with Warrior like determination!!  I know she had to be proud of herself too!!

The entire Tripawd Community  is cheering for you both  and we are sooooo thrilled  to get this update!!

Love and 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!

Member Since:
10 April 2020
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18 April 2020 - 3:15 pm
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Yayyyy thank you so much. It's definitely a victory, anything in the right direction is a victory. Fingers and paws crossed that the lab results come through Monday so we know exactly what nasty bacteria we are dealing with so we can get rid of this infection and keep moving forwards. 

Thank you for your support Sally, and sharing happy tears here too!

She's just woke up from a nap with a red flat rash all over, maybe the infection? Or maybe a reaction to all the cocktail of drugs she's had over the last week. I just hope it's not a mast cell, she had a rash before we started treatment for the mast cell 4 months ago and they said it was 'granulation'? It went once she started piriton though so I've never been sure if it was the MC. It wasn't an oncologist saying this you see.

Still, happy times here tonight. We are celebrating each step in the right direction. She just had another pee on her mat and she's eaten some treats.

She's definitely stronger. 

A happy Holsmum and a SUPER Hol xo

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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19 April 2020 - 11:13 am
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She sat up? Ate? AND went potty? YAY! That's huge progress! I'm so happy to see this news. And laying on the incision site is actually a good sign really. Many dogs take a lonnnng time to lay on that side so that's even MORE progress.

Can't really offer any insight into the rash though, sorry. Is she trying to scratch it? I hope the lab results will arrive soon so you can get her on the best course of treatment.

You and Holly are such a team! smiley_clap

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

Member Since:
1 October 2017
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19 April 2020 - 11:38 am
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Hi! I tried this a little while ago but I keep getting logged out and as I hit submit reply "poof" there went my novel that I wrote smiley5

I am so sorry that you are going through this. Your tiny girl is adorablesp_hearticon2 The video you posted looked like she wants to get up. She really didn't appear to be in a lot of pain.. like if you hurt something and yank it back at the sharp feel of pain.

One of the first things I thought of was an older large kitty that had an awful recovery. Every time they got him up, he flopped around like a rag doll and cried... it was heartbreaking and they thought it might be the end. It was not. I cannot remember the name off hand, but it took a couple of weeks before everything kicked in and then after a while it all kicked in and he got around really well.

I think you said you had a sling to put under her tummy to assist her in standing? With her size even if you dont have one you could makeshift one out of a small towel or pillowcase. I know she is older, and probably very frustrated. Will she allow you to slide material under her tummy and gently, slowly help her up on three legs? I guess where she is at with her infection is a factor also. That area may be still tender, but my point that I feel like I am failing at miserably here is to help her remember how to walk. She has feeling in her legs as you said she responded to toe pinches. There is another thing that the vets do is to have somebody hold her up on the floor or a table, rest her paw on the table with the top of her foot facing down, and see if she is able to correct it and turn it so that her pads are properly on the table. Clear as mud? It is a common neurological exam that they do on dogs that are having difficulty walking for various reasons.

Here is an example:

As long as she is not too painful, I would use a sling to assist her in getting her up on her own several times a day. She may need to re-learn this. Older pups can recover wonderfully, but they are also a bit more fragile and sometimes have their own battles to fight during recovery.

Is she aware of her surroundings? Does she know you like she always did? The medicines can really gork them out and leave them confused, frustrated, and sometimes very vocal even without pain. As you work on her pain management and some time passes, this should all resolve itself. 

If you don't have a sling, here is a quick, easy video on dog slings. In her case you could probably use a folded pillowcase to help get her up and mobile.

In the meantime, the other thing I would try would be passive range of motion on her three legs. You can make this more of a cuddle session by gently bending her wrists, elbows, and at the shoulder and hip to help her keep the mobility that she has. You can also gently massage her spine from her neck to her tail. If you find her painfully responsive to any of this, please make notes and share with your vet. I know it is hard right now with this poopicon virus everywhere but you could always video any of it and share it with them that way for more advice.

I hope even a little of this helps. Sending you huge hugs! You are doing a great job!!

Jackie and Huckleberry sp_hearticon2

Hugs,

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

Huckleberry's Blog

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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19 April 2020 - 4:01 pm
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JACKIE, ❤that was so helpful and full of great tips... not just in Holly's case, but in general.  Interesring video of the "paw back in place  test" 

 Every time  a piece of the puzzle is  it together s so helpful....STACY❤ posting all the great Rehab stuff, KAREN  ❤ observed  a lot of fur on her paws

And Kelly❤ sticking  with us and continuing to  provide us with so much detailed information  as we asked question after quesrion!👏👏  

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


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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19 April 2020 - 4:58 pm
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Hey Jackie these are great tips. Sorry for the log-in and posting issues. Please share exactly what happened inTechnical Support so that Admin can investigate.

Is Raven the kitty you are thinking of?

https://tripawd.....cat-raven/

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

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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20 April 2020 - 3:50 pm
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O,at, I know we've been preaching  "patience" to you.  So I know it's wrong of me to be not-so-patiently waiting for your update on sweet Holly?  😉Vet, visit, etc.

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!

Member Since:
1 October 2017
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87
20 April 2020 - 4:59 pm
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I had to find it and it was driving me nutty (but so is life right now!) Elvis was amazing. Pretty sure this was the girl I had the honor of speaking to on a very eventful evening and she was scared to death for her big beautiful kitty. 

He is an Angel now, but he made a remarkable recovery after what seemed to be one of the longest recoveries. 

Forums https://tripawd.....red-human/

Blog Big E

I just adored these folks and it shows that we just don't give up! I hope this gives you some comfort and hope sp_hearticon2

Hugs,

Jackie and Huck sp_hearticon2

Hugs,

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

Huckleberry's Blog

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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20 April 2020 - 6:55 pm
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OH awesome thanks Jackie!

And yep, we're all hoping for an update on Holly. Paws & fingers still crossed.

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

Member Since:
10 April 2020
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21 April 2020 - 12:57 pm
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Guys good news and apologies for the 2 day delay in an update!!!

Such great tips and advice from you all. Jackie your post was so helpful!

So Holly is now 100% there mentally, she's off opioids now and I feel they didn't agree with her.

The lab test came back as a pseudomonas infection. Vet said these are nasty superbugs??!! And the antibiotics she was on wouldn't do anything. There is a small hole at incision site where necrotic tissue came off unfortunately. Vet said it MAY heal but surgical intervention may be needed (really dreading that!). So fingers crossed. The vet wants to treat infection topically and see how that goes. Today there was significant improvement on nasty drainage from wound, yay. No fever still as well.

Rehab - she has muscle wastage and weak core muscles as well as arthritis in lower back and back legs. We have LOTS of exercises to do as well as massage (just like you've said Jackie). She's been really calm and doesn't show any discomfort during the massage and exercises. And is DEFINITELY stronger. She just managed to half crawl/shuffle along backwards! She can kinda hold herself up when she pees but seems exhausted afterwards (it must be exhausting!).

She's trying SO hard and is improving each day!! She hasn't pooped for 2 days though but vet said try not to worry.

So we need to get the infection under control then try and close this 'hole'. She's working so hard on standing and is getting stronger

You guys are all amazing, thank you, each and every one of you. I'll update again later on. 

Sorry for leaving you all hanging!!

A happy holsmum xo

Member Since:
10 April 2020
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21 April 2020 - 12:59 pm
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Going to read Elvis's story now... 

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