Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I understand your frustration, you deal with the amputation and then more problems crop up. Mine included moving to a new area, Chloe's separation anxiety acting up, having neighbors call animal control on me (twice in a week), not knowing what to do with my dog, taking her to a friends house while at school and the new thing is that she growls at other dogs (either trying to protect me or because she is being possessive). Talk about wanting to pull my hair out! And did I mention she is afraid of thunder and fireworks? That's a whole other issue...
Chloe too will lick, but will stop on her own. One time after I went on a run she licked both of MY legs nearly raw, at first I thought it was funny, but then was alarmed that she just kept going. No idea what that was about.
Anyway, I think that dogs deal with their new found vulnerability differently, Dakota licks himself and his rug and Chloe growls over the littlest things. She lived with another dog for 9 years and was the submissive one, so this is definitely a new thing for her.
Like other people have suggested, you might try some of the products that deter licking, liquids you can put on his leg or on the rug that taste bad. A little hot sauce might work. Good luck, I hope you figure something out. It seems like you solve one problem only to have more come, life is a constant battle, but we are all here to help one another!
-Chloe's mom
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
Before you invest in a fit pad you might try working with him using some chair or couch pillows placed on the floor. They should be enough to mess a little with his balance and make him work a bit. Not quite as good as a fit pad, but you might get an idea if you could even get him to do it.
I'm going to try some of Cynthia's ideas with Obie too. He is very shy and a little insecure and has some weird licking behaviors.
Karen and the pugapalooza
If you decide to use pillows, be sure they aren't too thick or soft. The Fit Pad is a much more predictable surface. If he falls using a pillow, he may not to be willing to try again.
littlemanjake said:
If you decide to use pillows, be sure they aren't too thick or soft. The Fit Pad's is a much more predictable surface. If he falls using a pillow, he may not to be willing to try again.
I went to Toys r Us and got this nap mat to use instead of using a wobble board. Its somewhat firm, a little give and you can wipe it clean. (and it was inexpensive, about $19)
[Image Can Not Be Found]
Daisy earned her wings on Oct 22, 2011 at 14 years old
She is now the official greeter at the rainbow bridge
Everyone is guaranteed a welcome sniff and Dalmatian smile
Hi Shari,
I can add a little here too. My old girl does the licking thing, she licks everything and doesn't stop no matter how hard you try to redirect her. She is the one that has the doggie dementia, and I think the licking is her way of dealing with the anxiety. She will lick the rug for hours, the floor, other dogs, herself, whatever. So, yes, I think it is an "anxiety" issue.
My Sammy, he was slow on the recovery side, it has taken him 6 months to start to play with Titan again. He also only recently went back to investigating our whole acreage, instead of just his potty area. He doesn't like to be to far from the house, he will hope down to the lower acre only if I am outside, or one of the other dogs is outside. He doesn't feel like he can defend himself from the dogs that come to the fence, or the elk that wander by.
I did keep him from playing too rough with Titan until about a month ago. I could tell from his triggers that he was going from play to "scared, I am going to defend myself" growls pretty quickly. So, I monitor their play, and not let it get to the point it bothers Sammy.
Things change, and not all dogs get back to the dogs they were before, but with some patience and some confidence building stuff, I think Dakota and all dogs that go through this recover and have happy times ahead.
When I let Sammy out to go potty, he won't go unless someone is with him. He doesn't like to be outside alone anymore, for any reason. I think as long as he is happy, I won't press the issue. It sounds like Dakota needs some "work" time. Some time where you do actual strength and endurance building activities. If you push him a tad he may start to develop confidence. Make it fun :0)
I hope this helps,
Elizabeth and Sammy
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
Hi again!
Does Dakota eat dry kibble for meals? If he does and you are looking for something to keep him mentally stimulated (rather than licking), you might consider the everlasting fun ball. Chloe finally figured out how to use it and loves it! It is a hollow ball with holes on the end and you put in treats or kibble in the hollow part. The dog has to roll the ball around in order to get the food to come out.
Here is a video of Chloe using two different everlasting products. One is the everlasting treat ball (you put in chewable inserts) which is for chewers (like Chloe). The green ball is the everlasting fun ball I am talking about.
-Chloe's mom
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
I am on board with Dan.. after Coopers amputation he also seemed a bit obsessed with his remaining front leg, and whatever he was laying on. And yup it looked like you had dumped water after he was done, one night I got up in the middle of the night and the floor all
around Cooper was wet and I panicked because the area was so big, I turned on the light and there he was licking his leg and the floor.
He seems happy and plays ( as much or more than he ever did ) and after almost 5 months he licks a lot less. I just never worried too much about it, ofr one thing early on it appeared he was just trying to lick up the blood and seroma that he was always leaking. It does sound like Dakota is more obsessive about it, I hope you figure it out.
Coopsdad
Coopsdad/ Kenneth Blackburn
http://cooper.t.....ipawds.com
the monkeydogs only THINK they have invaded the tripawd state
That nap mat doesn't look like it would quite provide the instability Dr. Waldman recommends for unstable surface work with most new tripawds. (Though for Daisy, it may be perfect.)
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Shari,
I was just reading your post about taking Dakota to the dog park & your other comment about his probably not being comfortable in town.
I would seriously reconsider pushing him that far from his comfort zone when his anxiety is at it's present level in a familiar environment.
Besides his anxiety, he is not in peak physical condition. If he gets hurt, or if even just frightened by some rough physical contact at the dog park, his confidence will be shaken.
Since you live in a rural area & I am guessing won't be able to make this trip to the dog park easily or frequently enough to actively work on desensitizing him, you might want to reconsider stressing him with the car ride as well as the destination. Dakota's world may have to be smaller for now.
Dog parks are not for all dogs. Many times they are full of uneducated, often irresponsible owners, leaving their unskilled, under confident dogs to fend for themselves…setting everyone up for failure.
I would also, without question, avoid putting any noxious tasting substances on whatever Dakota is chewing. Licking is currently his only outlet for what must be such exquisite anxiety. If he loses this release so negatively, he will find another undesirable means to comfort himself..then you will have two behaviors to eliminate.
Cynthia
Thanks to everyone for all the ideas, feedback and shared experiences. It sounds like many of us have gone through something similar. I have a lot to think about.
For now, I'm leaving the status quo alone and planning to discuss all of this with the vets at CSU on Tuesday. I may have another issue that is the foundation for all of this.
This morning, Dakota could hardly get up. Once up, he could hardly stand. Walking was very difficult for him and he acted like it was his remaining front leg that was the problem. Is it hurting? Is that what the licking is about? I don't know. I had him up and encouraged him to walk around a little inside, thinking he might have slept funny and been stiff. Once moving, maybe it would be better.
It did improve a little, but now in the evening he's still very reluctant to walk much at all and really labors to do so. I had him outside for awhile because he so enjoys sniffing where every critter peed overnight. He did a little of that but he walked the bare minimum, and halted where I did. He did not go off on his own to his usual spots. He sniffed, then sat for awhile, then just lay down and looked around. This is really out of character for Dakota.
So maybe there is something else underlying the licking and the very tentative gait he's adopted. He was more mobile and more capable a week after surgery than he is today. He does take a daily dose of Deramaxx for some shoulder stiffness, so that part's been addressed. Let's see what I can find out Tuesday.
Thanks again, everyone.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Good luck Tuesday Shari, I hope everything goes well & it's nothing too serious.
We'll be thinking about you & Dakota,
Cynthia & Isabelle
Awesome advice you've gotten here. Isn't this just about the time you really wished our dogs talked? I hope you're able to figure out what's going on...just one thing on the licking of the feet. My other golden Kobe constantly licks his feet when his allergies kick in. So he gets an allergy shot called Kenalog every few months that really helps with the licking. He also tends to chew on carpets when he's hungry or bored. So when I see him doing that, I give him something to eat and that usually stops it. I'm also wondering if Dakota is in pain at all? Doesn't sound like he is so maybe that's not even an issue.
This can be so tough trying to figure out what's going on. Wish you all the best on this!
Kami, Angel Mackenzie and Kobe
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
Kami... Champ has allergies as well. He licks his feet and belly in the spring. I checked Kenalog because I thought maybe it might work for him but it's a corticosteroid and he can't have it if he's on metronomic chemo... drat... He's already started sneezing...
Joy & Champ
Shari, just now getting caught up here….
It does sound like the licking could be an indicator of pain. Pain can show up as a poor appetite, unwillingness to interact, hiding, and compulsively licking, etc. I'm gonna bet the CSU folks will have some interesting and helpful things to say about this, please let us know here what they say.
My other thought was to try something like Rescue Remedy to see if this helps with his anxiety. Tune in to Tripawd Talk Radio next week, when we have Tripawd member Gina Snow discuss various homeopathic and holistic remedies for animals. Be sure to call/chat/chime in and ask her what she thinks about Dakota's situation.
Last thought…I agree with Cynthia. Based on what you've told us about him, I think a dog park would be really stressful for him until it's clear what the issue is. Just my two cents.
Let us know what happens at CSU OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yep, I'll keep you posted on what I find out. And Dakota won't be going to any dog parks any time soon. Maybe never. I wish they had squirrel or rabbit parks. He'd go to those.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
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