Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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We went to vet today. His front leg is bent by his wrist. Not sure what to do about it. Has anyone has this happen? Is there a brace for it?
What did the vet say? Is it a bone injury? Or a soft tissue injury? Or a joint injury? Does the vet think it's temporary?
Are you using a sling to help support his weight? Maybe he would benefit from a wheelchair . Have you seen a rehab vet? That may be a place to start.
Thinking about you and hoping that this is a temporary problem.
Hugs,
Carol
marshallsmom13 said
Is there a brace...
Please consider contacting Orthopets after watching our video interview with the founder discussing the benefits of braces and prosthetics for amputee dogs. They are the best, and work with vets all over world.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I don't know they didn't say much. I'm confused as to what is wrong with him. They weren't sure what to make of him and his rapid breathing and his refusal to get up or even engage. She noticed that his leg wasn't right. I thought that it looked weird the other day but didn't have his other leg to compare it to and chalked it up to me being overly neurotic. She said that he might be depressed but isn't sure. So I don't really know anything more than this morning except that I know something is way different with him. I wish that I knew how to post videos on here so you could see the difference.
I'm so sorry...you must be so scared and frustrated right now. When I read your last post, it sounds like he might be in pain. Is he on pain meds? Did the vet X-Ray his leg? Has he had a chest X-ray recently, and if so, did it show anything? Maybe he's just been overdoing it. I'm sorry...i can't remember when he had his surgery.
If you're not happy with the way the vet handled things, you should see another vet. Even as soon as tomorrow if that will ease your mind. Or even an emergency vet tonight if you think there's an urgent problem.
Please keep us updated. We're all here for you.
Hugs,
Carol
Hi Carol,
Thank you! I am scared and frustrated. He had his surgery a week ago but came home 2 days after getting around fine and had his normal sparkle to him. That lasted for a day and half. He seems like he could be painful tonight. He's on Metacam they told me to hold off on the tramadol since he hasn't had any for 36 hours now and want to see how he acts with it out of his system. He came off his fentanyl patch Monday night. Tuesday afternoon his decline started. He seems like he has trouble walking now not just with his front leg but his back legs too. His chest X-ray was 2 weeks ago. They didn't X-ray his leg today. His nose is running and his breathing is so fast some panting but even when he sleeps. I thought that his breathing was returning to normal yesterday but it hasn't.
So it's really early in his recovery. I'm not experienced with the amputation surgery and recovery...I adopted Willow after her amp and cancer diagnosis. I wish I could offer advice for so early after surgery. I'm sure you will get advice from people who have gone through it.
Did anything show in his chest X-rays? Or were they completely clear?
Trust your instincts...you know him better than anyone. Go back to your vet, or see another vet, and get someone to help you figure it out. I read here all the time that it's hard to tell sometimes whether some behaviors are due to pain or the pain meds. But, if he seemed better on the meds, maybe he still needs them.
Keep us updated. I hope you have a peaceful night. I'm on the west coast, so I'll be up for awhile if you need some moral support.
Hugs,
Carol
Hi Marshallsmom, so sorry, I know this is really scary for you. I agree with Carol, I wouldn't be satisfied until I got an answer asap. It does sound like he is in pain, and I think you deserve a much better answer than what you got. We are here for you, like Carol also said, and please let us know what is going on with your sweet boy.
Sending {{hugs}}
Bonnie & Polly
Thank you all! I am going to give him tramadol tonight he is panting a lot now and got up and tried to get away from his missing leg it looked like.(phantom limb?) His chest X-rays were clear 2 weeks ago. I'm going to call again tomorrow or possibly our regular vet. They are always very proactive with his care. All he wants is to be in his crate. He doesn't acknowledge us or our other dog and normally he won't leave her alone. She even got in his crate to steal a treat I had put in there for him and he didn't care.
That sounds like a good plan...giving him pain meds that he's had before and done well with shouldn't hurt, and following up with the vet, or his regular vet, and getting some better answers will be good. Just keep pushing them...you do know him best. There is another med, Gabapentin, that is used for pain and mostly for phantom limb pain and nerve pain so you can ask about that if the vet agrees that his behavior is due to pain.
I hope the Tramadol helps and he is more comfortable and everyone can relax though the night.
Hugs,
Carol
He went in kitchen and fell asleep next to fridge so I didn't give him tramadol yet. I closed his cage so he couldn't get in for a while but since he wants nothing to do with us he went to the kitchen. He seems comfy so I'm going to let him stay there until he gets up and then see if he needs tramadol. I will ask about Gabapentin. Is there a way to post videos to here?
If it were me, I would let him be where he feels safe and comfortable, and just stay close by to keep an eye on him. If he feels secure in his crate maybe it's okay if he stays in there.
You can post videos. I think you load them up to YouTube as public and then paste the link on its own line in a post and it gets embedded automatically. If you do a search you will find directions.
Hugs,
Carol
Goodness gracius Marshall...off the site a few hours expecting to see a good post about you......what the heck is going on with yo sweet boy!?
Okay, your resting somewhat comfortably now, so that's good.
He's been off pain meds for thirty-six hours? And it's only six days post amp? Okay...DEFINITELY time to get a second opinion! DEFINITELY!
I knowyour plan is to give him one tramadol...forgotten Marshall's weight a d check with your vet, you may want to give him another extra half..or whole one. I'm no vet..check with them. Marshal has got to be in pain this early out!
Guess they took his temperature?
I KNLW this is so settling, bjt hks behavior as far as just wanting to lay down and "hide" from tne world is not all that unusual. Not kowng what's going on with his front leg is so ething the second opinion vet will check out thoroughly.
Jerr will see your plst and give you the links topost video. If you can figure out how topost on Youtube, yoj must coy/paste the URL link onto a li e to itselfn your plst page.......I think........I'm not exactly a computer person.....I think my typing may have given you a clue!
Just know we are here with you'o,ay? Marshall WILL get better. We need to get this front leg thing straightened out and get him on some pain meds AND have a seco d vet check him over...... How does the incision site looK? No sign of infection, etc.?
Still eating, drinking so e? He could bedehydrated and need some fluids? Just throwing stuff up against the wal and see what sticks!!
Okay, will be looking for your nextpost. Hang in tnere! You are doi g great!!!
Sending you lots of healing hugs!!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
How is he doing today?
First, to post a video please see this Forum discussion.
When the vet said his leg wasn't right, what kind of options did s/he give you for treating it? Was this your regular vet or an emergency vet or a second opinion vet? What are the next steps they recommended taking? If you are not satisfied with their answers, let them know and request an opinion from an orthopedic specialist.
I'm not a vet and I don't know Marshall but all of those signs are typical of a dog who is in pain. If he wants to be in his crate, let him. Dogs instinctively want to be left alone when they're hurting. That's OK, it gives them a chance to heal.
I hope today is a better day for all of you. Please give your boy a big smooch from us, we're thinking about you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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