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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Kaiserin update and now what?
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Member Since:
9 July 2018
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13 August 2018 - 1:26 pm
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We are doing well here on day 12 of recovery. Kaiserin got her staples taken out on Saturday. She was very brave. There were a lot of them. I was very relieved when it was over. She is eating some dog food finally (with some chicken mixed in still) and is getting around the house much better. I still watch her very carefully because I am worried she will fall and injure the other leg. I also still put the cone of shame on at night because she is licking the incision area and could probably still get it infected or open it up even though the staples are out. I am starting today to slowly wean off the pain medications (over next few days). 

The problem is now I kind of feel like I have been handed a 3-legged dog without an instruction manual! And I feel I need instructions.  I don't know what to do next. I am assuming I should slowly start taking her on short walks and build up herself strength. I had all sorts of instructions for the recovery period until stitches came out, now nothing!

Latham, NY
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1 October 2017
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13 August 2018 - 1:59 pm
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Our surgeon told  us at the appointment where Fallon got her staples out that she could take on whatever activity she could tolerate--just build up slowly.  We were leash walking her to keep her and Maggie from mixing it up, so I would just go one more house every day.  It's 10 months later and now we let her run in the yard pretty freely--she moves better fast and has proved she can hold her own with Maggie!

We also got a rehab consult to get some direction on best practices for her--it was awesome, I highly recommend this.  It gave some direction as far as exercises, activity levels, etc.

Do you have Loving Life on Three Legs?  It's one of the Tripawds e-books --also great info and pretty cheap.  I got tons of good info from there.

We started with our oncologist right after the staples came out, and we relied on her for other direction--supplements, meds, treatment, next steps, etc.

Positive energy to you and pretty girl Kaiserin.  You got this!  smiley

Fallon  8/28/06--9/6/18.  My Heart.

Fallon's left front leg was amputated due to osteosarcoma on 10/11/17.

Nothing But Love in Her Heart - dawn3g.tripawds.com

Livermore, CA




Member Since:
18 October 2009
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13 August 2018 - 2:34 pm
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It's great that Kaiserin is doing so well!

Core strength is really important for Tripawds- and just walking doesn't do much to build strength. 

Here are some blog posts on exercises you can try.

With both walking and strength and balance work you want to start slowly and gradually build up.  I adopted Elly about 2.5 months after her rear amp (car accident) she was completely healed but not at all strong.  Walking a couple of blocks was hard for her and when she played in the house she often ended up sitting or laying down.  She could also not hold the 'play bow' position- her back leg would give out.

We started slowly with strength and balance work- and kept it fun! Lots of treats when working on equipment and lots of food puzzles and games.  Her first year with me she got her breakfast in a food toy that she had to roll around to get the food to come out.  We are now obsessed with the sport of Nose Work, a great low impact activity that challenges her mind and tires her out.  The parks in our neighbor hood have grassy hills- a great work out for her and really helps her balance.  Even though we live in a drougt area the grass is usually damp and pretty long- almost like sand! She doesn't go tearing across- actually the slower the better for her balance...she looks for gophers so it's fun for her.

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:
21 May 2016
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13 August 2018 - 4:52 pm
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I agree!

Built up strength and stamina slowly, one thing to always bear in mind is allow for the time needed to return to where you started the walk/activity.

One solid indication you are overdoing it is if Kaiserin sits or lies down during your walk.

If so, let her rest and reduce the duration of the walk next time. 

If you did too much one day, do less the next day or even give it a couple of days rest, if needed.

We did not consult a rehab vet but others have and all say it was a good decision so why not try that with your girl?

Hugs and cuddles 😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹

Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-) 

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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13 August 2018 - 7:56 pm
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Ditto to all the above and please remember, the Tripawds Foundation will pay for your first rehab visit as long as the practitioners are CCRT and CCRP.

Sooo glad to hear your super Shepherd is doing great! 

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

Member Since:
9 July 2018
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15 August 2018 - 7:48 pm
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I think we are going to look into a rehab session to get some ideas on how to strengthen her remaining back leg.

Karen- Kaiserin does nosework too! She has a few titles already. I am hoping she can still compete as a tripawd - once she has built up a bit more strength, I was very sad at our trial that was two weeks before her amputation because I was worried she may never compete again. Two weeks after amputation, we have a way to go, but I think maybe she may be able to still compete.

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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15 August 2018 - 8:12 pm
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Oh o course she can compete! Check out Mr. B:

Blind Nose Work Dog Shows Scent Games are for Tripawds Too

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

Livermore, CA




Member Since:
18 October 2009
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15 August 2018 - 10:16 pm
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I started Elly on Nose Work to build her confidence, when I adopted her she was pretty much afraid of anything that moved and some things that didn't move...

She has done so well and being a Tripawd has not hindered her in any way.  We have been in classes for over a year and a half and just started trialing in May of this year, she has 3 level 1 Titles including her NW1! Elly also has Separation Anxiety related to waiting in my truck so that slowed us down a bit, but she is doing better with that too.

Once Kaiserin is all healed and has some strength you should be able to get back to NW.  I know of 3 other Tripawds currently trialing with NACSW, I'm sure there are more.  I think it is an excellent activity for Tripawds!

Karen

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:
9 July 2018
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18 August 2018 - 9:18 am
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Well we got our report back from the lab yesterday and the tumor removed (along with the back leg) was definitely a recurrence of the same one removed in October - a grade 2 fibrosarcoma. Since we already did surgery, radiation and chemo on the tumor the first time I now feel confident that removing her leg was the only way to get the cancer out of her body as we had already tried everything else.  The best news is the lymph mode nearby was not affected, neither was any bone, so we don't require any further cancer treatment. Just a follow up chest X-ray in 6 months. 

I have also requested we get into a rehab program soon!

We are now 17 days post amputation. We are trying more stuff slowly every day. Had a very short walk in the park yesterday - yeah! Tried stairs today for the first time and it didn't go well - she would try a couple of stairs and then flop over. I had a small loop leash connected to her harness and had to pick her up. We got up but it wasn't pretty? What do we do? Just keep trying and she will figure it out?

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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18 August 2018 - 10:14 am
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That bum leg is fine and all her other tests showed  no other spread...GREAT NEWS!!!

As far as the stairs, all I can say is some dogs are able to do them, and some not.   It takes a huge amount of effort to so them on three.  In Kaiserin's case,this is still very very  early and different have to develop  a strength that they didn't  need before.

Rehab may help, as well as time.  

In my Hapoy Hannah's  case (a rear legger), she could go down, but not up the stairs. I have an old home with steep narrow  stairs, so that was a hurdle for her.  She wasn't  able to go up on wider, less steep, deck stairs to her porch.  She did just fine on her ramp though!

One thing that may help.  Is to delay trying to make that happen for now so she doesn't  develop a phobia, or fear, while she's  trying to build strength  and confidence.   I think in my Happy Hannah's  case, a little bit of it became psychological and some unwarranted fear.  Once or twice she tried the stairs at first, and either had a tumble down a step or she just froze and couldn't  turn around to go back down.  My "help" wasn't  a "pretty thing" either.  Needless to say,  I spent most of my time during  that journey  sleeping on a mattress on the floor with her downstairs.

So just out that in the  for whatever  it's worth column. 

Keep up the good work!  She's  still recovering  from major surgery  and adjusting  to her new gait.  Sounds like she's  doing really, really well!

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!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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18 August 2018 - 10:51 am
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kaiserinmom said
What do we do?

Take things one day at a time. Focus on rebuilding strength. Start very slowly. Remember that walks do dot build strength, only stamina.

There are various starter exercises you can do, and Loving Life On Three Legs is filled with more professional rehab tips and exercise suggestions. The best recommendation is to visit a certified canine rehab therapist for a professional evaluation, treatment recommendations and specific exercises you can do to keep her fit and strong, and prevent future injury. Visit a CCRT or CCRP and the Tripawds Foundation can even pay for your first visit from the Maggie Moo Fund for Tripawd Rehab.

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

Livermore, CA




Member Since:
18 October 2009
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18 August 2018 - 1:15 pm
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Congrats on the great path report!  No more treatment is awesome!

As far as the stairs- do you have access to a short run- maybe 3 or 4 stairs?  That would be a good place to start- with lots of treats and encouragement.  That way she could have success without getting too tired.  She might be more confident when she gets stronger.

My Pug Maggie never could do more than 3 or 4 stairs after her rear amp- but she was small and I lived in a one story house at the time.  I have a suspicion that she tried to go up more stairs at my parents house and either fell or got stuck.  She had always had some hesitation going up stairs and she was the type to remember a 'failure' and was forever reluctant to try again.  She would go down pretty much anything on her own.

Here is a Recent Discussion on Stairs from the fourms.

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:
21 May 2016
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18 August 2018 - 4:06 pm
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Hi Natasha 🌸

These are such good news, she needs no chemo just check ups twice a year !!!!

So happy for you both !!!

But you have to take it easy and not want her to do too much, too quickly.

I agree with all others, take it slow and don’t make her progress too quickly.

She needs to do things at her own pace, not yours.

If you let her decide, she will only move one step when she is totally confident with the previous one.

This is important.

You are not in her shoes, sweetie.

She is the one who needs to adapt to her new life of three and it isn’t a piece of cake.

She will get there, for sure and will show you how well she will adapt but you have to be patient.

I would not impose stairs on her, that is probably the most challenging thing for a Tripawd and as Sally says not all of our pups do it in the end.

Most do, but not all.

Eurydice never did unless the steps were really wide as in double the normal width. 

She mastered absolutely everything else to a T.

I hope I am not being too pushy with my views here and if I sound like it, please forgive me.

You will both overcome this phase and what a wonderful life you have ahead 🌻☀️

Sending you kisses and cuddles, lots and lots of them 😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹

Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-) 

Member Since:
9 July 2018
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19 August 2018 - 3:58 pm
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I think we may have rushed it a bit by attempting stairs! We have a really nice deck above our garage and she loves to sit up there and watch the world go by so it was worth it! Luckily she is pretty fearless so I don't think there is any chance she will get freaked out by stumbling or getting stuck! But we will continue to take it slow! Appreciate all the advice and encouragement! 😊

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