Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi Amy
Agreed, this set back is frustrating but like everyone else I would take great comfort in what your vet said. Jersey Girl has had a few experiences with lameness / leg injury over her life so I'll share what we did. Who knows, maybe it will help.
- First, after her ACL surgery she went 50 HOURS before she even came out of her crate and then it was ONLY to pee. She was nearly as bad after her amputation. My girl could hold it forever! I called the vet a few times and they were never terribly concerned. They're not like us they can go longer.
- We always carried Jersey Girl outside to do her business. I'd lift the front of her and Gregg would lift the back. We called it Jersey Girl's taxi. Giving her the opportunity to truly rest I think helped.
There you go, just food for thought. Give her a little time and I'm sure she'll bounce back to your playful lab!
Claudia and Angel Jersey Girl
OH MY SWEET AMY AND LIBBY!!
I have to say, when I saw your title to your post my heart dropped sgraight to my knees and I feared the worst. Only pawrents of gripawds withnthis stupid disease considsr a leg/back injury a RELIEF!!!
And yeah, she will pee...even if it's in her sleep or while she's laying down outside.
This WILL heal! Libby is acting li,e -herself!! Even with ghis sprain or whatever and on pain meds, she is actng like herself!! And your mnd doesn't need to take -you on a road trip to aywhere but the present. The vet is aabsolutley cnvinced he can get herover this hurdle...it may take more than five days and she may have to slow her little exuberant Lab self down a touch, but she WILL recover!!
Okay Libby, enough of this rough housing! It scares your momma!!
How's she doing now? We will all join in on the pee dance when you give us the word.
BIG DEEP BREATHS, okay? Libby willpwer through this, but it will take time!! Sore muscles, strains,etc. don't heal overnight. One of my senior adoptees recently did so eting to her back leg...through manipulation (not xray) he felt it was not ACL, but she held her leg up for days! Granted, she's not a tripawd. Meloxicam and tramadol were the protocal.
Goodness gracious, I'm sending you so much love...as is the whole community... and love heals!
Saly 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!
Thank you everyone. She's actually getting worse. It appears to be neurological. Both feet are curling under when we try to stand her up. Took her to ER vet tonight. Vet suspects a bulged disc. With her lung mets and TCC, she is not a good candidate for surgery. Added gabepentin to the protocol. We will see what tomorrow brings. We are broken hearted.
Amy & Libby the Brave Winter Warrior
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Okay, she's home, right?
What made him think differently than the first vet's evaluation? It seems your fist vet jad a better handleon what's going on...he nows Libby and her history. Also, the tramadol could make her have the appearance of some nuerological issues...feet not workng right, etc.
Buldged discs can still be treated eith anti-inflammatories and rest, absolutely!
Libby still acting like herself? Of course, thepain meds may gof her up a little now. Give the antiinflammatories time to work. Also, wo dering about a steroild injection nto the bulging desk???
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!
Thanks, Sally & Carol. She finally peed this morning. We both took her out in kind of a double sling. I was encouraged when I didn't see her toes curling under this morning. There were deer in the field and that got her cackles up and she barked at them. I think seeing the deer encouraged her to "mark" her territory. Bret positioned her legs and then she squatted, all while being supported with the slings.
Sally, I forgot to put in my post (I talked about it in the chat room last night) but the ER vet didn't give her a steroid because she's on metacam. Libby can't afford a wash out period of being off metacam in order to start a steroid. The ER vet didn't want to chance blowing out her stomach. You asked what made this vet think differently than the 1st vet....because when we took her to the regular vet, her toes weren't curling. That started after we brought her home and it was happening in one paw. By the time we went to the ER vet, it was happening in both rear paws.
I asked the ER vet to do an xray, even though a bulged/slipped disc wouldn't show, I just wanted to see if it was anything else. Nothing could be seen but the ER vet said that didn't mean there couldn't be a met on her spine. We could see the lung mets and I could tell they have grown since her xrays a couple of weeks ago.
Things seemed very grave last night, but I am a little encouraged this morning. We will see how the day goes...
Thanks again for all the love and support.
Amy & Libby
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Sending lots of hope, positive thoughts, love and hugs to you guys this morning
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
Thanks Elizabeth, we will see what today brings.
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Sending all my positive thoughts and prayers for Libby today.......
Bonnie and Angel Polly
Hi Amy
Sending lots of positive thoughts, love and energy your way!
Libby is a fighter!
Glad to hear she finally peed....a least she has to be a bit more comfortable.
Many hugs
Linda and Tucker
Glad to hear Libby peed!! And Linda is right, Libby IS A FIGHTER!! I hope today brings some improvement for your girl. We're all thinking about her and sending positive thoughts her way!
It sounds like Libby is doing a little better this morning. She's a strong girl!
I'll be thinking about all of you, and sending love and positive thoughts! Please keep us updated.
Hugs,
Carol
I was off this site all day yesterday so just now am catching up... I am so sorry!!! Libby is a fighter!! Hang tight! I am thinking of you and sending you lots of love and well wishes....
Alison and Shelby
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
I just read the entire post, and my heart is with you and Libby. Praying that things are getting better today-we are sending huge hugs to you!!
Joan and Lily
Our beautiful Lily was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her front leg on 12/14/11 at age 8 and had amp on 12/16/11. She completed 5 rounds of carbo. She was so brave and kicked cancer's butt daily! She lived life fully for 4 years, 3 months, and 15 days after her amp. My angel is a warrior princess. I miss her so much.
We are with you, too. Libby is Lab-strong. She will do everything in her power to make this fight turn in her favor. Keeping positive thoughts coming your way.
Kathi and Murphy
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
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