Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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Hi all, thank goodness for this website!! I have a lot of forums to read yet so I'm sure there is an answer to my question somewhere, but feeling the need to communicate as feeling a bit isolated. My beautiful 9 1/2 years old, stocky, lurcher (stocky, not fat, he is very muscular) had a front right amp after osteosarcoma diagnosis. I was in denial for ages (still am) as he was crazy running and hurt himself, so we thought it was a bad sprain, thought he was on the mend, then he went completely lame and was diagnosed with the sarcoma. He is just over two weeks post op. He's been on gabapentin, tramadol and paracetamol, now down to paracetamol and rhemocam (metacam). To be honest, glad he is off the Gaba as it was making him really drugged up, which was good as important for his rest, but he seems much brighter since he has come off of it. He's already had one treatment of carboplatin, vet said new protocol is to get the treatment started as soon as possible and they were happy that the wound was healing well.
He's been walking on his own since after the op, the sling seemed to hinder him, although I do try and support him with a harness. He is literally going out for his business and then wants to come back indoors. We have stairs everywhere here so the garden isn't an option at the moment, although I wish we could go out there so he could at least have some sniff stimulation, although he'd still probably want to chase the resident fox, so he'd still have to be on a lead. I will take him out when feeling a bit braver. He is quite stiff on his back legs. The vet rechecked the CT scan and there is a lesion on his L3 lumbar region, but they do not know if this is something he has always had or worse, but this could be making him a bit stiff, or it could just be strain from getting used to his new gait (my hope). Been told to just see how he gets on. So, after a very long-winded intro, and knowing that every dog has a different experience, just wondering how other dogs get on with mobillity after the op, i.e. are they jumping around after two weeks or still getting used to their new situation. I know I have to be patient, but at the moment I'm struggling to see him ever being able to hop around more freely (although he did run up the stairs when I just nipped up to get something!) and feel so sad for him being trapped. Everything is barred, rugs everywhere and I am 'camping' with him downstairs so he only has access to two rooms. It's been a journey, trying to be patient and calm but sometimes I feel overwhelmed and panicky and angry that this has happened to my beautiful boy.
Thank you again to this community, it's such a rock to cling onto.
Lindsey
Hello Lindsey, welcome to you and your boy...what's his name?
Your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
It's not surprising that he is stiff since he has been pretty immobile for two weeks. I'm sorry about the possible lesion... you had enough to worry about without that news!
Have you thought about taking him to a rehab vet? Not all primary vets will direct you in that direction but we have seen here that it is really, really helpful with recovery and for gaining strength. They might also be able to give you some insight on why he is stiff and determine if he does have an issue with his back.
Can you handle him on the stairs with the harness? At the two week mark he should be able to do a bit more and it would open up his world and improve his mood. If you don't think you can handle him alone is there someone who can help?
My little Pug Maggie lost a rear leg to mast cell cancer long ago. She was a stubborn little thing who hated changes to her routine. Although she was hopping on her own the day of surgery and there were no medical complications she spent about 6 weeks in her bed. Once she decided she was ready she hopped happily through life for almost 4 years beating her prognosis of 6 to 9 months.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls and Boy
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Hi Lindsey and pup, welcome!
Your concerns are all very normal and we totally understand. Two weeks out is not a long time, especially for an older dog, to get their mojo back after surgery. I second the suggestion to see a physio where you live, and they can help you pinpoint what you can do to get your dog back to a more agile, limber, and strong state. They can show you exercises to do at home, things that can help you help him avoid injury. And Tripawds Foundation can pay for your first rehab visit too! If you'd like help finding a physio near you let me know.
Stairs are tricky for a Tripawd but if you have a handle on top of his harness, as in a design like the Webmaster Flagline , you can assist him going up and down stairs. I agree it would brighten his mood, and yours too. The sooner you can get back to a place of normal, the better for everypawdy!
Hi, thank you for your responses
Yes, planning to take Tzar to rehab. The vet had suggested waiting until our visit next week as he wanted to see if he loosened up a bit or whether the lesion was affecting him, with the possibility of a further CT scan. He did seem a bit looser today so praying he is easing up a little. Some people have mentioned hydrotherapy but Tzar does not like water, I only have to get his bathing cloth out and you can almost hear him gulp as he reverses out of the utility room. BTW thank you for letting me know about the first rehab visit being free but I am in the UK.
I have got a ruffwear harness
but not Flagline
. It is difficult to get harnesses for lurchers/greyhounds as they have such deep chests but quite slim so the harnesses just swivel around. My intention is to get him into the garden this week before my partner goes on holiday. I used to manage with another harness (I now have many, none fit!) when he was lame but I have been a bit fearful as he is more fragile after the operation. I can take him onto the street at the front of the house, at least, but I'm sure the scent of the foxes in 'his garden' will stimulate him 
It will be nice for both of us to get out there.
Thank you again for your suggestions.
Hugs from the UK
Lindsey
Great to hear about Maggie by the way! That's a great story, good to hear good news on this journey 
Hi Lindsey,
Yes it can be tough to find the right harness for a smooth coated, front leg amputee. The Flagline is the best one we've found so far for that specific situation.
Even though you're in the UK we can reimburse if you have a Paypal account, so please take advantage of the program.
I'm glad your vet is already on track thinking about physio. Hydrotherapy isn't the answer for all dogs, so no worries if yours doesn't enjoy water. There are mannnnny other tools that can be used. You will find the one when working with a good physio.
I hope he's feeling even better today!
Maggie probably would have been OK with hydro, she liked water but my current Tripawd Pug mix does not like water at all. Elly lost a leg to a car accident almost 8 years ago and about 2 years ago she hurt her one remaining hip. When I took her to a rehab vet we quickly ruled out any water treatment. There are lots of other modalities that are helpful- but what I like the most is getting an at home exercise program.
Great to hear about Maggie by the way! That's a great story, good to hear good news on this journey
Thank you! We were very fortunate. You will find lots of inspirational stories here. The cancer journey is hard and having a community who understands what you are dealing with is invaluable.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls and Boy
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
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