Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I was wondering how to help my dog not get muscle atrophy. She will have to be confined to her crate for 10 to 14 days while she recovers from front limb amputation. I don’t want her inactivity to cause her more trouble down the road, but I also don’t want to hurt her recovery by being too active. Does anyone have any tips or advice on how to balance her activity and recovery?
Qhen you can, let us k ow more avout your pup. Name, age, reason for amputation, aurgery date, etc
Generally recovery allows for short leashed potty breaks and there can be some mobility around the house (ie foing to water bowl., going to a food bowl, etc) So that's enough "activity" in the short term of10 -14 days to keep from muscle atrophy . No stairs, no run I g or jumping. Of course, that's assuming that there is no medical reason or otherwise for strict grate confinement for that length of time.
Good I sight on your part. Sometimes we do see too mich activity too soon those first two weeks and that can cause pulled muscles, back strain, etc.
The most important thi g you can do tp keep your tripawd strong and fit and to protect muscles and joints, is to see a Certified Rehabilitation Specialist. once stitches are out.The Tripawds Foundation will even pay for the first visit.
Let is k ow how things are going and jow we can help support you, okay?
Higs
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!
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Great question, but can I ask why she's being confined to the crate? Was it prescribed by your vet? Is she used to being in the crate?
Sorry I know, more questions than answers. But the reason I'm asking is that most dogs do fine without being crated after amputation surgery, as long as they're not allowed to roam all over the house or go outside off-leash. As Sally mentioned, just those little trips outside for bathroom breaks and such as usually enough activity to avoid muscle atrophy. Now, other surgeries like TPLO do require crating, but that's a whole other kind of situation.
Birdie is a 15 month old Pitt that had her front left leg amputated due to a tumor on her wrist. The biopsy was inconclusive and the vet recommended amputation because of the pain and continuing bone deterioration. They are sending the leg off for pathology tests to see if it’s cancerous or not. Praying it isn’t. The vet said she needs to be confined to her crate for 10-14 days with potty breaks on leash and small amounts of walking periodically throughout the day on leash as well. Her staples should come out next Friday at the earliest, the following Monday at the latest. She is doing really well with walking so far on the short amounts of walking I allow her.
Well if your vet recommends it then follow that advice. There's a supplement called Myos that is specifically for building muscle in dogs. It's vet approved and supposed to work pretty well, could be worth checking out. I believe someone else here has recently tried it, hoping they chime in.
Love the name "Birdie" for your sweet Pittie.
Glad to hear she's doing so well this early on. Thanks for the update.
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!
Our vet pretty much told us the same for activity although didn't require us to use a crate. Which was fine as Maggie pretty much stayed in her bed for several weeks!
I don't remember if this was discussed in your other threads but if you take Birdie to a rehab vet/facility they can help you get Birdie back in shape and give you an exercise program to follow. We even have a program here that might pay for your first visit.
My little rear amp Tri Elly (car accident) injured her remaining hip last summer and I finally took her to a rehab place. They did some weekly treatment for the injury but more important in my mind they designed an at home exercise program for us.
And I am using the supplement Jerry mentioned- Myos. It was recommended by our rehab vet to help her rebuild her hip/leg muscles, she had been on activity restriction for at least 4 weeks after her injury. Elly seemed to make progress and gain strength faster after starting on the supplement.
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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