Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello,
Our 11 year old boxer, Bailey, is 3 weeks post-op after amputation of her left front leg. She does not like laying on her nub side, and gets scared when we re-position her this way, because she hasn't figured out how to get up from that position yet, even though we can tell how good it feels for her to lay on that side and give that remaining front leg a rest.
She likes to sit down hard and roll onto her right back leg without fully rotating her body to let the leg clear her stomach. She isn't sitting correctly, and would rather lay down. Her front leg is probably tired and sore at this point. This results in her laying on top of her rear leg for most of the day and using the front leg to hold herself upright. Even when we re position her, she just tucks that back leg right back under her.
SO- now she is laying on it so much that when she gets up, it's numb and she either can't get up, or gets up and has to lean on us until she can feel the leg again. I can see a difference now in muscle tone in that leg, and I am concerned that allowing her to continue this way is going to have a negative effect on recovery, and place too much burden on the two remaining legs.
She's also developing a pressure callus on her rib where she lays all day, despite soft beds and trying to put pillows under that side.
Anyone have any ideas on what to do here? I am trying to give her legs and hips a good rub down at least once daily, and that helps her alot.
Hmmm. Usually what we see is that new Tripawds figure out how to lay on the stump side, and get up from it on their own, not too long after surgery. But as we say around here, all dogs and cats are different in how they recover, and Bailey is definitely setting her own precedent!
Here are some questions I'm thinking might help pinpoint her reluctance to be more mobile... Is she on any kind of pain medications right now? Have you tried palpating around her body to find out if she's got painful spots somewhere?
Is she exhibiting any kind of pain signals like lack of appetite, hiding out, hunching when she walks or tries to potty? What about when she tries to move around while standing and walking? And is she getting any kind of activity like short leashed potty walks? If so, how long are those walks or play sessions?
I'm not sure I'm being much help here, just trying to brainstorm. I would definitely make an appointment with a rehabilitation therapist to help figure out what's keeping her from more mobility. Don't forget the Tripawds Foundation may even help pay for your first rehab visit and we can try to help you find a practice nearby if you aren't able to find one.
And of course, a soft, gentle body massage can be a great start to help Bailey start feeling better, soo give that a try too if you haven't already.
Keep us posted on how she's doing, we hope she starts feeling better soon.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
She's not showing the classic signs of pain, so while that could be the issue, I'm not sure. We took her off rimadyl Thursday night bc of side effects. We just started her on prednisolone this morning. She also takes her glycoflex chews as well. She took those before the surgery, and they help tremendously.
We think we might be doing too much for her. I work from home, so since the surgery, she's only been alone for about three hours total. So, she hasn't had to do anything. She cries, and we hop to action.
Today, I've been trying to be much more hands off to try to let her solve problems on her own, and for the most part, she's done well. Her only walks are to potty, and maybe five minutes total, including time spent sniffing the air and contemplating life. She does get really excited when we go for "walks" down the driveway, and the speed picks up considerably then.
Glad Bailey seems to be doing well overall. And three Meeks is still considered fairly early in recovery.
My Hapoy Hannah did like laying on her amp side and it took several weeks before she would do so comfortably.
I think the other thing that throws a recent amo pff as far as how they sit or lay is it disrupts the way they are "used" to. For j stance, a dog may circle a few times to the left before laying down. They may not be able to do that ritual as easily and are forced to circle to the right, which is a new adjust for them. I'm probably not making any sense at all!
Let us know how rhings are going.
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!
jenaleigh1 said
She's not showing the classic signs of pain...
There are various pain indicators in pets that many people tend to overlook. Check out some of the pain management posts in the Tripawds News blog for more helpful information.
How Dogs Show Pain and What You Can Do About It
Pain Signs in Cats and Dogs: Learn the Symptoms
Is Your Dog or Cat in Pain? Here’s How to Know the Signs.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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