Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi all,
My almost 13 year old black lab, Sambuca, had her leg amputated on Monday, late at night as it was an emergency. She had been diagnosed with a possible soft tissue sarcoma. The biopsy is being done. We thought she had arthritis in her back legs and were concerned about her ability to walk, but the doc did xrays and they seemed fine. He thinks she may have a neurological problem. When they tried to walk her yesterday she was knuckling on both back paws and could not walk by herself. She was not walking this way before the surgery. They want to let the meds wear off and try again today.
Has anyone had experience with this? I am so scared. What if she can't walk?
Thanks!
Thanks for joining, sorry to hear about your pup. Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
Every dog is different, but it is still far to early in Sambuca's recovery to jump to worst case scenario conditions. We certainly hope it's nothing serious, but the day after surgery she is still working the anesthesia out of her system. It seems if she has neurological problems, the symptoms would have been present prior to surgery. And it can take a few days for some dogs to adapt to their new gait and stance.
Please try to take things one day at a time and keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome to Tripawds. We hope that Sambuca's recovery is swift....this is still so early to jump to any conclusions. Dogs are still so doped up from surgery on day two and even up to 5 days later. We see it all the time. Try to keep in mind that everyone's dog is different in how they recuperate, some take longer than others but eventually you'll see how Sambuca will get back to normal.
I would say that if your vet suspects anything other than a straightforward recovery to have her see a neurologist &/or second opinion asap.
Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sorry to hear about Sambuca's troubles. I have actually had a lot (too much) experience with this with my dog Crystal. Crystal is 13 and had her front leg amputation back in January. Like your dog, Crystal was walking fine before her amputation and was actually doing fine for a while after her amputation as well.
The first time she started knuckling her back paws and stopped being able to walk on her own, the onset was pretty sudden and it was due to low white blood cell count caused by chemo and high blood pressure. Since then, both of these things have returned to normal and we thought she was going to be recovering full-speed ahead.
Then, she took a tumble chasing after geese and fractured some of her arthritic growths down her spine. Her actual spine wasn't damaged but the fractures were causing pretty severe inflammation so the vet prescribed prednisone to reduce the inflammation and she was slowly recovering again.
Finally, about a week or so ago she suddenly lost function in her back legs again. I thought for sure it was some sort of neurological damage this time and that her time was quickly approaching. After a desperate call to the vet, the vet prescribed antibiotics on the off chance that she had a UTI that was causing back pain. I'm so thankful for my amazing vet because a UTI does indeed seem to be the culprit and although she is still knuckling a bit, her coordination is returning and she can get up by herself again.
I definitely understand how scared you feel right now and I definitely felt that way all three times she lost function in her back legs. Don't jump to conclusions just yet though. As you can see through Crystal's ordeals, there are A LOT of things that apparently can cause dogs to knuckle and lose their ability to walk by themselves. Please do not hesitate to PM me if you have any questions or if I can help in any way.
Christina
Welcome to Tripawds.
I'm sorry to hear about Sambuca's issues post amp- and the cancer diagnosis too.
I'm with the others- wait until the surgery meds wear off before you worry too much.
My experience with neurological problems are related to my almost 12 year old quad-pug Tani, who has hydrocephalus (fluid in the brain). She has had issues with her back feet since she was two years old. The paw knuckling was one of the ways we diagnosed the brain damage- but at that point the only time we saw it was when she was tested at the vet. They would turn her paw back, and she would take just a bit too long bringing it back where it should be. She had no issues walking or getting around most of her life. Now she is older and has arthritis in her spine and all four legs. The foot knuckling has gotten much worse in the last year, but it has been a gradual decline, not overnight like you describe. She has had two episodes recently when one of her back legs doesn't seem to work at all- but with a little massage she was walking again in a few min. Both times she had been sleeping for quite awhile before she tried to get up.
Hopefully Sambuca's issues are a combination of the meds and laying down for an extended period after the surgery. I hope things improve for her soon.
Karen and the pugapalooza
This morning the vet office said she was still knuckling the whole time. I asked if I could bring her leash to try to get her excited to go on a walk. She looked interested to see the leash but did not wag her tail like she usually does. The vet tech got her in a sling in the back and I took her front. She walked a little bit without knuckling but fell over onto her face after we got her outside. We brought her back in and lay her back down.
About two hours after my visit, I got a call from the vet office. I was so nervous thinking something bad had happened, but they just wanted to tell me that they got her standing and then she walked about 6 feet with no sling assistance. And this was on a slippery floor! So I am hoping this is a positive thing and not just wishful thinking. I long to see that tail wag again.
Thanks for all your support!
I'm sorry to hear this. I don't have any advice or experience but I just wanted to send my well wishes and welcome you.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
I don't know anything about the paw knuckling, but I do know some dogs (like Baby) don't want to do much until they get home and then are happiest going off on their own rather than with sling assistance. I hope you find she gets much better once you get home.
Best of luck!
Hugs and Slobbers
Judy and Baby
I have a dog Toby who had major back/neck surgery about 2 years ago. He is not my tripawd, our lab is a newly tripod. I will say, Toby used to knuckle his front paws a lot, but as the weeks went by he stopped doing it. It took a full 2 months from him to recover, yet to this day there are days when he just face plants and gets right back up, not the best of balance.
We did a lot to help him recover (he is a very shy/scared of everything dog). We would use a dog bed to carry him between the 2 of us as he is 67lbs. we would plop him on the wheelbarrow and wheel him out to the yard, slowly with the help of a towel to stabilize him we walked, every day we walked a few more steps. Finally 2 months into it he decided he was not waiting for us and walked back to the house. My advice patience, so dogs are just faster than others. His knuckling finally went away a year later, but even then I notice when he is tired he will knuckle.
Sadly, Sambuca's story was a short one. We left on vacation Friday, March 30 with her walking pretty well. She was boarded at the vet where they were taking excellent care of her. On Saturday, I called to check on her and found out she was walking really well, but the cancer was osteosarcoma. I was saddened but felt atleast I had more time with my baby.
Sunday morning the vet called. He said Sambuca was not doing well. They did xrays and she had gastric torsion. I could not believe it. They had to put her down that day. I could not be with her and was heartbroken. I called my sister and best friend to go be with her. They put me on the phone with her so I could tell her I loved her one last time. I am having an extremely hard time with this because I could not be with her. I loved her so much.
Thanks for all the advice and support here on this board.
we're so very sorry to read of sambuca's passing. so sudden, and awful for you that you were not there. she is free from pain now, and her spirit and the memories you guys made will be with you forever. love never ends.
charon & spirit gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Oh my heart goes out to you! I can't believe this awful news, I am so, so sorry. This is the second time in a week that a new Tripawds member has succumbed to bloat. I know the devastation you feel must be so awful, I wish I could help.
Please know that you are still a part of this community, and if you want to share more about Sambuca and her life, please visit our Coping with Loss Forum, which is good therapy at a time like this.
{{{{hugs}}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I am terribly sorry about Sambuca. That is just awful! It's so hard to understand why these things happen. I know that you gave her a great life for her 13 years. I know how very hard it is to lose them. It won't be easy but give yourself all the time you need to grieve. Praying for you peace and comfort at this very difficult time.
Oh, of course you having an extremely hard time with this! It's hard enough to lose a beloved dog, but to not be there, oh, my heart goes out to you. I'm sure she knew she was loved. I hope you will someday have peace knowing what a wonderful life you gave her and also knowing that you were doing what you thought best.
We just lost our special girl in January, so I know how heartbreaking it is. If you feel up to it later, it might help you to tell us more about her. The people here on tripawds were so supportive when we lost our girl - much more so than my other friends, who were supportive but moved on after a couple of days. Like Jerry says, the Coping with Loss forum is a good spot to come to where you'll find lots of people who understand what you are going through.
Hugs,
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
OH! I'm so utterly sorry! My heart truly breaks for you. I understand the loss and I understand not being with them at the time of losing them. It's just so hard to endure. But I'm so glad you had your sister to call.
My deepest condolences to you and your family.
Yes, when you are up to it - you may consider posting in the 'coping with loss' topic to post Sambucca's story. It's a good way to express your thoughts and let others mourn with you. And it will always be there so in the months ahead you can come back to it and reflect.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
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