Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Our tripawd has never really shown any form of sensitivity with his residual limb. Starting yesterday, he started reacting to touch on the bottom of it. This morning he began to react to touch on the side of it. Does anyone have any tips or things we should be on the lookout for?
Backstory: We adopted Gunner in October 2018 and they said he was 2-3 years old. He's what we believe to be a hound/shepherd mix and 60lbs. He came into the shelter already as a rear right leg amputee in the summer with his scar fully furred over. They aren't sure why or when his leg was amputated. It is a full leg amputation.
Hi Gunner and family, welcome. Thanks for adopting this sweet boy, he's so lucky to find you!
I'm a bit confused; he has a full leg amputation but there is a residual limb?
Licking and obsessing over a part of the body tends to be a pain signal (unless it's something obvious like a hot spot). Is there any kind of wound around the area he is licking?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for the welcome!
Sorry for the confusion, its less of a residual limb and more of a nub. It's only a couple inches and feels mostly like muscle mass.
There hasn't been any licking and obsessing, he's actually stayed COMPLETELY away from it, which is unlike him. Hes also avoiding laying/sitting on his right side altogether (again, not like him at all).
I try to examine the skin under his fur, but even that is too sensitive to the touch. I scheduled a vet appointment for this afternoon, but wasn't sure if anyone else has experienced something like this.
Ohhh interesting. Thanks for clarifying. I wonder if he banged it really hard and now it's bothering him? Yeah something's bothering him, good move to get in touch with the vet.
About two years after our Wyatt Ray 's amputation, he had a mysterious lump show up on his stump. After the team of soft tissue surgeons at Colorado State put him under for surgery, It turned out to be "bone wax" used to seal off blood vessels in his stump during the amputation procedure. It surprised everyone that two years after his surgery something like that turned up. So, this isn't to scare you, but just wanted to let you know that we did experience something similar, much later after surgery.
Let us know what the vet says!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
On our way to walking into the vet's office, we started to notice some blood on his nub. It turns out he had an abscess at the base of it. They were able to clean it out and get him on antibiotics. They say he has a slight infection, but are optimistic for a speedy recovery.
We have NO clue what could of caused it, other than a possible bump a while back, and repeated use/irritation/impact from sitting and getting up. He's in good spirits, but definitely in some discomfort. The hardest thing for him now is laying down since the standing/laying transition has typically required putting some pressure on the nub, which now causes him pain.
Oh ouch! I hope it clears up quickly. Pressure sores on Tripawds aren't all that uncommon, those stumps get banged up quite a bit. The good thing is you caught this early before it becomes worse. Good job!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
My dog, Pollo, has had the same thing showing on his nub. He had his rear leg amputated this past April due to osteosarcoma. Two weeks ago he had an abscess on the base of his amputation site. After ultrasound, cytology and a culture, he was put on an antibiotic and hot compresses. The cytology showed no cancer and the culture did not grow bacteria. He responded to the antibiotic and his site was less firm and no seeping of blood or fluid. Today his amp site was firm again and a small abscess is forming again. Had the surgeon and oncologist look at it today and they prescribed another round (third week) of Clavamox. I'm wondering why fluid and/or infection is recurring. They also wanted to do a CT scan next week to get a better idea of what we are dealing with. I was wondering how Gunner responded to treatment and how he is doing now with his surgical site?
Pollo and mom, welcome. I'm so sorry you are having the same situation happen, it's a tough one. I have no idea why this could happen, but I am wondering, what is Pollo's activity like in the day? Is he banging it up during playtime?
Our Wyatt Ray has an interesting area on his stump (same thing, rear leg amputee). It's a squishy lump under his fur that we've had aspirated twice in his life (he's 11 now). Both times it wasn't cancerous or infected, just fluid-filled. Two different vets said they could remove it or leave it so we've opted to leave it. I'm wondering if maybe his lump started out the same way as Pollo's and Gunner's, but eventually just scabbed over. Hmmm.
Anyhoo, I hope Gunner's people respond. Please consider starting a new topic elsewhere so we can learn all about your boy and follow along in your journey OK? See you there!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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