Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi all,
Storm is doing really well and his recovery has amazed us all. He has not fallen over once and is up and down steps and ramps without a second thought and begs everyday for a walk and both my vet and the onco vet are happy for him to do this(very short, he was doing at least 5k a day before his amputation).
My question is that he seems to pant a lot. He was panting before the surgery which the vet put down to the pain and effort of walking. It is hot here at the moment (does happen in the UK sometimes) but we walk him early morning or late evening when it is cooler. He doesn't pant when resting and seems happy in all other respects.
Is this normal? I worry about mets in his lungs especially since we lost his litter sister last September to lung cancer (Adenocarcinoma) which was sudden and completely unexpected and we lost her on the day of diagnosis (she had previously been diagnosed with kennel cough and when it didn't clear up with antibiotics they ran bloods and then an x-Ray). His lung x-Rays were clear 3 weeks ago and the onco was happy not to repeat them after examining him and listening to his chest but who knows.
Any advice great fully received.
I don't have a dog but one thing I've read here is that panting can be due to pain. It sounds like this may not be the case since Storm only pants when walking but not resting. Perhaps Storm is trying to do too much too soon. I've read here that tripawd activity level needs to be reduced to much shorter walks. Some folks take their dogs to rehab to build up the strength. I even did some work with my cat Mona by building her core and stretching her remaining front leg. I saw her getting stronger over time and she now she even does sit-ups first to get her food!
Storm sounds very energetic and enthusiastic to get out there and get going. Jerry has suggested playing brain games to stimulate these type of dogs - tire out Storm's brain rather than his body while he recovers.
It's great that he's doing so well!
Kerren and Tripawd Mona
Regarding panting, what we found was that "pain panting" was more of a huffing, as though really exhaling sharply. Tired/hot panting was much more even on the inhale/exhale. Hope that makes sense!
Ellie didn't get lung mets that we knew of, so I can't say what the symptoms are. But I think I remember the vet saying that lung mets aren't really painful per se---that the main symptom seemed to be lethargy etc. So if Storm is happy and feeling good, I would try not to worry.
Denise, Bill and Angel Ellie.
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
Thanks everyone, I try not to worry and to enjoy his quick recovery and zest for life but after losing his sister in September and my darling old girl In May I can't help feeling worried about each little thing.
I'll keep an eye on him, slowing him down is going to be interesting, he insists on a walk and will not settle unless he goes and just keeps coming back asking for a walk until you give in, he probably walks further pacing the house than he does on a walk.
Deep breath and onwards.
It's good to be conscientious, there's a fine line between that and worrying, you are doing great.
How long are his walks? If they are more than 15-20 minutes it could be too much.
You might also want to try interactive brain games with him, these types of mental activities will tire a dog out much better (and safer) than long walks. Check out our blog posts for ideas.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Jerry, thanks for your reply.
His walks are short, 10-15 minutes, maybe up to 20 minutes if he decides to take the longer path and goes up the slope before we distract him, he really is a little so and so.
We are a family of routine out of necessity and he knows the routine lol. Storm's always been a stressy dog and changing things too much tends to stress him out hence the continuous pacing if we refuse to take him for his walk so the panting could be stress related too I guess.
Thanks for the mind game links, I'll give some of them a go although he's never been very toy orientated, if he doesn't take to them I know that my two Rommie rescues will. I so want to be positive about it all but sometimes I just think the worst and panic that we will lose him sooner rather than later.
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