Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi-
Rosco is just about 1 month post surgery - and everything has been going really great. On Friday I noticed him licking his stump a bit and realized he has a little bit of a red bump on the incision site. We have a vet appt scheduled for tomorrow, but I'm just worried it could be a tumor - my husband thinks it's probably a slight infection. It looks about the size of a pimple, and is red and raised. He hasn't been licking any more this weekend and it doesn't seem to bother him. Any experience with this?
Second question - Rosco has recovered well and has been walking for 15/20 minute walks, and going down the stairs fine. We live on a 3rd floor walkup in Brooklyn. He was doing pretty well going up the stairs too, but tries to charge and take them too fast and stumbles more often than he is able to complete them successfully. We've backed off because we don't want him to hurt himself. Now, when we suggest he tries he stairs he doesn't seem to want to try it at all. I think because he's stumbled in the last few weeks, he's freaked out. He's a strong dog and I think he could do it, but they are hardwood stairs and I'm not sure it's worth pushing it or risking injury. Should we just let it go? He's about 18 lbs and easy enough to carry anyway, but just wonder what your thoughts are.
Thanks all!
Maggie was about 17 pounds, but only about 12" at the shoulder, she was also a rear amp. She was never able to do more than two or three steps up. She did try at first but wiped out a couple times, and then didn't try again. Maggie was easily discouraged, but I didn't push it. I only have a couple stairs at my house, but back in those days the pugs spent lots of time at my parents house and they have a split level. Mag could go down anything on her own, I let her for the most part. As she got older I tried to restrict big jumps down, like off of furniture. I made little stairs for her but she usually avoided them.
I hope the bump is nothing- B9! B9! B9!
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
It could just be scar tissue forming, Emily. Lexie has something similar and that's all it was. Can you post a pic? You might also post in the Ask a Vet Forum so Dr. Pam / Tazzie can see it and weigh in.
Re. the stairs, you might want to consider stair treads...something like this:
http://www.impr.....ads/250934
We got them for our hardwood stairs before the cancer it definitely helps post amp. Lexie is very independent and hates being carried. Maybe try the stair treads and then the canvas grocery bag sling to see if that helps Rosco get his confidence back. Guessing it might be good to carry sometimes and let him take the stairs sometimes so he can stretch different muscles, but what do I know...it may be worth getting input from a PT.
Deb and Angel Lexie* Diagnosed at age 13. Tried radiation first; wish we had amputated upon diagnosis (even with lung mets). Joined Club Tripawd April 2014 & Lexie loved life on 3 legs! Advice: Start physical therapy as soon as your vet clears it, especially hydrotherapy if available :-) See Lexie pics here.
I had another thought last night- and Deb beat me to it. You might consider a PT or rehab evaluation and to get some ideas. One month post amp is actually pretty early. I found that it took Mag about 6 months to work up to half the activity she was able to handle pre-amp.
I made a mistake believing the prognosis of 6 to 9 months for Mag and didn't spend the time I should have at the beginning on her strength and agility. Once I came to my senses I spent time with Mag playing games that were intended to build strength in the remaining back leg and her core.
There are some really good exercise ideas in the Gear Blog, follow the tags for exercise or fitness.
Is Rosco taller than Maggie? (about 12" at shoulder). My guess is that with some strength training Rosco would be able to do the stairs. I would wait on trying them until he has some strength. Then start slowly with lots of treats. Is there a short flight of stairs you can practice on? He might be able to build confidence again.
Are your stairs yours or in a common area? Carpet treads are a great idea but you probably can't do it if the stairs aren't yours.
Let us know what the vet says.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Yeah, Happy Hannah, rear leg amp., could go down porch stairs but could not go up.....she ised her ramp for that. She did climbp once or twice, but food and a cat trying to get her food are what motivated her to get to the deck!
My penny's worth...I would avoid any risk of using the sairs and jist carry him...but that's just me.
Try notto worry about the little bump...yeah, right.....but it most likely s just a little bite, ingrownhairs can cause inflamed pimple like bumps.
Hugs to you and that precious Roscoe!! We're all cheering him on!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
It could be a confidence issue. Maybe a harness that you can quickly put on/take off and guide him down the steps?
I'm going to bet that bump is scar tissue, let us know what the vet says.
As for the stairs, any fall can be a real confidence killer but usually it's just temporary. I agree that stair treads are a great idea, if not altogether necessary, for hardwood steps. They can also be dangerous and a Tripawd could easily take a spill, so if you are able to put those down on the steps, I would. If not, assisting with a Ruffwear Webmaster harness is a great way to boost confidence.
It is really super early after surgery, he's been doing a lot and like Karen says, now is the time to start doing rehab therapy games and activities. He'll get strong, you'll see.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank all for the advice!!
The vet said it looked the bump looks like some irritation - he wasn't worried about infection, and told us to put some neosporin on it and use the cone this week and monitor it. We're seeing the oncologist on Saturday for another shot, so good to know that we can get it looked at a week after and see how that goes. The way Rosco heeled post surgery, he has a little skin bump on the bottom of his stump (I should post a pic of that) and the vet thinks that might be getting more friction than he is used to there.
I keep checking him over and over- I just now found what feels like another bump on him, feels like a swollen gland. Will have the vet look at that on Saturday as well. I wish I didn't keep finding things to ask the vet about, but I guess it's better to be safe than sorry.
About the stairs - we can't cover them in carpet because they are in a common area of our apt building - great suggestion, though! We have already reached out to our vet about a rehab consult - I think that will help to start building some strength up, and then we can come back to the stairs. Karen - I'll have to measure how tall he is, I'm not sure! But, usually a bit taller than most pugs we meet 
I just feel bad that it seems like Rosco is a bit scared of stairs right now! He's sticking very close by me when we come in the apartment- he definitely doesn't want to try again. I think once he gets stronger, we can try with treats and start little by little.
In other news - Rosco had his first grooming appointment post-surgery, so he looks very cute and now his hair is all the same length again, which looks a bit less jarring!
I'm so glad to hear your vet isn't worried. Never feel badly about asking questions about suspicious areas, you are so right, it IS better to play it safe and get anything odd checked out. You get brownie points for that!
It's so funny how some vets say Neosporin is OK and others say it isn't. Doing what your vet says to do is the right course of action but I'm just always so curious why some are OK with using it and others not.
You're on track with the training and getting used to the stairs. No rush, it'll happen.
Good luck on Saturday!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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