Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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This sounds almost more like a bowel control issue, doesn't it? At least, it could be maybe part of it, and actually still might be the drugs even though he's been on them a while. Sometimes side effects come up and hit you some time after you start taking something (been there, done that on my own account, sadly). Can you talk to the vet and ask if you can try an alternative - my first suspect would be Tramadol, which can really space them out so they don't know what they're doing, but talk it through with him/her.
Secondly, when Sid's had a sore leg, I've actually had to stand next to him and, as soon as he starts to try to squat, support his leg under the thigh, so he's almost sitting on my hand. He's most affronted at this, and maybe your shy guy won't tolerate it, but Sid did perform under those conditions, and with a lot less discomfort. He got used to it!
Yes, it does, and honestly that scares the heck out of me. The only thing that makes me think it might not be a problem with bowel control is that he has SOO much trouble squatting without falling down that he just seems to not even want to try.
He's been on Tramadol since the second week of January with no noticeable ill effects so it doesn't seem as though it should start now but I suppose it can't be ruled out. I AM cutting the Tramadol down today anyway, so if that's the cause, it should help.
Oddly, when I use some of the techniques used on incontinent dogs to cause them to eliminate, it seems to make him hold it in tighter rather than making him go.
Still waiting for the vet to call back, & still doing laundry.
edit: His personality seems otherwise normal & not "spacey".
Also, when I look at his anus it always looks "puffy" as though he's just about to go, so it seems like the rectum is always full. He gets lots of treats (no pumpkin today though!) but only 1 meal at 5 pm, so his tract shouldn't still be this full almost 24 hours later.
I just spoke with the vet & she seems pretty certain that this is all just a) residual effects of all the drugs, and b) WAY TOO MANY pumpkin cookies!! She said he had good anal tone (which I also observed today when I checked to see if his anal glands were full) so she didn't think it was anything neurologic.
We'll be adding a little Metamucil to his food tonight, I cut the tramadol back a smidge, and we'll see what happens!
I brought him outside this afternoon & he took off at a run after the kitty, so I'm feeling pretty good about his progress, despite all the extra laundry... which was likely my own doing, with all the pumpkin treats.
Thanks all!
It's nice to get the reassurance from your vet. I'm glad it's nothing serious. 🙂
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
The problem has resolved now that all of the cookies have passed through. I'm an idiot for giving him so many, but at least no major damage was done & I can get down to the business of feeding him HEALTHY meals.
He still has trouble squatting to poop at night when he's tired but he went normally this morning.
Thanks for all the replies; sorry it turned out to just be USER-ERROR!
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