Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Cheryl I'm sorry to hear this, I can't blame you for being frustrated. I know that other giant breed dogs have had similar post-op challenges, have you tried scrolling through our "Size and Age Matters" forum to find some similar situations? This topic might be helpful: Giant Breed Tripawds, Describe Your Post Amputation Lifestyle
I'm glad you had her checked out by the vet. What are the vet's recommendations for next steps? Did they advise you to give this any certain amount of time before doing something like an x-ray?
On the most basic level, I'm wondering, do you think you might be babying her too much? It's only natural to want to do that, most people do. But if you are constantly at her side and trying to help her walk, worried about her every step, it could be detrimental to a point. Our CARE Videos and Interviews talk about this and provide some recommendations for post-op mobility "tough love" help.
When does she do this? All the time or just sometimes? Does she only have trouble when you are around her, or all of the time? It would be a good idea to write down when this happens in a journal, so that you can keep track of her behavior and give details to your vet.
Hang in there, things will get better.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We've watched her when she's outside alone as well as when she is inside with us. She will not even try to stand but just will go from one place to another dragging along her butt. I don't understand how she was able to walk right after the amputation but now almost 5 weeks later she has no interest or can't stand on that back leg. She is on pain meds and the vet said he could feel no problem with the leg. I am going to have an x-ray done this saturday if she's not any better. It's been going on a week now and it all seemed to have started after she took a little tumble off the ramp but she was near the bottom of the ramp so she didn't fall far at all. But I don't know if that discouraged her or not. I wish I could read her mind and know what she's thinking.
It's funny how you mentioned babying her because that has come up several times. Even the vet did mention that. I'll admit i was catering to her every need, even to the point of spoon feeding her when she didn't seem to want to eat. I've now stopped that. She looked at me strangely at first but now understands that she must eat on her own. But as for walking, I didn't baby her on that. I did always make her walk on her own. I hope the x-ray will help uncover what the problem is. If the x-ray is negative, then I'm at a loss as to what to do.
I will keep hanging in there but my muscles are hurting from lifting her 120 lb. body all the time. But i love her so much and will keep the faith. I am so glad for this website. It is truly a big help.. Thanks..
cherylg,
This is what we did to help with Sassy, I probably do baby her a little as far as going up the big stairs to the front of the house but she is using the garage steps without any assistance going up. This is how I got her to walk when she didn't want to. Less stress on the muscles and able to lift her more as she is 138 pounds or was. I know this isn't a very good picture but this is a baby bumper pad that goes in the crib. we measured her and cut it into 3 or 4 pieces. I have a friend who makes leashes and she braided the fleece handles with the webbing and sewed them on for me. I used this for the first few days or even weeks as our yard is uneven & has small hills in it.
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
How is Mocha doing now?
I just read your last post, and I'm guessing if Mocha is anything like Tate, it may have been the minor tumble that led to this. Tate did not fall or stumble but he couldn't play with his best friend that same way anymore and it made him feel vulnerable. Their whole thing was Loretta barreling toward him (she's a pit) and he'd dodge her at the last second and he couldn't do that anymore, she'd nail him like a cannonball. So he just wouldn't play with her anymore. He'd hang with her, but not play.
Things that are not a big deal to us can be a great big deal to them. They still have that wild instinct. Like peeing in their bed. It's a hassle for us to clean up but for them it is life or death - now a predator will sniff them out and attack them in their sleep! It's not because you are babying her, you didn't do anything wrong.
It was no big deal if Tate didn't want to play but it's a bigger deal if Mocha doesn't want to walk. I hope things are better now but if not, maybe some physical therapy or something to build confidence again. She needs to feel safe again but I don't know enough to advise you on how to do that.
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
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