Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Callie had her right hind leg amputated on July 14th. She has had an amazing recovery and was up and running a day after surgery. She had no complications and has been doing great! However, the past few days I've noticed that she seems to have trouble getting the left hind leg up and going now. She drags it along for a few moments before she can finally get it up and moving.
Is this normal? I'm thinking maybe the additional weight load is finally catching up to her and the leg is just worn out, and hopefully she will adjust in a few more days/weeks?? I wanted to check to see if any other dogs had similar troubles and if there is anything we can do to help her adjust. I hate seeing her have trouble!!
If she is heavy, by all means do what you need to do to get her weight under control. It makes a huge difference in their mobility if they are able to stay on the lean side. If she isn't on joint supplements, start them now. It could be arthritis, have her evaluated by her vet.
It can also be something as simple as overdoing it a bit an being tired.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
It sounds to me like she just overdid it a little. A lot of peeps take their tripawd for water therapy or other physical therapy and that seems to help a lot, if you can afford it.
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
Glad to see Callie is doing so well....until now, of course. I would say a few days of rest would do wonders for her.
In looking at the calendar - was she still on pain meds until a few days ago? That might also explain the leg dragging...
Remember that the only one who knows your dog has three legs now is you. Callie doesn't - her brain isn't configured to work that way. Physically, it took her less than a day to adapt to the missing leg, but that was on a subconscious, instinctive level. Mentally, she still thinks she has four, and she's going to try to play that way too. That's part of what makes dogs so great, but it also means you'll have to keep an eye on her and make her take it easy when necessary. As Hugapitbull said, weight control is an absolute must - if you haven't already, switch her to a low-grain, high-protien diet (obviously consult with your vet first). A joint supplement with glucosamine will help a lot as well.
Hoping Callie has better mobility days ahead!
For sure, weight can hamper her. But once you get her moving, she should lighten up since she is burning more calories to move. And like Maxidad said, good food helps!
But you will see a dramatic improvement if you can get her into rehab. Is there a place nearby that has a water treadmill for dogs? That will really strengthen her leg without causing any harm.
And if you don't have a rehab nearby, can you get her to swim?
Wishing Callie the best!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Thanks for your replies! Callie is not overweight, so that is not her trouble. I really think she is just adjusting to balance all of the added weight on the one back leg. She did recently finish up the last of the rimadyl, so maybe that has something to do with it...I didn't even think about that! She has the most trouble getting up from our hardwood foyer (I would put a runner down, but she just goes to where there is not one to lay on the cool floor!) She doesn't like to swim, so that is not an option for us (she's the only dog I know who doesn't ) She did a little better yesterday, so hopefully she continues to get stronger everyday. If she continues to have trouble, we'll definitely take her to the vet for joint supplements. We have switched her diet to grain-free
, high protein food. Thanks again!
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