Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Well it's been four months (going on five) after PEZ had her right front leg amputated due to bone cancer (osteosarcoma) and for three months she was doing great. However, in the fourth month she started to have problems walking on the left front leg. Now she's completely unable to put any weight on the front leg (completely lame). We took PEZ to the orthopedic surgeon's office yesterday and he took five X-rays of her chest, leg and spinal area and performed some other tests. All the X-rays looked great… no problems there. And there's no signs of cancer (mets) in the lungs or on any other bone that he can see. At this point the doctor says the symptoms and condition indicates something neurological in PEZ's spinal area. Basically could be a (dislocated) disk pressing on a nerve, ruptured disk, etc. Pretty upsetting. The doctor was pretty bummed about it because he said we were crushing the osteosarcoma odds and to have this new problem come up is devastating. PEZ is on muscle relaxers for tenderness around her cervical area and if they don't work over the weekend, she may need to be put on steroids or go for an MRI for the neck and upper back to see what's going on… the next chapter.
Hope everyone is doing well and fighting the good fight.
Scott, Charlotte & PEZ
Hi Pez and family,
I'm sorry Pez is having a tough time right now. Hopefully the muscle relaxers will help. Once Pez is back on her feet you might look into chiropractic and acupuncture treatments for her. I feel that they really helped with Fortis' mobility issues. I know Pez's condition is different but the spine area really seems to take a beating and the treatments might help. It's great that all the x-rays were clear. Sending lots of positive thoughts your way.
Fortis'Dad
Offline
We hope the muscle relaxers work too! So ironic that the cancer is the least of your problems right now...
Keep us updated on PEZ! We are hoping for good news!!!
-Chloe's mom
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
Poor Pez. I hope this is a minor bump in the road and they get her on her feet and feeling great in no time. I know how scared you must be, and how hard it is to see one unable to move about. I was there for just a few hours and it scared the pejabbers out of me.
Good thoughts for both of you as you fight your way through this. Paws and fingers crossed that she finds relief with the muscle relaxers.
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.
Hi Family of Pez!
It is good to have an update from you, although of course not good to hear Pez's current problem. I often think of Pez when other people with older dogs that are said to not be candidates for amp write in.
How long has the new mobility problem taken to show - has it been present for a few weeks already? Some dogs on this site have had mets to the spine that did not show on x-ray. But - those symptoms unfolded extremely quickly (from mobile to immobile over a few days if not hours), so your situation sounds completely different. It sounds like Pez's ortho specialist is being very thorough.
I hope you solve this current issue. Big Fortis is a great example of someone who manages to live well despite considerable mobility issues in one of his 'spare' legs.
Wishing you all the best. Keep us posted.
Okay, I don't want to freak you out but: This is exactly what we went through with Charlie. Same age, same kicking the Osteosarcoma ass, same time frame (was 4 month ampuversary on Oct. 11th), same potential spine issues, etc.
Kind of slow getting a potential diagnosis. Started hesitating to jump the week of his final chemo (Oct. 7 is when I started to notice). By last weekend mobility declined to such a point that he couldn't get up, stand, walk or even wag his tail (the issue was in his lower spine). Both options for us were total bed rest (medical 4-6 weeks to see an improvement; surgical would be 6-8 weeks). He wasn't able to handle the two days of not being able to move on his own, so there was no way we could go either route. For Charlie, it was his time.
Please keep us posted on PEZ's updates. Feel free to PM me since I literally just went through this and can give you all the information that the University of Minnesota gave me, including options, costs, medicines and the like.
Prayers and postive thoughts to you and PEZ,
Tammy & Spirit Charlie
"I don't know where I am."
Thanks for checking in! Best wishes for Pez getting over this hurdle.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
paws crossed that pez recovers from this, hopefully the muscle relaxers and rest will do the trick. we too go the acupuncture route with gayle - removes alot of the stress on her back and neck (she lost her right front leg). we're sending blessings and 'gayle juju' your way!!
charon & gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Pez, you've come so far since your battle started. This is just a hurdle, I know it. It's scary, but my best advice is to get a second opinion from a certified rehabilitation therapist and/or acupuncturist. We have seen them work miracles and help dogs walk again even when traditional vets have said they never would. It's just a thought.
Hang in there and keep us posted OK? Charlie's Mom can definitely help you with info too, she's been through a lot of similarities, unfortunately. Good luck.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I truly hope this is just one more thing and nothing more serious. My Ruthie was having problems that we also thought were neurological and located in her lower back/spinal area, but rather than put her through more tests, I decided to let her go...she hadn't been eating on her own for over a week and had been telling me for a couple of days that it was over. In some ways I'm sorry I didn't find out exactly what was wrong, but I know that wouldn't have changed my decision.
I hope you have a better outcome and I will say a prayer..remember that none of our situations are the same.
Pat, Angel Ruthie & puppy Tess
Pez's family,
I'm so sorry you are dealing with this new issue of the spine.
Comet has been a tripawd all of her 12 years. In mid 2008 she had a wellness xray and they said she had a disc infection in her neck but further xrays said it was a bad disc. She had no symptoms so we didn't do anything. Within a week she screamed in pain getting up from laying down. We immediately went the route of antibiotics for a disc infection (and pain meds). But she was lame for months and months. I took her to a neuro and an ortho and no one could give me a clear diagnoses from the xray. (was it a bad disc or an infection?) However, the ortho put her on cipro antibiotic for life and she did get better after several months. Currently she is on Rimadyl, cipro and a muscle relaxer when needed. She also just finished taking doxycycline for a low blood platelet count. The doxy really seemed to make her feel better since it has some arthritic properties (or so I was told).
My point to this long explanation is that hopping can take a toll on them and a bad disc can cause lameness. I'll never know if she had an infection of disc or a bad disc. So, try to not to automatically think the worst. If it is disc issues, the prednisone should have a tremendous positive effect. If Pez isn't on a anti-inflammatory, I would jump right to the pred. The prednisone will probably answer your question.
Again, I'm sorry to hear and I am sending pawsitive thoughts your way.
Comet's mom
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.
Yes, there is definitely no reason to think the worst. The location and timing sound different than pups having OSA mets. Pred can be a wonder drug - I tend to agree with Dr. Comet, infamous or famous I know not 
, on this one. Keep us posted, Pez.
Thanks everyone for your comments and thoughts. We are starting
prednisone for 14 days, one tab every 12 hours. If this doesn't work,
we will proceed with the MRI. We are also going to talk with a canine
chiropractor and acupuncturist to get some suggestions.
I hope the prednisone helps. Fortis has been on prednisolone for two months now. It really should give Pez some relief. Hopefully this is just a bump in the road. Wishing Pez and his family all the best.
Fortis'Dad
Paws crossed so that Pez starts to feel better. Remember the side effects of Pred can include excessive thirst and urination, so be sure to cut off water an hour before bedtime, unless you like getting up three times a night to let Pez out for potty time.
Glad to hear you'll be talking to some other docs too. MRIs are so expensive, you might want to talk to the alternative docs first to save yourself the cost if they think she could wait on the test (hopefully).
Feel better Pez!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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