tiffany Posted September 3, 2006 Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 Volunteering at my local humane society is an occupational hazard in itself!! Of course, my new addition found me there. Her name is Alana, approx. 11mo. and the happiest soul i've ever met. She does not use her rear leg to run, walk, or jump, I was told that it was more than likely broken as a pup & never reset. She has muscle tone in the top portion of the leg (I have even caught her scratching with it), but for the most part it more or less dangles, hanging shorter than the rest and her paw on that leg seems to be a tad bit smaller. Also when she lies down, the paw always seems to turn in and upwards?!?! Don't get me wrong, she is a force to be messed with! She runs with my big dogs (a rottie & pit bull) sometimes flashing by the windows more than a few body lengths ahead of them. But it breaks my heart to think someone wouldn't seek med. att. for the poor pup, she had to have been in pain, but yet she is the sweetest creature! She has NO idea she's handicapped (and i'm not about to tell her!) but i can't help but wonder if there's anything that could be done. I just read a story from a member that sounds similar and they stated the vet identified it as a birth defect, that the dog was born missing the bone. Any suggestions or insight would be wonderful. I plan on continuing her training for pet therapy no matter what the outcome. When we make our trips outside of the house, she receives mixed reactions. Some people are amazed at how well she gets around and ask what her story is, but others just look in pity as though she is not a full functioning dog or that she must be in pain. Should I not let this bother me since it doesn't seem to bother her or are my concerns justified. I also worry about when she is older, developing severe arthritis from only having the use of one back leg. Happy Tails, Tiffany & Alana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliepoudrier Posted September 3, 2006 Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 Have you had her examined by a vet? That would be the best route to finding out what the likely cause is and whether it will be a problem later. You can't just assume it was broken, as you noted from the story you mention. Three-legged dogs can live normal lives. You can always start her on joint supplements to help with any extra stress on the joints being used. But I really think I'd see a vet and maybe have an X-ray or other exams done just to know what really is going on in there. I would be worried that she could unwittingly injure a leg that's just dangling as she runs, and it could even be something fixable, which you'll never know if you don't have her examined thoroughly. Even if it's not fixable or it's determined not to be a real problem, then you at least have a baseline (X-rays) to compare with should she have problems in the future. FWIW, I don't recall our 3-legged fox terrier ever developing issues from a life of using just one back leg, and she used to go *everywhere* with us as we rode our ponies on the farms around where we lived. Aside from the original injury that required the amputation, I don't ever remember her taking a lame step. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urge to herd Posted September 3, 2006 Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 I'm with Julie, have a vet take x rays at the least and get a real diagnosis. Could be any one of half a dozen things that I can think of, and I'm not even a vet. A clear diagnosis will also give you a better idea of whether or not she has any pain. If it's causing her pain, then you'll want to do something for her. If it's a condition with probably no pain, you can stop fretting and emjoy her antics all the more. She's pretty cute, please let us know if you find out any more about her condition. Ruth n the BC3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiffany Posted September 3, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 We are very happy about our responses, we will keep ALL updated!! Happy Tails.....Tiffany&Alana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amc Posted September 3, 2006 Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 I agree with the advice to get a vet's opinion. It may be that amputation of the non-functioning limb part would be an excellent option; I know of many 3-legged dogs who live happy, active, whole lives. Kate Broadbent's very competitive Open trial dog Decks comes to mind, among many others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancy Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 My daughter had a cat that snuck out of the nouse and came back with a back leg mangled. They decided against amputation. Branwyn lived another 10 years or so (died last month at 19). She never really stepped on that foot again. She sort of dragged it, to the extent that she developed a callus on top of her toes. But she was a happy, healthy, and pain-free cat all that time. Kept the other 3 in line although Llyr and Cucchullan each were twice her size and Crenn was the serial killer (when she could get out) butch-cat of the world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allie Oop Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 Alana is a beautiful pup and kudos to you for adopting her. I have seen many three-legged dogs that get around amazingly well. Hopefully, you will be able to get a vet to diagnose what is going on so that you can get on with the therapy. Good luck to you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiffany Posted September 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 We promised we'd keep you all updated so here goes..... Mommy and I went to the vet today, the nice men put me on the table and put a big monster over me that made all kinds of funny noises. Then they made the room really dark and everyone stood around staring at a glowing wall. It was my x-rays is what Mommy said. The really nice Doc told my mom that I had a birth defect. It apparently happened when I passed through the birth canal of my four legged Mom. The Doc said his suggestion is to not bother with anything. I don't know what all the fuss was about..... there's nothing wrong with me and nothing needs "fixin"!! By the way what does handicapped mean anyway??? Thanks for everyone's comments and time.....well, Mommy and I are off to play until my paws give out!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSmitty Posted September 6, 2006 Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 Awww, what a sweetheart! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bc friend Posted September 6, 2006 Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 That's good news - that the defect isn't due to abuse or untreated injury and that she doesn't need any drastic treatment for it at the present time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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