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Senior Tripawd Max Goes to Rehab
Our dog Max 12 years old Golden Retriever/Shepard we adopted in April 2011. When we adopted Max from a local shelter, we later learned he was Heart Worm positive & we had go through the treatment for that the 1st few months we had him, he recovered and has had no other issues related to that.
We used to take daily long walks in our neighborhood & in the forest preserves for longer walks on weekends. Max is my walking buddy. I knew he was getting older and he would not be with us forever. But I was not ready for the gut punch that a diagnosis of OS bone cancer brings. I had a tough decision to make and this all can in early Dec 2021 just as we were getting into the holiday season. Our family includes several grandchildren and children 2 of our family had to have their older dogs put down in 2021. My grandkids lost their 14-year-old Boxer & daughter lost her 18-year-old Pug. I could not add this burden to their 1st holiday without their fur babies so we kept it quite until after the holidays.
Max was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in January 2022. We decided we had to fight this awful disease. Senior Tripawd Max had his right front leg amputated on January 26, 2022.
Our surgeon considered him a good candidate for surgery because he was spry and active, he had no mets in his lungs and his limbs seems strong enough.
He came through surgery and was sent home the day following surgery with increased dose of Gabapentin and continued with Carprofen. His mobility was greatly improved following surgery probably due to the pain from the leg was gone. But before he was due to have his stiches removed, he became very stiff and was painful to walk taking really tiny steps we were told this was due to his adjusting to being a Tripawd.
I was looking into getting him into Physical Therapy and took about 4 weeks to get and appointment. At the time of his evaluation appointment, he was still taking tiny steps with his hind legs and his arthritis was really apparent.
Rehab Recommendations for Senior Tripawd Max
- Tops Rehabilitation – Grayskake, IL
- Therapist Dr Deanne Zenoni
At his first PT evaluation appointment the Vet therapist noticed senior Tripawd Max had pain over his low lumbar spine and sacrum. Considered it compensatory tightening due to changes in his mobility before and after surgery. Their primary focus is pain management over the LS region and then strengthening exercises. Home exercise, massage and avoid high impact activity to aid in recovery and long-term management of his mobility. Acupuncture & chiropractic may be beneficial lifelong as well.
She suggested increasing his pain meds which we did once home. He had and acupuncture session during the initial visit.
The recommended therapies:
- Acupuncture to relieve main and support nerve function 2 x week initially then tapering off.
- Hakopool/pain to decrease acute chronic pain 2 x week initially then tapering off.
- Underwater treadmill to increase strength and coordination in low impact environment 1-2 x weekly. (We have had to hold off on this due to Max had developed prolapsed urethra)
- Chiropractic to improve motion in back and limbs to help restore nerve function. Once more comfortable, start rehab every 1-2 weeks.
At Home:
- An instructional session every 2-3 weeks, focusing on pet’s weak areas 1-2 x weekly with a therapist.
- Massage at home to relieve muscle tension, decrease pain, improve circulation.
Home massage 30 mins daily. - Compression like passive touch but with applied pressure. Can compress for 10-2- seconds or in pumping motion on quads.
- Effleurage long sweeping strokes gliding hand over hand strokes that can be done all over using light medium pressure, on back, neck and trunk.
- Petrissage (save for later) gently lifting and moving tissue and surface muscles in a non-directional fashion to separate and mobilize tissue.
- Circular massage use 2-3 fingered circular motion with medium to deeper pressure.
- Massage benefits – reduce stress, pain and swelling. Increase oxygen compacity in the blood and circulation. Improve mobility and quality of life. Reduces compensatory changes. Can be done daily.
- Therapeutic exercise to improve strength, flexibility, coordination in a home exercise program.
- At home doing Assisi loop to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. 2-4 15 minutes session per day until the pain is resolved in the lumbosacral region.
So far, we have had 6 visits with mostly acupuncture and a couple of Hako-med pain treatments. We also got an Assisi Loop for home use after PT recommended one. He has had 6 visits so far & did notice improved movement and he seems more alert at his 5th appointment. We had our 6th visit and the therapists said he was looking less roach or hunched back. Later possibly add Laser to reduce inflammation and pain, Areas to treat pelvis, hips, L elbow, L stifle.
I have been very happy with our therapist she knows our surgeon and oncologist and has helpful tips for issues that come up. He’s only eating poached chicken breast since his Chemo started. I am trying other foods at their suggestions. I have learned to notice the subtle ways he shows discomfort when being petted.
I learned about Tripawds when I watched a Canine Cancer video on Facebook it might have been Dr Sue Cancer vet. I spent a lot of time reading blogs and forum posts when deciding if surgery was right for Max.
~Barb & Max (aka: maxitaxi2011)
How to Find a Rehab Therapy for Tripawd Dogs and Cats
At Home Front Limb Tripawd Rehab Program