Guest guest Posted June 19, 2012 Report Share Posted June 19, 2012 Jane, Thanks for asking again. I was disappointed there was no response to the question. Maybe it was because I asked about " logs " instead of dogs. Anyway i hope there is some input to our question about amputees. Eugene Rivers, DVM > > I'm interested in this as well - my sister's dog is a recent amputee (front leg) due to cancer. > Thanks, Jane > > > Jane Wittstock, DVM > > ----- Rehab for amputees > Date: Sat, 02 Jun 2012 14:36:07 -0000 > > I've seen several logs recently that have lost a limb due to cancer. I'm interested in input from anyone on their rehab protocol for both front limb amputees and rear limb amputees. Thanks for any input. > > Eugene Rivers, DVM > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 22, 2012 Report Share Posted June 22, 2012 We have treated several amputees, usually they are still receiving chemotherapy at our hospital as well. The amputee patients that we see usually come with owner concern with their low stamina, some of them have a front limb amputee but also have hip arthritis, etc. We usually treat them in the UWTM - always with assist in the treadmill and low-thigh water height due to their increased head bobbing - don't want them to dunk their faces in. We do manual therapy - these dogs will have compensatory tightness of muscles/fascia. Work with trunk strength - standing over appropriately sized Proll with manual support, weight shifting, etc. We have ordered carts for some dogs, just fitted a rear cart for a pitty with metastatic mast cell cancer that has LHL amputation (not from cancer, the owners rescued him with 3-legs) and last year he had R CCLX ex-cap repair, recent R stifle scope due to increased gaiting difficulty, etc. We've fitted some front-legged amputees with hip dysplasia with front end carts to try to reduce the pounding through their hind legs as they hop/gait. Shinas, LVT, CCRP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 22, 2012 Report Share Posted June 22, 2012 For most of the amputee patients I have seen the cause of amputation was neoplasia. These are challenging cases that often require;the management of chronic painmanagement of pre-existing conditions such as osteoarthritisaddressing the debilitating effects of on going chemotherapymanagement of musculoskeletal weakness and decreases in cardiovascular fitnessOnce the above issues are addressed, especially pain, I find that they adapt very quickly to the changes in body posture and weight distribution needed to accommodate the loss of the limb. I think others have covered specific exercises. Coordination with the primary care DVM about pre-existing issues, and coordination with both the surgeon and oncologist is important.Rick Wall, DVMThe Woodland, TX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 23, 2012 Report Share Posted June 23, 2012 ACVIM did this video on one of our patient's and really all I did was give her a harness, booties and some transitional exercises to do at home, she did great. Rick outlined treatment very well. from my iPad J Porter IIICertified Canine Rehabilitation PractitionerLouisiana Veterinary Referral CenterAnimal Rehabilitation CenterMandeville, LA70448Main Hospital: ext. 208lavrc.comtwitter.com/LAVRCfacebook.com/LAVRCyoutube.com/user/LAVRCfacebook.com/louisianaCOPfacebook.com/SuperPanThePanofSteel For most of the amputee patients I have seen the cause of amputation was neoplasia. These are challenging cases that often require;the management of chronic painmanagement of pre-existing conditions such as osteoarthritisaddressing the debilitating effects of on going chemotherapymanagement of musculoskeletal weakness and decreases in cardiovascular fitnessOnce the above issues are addressed, especially pain, I find that they adapt very quickly to the changes in body posture and weight distribution needed to accommodate the loss of the limb. I think others have covered specific exercises. Coordination with the primary care DVM about pre-existing issues, and coordination with both the surgeon and oncologist is important.Rick Wall, DVMThe Woodland, TX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 Robby and Rick, Thank you very much for your input. I have been out of town attending another CRI training and am just getting caught up on emails. I appreciate the suggestions from you and Rick Wall. I've found a few differences between the front leg amputees vs the rear leg amputees, of course. Most of the cases I've seen are as a result of osteosarcoma also, so I appreciate the video you shared. These cases really touch our hearts. Thanks again to both of you. Gene Rivers, DVM > > > For most of the amputee patients I have seen the cause of amputation was neoplasia. These are challenging cases that often require; > > > > > > the management of chronic pain > > management of pre-existing conditions such as osteoarthritis > > addressing the debilitating effects of on going chemotherapy > > management of musculoskeletal weakness and decreases in cardiovascular fitness > > > > Once the above issues are addressed, especially pain, I find that they adapt very quickly to the changes in body posture and weight distribution needed to accommodate the loss of the limb. I think others have covered specific exercises. > > Coordination with the primary care DVM about pre-existing issues, and coordination with both the surgeon and oncologist is important. > > > > Rick Wall, DVM > > The Woodland, TX > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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