Tripawds Three Legged Dog & Cat Forum Archives
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat. Explore 17+ years of forum archives for stories and answers to questions about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery. Enjoy fresh discussion and connect with members in the new Tripawds Support Circle.
Join The Tripawds Community
Register your free account to join the Tripawds Support Circle. Connecting with members and getting the support you need is now easier than ever with the Circle app!
Easy Photo Upload
Private Messaging
Subscribe to Topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Forums Locked: Search archives for answers & join Tripawds Support Circle to keep discussion going!
Log In
Members
Offline
We had a really sad moment today. It seems as though Baxter finally noticed his leg is gone.
He love, love, loves mini squeaky tennis balls and we could sit for forever rolling it to him and he would bat it back (a lot like a cat) to us.
We weren't thinking and rolled the ball to him and bless his little heart, he stood there and tried to bat it back- only there wasn't a leg attached to the shoulder!
His little nub was just a moving and he was so confused as to why nothing was happening, the ball wasn't moving. He finally just layed down beside it.
I swear it was the saddest moment! We've sailed thru this pretty well and this was the first moment it really hit home to Baxter- and us that he is different now.
I'm sure he will figure out how to play with his beloved tennis balls again, but it hurt my feeling so much to see him not able to do such a simple thing that brought him and us so much pleasure.
Awww. Poor little Baxter. 
But you're right, he will figure out new ways to do all of his favorite things. But i know, it still hurts to see him realizing his leg is gone. I think Valentina doesn't even think about it anymore but I can still get teary 5 mos. later about everything that she had to go through. I'll be staring at her and thinking " I still cannot believe that I had to get my Dog's leg amputated!! " But then I quickly become thankful that there is actually a surgery that can allow her to stay with us longer. It's bittersweet.
My moment like this came just a couple of days after Maggie's amp. She had always been a dog who had to spin before a BM. She would put her nose close to the ground and spin until the moment was right. The first couple of days after surgery she would try and spin only to fall on her butt (she was a rear amp). And she would look at me with big, pitiful eyes and I would almost cry.
But then the darnedest thing happened- she figured it out! She still had her right real leg which she pivoted on and was able to spin almost like before. That was about day 6 after her amp, and the first time she had a BM!
The other thing that would get me was the 'air scratch'. She would scratch her right chin with her remaining back leg, then shift and stick her chin out on the left side, and her little stump would work away, but no scratch! She stopped doing it after a month or two- I would help with left side scratching, that is if she didn't find some piece of carpet or furniture to satisfy her.
Give him time- he will figure something out. And for me, for those things Maggie couldn't do anymore- it became clear to me that I was the only one missing them- Maggie just moved on.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Awww, I think many of us have that moment when reality sets in. Fortunately for Baxter, that moment is probably already forgotten and before you can blink an eye, he'll have it all figured out!
Maybe this will cheer you up! Look how I figured out how to chow down on bones, just a few months after amputation.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Awww, I think many of us have that moment when reality sets in. Fortunately for Baxter, that moment is probably already forgotten and before you can blink an eye, he'll have it all figured out!
Maybe this will cheer you up! Look how I figured out how to chow down on bones, just a few months after amputation.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Kayla had the same moment a couple days after she got home when she tried to have one of her chewy sticks and could no longer hold it between her front paws, I ended up having a bit of a cry and really doubted our decision but a couple days later she tried again and managed to find a new way to hold on to it.
It's tough when you see them struggle, isn't it? But they recover and adapt so quickly.
Rumbles had a similar experience and has adjusted beautifully. I posted about it in my blog. You can read it here, if you'd like.
Im concerned, its about 8 months post amp, and ellie stilllllll air scratches her ear... I cant get it scratched how she wants it so it stay unscratched, i dont know what to do to make her realize that leg is gone. =/ its been so long.. shes a rear left amp.
That's pretty normal Kailyn and really nothing to be concerned about that. Most rear-leggers will still attempt to scratch with the missing leg, it's a normal physiological reaction of the muscle nerves. All humans can do is scratch that itch for them.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Tripug Maggie was also a left rear amp. She did the air scratch for a long time after her amp. I really don't know when she stopped doing it, but it was at least 6 months later because I know it was after her chemo was done.
She came to expect me to scratch her ear, and left side of her face. Or she used rugs, furniture, her little sister...
I don't think you need to worry about it unless it distresses her somehow. Maggie just seemed puzzled.
Karen and the pugapalooza
1 Guest(s)
