Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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HELLO ALL
Molly is a very intelligent lady - a vocabulary of well over 100 words-- it is really like she understands most everything -- she is the result of a 45 year blood line of Labs from my brother in law-- He cannot believe her intelligence------ well enough bragging --
Molly had a blood clot on her aorta where it splits to go down the back legs---- I llive in Montana -- No vet could figure out was wrong with her- she would be fine one day and the next have great trouble walking--- Finally I was sent to Big Sky Surgery Center in Great Falls Montana--- there Dr Shere did a CT scan and found the blood clot---- He sent the info to a fellow vet in Pullman Washington--- This vet had news of another dog from Montana --- a golden-- was sent to him with the same problem-- very very rare-- a new page in the medical books they say--- however a 325 mil asprin was ordered daily ---
Bad news it broke up the clot sending it to Mollys right rear foot-- lost her toes-- this took about 10 days -- could not get circulation in the leg after medication -- ultra sound-- accupunture-- - praying--- Molly lost her right leg at the hip the 27th of April-------------
She is ok but not ok-- Molly had a life of riding on 4 wheelers-- in the back of numerous trucks of witch she could identify each- - She was an amazing frisbee and chuck it player-- We could use help and info on how to cope with this new live-- thanks for being here DC
Hi and welcome DC and Molly, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
You have been through it with Molly, I'm sorry.
But now you are on a new journey with Molly, one that most of us have found to be inspiring and rewarding.
I moved your story here to 'Beyond Cancer' since it is the best place to start your story not dealing with cancer.
You should look through the Required Reading List and consider downloading an eBook from the Tripawds Library . Both have lots of information on what to expect with amputation and recovery.
She is ok but not ok-- Molly had a life of riding on 4 wheelers-- in the back of numerous trucks of witch she could identify each- - She was an amazing frisbee and chuck it player-- We could use help and info on how to cope with this new live-
I don't see anything here that Molly shouldn't be able to do after she is all healed. Maybe not jumping so high or so often, and probably getting into those Trucks with some help. Losing a leg doesn't mean her life as it was is over- some modifications to protect her joints and keep her healthy.
When my first Tri-pug Maggie lost her rear leg to cancer I started missing all the things I thought she wouldn't be able to do anymore. While I was tied up with worry Maggie was figuring out how to do what she wanted to do. She was a slug for awhile, but once she got used to her new normal I realized she wasn't missing anything...it was all me.
About 7 months ago I adopted my second Tripawd, a little pug mix named Elly who lost her right rear leg after getting hit by a car. She was healed by the time I met her, but not very strong. I have worked with her every day using games and exercises to build her strength and challenge her mind. You can check out her Blog Here to see some of the stuff we have been working on.
It's hard at first- but try not to grieve what Molly has lost... she sure isn't! It's up to you to challenge her new abilities and find ways to keep her safe and strong. You will be inspired!
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Well, it's only been 11 days since Molly's surgery, so she's still recovering. The first 2 weeks and sometimes a little bit longer, are the hardest time to get through. I would say you probably need to get her a harness - check out the gear on the home page. Many of us use the Webmaster Ruffwear harness - it has a handle on top which is great to help them in or out of the car or any time they're climbing (the 4 wheeler, etc.).
Murphy had his front leg removed 3 years ago because of cancer. He is now 10 years old, but he can still run along the fence if there's someone on the other side he wants to chase, he can chase squirrels up the tree or around the pool, he can dig under the wood pile if he hears a mouse, he jumps on the furniture, jumps into the car on his own (we have a Ford Escape) .... he can pretty much still do everything he did before he had surgery, and he's well past his prognosis. Go to youtube and check out tripawds there, you may be surprised at how active some of the dogs still are 
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Oh, trucks and 4 wheelers are no problem at all says Daryl, my Tripawd. I should send you some video of him running for the truck, tractor or 4 wheeler when it is time to go. Molly will adapt. You will be shocked at what she can do after she is healed. Healed is the word here. Don't get too discouraged. It takes time. Hang in there. I am sure happy they figured out what was going on with her. Lori, Ty and gang
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Hi DC & Molly,
Wow, rare indeed, I'm so sorry!
Don't worry, Molly will have a GREAT life ahead of her. Farm dogs are so resilient, she will bounce back in no time at all. By the time the corn's knee high she'll be having a blast! It's always more hard on the humans than the people. Dogs adapt so much better.
You've gotten some great insight from others. I strongly encourage you to check out our e-book Loving Life On Three Legs . Molly's activity level will no doubt be affected for a while and afterward too, it's smart to learn how to keep her fit and injury free. There are many things you can do, like regulating her activity, keeping her trim and more. No, we don't recommend Frisbee or really hard "explosive" activities like Chuck-it throwing, but there is SO much she will be able to do. Take things one day at a time and she'll amaze you.
How is she currently getting around now?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Molly is clearly an amazing dog on so many levels!! Clearly you love her dearly and have a very special bond.
You've gotten great firsthand advice.
Right now though, it's all about taking it slow.and easy. Molly is very early into recovery. It takes approximately two weeks to get.over.the major.surgery.itself,.then about thirty days for all the muscles, joints, etc.to adjust to mobility on three legs. Yes, as Karen said, you'll want to "modify" some of Molly's activities to.protect her joints. That could be something as simple as giving.her a Kong toy full of cheese while she's chasing her frisbee to "force" her to rest while chewing her Kong.
Molly IS okay! Our concerns as a human are not the concerns of our.dogs! They don't measure.their lives based.on how far and fast they can run or how high they can jump. Loving.and spoiling and being by your side however.....yeah, that means a lot!
Looking forward to hearing.more about Molly AND pictures!
Hugs to.all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
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