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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My boyfriend and I recently adopted a little Tri-Pawd from a shelter in Indiana. I have a soft spot for scruffy dogs and when I saw this little guy on petfinder(I swear I wasn't looking for a 3rd dog!) I couldn't help myself. I showed his picture to my boyfriend, and after a little coaxing we drove the 4 hours to go and meet him.
His name was originally Pirate, although his foster home called him Petey. We renamed him Champ after one of our favorite TV shows (Parks and Recreation has a 3-legged pittie named Champion.)
He was picked up by the shelter with a compound fracture of his femur that had already begun to heal incorrectly so they opted to amputate. Nothing slows this little guy down! He's about 18 months and is playing the role of bratty little brother dutifully.
I have not personally had a Tri-Pawd before but my job brings me in to contact with a fair amount of them (I'm a veterinary oncology technician.)
Here are some photos of the little guy
When he was first brought in to the shelter. You can actually see the bone sticking out if you look close enough.
You can see how thin he was here.
Learning about toys!
Hanging out with his brother and sister.
Welcome to Tripawds, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
What a wonderful addition to your pack!
And your profession can be a wonderful addition to our family here- most of us have/had tripawds because of cancer.
My Tripawd was a little pug named Maggie, also a rear amp. She did great for almost 4 years after her amp for mast cell cancer. Since you are starting with a puppy you should peruse the Gear Blog and check out all the exercise and play ideas to keep a tripawd fit.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Welcome!
How wonderful for Champ that his guardian angel found you so you could find him. He is adorable!
Luanne and Team Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
What a great name for him! Champ is adorable and I love the pic of all 3 on the bed, too cute!
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
Ohhhhhh what a sweetheart! I love this boy! Thank you for bringing him into your pack, he is SO lucky! What are your other pup's names? They look like they are all getting along so well.
Annnnnd...you're a vet oncology tech? Oh my gosh DO tell more! We have lots to talk about 
Thank you for joining!!!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
OMG ... he's adorable!!!! I love his little face!!!!
Congrats .. he is going to have the best life!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
What a wonderful life Champ will have!!! And what an adorable pack! YAAAAAAAAAY FOR SCRUFFY DOGS! They are just so darn cute!!
And YAAAAAAAAAY FOR YOU AND YOUR BOYFRIEND FOR GIVINGN CHAMP A CHANCE!! Their resilience will asroundnyou!
Champ will be full of "lofe lessons" for you on his tripawd journey! Due to your career, I'm sure you will be even more helpful now for the dog souls who have become tripawds due to that piece of crap disease. Beyond the fear of that despicable disease, people worry about how well their dogs will do in three legs. Champ can show 'em how it's done!
Can't wait to follow his journey AND see more pictures! You have such cute dogs!!!
Hugs to you and all your pack!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Thanks for all the warm welcomes everyone!
I've worked as a CVT for the past ~7years, but I've only been in med onc for the last 3 1/2. It is a tough department to work in sometimes, but I love it.
"Only" 3.5 years? That's more than any of us! You do incredible, much needed work. It's pawesome to have you here!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
He is so adorable!!! How wonderful that you drove all that way to the shelter to give this little guy another chance at life. Lucky dog indeed. I have five rescues myself and they were all the ones no one else would have taken.
http://www.cani.....cer.org.au - Dedicated to Canine Cancer Awareness
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