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 7 year old Cockapoo O'Malley broke front elbow 18 months ago. With a failed surgery with pins put in, pins taken out , mesa in the bone, the joint is very unstable. With a slight fracture again over the winter, the vet said amputation is the best option for quality of life. This has taken me a few months to digest and I have finally made the appointment, I will be going ahead with the surgery. I know this is one of the hardest decisions I will make, but by reading all these post I 'm feeling more confidant I am making the right decision. If anyone has any insight to give me I would appreciate it. #nerveoustobeatripawedmom
Hi O'Malley and family, welcome to the club nopawdy wants to join. I hope you don't mind, I moved your post to this forum because it's a great place to share stories like yours that don't involve cancer. We've had many other members join us because of broken legs that didn't heal, so check out this forum for more. Your future posts won't need approval.
I'm going to bet that O'Malley will do GREAT! His smaller size (but big heart and pawsonality I'm sure!) is a huge advantage when living life on three legs. Keep him lean and fit and you'll enjoy many great years together. Have you checked out Jerry's Required Reading List or the Tripawds e-books yet? If so, you'll find tons of great tips there. Our community will chime in soon too so stay tuned.
Here's a cool cocker spaniel doggie we met met a while back, he was doing great!
We'd love to see some photos. Here's a post on how to add photos to the Forums, let us know if you'd like assistance.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yep! You've definitely come ro the right place! We all understand far too well the stress when hearing the word AMPUTATION in order to provide a quality life!
And we all understand the relief and joy when we see that it really does add quality!! Of course, it is major surgery and, like all surgeries, has risk. And recovery is no picnic for about two weeks. Couple of things I. OMalley's favor...he's probably already used to walking on three legs....the surgery will remove the lain permanently...and this is not a result of a life threatening illness!
The links Jerry gave you will fill you in really well.
Yiui want to get non slip scatter rugs for traction if you jave . Do you have a lot of steps? A ramp works well if it's not too many steps. Every dog is different when it comes to steps. Usually front leggers have trouble going down but but not up. Rear leggers have trouble going ul, but not down. A d some dogs have no problems at all!
You think you've spoiled before! HA! Just wait! There's nothing like spoiling a tripawd
Remember, OMalley is blissfully aware of anything other than living in the NOW! Humans? Yeah, we worry alot!! We all want to Be More Dog !!
Try and get some rest I'm sure a box of chocolates will help with your stress.level too!
WE ARE ALL RIGHT HERE TO HELP,.OKAY?..You are not alone!
HUGS!
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!
Hi O'Malley! My dog Miss Jack's story is quite similar. Her elbow was smashed when she was abused at ~3 months old, when we were living in Sierra Leone. There was no possibility of surgery and it healed somewhat, but was always unstable and a bit painful. She developed severe arthritis 18 months later after we were back in the US and my vet said the same thing - she's going to be so much happier without the leg.
Her amputation was almost a year ago and we're both so relieved. She had no trouble relearning to walk because she had already been favoring that leg for a while, just like O'Malley. And since the surgery, she's been happy as a clam. I no longer have to worry that she'll tweak the painful leg and she doesn't even notice it's gone.
Come back and tell us how the surgery goes!
As an example of how quickly she bounced back, we went to the beach about three weeks after the surgery and here she is, enjoying the breeze ... and the sand.
JACK! MISS JACK! Almost a year already? WOW! I remember your very first post and your journey. LOVE that picture!
Hugs!
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!
OMG ... Jack looks great!!!
I know it's a hard decision to make but I am sure that O'Malley will do great and once fully recovered ... never miss that legs! Lots of 3 leggers here not due to cancer who I am sure can and will chime in.
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
dcjack said
Her amputation was almost a year ago and we're both so relieved. She had no trouble relearning to walk because she had already been favoring that leg for a while, just like O'Malley. And since the surgery, she's been happy as a clam. I no longer have to worry that she'll tweak the painful leg and she doesn't even notice it's gone.
Wow! seriously, a year already? Oh my gosh! Well Hoppy Ampuversary to you both, what a fantastic milestone!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Wow, thank you so much for all your amazing support! I feel blessed already to find such a great group! I I'm feeling better about my decision after reading all your replies.. I have been very teary all day, thinking this his last day on four legs....Omalley has had one of his better days today in awhile. It is going to be a really hard drive to the vet tomorrow. But I know when he feels good he pushes himself and will be down a for a few days. I will keep in touch and post pics when I figure it out!!
Love all the Tripawd terms, they made me laugh....I'll keep in touch
Barb
Barb, I bet the reason O'Malley had a fairly good day today is because, on a soul level, he knows he's getting rid of that bum leg and he's excited!
We're here for you! Stay connected!
((((((((((((((((((Hugs))))))))))))))
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!
Awww. I know that the last day on four is bittersweet, but pretty soon you won't even remember O'Malley on four legs! We hope everything goes great today! Let us know when you can and if you have any questions, post here, call our helpline or visit the chat room .
Here are instructions for adding photos to forum posts . Let me know if you have questions, I'm happy to help.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Well I'm not joining your nopawdy club yet, after Omalley having two amazing days and taking videos of him, the vet said he thought we should wait. Seriously he was running like I hadn't seen him run in a year. I'm not an over religious person, but I prayed to God to give me a sign if this was the right thing to do. I really feel God's sign was giving two of his best days before I had the surgery scheduled. This is not life threatening and I may just be buying time, but maybe not too. If he has another break or I hurts himself, then I know it will be the right thing to do. We are putting him on glucosamine and pure fish oil and anti nflammatories and pain meds as needed, and we will see how he does. I really feel this vet was so amazing on let's try all our other options first, we can always remove it, but we can't put it back on.
I will keep you posted as we go, because I really don't want to join the nopawdy club.. Thank you for your support you are all amazing!!!
omalley18 said
we can always remove it, but we can't put it back on.
Heh heh! That is SO true! I think O'Malley was definitely trying to tell you something, this sounds like a fantastic path!
Just throwing this out there but...You might want to consider a canine rehab therapist if you haven't already. They can really do wonders in situations like this. Here's some info to check out:
Learn Rehab and Fitness Tips for Tripawd Cats and Dogs, Part 1
We'd love to hear how things are going even if you don't amputate. Stories like yours are so helpful and hopeful! Have a great, great weekend, go give O'Malley a big smooch from us!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh gosh! GREAT NEWS! Way to "communicate" O'Malley!! You were heard loud and clear! You want to pawty,!!!
Please keep us posted. Co tinue to enjoy the present and stay in the.now with your sweet pul!
Hugs to all!
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!
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