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.
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My dog Gracie had her back leg amputated earlier today and in the hospital overnight tonight. Gracie is 1 yrs old, 7 lbs and is a cheweenie. She was attacked by a fox and her leg was unable to be saved. I am so sad and feeling so guilty. I simply let her out to go the bathroom and next thing I was rushing her to the vet and trying to calm my 3 children down.
Hello and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I'm sorry to hear about the attack- how scary! I'm glad she survived and is still with you. Does she have any other injuries?
I've had two small rear amps: Tripug Maggie who lost her left rear leg to mast cell cancer, and now my pug mix Elly who lost her right rear leg at 7 months old after being hit by a car. I consider both of them small, but both of them are just over 2 x bigger than Gracie.
Maggie was 7.5 years old when she lost her leg. She had a poor prognosis but lived for almost 4 years happily hopping on three. The only thing Mag couldn't really do was go up stairs or get up on furniture on her own, she could go down anything. Elly is actually a bit smaller than Maggie was and Elly has no problem flying up and down the stairs.
You might look through the Reading List, there is a lot of information there about what to expect with amputation and recovery.
When you pick Gracie up be sure you have enough pain meds and know the dosing schedule. Many pups here come home with tramadol, gabapentin and an anti inflammatory. Maggie came home with a fentanly patch, tramadol and an anti inflam.
It's really important for you to be strong and positive for Gracie, she will need you to be a strong pack leader and show her everything is OK.
Keep us posted and let us know when she is home.
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
Maggie's Story Amputation and Chemo
Find me now on Tripawds Circle
How scary! Thankfully Gracie will recover and will do great on three legs. Little dogs are so feisty and she'll be so happy to be with you when she comes home. The challenge may come from trying to keep her quiet and calm at least until the stitches come out.
Karen gave you great information. I also want to emphasize her point of you being positive, strong, and encouraging for Gracie and the children. Our pets pick up on our energy.
Some people put t-shirts on their dogs or onesies on their cats to keep the incision covered. If you go to this posting, you'll see some photos of an adorable kitty named Howl showing off her outfit: http://tripawds.....procedure/
Please come back with any questions and for support!
Hugs to you and your family,
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Hi - we were in chat together last night. Glad you were able to post about Gracie, and get some good information on what lies ahead. Not sure if you saw it, but there is a button at the bottom that says "subscribe"; click on it so when ever anyone posts a reply you will get an email so you know it.
As I said last night, my Dobe was a front amp, and we put a tshirt on him right from the start, because I didn't want to see the incision right away. Not sure how this works for a rear amp. Also, even though Gracie is small, a harness is a wonderful tool to help them maneuver until they get the hang of three legs. One of the best is the Ruffwear Harness by webmaster, that you can find here in the gear/store section.
Like Karen said, having a positive attitude goes a long way in a successful recovery. Gracie takes her cues from you, so if you act as though everything is/will be ok, she will know everything is/will be ok. Also, pain meds can alter a dog's personality, so if she seems "depressed" or subdued, most likely it is just the meds. A lot of people assume their dog is "mad at them" for the surgery; that really isn't true. Just know that little by little her spark will return, as she heals and adjusts to the meds.
Good luck, keep us posted
Paula and Warrior Angel Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
Thank you so much for the words of support and helpful info. Gracie came home a couple of hours ago. It’s so sad and still a bit of a shock but I’m grateful to be looking at her! She seems so sad and know it’s from the meds but so hard to see. She has a follow up in a few days and stitches out in 10-14 days. I’m not sure how to help her with the bathroom. It’s freezing outside and think she has to be traumatized by what happened!
Just catching up on your precious Gracie! CANNOT wait to see pictures of her cute self!
Sorry you find yourself here, but as you can see from the wonderful feedback, you are in tne right place for support, understanding and information!
No, she's not "sad", but she's very doped up! She may not poop for a few days and may be off food for a bit. Drinking and peeing are important though. She may be verynwhiny and restless for a few nights. Recovery can be rough for the first two weeks. SLOOOOOW AND EASY!
What pain meds is she on the frequency? She still has some strong hospital meds in her. They usually wear off vy day three, so she may have a bit of a crash around then.
Is she showing any signs of being mobile yet? It's still very early so that may take another day or two.
STAY CONNECTED!! YIU ARE NOT ALONE! We are all here to help you get through the recovery. You WILL be amazed at how well your pup adsptaxp! Really, you will be!
Hugs
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!
Will she use pee-pads? Is there somewhere like a porch or carport that she can use? Obviously you will need to be with her now when she goes out. Maybe try a different part of your yard from where the attack happened?
Most pups figure out the mechanics of peeing and pooping pretty quickly- so that shouldn't be an issue.
Good that she is home and on the road to recovery.
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
Maggie's Story Amputation and Chemo
Find me now on Tripawds Circle
Gracie seems to be doing ok. She was up all night last night just staring at me. She actually kept moving around so I kept getting her up and let her try to stand. She was very wobbly. She hates the cone and seems to be able to still be able to reach and lick her stitches. She did go pee on the pee pads that I have. She also ate chicken for me. She’s on 3 meds right now( can’t remember the names). She goes for her follow up tomorrow night.
Hi there! I'm just catching up on your story and am so glad that Gracie is hanging tough. What a time you've had!
If she can lick her stitches you may want to "double" cone her with a soft-inflatable cone of shame as well as the hard plastic one. That usually does the trick.
Glad she's eating, that's a great sign! When you go for your follow-up let the vet know she seems anxious. Her pain medications may need fine-tuning so that you can both get some sleep.
Hang in there!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi there,
Your baby is home and alive because of your judgement. Not your fault, I think if you thought there would be a wild animal in your yard she wouldn't have been out there without you. So now you have your baby in recovery because you saved her life. Those little ones are tougher and fiestier than a lot of big dogs, I had a chihuahua that was probably one of the biggest dogs I ever had the privilege of having. He just never knew how small he was lol. I don't know if you have sectioned off a room in your home, if you haven't and are able to please do. Something that doesn't have high spots to try and jump up on. Carpet for traction . Huckleberry is a cat, he did well in a larger dog crate. It limited his motion yet didn't smother him. A bedroom or spare room would probably work better for you. Keep her safe and manage her pain. She should have a good couple weeks of pain management . What you have heard from others here is top notch advise! What did they send her home with? Keep in touch please, we're here for you.
Jackie and Huckleberry ❤
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
YAHOO!! YAAAAAAAAAY FOR GRACIE!! SURGERY IS DONE AND GRACIE IS HOME!! 🙂
DITTO Jackie
You've probably got a few sleepless night ahead. The hospital meds are still in her system and she may still be staring at an occasional pink elephant! 🙂
She'll get her mobility worked out. Right now she just needs complete rest and short potty breaks and then more rest. And you TRY and get some rest roo! I know this is still scae to you, but you'll see her sparkle come baxk before you know it.....it just seems like furever though!
We're here for you!
Hugs
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!
Well said, Jackie! I absolutely agree. You saved your dog's life and have absolutely NOTHING to feel guilty about. Now Gracie is home and on the road to recovery. Stay connected. We're here for you and cheering you and Gracie on every step of the way.
Update when you can, and let us know how you and Gracie are doing.
Big hug,
Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
So Gracie is hanging in there, she’s probably better than me. She had her follow up on Tuesday and it went well other than she removed 3 of her stitches. The dr gave me a bigger cone since she could reach her stitches. It’s now Friday and we are going back to dr tomorrow bc even with the bigger cone she can STILL get to her wound. She now only has 3 stitches in compared to the 15 she had after surgery. She still seems super sad:(((((
It's still really early in her recovery, don't be too discouraged yet. The first 2 weeks are the hardest. Hang in there, she'll have her sparkle back before you know it.
Paula and Warrior Angel Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
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