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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I don't want to dream but I know Bess dog would love to get back rounding up the odd sheep one day as that instinct is so firmly embedded.Â
We are day 5 post amputation and there is a small amount of swelling now. I saw the vet and he said to use a heat pack to help assist with blood flow to break it up. I'm back to the vet tomorrow so hopefully it's not too serious.Â
Just wait - there is another dog in Australia (sorry, can't remember his name) who posted videos running full speed by fields of cane. Â There are several dogs in the video, and it is very hard to tell which is the tripawd. Â Having said that, all dogs are different. Â You just have to let her set the pace, and work on core strenght once you get through recovery.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016.  Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016.  Lung mets August 25, 2016.  Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016.  Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma. Â
Wherever they are, they are together.
jennanz said
I don't want to dream but I know Bess dog would love to get back rounding up the odd sheep one day as that instinct is so firmly embedded.Â
Ohhhh just wait! Here are the posts from Tankman, who is in North Queensland.Â
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Chuy went back to running and playing after he had his FHO surgery and he was already missing a front leg. Don't get discouraged, they don't. It will take time, but Bess will get there, she will know when she is ready. She'll probably try before and then find out "It's not quite time, but it was worth a shot!"
Chuy, showing everyone that Tripawds do everything 3 times better than regular dogs!
Tankman - that's fantastic!! Thank you Otisandtess and Jerry for posting it !!Â
I just wonder (sorry if this has been discussed before) how do you guys as owners, get past putting them in a protective bubble as such (as not to injure the good leg) and let them just be dogs? I know it's only day 6 but I'm absolutely terrified of her injuring her good leg. Anxiety is through the roof !! 🙂
I can't wait until she's healed to begin the strengthening exercises on this site. Also going to get a regular fortnightly appointment with a massage/chiro that is only about 45 mins away.Â
Thanks Chuy, that's good to know 🙂 At the moment she is hauling me off my feet when on her toilet breaks (trying to do silly dog laps leaping and bounding on a short lead) so trying to keep her quiet is hard. For her she's had the last 4 months in a cast/bandages etc so she's only been using 3 legs which from reading everyone's posts has probably prepared her a little for being a tripawd?Â
I'm just reading Chuy's stories, gorgeous dog !!
At first it is hard to get past the "bubble" stage, but you will. Dogs will be dogs, just do what your vet advises until they give the all clear. Then let Bess be Bess and keep an eye on her when she is. You can't stop a speeding train and you can't keep Bess from being a dog. I guess what I'm trying to say is "We must accept what is". We can change things only so much, but you cannot stop a bird from flying, a fish from swimming or a dog from chasing a ball.
Chuy, showing everyone that Tripawds do everything 3 times better than regular dogs!
You are so right Chuy, I guess I will just need to get that in my head and make it my mantra...I think it's going to take a while though, it has been such a long road to get here. She is a border collie x kelpie so I literally have no chance of keeping her quiet once she's healed. Even though she is 10, I don't think anyone has told her. So I will just need to adjust to quality of life, not quantity perhaps.
Well said CHUY!
You will fInd that you can "let Bess be Bess" with more and more confidence as she gets through recovery. She may (or may not) monitor herself more than you think. Being a front leg tripawd does take a lot of energy and can be exhausting sometimes.
Certainly there are things you want to steer away from if possible. Things like high impact landings when catching Frisbees, jumping down from "high" places, when throwing a ball, try to do it at a speed where she doesn't have to make really sharp turns or stop really fast and hard. Things like that you can "generally" avoid, obviously, not all the time, so don't fret when it does happen.
And yes, she sounds very well prepared for being a Tripawd!
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!
Sorry for the shakes in the video!
This is a video of Bess dog and we are now 7 days post amputation. Her friend over the fence has his tail wagging the whole time though you can't see it 🙂 I will be keeping her on the lead for toilet breaks for a while longer as she just wants to run!! We have a ruffwear harness with brush guard too but she is still getting used to it. Vet checked her yesterday as I was worried about some swelling but it has nearly gone and he was very happy. Stitches out on Saturday 🙂
Thank you Benny for your suggestions too, she's a rear leg amputee but I think your advice will apply in general too 🙂
BESS! YOU ARE A LITTLE BALL OF ENERGY!!! 🙂 🙂 I can see that your Mom does, indeed, have her hands full keeping you in "slow gear"!
You are definitely ROCKING this recovery! This tripawd "thing" isn't going to slow you down at all!!!
I love seeing you and your "fence buddy" so happy to see each other. Sweet!!
Great video!!!! Thanks!
Hugs and applause!!
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!
Yes absolutely trying to slow her down LOL she's a bundle of energy 🙂 If this is one week, then I am going to be pulling my hair out at week two !! 🙂
WOW.... look at her go!!! I love that gait! She looks amazing!!! More photos and videos of the kelpie please!!! XOXO
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
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