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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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What's three more legs, right?
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Member Since:
1 September 2012
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16 September 2014 - 7:09 pm
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I adopted a tripaw 2 years ago.  She lost half of her back leg as a baby,  we aren't sure how.  Last month a local recue asked for a foster for a soon to be tripaw and I couldn't resist. So, now we have Tinker the 3.5 legged rocket and have added Aurthur.  He's a sweet heart! He was abused and has been run over. We are keeping him for a month to try to help him gain weight and be comfortable. His surgery is set for October 1st to remove his badly damaged rear left leg.  Just wanted to pop in and start reading post op tips. I love this site! Thank y'all for all the info to help my little babies. 

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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16 September 2014 - 8:48 pm
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WELCO.E TINKER AND ARTHUR!! Well, you two sure got a rouch start but are mighty, mighty lucky to have found such a loving forever home!!

OOPS! My bad! I saif "forever home when it came toFOSTERING Arthur!!! Paws crossed for a "failed foster"!!

You've certainly come to the right place for info. for tripawds!!

You'll want to get non slip scatter rugs if you have hardwoods.

The recovery period can be a little rough for a week or two. It sounds like Arthur isalready used to three legs so mobiity may come fairly easy for him. You'll want to keep him quite for the first week or twoand just have hi go out for brief potty breaks and basically rest the rest of the time.

If you have a lot of stairs going in and out, you may want to consider a ramp.

Read all of Jerry's books...Life on Three Legs.

If Arthur is a large dog, you may want raised food and water bowls to prevent any strain.

Keep lots and lots of chocolate on jand for YOU! The first several days and nights can be scary and somewhat unsettling. Every dog is different though, some recoveries are easier than others. Just stay connected to us and know that you are not alone, okay?

Is Arthur spending the night at the vets? Use that night to get a good night's sleep! When you pick Arthur up, just look straight into his eyes and tell him what a good boynhe is! Lots of praise! You'll. be amazed at how resilient your boy will be! Once his sparkle comes back you get to really see his personality!

And Tinker is ADORABLE!!!

When you can, lost more pictures of Tinker and Arthur...can't wait to see more!!!

You are so very kind to help this pup! I'm sure Tinker will enjoy the company of another Tripawd!

Sending lots of (((((((((((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!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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16 September 2014 - 9:16 pm
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Oh my gosh TWO Tripawds? What a pawesome pack! Tinker is just a doll, and Aurthur is so lucky to have good people like you waiting to give him the love he deserves. We are really glad you found us and look forward to helping you through his recovery and answering any questions you have. Like Sally mentioned, Jerry's Required Reading List and the Tripawds e-books are terrific places to start reading. 

We would love to see photos of your pack! Here are instructions for uploading, let us know if you have any questions.
Thanks for joining!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Tiff
4
6 October 2014 - 12:22 pm
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Well, Arthur became "LJ" and we decided to keep him.  He just had surgery today. We g pick him up at 4:30 and. Am so anxious. My heart is hurting for him. I'll let y'all know how the night goes. We put in a bigger dog door so it will be easier on him to go in and out.  I am just so ready to see him and tell him he is ok. 

Livermore, CA




Member Since:
18 October 2009
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6 October 2014 - 1:02 pm
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Welcome back, and congrats on adopting LJ!

I hope the surgery goes well, keep us posted.

 

Looks like you forgot to log in since you showed up as a guest.  If you have lost your log in info let Admin or Jerry know and they can get you set up.  If you just forgot- no problem- this is a stressful day.

 

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

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo

Orrtanna Pa.
Member Since:
25 January 2014
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6 October 2014 - 1:57 pm
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Congrats!!! I have already decided that I would want to keep every foster that came through my house. What kind of dog is LJ? The best thing I found post op was the sling...a canvas grocery bag with the sides cut out. helps the first few days after surgery and getting in/out of car. Which leg did he have removed? Sorry if you posted that and I missed it. If he is young, he should rebound fast. My Daryl is 3 months post amp and he forgets he does not have 4 legs. Keep us posted. Lori and TY

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. 

Member Since:
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7 October 2014 - 10:44 am
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Lj had a pretty good night and was having a great day.  We went for his bandage to be removed and he has been freaking out a little bit. He's acting like something is poking or stinging him? The vet tech said its could be the skin is no longer supported?  He's napping right now and I have an ice pack on him. I'll watch and see how he acts when he wakes up.  

      It was his left rear leg.  He's young, not sure but we guess 4-6 months old. He is not big, he was starved before being rescued.  Before surgery he was up to 22 lbs.  he is brindle and looks like he may be a small cur dog mixed with a lab.  He loves swimming and chasing birds and squirrels. He has know how to fetch since we got him. I'll try to figure out how to upload pics. He looks like a clown with his big blue collar on.  Thankful all halls support and resources. I showed my kids so they would know wha to expect, that helped so much!

-----Tinker & LJ

On The Road


Member Since:
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7 October 2014 - 1:49 pm
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It's so great to hear from you, glad to know everything is going alright. Sounds like LJ might be suffering from a bit of nerve pain. Did it just start?

Here's a post about how to add images to the Forums. Let me know if you have any problems, i"m happy to help.

Give LJ a big smooch from us, we're cheering him on! Sounds like a neat pup.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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8 October 2014 - 9:02 pm
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LJ...great new name for a great new start!

Recovery can be rough for a couple of weeks, but it does get better!! Getting the pain under control and getting the right balance of meds can be a little tricky at first. Nerve pain can be pretty painful..The nerves are still firing off messages to a limb that's no longer there

What kind of pain meds is LJ on? Most here are on Tramadol, Gabapentin, Rimadyl and an antibiotic. It may be different for LJ since he's such a young puppy.

Stay connected and let us knownhow he's doing. Look forward to the pocs!

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!

Virginia
Member Since:
26 January 2014
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9 October 2014 - 4:47 am
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I'm with Lori, I'd probably keep every foster that came through my door. Can't wait to see pics of LJ. He's going to do great. My Tanner is a rear leg amp from injury but shhh, don't tell him, he has no idea he's missing one. Tanner's 2, but still very much a puppy. It is really hard to hold them back sometimes. I agree with Sally and Jerry, seems like LJ is having some nerve pain. The next few weeks will be tough but just hang on to us here. 

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”  

      

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1 September 2012
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11 October 2014 - 10:08 am
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The nerve  pain seems to be better. He was very active yesterday and I think it was a little too much for him.  He's slept all morning. He is on a very low dose tramadol, like you said because of his age.  I'm spoiling him, he gets in my lap and I'll take the cone of shame off of him and hold him and let him sleep with out it bothering him. Some of the swelling and bruising has gone down. He will get his stitches out on Thursday.  I'm hoping he won't need to wear the cone for too long after that?  

Since the amp surgery he has become even more attached to me.  Doesn't like to be out of sight. Poor little man breaks my heart. He's had a really rough start in life.  I'm hoping he will recovery quickly and we can build his confidence.  I took him on a short car ride yesterday to show him not all car rides are bad.

would two weeks pops amp be enough time to start more obedience training? He's very smart and has sit and lay down as well as a couple others. He likes working" 

On The Road


Member Since:
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11 October 2014 - 10:42 am
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Glad he's feeling better! Most dogs don't need the cone after the stitches are out, you can play it by ear to make sure he doesn't bother the area. Two weeks is definitely enough to start more training, lots of good things to do with him to work his brain (which is more beneficial and exhausting than physical activity). He sounds like a great pup!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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11 October 2014 - 10:56 am
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Glad to hear LJ is doing better! It'll still be up and down for a bit, so just try and make him take it slowly....it'll be kind of hard with such a young fella' was he starts to feel better!

I'm sure he still feels a little "off" and vulnerable, as well as painful. He hasn't figured out he has a loving forever home now who will protect him and love him and never cause him harm!! He'll regain his confidence and full blown sparkle as recovery continues.

My Happy Hannah never did have to wear the cone, so I'm not much help there. I would think you could start taking it off a little bit at a time...while you are watching him...and see how he does.

I'm also not the one to ask about "obedience" training! I do a little Cesar Millan "energy" stuff...I go out the door first and a couple of other "pack leader" things, but for the most part, they train me to do what they want when they want it! Spoiling them is one of my favoeprite pastime!clap

HUGS TO YOU AND ALL YOUR LUCKY PACK!!! Great job!

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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16 October 2014 - 12:03 pm
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I'm happy to report LJ has had a fabulous few days! He had his stitches out this morning and is officially adopted and our forever! I do have a question: our rescue has another rear leg amputee. A gorgeous Chesapeake setter he is probably 6 months old. Do wen ha  board to post adoptable a on? 

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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15
16 October 2014 - 12:45 pm
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LJ, you are one lucky dude! You have such a loving forever home! So happy for you! Wonderful to hear how well he is doing!

Yeah, you found the right spot to post about the tripawd adoptee. I saw you referenced facebook...is there anyway to paste the post for those of us who don't have fb?

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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