Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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We're home and surviving day one as a tripawd 
(right rear amputated due to osteosarcoma)
Obie is showing signs he will figure this out. When I picked him up last night though, they had FOUR vet techs bring him to the car. My 132 pound boy was not helping much, clearly. I had a friend with me, but we immediately called in a friend to help get him from the car to house.
As the day progressed, he's been showing some signs of "experimenting" with his new reality. He has been pushing himself into a seated position on his own and has -tried- to stand, but not completely successfully. And on the last potty break, my friend was able to help him walk outside with just the single sling. Progress.
Still, Obie seems to be having a great deal of difficulty with his front legs sliding/splaying to the side. I get that when it is on the tile floor, but I was surprised to see it happen in grass. Typical? or possibly a sign of a need for muscle conditioning? (He's been a slug for the past year for a number of reasons)
Any thoughts on the "progression" these pups take as they adapt to three legs would be helpful.
Christie & Obie
Oberon the Newfoundland, born 8/26/09. dx osteosarcoma 7/11/17
Bigger dogs tend to have a harder time figuring out how to walk. Obie will though, it will just take a little bit longer 
Glad you have help with him!
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Within a week Jaxon was pulling at the leash. He's an 80 lb guy also a rear legged. It took awhile for him to figure out the 2 steps up from the backyard. My unprofessional advice is give it a bit of time. He still takes longer to settle down/find a comfy place and has a tendency to overdo it which sets him back. Take it slow.
Now at day 5. Fits and starts, but progress. I still don't trust taking him out with one person. I've enlisted friends, the tenant in the other half of my house and dog walking professionals to handle the hours when I must be at work starting tomorrow.
Christie & Obie
Oberon the Newfoundland, born 8/26/09. dx osteosarcoma 7/11/17
Arpund here, ANY PROGRESS IS HUGE PROGRESS!!! 🙂 🙂
Five days after surgery and for a large pup, itsq not unusual to still need help with mobility...And it may be the case for a bit longer too.
The major surgery itself generally takes approximately two weeks to recover from the pain, etc kf that. It generally takes approximately one month to adjust any mobility issues, muscle adjustments, etc.
You me tioned ear@ier Obie's front leg splaying out. You might want to look into PAWZ. They're very inexpensive and fit over the paws sorta' like a balloon. Chexk them out under the "gear" sites here in on AMAZON SMILES.
It's still VERY early and Obie still is on pain meds. It's hard to be patient but slow and easy is the best treatment for Ovie.
How is he doing overall? Eating, peeing, drinking, pain seem to be managed okay?
Continue to eat CHOCOLATE for the next week or so and you'll feel better too!
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!
Fits and starts is better than setbacks so yay!
One thing you may want to convey to your dog sitters is that right now his walks should be bare bones minimum. Maybe 5 minutes, on leash always. And also let them know that if he sits, he's tired out. Most people don't realize how much effort it is for any dog to walk so soon after amputation but especially a big boy like Obie.
Try not to worry too much while you're at work, I'm sure he's just snoozing all day and dreaming about when you get home. Good luck!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We're still hanging in there and getting around better each day. We had a -little- scare when his incision decided to start bleeding Monday night. He was dripping a trail of bright red, fresh blood droplets everywhere he went. I got him back to his surgeon for a check early yesterday. She thinks he's just managed to bump/injure the lowest part of the incision where he sits. They put a crazy sticky-not-sure-how-to-describe-it dressing on it with what appeared to be a thin absorbant gel pad underneath. By the time I got home from work last night at 10:30, the bandage was toast, but the bleeding seemed to be much more under control. Today, there seems to be a little drainage, but nothing as dramatic.
He's managing quite well and can really move when he gets up a head of steam. He tires easily which means potty breaks can be more break than potty. But, for a giant guy, he's pretty mobile.
His webmaster plus arrived today. He's quite handsome in it, but I'll need to be doing a little adjusting of the fit when he's a little more able to stand for awhile and when I have help.
Just an update, I'll get around to blog posts and lots of pictures eventually, but sadly I'm spending most of my time with him in the guest room in the back of the house away from the computer
Christie & Obie
Oberon the Newfoundland, born 8/26/09. dx osteosarcoma 7/11/17
Jesse and I are right there with you on our 7th day of the Tripawd Journey. Sounds like you and Obie are getting into the groove without too many problems. It's amazing how quickly they adjust isn't it? Jesse adapted quicker than most I think because he had not been using that leg at all for 4 weeks prior to sx for chondrosarcoma, but even so he had to readjust his balance without the leg. He is also a rear leg guy.
How are you doing on the keeping him away from his incision front? That's what we are struggling with, ugh.
Sally & Co. gave me the same advice of me eating more chocolate to feel better. She was right😊
Please keep us informed on Obie's progress, can't wait to hear how he continues.
On the mobility front, he actually recovered maybe a little too fast. It seems it was his getting up and down on his own so quickly that caused the issue with the last couple of inches of his incision. Simply put, he drops that big butt like it's hot and lands right on those staples. Now, he's got a painful hock and I've restricted his activity significantly. He's kind of figured that out as well. After days of insisting on laying down and rolling in the yard, tonight it was as though a light (or discomfort) went off and he was fine with taking care of business standing with no shenanigans. (Well almost, he still wants to drag me over obstacles in hope of getting to his fav potty spot.. no way dude!)
I'm still concerned and unhappy about the setback and the extra pain for him, but he's proven himself a fighter!
Christie & Obie
Oberon the Newfoundland, born 8/26/09. dx osteosarcoma 7/11/17
Obie will get there, a setback or two isn't uncommon at all. But yeah, good move to keep his activity restricted. He needs you right now to guide him but his spark will come back before you know it. Can't wait to see him in the Webmaster!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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