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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Hi everyone,
My girl Reba a 10 year old St. Bernard had her front leg amputated about 9 days ago after receiving her osteosarcoma diagnosis. I'm writing this because Reba is not really walking around on her own yet. She can get herself up and lay down and she will occasionally take a few hops but generally she's fine just being carried. She was a very vibrant and active dog prior no one ever believed her age. I'm just worried there is some key component to her recovery and adjustment to being a tripawds.com I'm not doing for her? Is this all normal? I use the Help em Up harness for her, and we just got her traction boots for when she does start walking more to hive her more confidence on all terrain.She has been eating and drinking and everything like normal, she just spends most of her day in one spot sleeping now. Any advice or tips you can offer would be great.
Thank you all so much,
Jessica and Reba
Hi Jessica and sweet Reba, so sorry that you are on this journey but glad you found this site! I have a Saint "Patchy" that had his front leg amputated nearly 7 months ago. He is doing well but it took a long time for him to move around much. We help him with his ruff wear harness quite a lot even 6 months later. These are such giant babies that it takes more effort when they need to move around.
Also Reba is still very early in her recovery, you don't want her doing too much at this time as it can cause issues. Patchy did too much early on then began collapsing on his good leg. We had to contain him better until he got stronger.
Even now Patchy doesn't run around like he used too but is content to hop around for a bit then rest and bark at the monsters while laying around. We are just so glad to still have him and that he is pain free.
I have a blog about Patchy called "Living in the moment" please check it out and hopefully it will encourage you. This site is amazing so stay connected here it has been a true life saver for us during our journey, you will make forever friends here.
We are all here for you. Many hugs of encouragement to you and Reba from Summer and Patchy and Pack 
horsefarmchef said
...worried there is some key component to her recovery and adjustment to being a tripawd...
it is still early in Reba's recovery, especially for such a big dog. Take things one day at a time, and try not to do too much too soon.
We always recommend consulting with a certified rehab vet/tech (CCRp or CCRT) for a professional opinion. That's why the Tripawds Foundation has the Maggie Moo Fund for Tripawd Rehab.
Loving Life On Three Legs is also filled with lots of tips for at-home rehab and strengthening exercises. NOTE: Walks to not build strength, only stamina. You can start with a few dogie push-ups a couple times a day—sit, down, sit, stand,repeat. Work in lots of PROM (Passive Range Of Motion) stretches, massage and hot/cold therapy to. That can all help!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I agree - really early, and still in the phase where rest is best. With some of the larger dogs it does take more time. And some things will not be quite the same. For example, as a Tripawd, Otis could chase cats and squirrel, but could only walk about 7 houses (with a rest break at house 5). Pre-amp, he did a mile. But, his personality came back 100% and we truly enjoyed the time we had together.
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.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Hi Jessica and Reba❤️🐾
My girl Eurydice is a 150lb Great Dane who lost her right front leg to osteosarcoma 5 1/2 months ago.
Like Patchy, it took her much longer than smaller dogs to adjust to life on 3.
She was really energetic before, just like Reba.
It took weeks for her to slowly recover, the first week was so hard as I could see how much she struggled to get around but I can assure you it will get better!
Ever since stitches came out she started being herself and confident more and more every day 👍🏼 and I guess Reba should be getting her stitches out soon, right?
Be pawsitive and do not get discouraged, your girl is getting there.
Eurydice may not be able to do 1h energetic walks in one go like before but she now enjoys 1h challenging walks with crucial stops in between and that makes my day, every day💗
Sending you big hugs and cuddles to your cutie 😘🐾❤️🐶
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Hi Jessica and Reba 💗🐶
Thinking about you and wondering how Reba is doing, how is she ???
And how are you ???
Sendjng you a huge hug and cuddles to your sweetie 💗💗💗😘🐶
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
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