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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Hello,
This Wed our big boy Rooney (5 yr old English Bulldog) will be going in for a front leg amputation due to osteosarcoma. We are definitely feeling a bit overwhelmed, but so glad to have found this site.
Because Rooney is so chest heavy we worry it might take him a while to adjust, and we are really worried about helping him up and down the set of stairs (6 stairs) he will need to maneuver to get outside to go to the bathroom. We are trying to find a harness right now that might help him with this transition, and help us get him outside post-surgery ... he is 85 lbs so carrying him really won't be an option.
If any one has any advice for a good harness for this purpose, for a dog of his dimensions, it would be much appreciated. I am also curious if there are any places to find used equipment.
Thanks in advance,
Shannon
Welcome to Tripawds, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
Check out this Post in the Gear Blog about harnesses. Hopefully some of your questions will be answered. As a temporary sling you could use a canvas shopping bag slit down the sides.
And we have the Angel Exchange where members donate stuff they are no longer using.
Please consider starting a new post in the Share Your Story forum and tell us all about you and Rooney. We love pictures!
When is the surgery? Be sure and keep us posted.
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
Online
ROONEY!! OMD! Your avatar picture is ADORABLE!! Cannot wait to see more!!
If you have to be on this journey, this site is the best place for information and support from people who understand like no others can.
It is sooo frightening when first faced with a "diagnosis", all the fears about amputation, surgery, etc. But there is some relief when you make a decision to go ahead with a plan and have Rooney get on enjoying a pain free life!!
Karen has given you great links to info. on gear. Jerry will probably chime in with some li ks about Bulldogs who have successfully handled amputation.
Keep in mind that every dog is different...every recovery is different...AND, statistics don't mean much around here!
And the good news? Rooney doesn't give a rip about any ole' doctor's report. Ronney is living in the moment not worrying about a thing! All je cares about is being with you and soaking up all that loving and spoiling you are sending his way! And spoiling a tripawd...especially a Bulldog tripawd, is ao much fun!
When is the amputation scheduled? Stay connected to us and let us support you in a hway we can. We've all been through it and we pretty much know the drill backward and forwards!
Sending you love...and a big smooch for Rooney!
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!
My Dobe is also deep chested and now weighs about 80# since he lost his front leg to cancer 16 months ago. We used the ruff wear harness by webmaster and it was a life saver! Rooney is gorgeous! Good luck and keep us posted.
paula and 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
Howdy and welcome!!!
Keep us updated and more pictures please!!!
pam
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
We will be following this thread as well. I have an english bulldog as well (Wrigley) who is actually in surgery as we speak. She is also having a frontal (right) amputation due to osteosarcoma. I have a lot of the same concerns although my baby girl is only around 60lbs which makes her at least somewhat able to be carried around. We have a chest harness that we use to walk our girls (Wrigley has a sister named Addison) that we may try to use as long as it doesn't interfere with her incision area. Thanks to everyone for being so welcoming and supportive, we are SO glad we found this site!
Hi Karen and Rooney, welcome. Sorry to hear you're dealing with amputation but as you can see it doesn't mean a thing to dogs, they just want to get on with life and feel good again. Karen passed along info about harnesses so do check those links out.
Yes, Bulldogs do have different challenges to deal with as a Tripawd, because they are already heavier on the front end and have a wide front stance. But, that doesn't mean Rooney will automatically have a hard time. The good news is there are lots of things you can do to help him get stronger, check out these posts about rehab therapy:
http://download.....m/?s=rehab
Also check out our e-book, Loving Life On Three Legs , which is filled with tips about keeping him strong and fit and injury free.
We always recommend a visit to a rehab practitioner for any Tripawd but for Rooney it would be especially valuable. The Tripawds Foundation will even pay for the first consult so we hope you'll take advantage of it:
http://tripawds.....bursement/
And like Sally said, many Bulldogs have done great on three legs, check out these member blogs
http://bubbaand.....pawds.com/
http://gracespl.....pawds.com/
http://cadence......pawds.com/
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
chitownbullies said
We will be following this thread as well. I have an english bulldog as well (Wrigley) who is actually in surgery as we speak.
Hi Chitownbullies! Check out my response to Rooney, and welcome! Do start a new topic so we can follow along with your story, we're here to help. I'm in the chat this morning if you want to talk.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you so much everyone for your overwhelming support. Rooney's big surgery is tomorrow, and I won't lie I am a total mess tonight. I know 100% we are doing the right thing, but it totally breaks my heart to know what lies ahead for him in the next 24 hours ... and he has no idea!
I have no doubt that my family and I will be leaning heavily on this community as we navigate the challenges (and hopefully wonderful accomplishments) of next few weeks. I will be sure to keep the group posted on how he is doing post-op.
Again, I want to thank this community for all of the support and guidance, it certainly makes this a much easier pill to swallow seeing all the wonderful dogs who are living very full lives.
Shannon
Best wishes for a perfect procedure and speedy recovery, please keep us posted!
Remember to stay strong for Rooney. You will find lots of care and recovery tips in the Tripawds e-books , or browse Jerry's Required Reading List for many helpful links.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We're right here with you! Hang on, we've got you!
Your vet thinks Rooney is a good candidate for surgery or he wouldn't proceed.
Eat lots of CHOCOLATE non stop for the nedt twenty-four hours...it helps! Some people drink a lot of alcohol. Some people do both!
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!
7sb14 said
Thank you so much everyone for your overwhelming support. Rooney's big surgery is tomorrow, and I won't lie I am a total mess tonight. I know 100% we are doing the right thing, but it totally breaks my heart to know what lies ahead for him in the next 24 hours ... and he has no idea!I have no doubt that my family and I will be leaning heavily on this community as we navigate the challenges (and hopefully wonderful accomplishments) of next few weeks. I will be sure to keep the group posted on how he is doing post-op.
Again, I want to thank this community for all of the support and guidance, it certainly makes this a much easier pill to swallow seeing all the wonderful dogs who are living very full lives.
Shannon
Shannon,
As I mentioned before, my girl Wrigley (7yr old English Bulldog) just had her surgery on Monday and I was completely the same way on Sunday. I had second thoughts all the way right up until I got the call from the hospital saying they were about to start the procedure. The minute you hear that Rooney is out of surgery and recovering you should feel a weight lifted off your shoulders (at least we did) and know that one of the first big scary steps is finally out of the way. Once you get past that first scary point the only way to go is forward and at least for me it has allowed me to let the past be past and focus on recovery and towards whatever next challenge comes our way. So far we have been blessed with a really smooth recovery (*knock on wood*) which certainly makes it easier to be positive. I continue to be amazed with how strong my little girls has been so far. Wrigley is moving around like she doesn't even realize (or care) that she's missing her front right leg. Our furry babies are much more resilient than I think we give them credit for sometimes. Like everyone else here we will be thinking about and praying for Rooney and if you have ANY questions, concerns, or just need to vent please don't hesitate to reach out. Good luck tomorrow and please keep us posted on how it goes!
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