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 am brand new to the community and have just had a heartbreaking week. I know they say it's tougher on the human, but I feel so bad for him. It just happened in 2 weeks. Dusty is a healthy happy, 9 year old Golden that can't walk on his front right leg anymore. He has a nerve sheath tumor.
We are so happy he will live. But it is still heartbreaking.
We have a raised ranch and he wants to live on the top floor. That means quite a few deck stairs to get out. He won't be happy living in the family room at ground level.
I contacted my carpenter for an idea of a dog dumb waiter. Can they do many stairs? He used to want to go out all of the time, now we have to lead him out with treats. I ordered the Web Master harness
.
Any ideas are appreciated.
My 9 year old golden had surgery last Tuesday...he is getting around quite well already. We are keeping him I the basement because it is walkout for the time being. He is interested in trying the stairs but we won't let him. I would imagine that once your dog has healed from surgery, stairs may not be too much of a problem.
Good luck with surgery! My dog also had a front leg removed. Our vet had us getting him up into walk every few hours and it really shows in his progress. Keep us posted! It is gut wrenching but to see a happy dog on the other side of surgery is fantastic,
Welcome Dusty-
Sorry tohear about the diagnosis, but know that we are all here to help as best we can. As a front amp, I recommend an elevated dish as it is just so much more comfortable for them to eat. Lots of area rugs for traction on any hard floor surfaces. As for stairs, it may take a few weeks before he will be able to do more than two or three. It is easier for front amps to go up stairs than down. If there are a lot of stairs, I would be very careful going down so he doesn't strain anything in the remaining leg.
Dogs are amazing and even though the first couple of weeks can be rough (expect no sleep and lots of worry 
), it will settle down and you will see the dog you've always known. I promise! Always remember he will have just gone through major surgery so it will take some time. Each dog has their own recovery timeline.
There is lots of educational reading available on the site that can give you so much more info.
Thinking of you and will be watching for updates next week.
Luanne and Spirit Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
Sorry you have to be here..however, under the circumstannces there is no better place to be!!
A couple of things first......DEEP BREATHS.....B R EA T H E.....B R E A T H E........B R E A T H E..
Now look at your sweet Golden Dusty and know that he's not worried about a thing! Dusty is living in the NOW and knows he's loved, and that's all that matters to him!
It's hard to "prepare" for the amputation and recovery. Every dog is different and every recovery is different. Generally, most dogs are pretty miserable for the first week or two. You will, however, be amazed at how quickly he adapts to three legs! He'll figure things out pretty quickly.
Before I forget...when you pick hi up Tuesday, don't even look at his incision site. Just look into his druggy eyes, tell him what a good boy he is and hug and kiss him!
You CAN prepare for some things. If you have hardwood floors, get soe non-slip scatter rugs for traction ....raised food and water bowls for their ease.....search the links here for Jerry's Required Readng List and Jerry's e-books.
Now, as far as the stairs.......Dusty just wants to be where you are. If you have to put a mattress downstairs and sleep on the floor withhim at first, I bet he'll be hapy with that.
The Surgeon will tell you he shouldn't do stairss at least until stitches are oug. He's going to be pretty druggy for several days from the hospital meds and,of course, the majlr surgery. You probabl won't get much sleep for the first several nights anyway. Many dogs are very restless and whiny at first...not always though.
For my outside stairs I built a ramp...she goes down stairs but otup. Happy Hannah is a rear leg amp. Front leggers generally have trouble going down...but not up. I live in an old house with steep a d narrow stairs. Happy Hannah never has been avle to climb them...in part, because she's over 120 lbs. and weighs al ost as much as I do. Anyway, it bro,e my neart she couldn't sleep upstairs with me. I made my whole "sitting area" a smorgasbord f "bed selectio s" for her....the Big Barker Dog Bed Highlh recommend it for big dogs), the sofa, the mattresss on the floor...she has all sorts of choices. After recovery, started sleeping dow stairs with her...then would s eak upstairs once she fell asleep I had another beloved dog I was sleepng withupstairs who passed awah recently...that's when I pretty mich started sleeping o the mattress dow stairs.....gotta' have a dog to snuggle,
Search videos aroj d here...most dogs are avle to handle stairs. Check out Jerry's videos...he handled stairs fine with a harness... then without.
Please know we allunderstand how scarey thisis. Please also kow that once your pup recovers and gets the sparkle back' you will not believe how hapy he will be to be pai freez,!! You will spoil and love him ore than you ever imagied!!
Yoj are ot alone! Stay connected tous,okay?
When you can, please postpictures!! We LOVE pictures nere!!
Now, stock up on chocolate....B R E A T H E...and go rub your pups tummy and watch the tail wag
Se ding you hugs!!
Saly and Happy Hannah
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!
Welcome to Dusty and family. Sally had the very same idea as I did about the stairs. The video of Jerry negotiating the stairs is great. I can't remember which thread it was just reported on, but I'm sure someone will be able to point you in the right direction.
Goldens are special people, and Dusty should be able to amaze you in no time.
Kathi and Murphy (and Gentleman Gus, our 12 year old Golden)
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Hey there and welcome. So sorry for just now welcoming you, I posted earlier but it disappeared. 
We know how scary this situation is, it's difficult to imaging but once you see how well he gets along you will wonder why you were ever so nervous. Have you checked out Jerry's Required Reading List or the Tripawds e-books yet? You'll find answers to most of your questions and of course you can post here too, as you've already seen we have a wonderful community ready to help.
Tripawds can definitely do stairs, like this:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you all for your suggestions and kind words.
I'm going to pick up the rugs and raised food bowls today. I guess if Dusty is learning now how to do the stairs on 3 legs, he should not have a problem. I think the inside stairs are easier than the deck.
We are going to start "living" down stairs though prior to his surgery, as he should not do stairs post op. for a while.
His vet is wonderful and she also had a 3 legged Golden (she adopted a patient), and is very re-assuring.
I think he will be happier after the surgery as he is in pain now and can't get comfortable.
I am though concerned about coyotes as we live adjacent to a 74 acre park. I did not think of it as a problem before as I did not think they would bother a 70 pound dog, but now, I'm not so sure. We are not going to let him out alone in the dark any more
Oh how neat that your vet had a Tripawd! That's firsthand experience that not too many folks get with their own vets. You will definitely notice a difference in his personality once the painful leg is removed. I love showing folks these two pics of Jerry because you can see what I mean here, taken the day before before surgery and just a couple of days after. We didn't see this ourselves until long afterward.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Good luck on the surgery! Our Bear had her front leg amputated less than a week ago.. what everyone says here is accurate.
First and foremost.. prepare yourself and family for the incision.. it will be much bigger than you think. Second.. No Joke.. first few days are very very rough! A few suggestions. Make sure you really understand the pain management system and what to do... "if" you think he is in pain and crying. What do you do at 2am? This is the heartbreaking part.. Is he in pain or just anxious? Your vet will have him on good meds I'm sure, but it always seems that the stress point it at 2am when your normal vet isn't available..
Be prepared for crying and whining.. We have had lots.. Again.. heartbreaking. It slowly gets better but you will need to figure out how to get a little sleep..you won't get much, while you also are trying to comfort him.
Try for as much normalcy as possible and and remember, your stress is picked up so quickly by these animals.
Good luck!
George
WOW! Jerry's pics say it all! Talk about doing an amputation FOR your dog and not TO your dog......
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!
Dusty is so proud of his new harness. It looks great on him and it already helped him to go out. (I think he just liked all of the attention fitting it.)
I've never posted or face-booked (except for my flood group). I can't believe the support here.
I love the stair video. It is easier to go down inside rather than outside. In the video, he does use the wall, at least at first. I love the pictures!
We are entering a brave new world. Our family is great, so supportive. I'm just fearing all of the crying and sleepless nights. We all work all of the time and our employers are not empathetic. 20 year old + kids, willing to do whatever they can. He will be at the vet for (2) nights, I am hoping he will be happier when he comes home. He's already been on pain meds for (2) weeks. The vet told my daughter he would be happier if his leg was gone. We will pick him up Wed. night, be with him Thursday, Friday and through the weekend.
We also lost a little rescued mini schnauzer (Sweetie) last week, after 4 years,. Dusty's Golden sister was 14 when she left us. It's not easy. We just move forward.
Thanks for the support!
I did buy and read the tripawd's e-books before our vet appointment last Saturday to diagnose and schedule surgery. Very informative!
Good morning
Welcome to the wonderful world of tripawds
Tucker, my nine year old chocolate lab, had his right front leg amputated six months ago and he is doing GREAT!!
However, he will not use the stairs going up to my room....he will go up a few stairs outside but does not want to go up the six stairs to the upper area of my home. That being said, Tuck has never been a huge fan of stairs And I may have inadvertently scared him (that is a guess on my part) so slow and steady wins the race if he is reluctant at all.
Everyone else has given you fabulous advice....Rusty will be the same wonderful dog after his amputation as he is now...but without the painful leg.
Hugs
Linda and Tucker
I'm so sorry formyour loss. I kow one thing, Sweetie had the best life possible once you adopted her!! Her name tells us how very special she was.
When you can, I hope you'll post pictures of Sweetie and Dusty.
Sweetie will be watching over Dsty, so no worries, okay?
I like that the vet is keepingnhim two nights...some do just one, some do two. So sleep while you can!!
I know this is nerve-wracking and scarey. Stay connected to us...we're here foryou, okay?
HUGS!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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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