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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Oh Bella, wish you didn't have to join us but now that you are considering it I will repeat what I have said before, those who have read this before forgive me. Don't get hung up on the leg. Leg or life was our motto. Will Bella do well with three, is she a good canidate for amputation, all good questions but since you know the outcome for doing nothing plus these wonderful dogs are always surprising us! It all is a challenge no matter what you decide .Just know that there will be ups and downs and some nose-overs but there is a wealth of support and love out here for one more tripawd.
mybella said:
all the what if's…
Forget what and tell if to take a hike. Fear, uncertainty and doubt are silly human emotions that will only make matters worse. Try to Be More Dog .
You'll find lots of helpful advice in Jerry's Required Reading List, and even more tips and fast answers to the most common amputation and recovery questions in the new Tripawds e-book, Three Legs and a Spare.
Best wishes for a perfect procedure and complete, speedy recovery. We'll be thinking of you tomorrow.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Bella, we are all cheering for you! And we'll keep you in our hearts tomorrow as you go through surgery. Please let us know how everything goes when you get a chance.
I remember being so worried about how Holly would go to the bathroom - she's a rear amp and I just couldn't picture it. I figured I would have to hold her up until she got the hang of it. Boy did she surprise me - the first time she went outside after she came home I was all ready to help her and she all of a sudden squatted with 3 legs like she'd been doing it her whole life. She amazed me, and I'm sure Bella will amaze you. There will be ups and downs those first few weeks - but that's what we're here for. It's a pretty safe bet that whatever the next few weeks brings someone here has seen it and can offer advice and support.
Good luck tomorrow! And remember that your love for Bella and her love for you will help in ways you can't even imagine.
Sending lots of pawsitive thoughts and hugs,
Holly, Zuzu and Susan
Holly joined the world of tripawds on 12/29/2009. She has a big little sister, Zuzu, who idolizes Holly and tries to make all of her toys into tripawds in Holly's honor. And she's enjoying life one hop at a time!
http://anyemery.....ipawds.com
Hi Bella and Karen,
Thanks for the udpate. We were anxious to hear the news about your precious Bella.
We are happy about the good news. Your Bella will surprise you when you see how well she can do as a tripawd. Please don't grow weary as the first 2 weeks can be rough for some. Just know that she will get through it in her way and in her time.
Praying for a clean surgery and smooth recovery for Bella...and strength for you.
Please keep us posted!
And give that adorable girl a smooch for us!
Hugs and hugs,
Angel Honeygurl's pack
Dx Osteosarcoma 3/31/10. Amputation 7/21/10. Honey put up a valiant fight and lost her battle 9/22/10. Missing her and treasuring 9 years with our Honeygurl.
Karen and Bella, I had missed your post until tonight that Bella is to have surgery. Please try not to worry about Bella and things like will she be able to stand up again. Cooper has weak back legs and he has always just been more laid back and on the slow side. I went thru such torture the first few days post op of would he be able to stand up, and now just after his one month ampuversary and watching all the things he has relearned .. well I just wish I had known how well he would do. Something as simple as laying down after standing - he now does in a graceful awkward way that just amazes me everytime I watch him. Bella will end up surprising you Im sure. Many prayers and pawsitive thoughts coming your way!
Coopsdad
Coopsdad/ Kenneth Blackburn
http://cooper.t.....ipawds.com
the monkeydogs only THINK they have invaded the tripawd state
Lots of positive thoughts for you today. No one has mentioned this, so now is a great time. Try to rest before Bella gets home, you will need to be rested because being a human, you will be stressed out. Once Bella is home, sleep while she sleeps. You will tend to want to sit and watch her sleep, but you need rest to deal with the recovery. If she is sleeping, she is fine and trust me, you will hear her if she needs you. Even the best recoveries are not fun, it is very stressful for the caretaker. Thankfully they don't last too long - about 2 weeks.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Well, she is out of surgery and doing as well as they can hope for.
Awake but not up yet... I will be happy when I get that phone call that
she is standing up and attempting to walk..
Thanks for all the
well wishes... They hope to send her home tomorrow but they are waiting
to see how she does tonight etc.. This vet sends her home with no
bandage on the area.. so I want to prepare myself and and my 4 kids to
what she will look like...
I am thankful she made it through and continue to hope all goes as well as we can expect.
I am grateful for all the messages ..
Karen and Bella:)
mybella said:
This vet sends her home with no bandage on the area.. so I want to prepare myself and and my 4 kids to
what she will look like...
Be sure to review some of the post op photos in Jerry's Procedure Pics Gallery. Click the thumbnails to enlarge the photos, and select the page numbers beneath the gallery to view the next six pictures. A t-shirt can also help cover the wound and protect it from licking and dirt.
Glad to hear Bella's operation went ell. Thanks for the update!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Karen,
I'm sorry I didn't get to post to your thread earlier. I'm glad Bella is doing well and that the surgery was a success. Sending lots of positive thoughts your way. My boy Fortis came home without a bandage as well. Please keep us posted.
Fortis'Dad
Don't worry about no bandage. Trouble never had a bandage. I did put a toddler t-shirt on her to keep the wound clean. She was forever laying on it even outside, so I dd want to protect it some. I wish I had a good picture of Trouble's incision. She had no visible stitches and no staples. Just a clean smooth line.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Yay Bella! Glad she made it through, and we hope she comes home tomorrow.
The bandage issue is an interesting one. You may find this Tripawds downloads post "On Stitches, Staples and Bandages" interesting.
I didn't have one, and I did pretty good. I know, it's crazy to think that you wouldn' t have a bandage on that kind of incision, but many vets prefer not to. The only risk of not having one is that the risk of having a seroma (fluid build up) may be greater depending on how much of the limb was removed, and where.
Keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Glad to hear Bella's surgery was successful.
I remember the relief when the surgeon called us & advised Zack was a good candidate. And we haven't looked back since. I also remember having thoughts similar to Susan – I had spent so much time on tripawds.com and the internet and drove the surgeon nuts with questions both before & after the surgery, but it wasn't until we got Zack home the day after surgery & I was watching him pee that I had the horrible thought – how will he do the other function??? But, the first time he had to go, he just spread his front legs a little more, kind-of shifted his back leg toward the middle, and had no problems. I remember telling people that if they want to see a miracle in action, watch the things a tripawd adapts to without even missing a beat.
As others have suggested, the t-shirt worked great for Zack – it was enough to keep him from licking at his incision. He had staples and also came home with no bandage. You'll see suggestions in the Required Reading List to focus on Bella's face when you first see her & stay positive. I was worried about doing that, but once I saw my sweet boy's face and his eyes, that is all that mattered. I couldn't help but be thrilled, incision or not.
Another thing that made Zack's transition easier was some carpeting in our kitchen. I bought a roll of carpet runner at Lowe's (or Home Depot, now I can't remember), and just ran it across the kitchen over the normal travel paths. It really helped with slipping and to bolster Zack's confidence.
I hope you get to pick Bella up tomorrow, and hang in there. We've all been through it, promise it does get better, and are here to answer questions!
Zack, King of Dogs, 1996 to 2010
Zack lived a full 14 years, even to the end.
The joy and memories he provided us will last a lifetime.
Surviving him is his sister, Izzy, a 12-year-old boxer mix quadpawd.
And the latest addition, Zula, an 11-month-old pit bull mix tripawd.
Glad the surgery is over now you have to remember she has just had surgery and even several days after surgery the meds will make her do unexpected things. Zip would sometimes look at us like, where am I, or where was I going? We had no bandage, did the tee-shirt thing and wore our ruffwear harness from the beginning. Really love that harness, more for us than her I think! Journal everything! We still refer to it after her chemos to see if whatever unusual things is happening has ever happened before. We read everyone's blog to see if Zip's symptoms or reactions were 'normal' or really bizarre Saw lots of our own emotions in most of the blogs. Tears and worry over one thing and thenover something else. Main piece of advice, you always notice the dust more when you are tired so in other words, somethings seem worse because you are tired and not because they are. keep us posted.
Tired is an understatement.. Since being told of this one week and one day ago.. I have not thought of anything else.. I spend hours and hours a day trying to read everything.. I would not leave her side all week... I know at some point I have to start acting normal again.. There is everyone else in the family that needs me too:)
Up and downs are right... I called at 8:30pm and they said she got up herself and barked to come out of the cage.. they opened the door and she walked out and they were going to take her outside.
11:00pm. They could not get her out .. just too much for her.. ugh... They said she back in cage and is sleeping comfortably. Hoping tomorrow she can do a little more...
My nerves are shot... but reading everything .. really helps.. I have not had time to get to the bogs.. but I am going to look at those next..
Thanks to all....
Karen and Bella
Even though your brain knows to expect the ups & downs, it is much harder (and tiring) on your heart to go actually go through them.
Hang in there - it will get better!
Zack, King of Dogs, 1996 to 2010
Zack lived a full 14 years, even to the end.
The joy and memories he provided us will last a lifetime.
Surviving him is his sister, Izzy, a 12-year-old boxer mix quadpawd.
And the latest addition, Zula, an 11-month-old pit bull mix tripawd.
1 Guest(s)
