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'm Nancy, mom to a labradoodle named Tucker who will turn 10 yrs old next month. Our journey, that has ultimately brought us to this group, began in June with Tucker limping. It took 3 months to finally get a diagnosis of soft tissue sarcoma in his right rear leg in the hock region (with a slight chance still on the table of osteosarcoma). I've spent the last month crying mostly, but also trying to become as informed as possible to make the right decision for our boy.
We have finally decided to go through with the amputation - just 2 days away. I know this surgery is what's best for him. He's been living on painkillers far too long and hasn't used his leg for a few weeks now. However, knowing that this will take away his pain doesn't take away the absolute panic I'm feeling right now.
I guess I'm here to simply say hello and ask for support. I'm afraid I won't be strong enough for him. We need to bring him home the night of the surgery because the vet's office isn't staffed at night. His surgery is at 10 a.m. and we will pick him up at 9 p.m. Has anyone else done this? Do you have any helpful tips? Any advice or words of wisdom are greatly appreciated! Thank you.
Hi Nancy and Tucker, welcome. We're so glad you posted so we can be here for you both.
Of course you're nervous, everyone is. The good news is that Tucker isn't scared, and if you follow his lead during recovery, you can make it a lot easier on you both. If you haven't already, learn how to Be More Dog as we like to say here, and it will make a big difference. Take this whole thing one day at a time, breathe and remember, dogs and cats handle this much better than their humans.
Yep, others have taken their dogs home same day and lived to tell about it! 😉 Seriously, it's the best thing to do when your vet doesn't have 24/7 care. You can also take him to a 24-hour emergency clinic for care, if you feel like that will be best for him and there's one near you.
Our most helpful tips are on Jerry' Required Reading List and the Tripawds e-books library. Of course this amazing community will chime in too, so hang tight. Your future posts won't need approval.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you so much for the quick response. It's comforting knowing there are people here to help us through this. I plan to learn how to "Be More Dog " this evening. Thanks again.
Be prepared. Murphy spent the first night at the hospital, but from what others have said, having them home the first night can be difficult. You probably will get little to no sleep. Tucker may be very vocal from the medications. Talk to your vet now to find out what the plan is for pain control. Too many times you don't know what the plan is and then you're sent home with nothing. Although it sounds like you probably have a good supply already lol. Murphy came home on Tramadol, Rimadyl & Gabapentin. Some come home with a Fentanyl patch and some with antibiotics. Someone who brought their dog home the day of surgery actually had an injection to give that night. Also make sure to know exactly what time it will be OK to give the next dose after you get home. Don't give everything at the same time - give them at staggered times so that you have a more adequate coverage. We wrote out a medication schedule and as each of us gave him a dose, we crossed it off. There were 3 of us giving him his meds, so this helped to keep track of everything. There will probably be someone available in the chat room if you need some help, but if not, write down the phone number for the 24 hour help line.
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
Welcome! Of course you are worried. This is one intense journey. If he already isn't using that leg that will be an advantage after amp. Basically Tucker is teaching himself already to be a tripawd and will probably be ahead of the mobility game somewhat. Donna gave excellent advice. Most of us didn't have our dogs home with us that first night, but some here have and I'm sure they will chime in about what to expect. Also make sure to cover any non carpeted areas with non slip runners or yoga mats on pathways in the house. Traction is key for a tripawd. Turn a small area into his recovery area and be prepared to sleep there too. Many move their mattress to that same room to be close. Also make sure you have extra goodies on hand like chicken, liver paste,etc in case you have to entice him to eat and also to hide all the pills you will be giving him. I won't tell you it's easy but your love for Tucker will help you every step of the way. Remember he will be looking to you for cues so if you're upset or panicked he will be too. If you can stay calm and relaxed he will be too. We'll be right here if you need us and remember there's always chat and the helpline. Good luck you CAN do this! Hugs to you and sweet Tucker!
We are in the same boat you are in....Tungsten has been battling what we think is OSA located in his tibia. His leg has swollen with edema either from predinsone or lack of use. He has been using only 3 legs for at least 2 months. Friday is his amputation and he will be coming home that night. Our vet wanted to send him home with just an NSAID and some antibiotic...I have insisted on at least continuing his tramadol for a while until he shows signs of normal activity. Hope all goes well for you as well.
Tungsten Blue, diagnosed with osteosarcoma August 2016, rear leg removed 28 October 2016, left us on 12/13/16, he will be greatly missed.
Ozifish, I'm a bit concerned for you that Tungsten may not be getting the pain meds he needs for the amputation recovery. Good for you insisting on continuing the tramadol. From what I read it doesn't work well for all dogs. Perhaps others will chime in with their experience and recommendations. My cat had Buprenorphine (more powerful than morphine) and an anti-inflammatory pain killer.
Nancy, "being more dog" is certainly a great way to live life in the moment. Hope the surgery goes well.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Oh my gosh yes, Tungsten's peeps, please keep advocating for proper pain relief. Tramadol and a NSAID are the bare minimum but today pain management protocols include much more. Please see:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I can't tell you what a relief it is to be in contact with people who understand exactly what I'm going through!
Donna, I have discussed the medication with the dr. She won't be using the patch, but will continue Tucker on the Gabapentin along with an antibiotic and will add in Tramadol again if needed. She also plans to give him an injection just before sending him home and would like to see him back the next morning and keep him for the day if necessary. Thanks for the idea of a medication schedule, I will definitely use it.
Linda8115, sorry I don't know the protocol on forums so I hope I'm addressing you the right way. My floors are all wood downstairs, so I spent the day putting in large area rugs to cover as much of it as possible. I will do everything possible to remain calm so I won't stress him out when he comes home. Thank you for letting me know you'll be here and for reminding me of the chat room and help line - so comforting to know help is here.
ozifish, Sorry to hear we're in the same boat! Not an easy time is it? I'll be keeping you and Tungsten in my thoughts and hope all goes well for you too!
Hi-wow! Just from this post there are 3 of us this week with dogs getting amps. My Rosie is going in tomorrow and we pick her up Thursday or maybe Friday, depending on how she's doing. My heart goes out to each of you and your pups.
My vet said that he will continue her on the tramadol, neurontin and Rymadyl. He is going to have her on a fentenal patch as well. I assume she will be sleeping for the first few days. My concern is getting her out to pee and poop.
I don't have a lot to add, except to say I understand how you're feeling and I am right there with you. Learning to Be More Dog is easier said than done for me, but I'm trying.
Wishing you and yours a swift and easy recovery. Please reach out if you want or need to compare 'notes' or general support.
Kellye, Braden and Rosie
🐕❤️🐕
Hi there! You found the right place. I didn't pick up Clyde (a suspected labradoodle, don't really know as he's a pound puppy) the same night, but the next day. Be prepared for a large shaved area - I was prepared, but it still was hard to see. He'll likely be super out of it, you might want to have a home-made sling with you (in my case, the vet techs helped him out with towels, once I got him home, I used the homemade sling) - the sling is made using a cloth grocery bag cut down the sides, so you have a sling with handles. Brilliant idea I got from this site.
I found it helpful for me to have an x-pen set up - I have other dogs so was worried about somebody bumping into him. I had a dog bed in there, a raised bowl for his water, and he fit in there with the cone of shame . I set it up in my living room, where we are most of the time anyway, so he was part of the pack and I could keep an eye on him. I kept him in the x-pen except for short potty breaks for at least the first day or two home. Once I thought he was more steady, he had free roam of the house (its small and I don't have stairs) while I was home. If I had to leave for an errand or something, back in the pen he went. He also stayed in it when I went back to work, and I didn't let him have full run of the house until after his stitches came out.
Good luck!
Kristin & Clyde
Hi Nancy and Tucker 🐾❤️🐶
What a handsome boy you have there, love his cute little face 💕 and one my cats was called Nancy so there's a connection between us ☺️
You've got great advice from others, I would just add some here got their babies to wear boxer shorts to protect the incision (tail got through the fly)
In my case, I've got a front leg amputee due to osteosarcoma, she is a 5 year old Great Dane called Eurydice and is a real sugar pie🍰 (surgery was 5 1/2 months ago)
We all understand you are nervous and stressed out but try to calm yourself down when Tucker is back home and remember every day is one day closer to the end of recovery, the first landmark date is when stitches come out, most of our babies perk up a lot and get better and better every day after that👍🏼
You can do this and do can Tucker, recovery doesn't last for ever, your boy is going to enjoy life to the full, you'll see ☺️
Sending you lots of pawsitive energy and lots of cuddles to your cutie pie 😘💕🐾💞
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 :-)
Welcome, doodlemom!
My dog Chance just had his amputation on October 12th. I know (as everyone here does) how you are feeling. The lead-up to the surgery is actually more stressful than the surgery itself. My boy walked out wagging his tail to greet me the day after surgery!
They let me visit him at the hospital the night after his surgery. He was very out of it on a pain killer stronger than morphine but still sat straight up when he heard my voice. It was hard seeing him so druggy but that didn't last long. I put him in a t-shirt instead of the cone of shame and he has done fine with that. Never once seemed interested in the stitches.
The last two weeks of recovery have had their ups and downs - on me mostly. Chance has powered through it like a champ. Today he gets his stitches out and is already acting like his old goofy self again. You will get through it!
ozfish -- yes definitely keep going on the tramadol I would say. We used gabapentin, tramadol and metacam every day before and after surgery (he will start tapering off after stitches come out today).
hugs to everyone!
-Patricia and Chance
rnbsmama said
Hi-wow! Just from this post there are 3 of us this week with dogs getting amps. My Rosie is going in tomorrow and we pick her up Thursday or maybe Friday, depending on how she's doing. My heart goes out to each of you and your pups.My concern is getting her out to pee and poop.
Please reach out if you want or need to compare 'notes' or general support.
🐕❤️🐕
Hi - I know today is surgery day for Rosie so I wanted to let you know that you and Rosie are in our thoughts! Stay strong!
I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one concerned about pee and poop. 🙂 That's one of my top worries for some reason. I'm sure, to our great relief, our babies will figure that one out quickly.
Please keep in touch as I would love to compare notes.
Nancy, Tucker (and family)
lawcat said
Be prepared for a large shaved area - I was prepared, but it still was hard to see. you might want to have a home-made sling.I found it helpful for me to have an x-pen set up.
Good luck!
Kristin & Clyde
Good morning! Thanks for the heads-up regarding shaved area. I purchased a sling on the internet (after reading about them on here). We've been practicing with it a bit, but still awkward. The x-pen is a great idea! I thought he'd be in his crate for the first night and then I guess I hadn't really thought about the following days. I'll be heading to the store later.
Thanks,
Nancy and Tucker
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