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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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new member, amputation tomorrow
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Member Since:
9 January 2017
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9 January 2017 - 3:44 pm
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Anyone else have a pup (8 months) that needed an back leg amputation. She's very active, we hike together everyday. I'm very sad that an amputation has to happen, but I want her out of pain and I want to do what is in her best interest. Any advice or kind words would be very welcomed. Thanks - Michelle

Livermore, CA




Member Since:
18 October 2009
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9 January 2017 - 5:36 pm
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Hello and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.

I'm sorry you are facing amputation for your girl- what's her name?

What kind of pup and how big is she?  You mentioned pain, are you dealing with cancer?

My pug mix Elly lost her right rear leg when she was 7 months old, she was hit by a car.  I adopted her when she was 10 months old, she is now two.

I've had two rear amp dogs now and they get around just fine.  Long hikes are not the best thing for Tripawds but there are pleanty of activities that they can do.

Tell us a little bit more and we can better help you.  I love your avatar picture!

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

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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9 January 2017 - 8:40 pm
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Sprry you find yourself here but, under the circumstances there is no better place to be for information and understanding and support!!

Is your pup spending the night in the clinic? Is it a 24 hr care facility?

Your Vet will.probably send you home with Tramadol, Gabapentin, Rimadyl and an antibiotic. She may, or may not, have a pain patch.

Quite often dogs are pretty miserable, whiny and restless for several days and nights. Some dogs are more lethargic. Every dog is different. Every recovery is different. It is MAJOR SURGERY and it hurts!

Most dogs, not all, are mobile within 24 hrs. Bigger and older dogs often take longer.

If you jave hardwood floors, you'll want to put non slip scatter rugs down for traction . She'll need to be fairl confined and rest, rest, rest. She should only be getting up to go on SHORT potty breaks. Drinking and peeing are important. She may not feel like eating much at first and she may not poop for several days.

I know this is scary!! More so for you than for your pup!! STAY CONNECTED and let us know how we can help, okay?

Update us with more info when you can, okay?

Hugs to all!

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!

London, UK


Member Since:
15 December 2015
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11 January 2017 - 1:09 am
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Hi Michelle, and welcome!

I'm so sorry about your pup and I totally get how frightening and distressing the situation is. My dog lost a front leg ten months ago. She is enormously active too and I couldn't imagine how she would cope but actually she's doing fantastically well. Chasing the hares and the squirrels, swimming, going for a nice walk every day – not as long as we used to do, sure, but still getting out there enjoying the world. Click on the link to her blog below if you want to see more about her daily life, and some videos of her in action too.

This is a shocking, upsetting time, but things will get better I promise you and your pup will amaze you with how well she adjusts and how fully she embraces her new life on three. I'd love to hear a bit more about her. What's the reason she's losing the leg? Sally has given you great advice for preparing your home so it's ready for her. We're here for you, so stay connected, and any questions or concerns, just ask. There is so much experience and support on this site and such wonderful people. You will not be alone.

Sending every positive wish for a speedy recovery.

Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx

Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.

Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...

The Amazing Adventures of Ruby Tuesday 

My Life as a Megastar

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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11 January 2017 - 11:15 am
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Oh gosh yes, many folks! See our Beyond Cancer Forum for lots of examples. Also, our Wyatt Ray lost his leg at 8 months young. He's eight years old now and going strong. 

Why does your girldog need an amputation?

Yes, you will need to make adjustments to your active lifestyle, but it's really not a big deal. It also opens your mind up to things you can do together to have fun, stuff you never thought of before like K9 Nosework, trick dog training and interactive games. You can even still hike but dog strollers are recommended for longer hikes (say more than 20 minutes, after a full-recovery and getting back into shape). 

Be sure to check out our e-book, Loving Life On Three Legs , for insight on what it's like to live the Tripawd Lifestyle. Jerry's Required Reading List also has lots of tips too.

We look forward to learning more about your pup!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Orrtanna Pa.
Member Since:
25 January 2014
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11 January 2017 - 11:50 am
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I have a 3 year old front Tripawd. He lives life to the fullest. Tractor riding, Gator, truck. He LOVES to go! He does not run long distances or take long hikes, but he runs and jumps just fine. Sometimes, I have to slow him down a bit. He has picked up a bit of weight, which we need to address. Not sure of his past, as he is a rescue, but he wouldn't always eat his meals. He sure does now! I pretty much forget he is missing the leg. I know the decision is traumatic, but once the shock wears off, you realize they will no A OK. Lori, Ty and gang

TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed  and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater. 

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9 January 2017
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13 January 2017 - 7:08 am
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Thank you all for the responses. Her name is Nala and she is a golden retriever, shepard, lab mix. She was originally hit by a car and they told me she just had a small fracture and needed to be in a splint and a six week recovery time. I took her to a different vet for her first bandage change five days later, an infection had started that they did not notify me of and then re-wrapped her and sent her home. Hesitant about the visit, I took her back to the emergency clinic that originally saw her after being hit and they told me it was so severe that an amputation was likely to be my only option. I almost fainted. I told them to keep her in their care and keep her as comfortable as possible until we could figure out the extent of the situation. The past few weeks have been very very difficult. She was in a 24 hr care facility and has been sent home!!! I cant believe how well she is adjusting already to the surgery and already trying to figure out what life on three legs is all about. I feel so blessed to have her still with me. I will do anything to make her happy and comfortable and as strong on the outside, as I know she is on the inside. Any recommendations for strengthening and recovery would be greatly appreciated. 

Member Since:
9 January 2017
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13 January 2017 - 7:42 am
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 Nala

keeping her comfy for a speedy recovery <3

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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13 January 2017 - 12:36 pm
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shell515 said
...Any recommendations for strengthening and recovery would be greatly appreciated.   

See our reply to your other topic...

We always recommend getting a professional evaluation by a certified rehab vet/tech (CCRT or CCRP), that's why we created the Maggie Moo Fund for Tripawd Rehab. Also consider downloading Loving Life On Three Legs now available in the Tripawds e-books Library for lots of helpful tips, rehab vet interviews, and how-to videos for exercise and fun conditioning you can do at home.

FYI: Here are detailed instructions for adding photos to forum posts . If you don't already share photos online somewhere, you can start a free Tripawds blog any time and upload them there. You cannot link to an attachment in your personal Gmail account as you attempted—images must be publicly visible.

Need further help? Post in the Tech Support forum and we'll be happy to help!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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