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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My 15 month old golden retriever was diagnosed in May this year with elbow dysplasia. We have been to see lots of vets, orthopaedic surgeons but sadly she was not a candidate for an elbow replacement. Having looked into other options as in fusion or a lifetime of meds we were advised that amputation was the best thing for a little Honey. So it was with lots of tears from myself hubby and the kids that we sent her in for surgery. She has had no real quality of life as she's in pain most of the time and for such a young dog she wasn't able for walks etc so I'm hoping this will give her the life she deserves. We will pick her up tomorrow. And I was just hoping for any advice on her recovery and some reassurance that we made the right decision for our baby girl. Thanks.
Hello Honey and family, welcome. I hope the surgery went well and things are good. She is such a young doggie, that had to have been really difficult to make that call. But when you see how happy she is to have that bum leg removed, you will see a brand new pup! By any chance did the vet do a partial or full amputation? Just curious.
When you pick her up try your best to focus on her pain-free future, instead of the big scar, which can be a shock. Also, be sure to have your home prepared with good traction and baby gates blocking off stairs for now. As a young dog you'll have your hands full trying to keep her entertained while recuperating but we know you can do it! Exercise her mind with interactive dog games and follow your vet's instructions to the letter for an uneventful recovery.
Stay tuned for tons more great input from members and as for us, you'll find our "best of" tips at Jerry's Required Reading List and the Tripawds e-books library.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
HONEY...a perfect name for a sweet disposition Golden! 🙂
I know this is a gut wrenching decision and ues, it has taken you a lot of tears ro get to this point.
Recovery is no picnic for a week or two. Once recovery takes place though, yiu will be astounded at how well sweet Honey does with that bum leg gone!! Ine suregery and BAM, the pain is gone and she is free to be a rambunctious youngster again! 🙂 🙂
YOU HAVE MADE THE DECISION OUT OF LOVE AND A DECISION THAT HONEY WOULD WANT YOU TO MAKE!! And that is the RIGHT decision!! We know that. She knows that. Soon yiu'll know that!
The first two weeks, especially the first week, rest, potty breaks, rest, rest, rest. No stairs. No jumping. If you have hardwood floors, put down non slip scatter rugs for traction . May wwnt tonise raised food bowls so she doesn't strain. You can just use a couple of books.
The Vet will most likely send Honey home with Tramadol, Gabapentin, Rimadyl and an antibiotic. You should jave enough for at least two weeks as far as the pain meds go. It's important to stay ahead of the pain so they need to be given on a steady basis. The Vet will give you guidance. It IS MAJOR SURGERY and it does hurt. But I have a feeling Honey will be so glad to be rid of her painful leg, she'll recover faster than some
STAY CONNECTED! YOU ARE. NOT ALONE!! We are here to help in anyway we can, okay?
Lots of hugs and update when you can
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS. Is Honey spending the night at the clinic? If it's a 24/7 clinic that's a good idea.
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!
You did the right thing for Honey. I just amputated my baby Kara’s front leg (white boxer) she had bone cancer yesterday. So I didn’t really struggle with the decision, but once you see how well she will be getting around in a short amount of time you will be amazed. Im stumbling thru recovery with everyone’s help. Read the tips and recommendations for when you bring honey home. The tile and wood floors are harder for Kara so we mostly try and stick to carpet. She wants to be near me, but that’s her and I don’t know if all dogs are like that. Have food that she loves around. Diets are out the window during recovery, Kara had a pork chop her first night. Lol
Everyone above has given the best advice, but I just wanted to say hi and welcome to you and Honey! With healing and recovery, Honey will thrive on three! You are giving her the best chance for a pain-free future, and she will not miss that terrible leg!
We are cheering her on!
Brittnie and Loki
🐾 Loki, Dog of Mischief 🐶
I loved life as a tripawd for over three years following right forelimb amputation due to an aggressive and recurrent hemangiopericytoma. I reclaimed my place among the gods and valkyries in Valhalla on November 11th, 2020. My parents miss me tremendously, but I know they'll keep me in their hearts forever... and don't worry, I've approved my mom's use of my Tripawds account.
You have found the best site for help, advise and assurances. Our pup is 9, so not as active as yours, but we have been amazed out how she is doing 3 1/2 months post amp.
Her first 2 weeks were really tough (probably more so on us). Hang in there!
Sounds like she will have lots of love waiting for her at home.
Hi Honey is back home and she is doing great. I think the thing that's annoying her most is the cone on her head! She was up walking straight away and now it's a job trying to get her to lie down and rest. So now it's all about giving her lots of TCL and attention. So glad to have my baby home and out of pain.
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR HONEY!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 HOME SWEET HOME!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 SO GLAD TO GET THIS UPDATE!! 🙂
Now sometimes there's a bit of a crash around day two, three or four when all the hospital meds are out of their system.
Let us know how things are progessing and if you jave questions.
Hugs
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!
Thank you all so much for welcoming me and all the support. I'm so glad I found this site as I've been a complete nervous wreck thinking about honey having her amputation. Can you please tell me how to put up a photo of Honey. I'd love you to see my gorgeous little pup.
honeyb said
Can you please tell me how to put up a photo of Honey...
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. Need further help? Post in the Tech Support forum and we'll be happy to help!
You can also upload your custom avatar here (Profile Pic).
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello and welcome to you and Honey.
I'm glad to hear the surgery went well and she is back home. I bet she feels a lot better without that painful leg!
My current Tripawd is a little pug mix named Elly who lost her right back leg when she was 7 months old after being hit by a car. Elly is getting close to 3 years old now and can do pretty much anything a pup her size can do. I am a little more careful about what I allow her to do since she has her whole life ahead of her on three. We spend lots of times on food puzzles and games, obedience and trick training and for the past 9 months nose work. All these things exercise her mind, work on her balance and core strength, and don't stress her joints. Oh, and they do tire her out!
Can't wait to see pictures of your girl!
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
I'm so glad to hear that everything went well! Welcome home, Honey!
🐾 Loki, Dog of Mischief 🐶
I loved life as a tripawd for over three years following right forelimb amputation due to an aggressive and recurrent hemangiopericytoma. I reclaimed my place among the gods and valkyries in Valhalla on November 11th, 2020. My parents miss me tremendously, but I know they'll keep me in their hearts forever... and don't worry, I've approved my mom's use of my Tripawds account.
Welcome home honey! We are all hoping that you are recovering well and aren’t trying to hop around like a little bunny.... yet! Lots and lots of rest little sweet thing and lots of yummy food!!!
We look forward to the pictures.
Remember...“live in the moment!“ 
welcome home Honey!!!
Soon it will be great to feel like running around but remember you have to stop at some time, running can be graceful as a tripawd but stopping may take some practice.
Honey will stumble a lot getting used to the new stance, take it slow. use a collar and short lead for bathroom breaks, then back to rest, for a while anyway. carpet runners on smooth surface floors. If Honey has shaved patches from IV as well as the surgery location, keep a constant watch because a few minutes of licking could irritate the area and snow ball into an infection. ice wrapped in a towel or non-fragrant freezer gel packs for swelling {in short intervals}. when the wound heals look at a harness that fits her new shape, it will help you both when trying to panic grab during a stumble, on stairs, getting into a car, getting a stubborn pup up to pee before bed time. Adult bed liners help for night time. Research immune therapy supplements, and a freeze dried raw food diet they'll absorb most of what they eat and poop less, there was far less constipation from pain meds when we started on raw freez'd. but it is costly.
sadly this is all to fresh in my head we stumbled our way through this twice in the last year.
Because she has someone who cares so much for her I'm sure she will do well through this recovery.
Keep us posted... Many tail wags are coming your way.
ourtwomalamutes said
sadly this is all to fresh in my head we stumbled our way through this twice in the last year.
Thanks for offering such good tips. Mya and Macleod are still having an impact through you
This is Malmute Mya and Macleod's human. They ran for the Bridge this past hear within three months of each other.
Hugs
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!
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