Tripawds Three Legged Dog & Cat Forum Archives
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Hi. I'm new to this sight and never thought I would have this issue. I have a Pomeranian named "Skitttles" who has a broken leg. My husband was swinging his golf club and accidentally hit her front leg. Well during her 1st week of recovery he was picking her up while she was moving and with to much pressure re-broke the leg which was on the med and had plate and screws in it. . It appears that it can't be fixed and must be amputated
. I love my dog and don't know what to do. Looking at the videos of the tripawds makes me sad and happy at the same time. I don't want to be selfish but I don't want her to be in pain. The Dr says she'll do fine, she's only a year old and will have a quick recovery. She is still very happy even with a dangling broken leg. Has anyone experienced a dog going thru depression after the surgery? Additional pain or discomfort?? Thanks for listening.
Hi Morgan and Skittles, we're sorry that you're coping with this difficult decision. I know how hard it is for humans to imagine their dog on three legs, but like you said, she is already a Tripawd and is getting around pretty good right? You can see that she's got balance, she's doing her thing and she's getting around. When that dangling broken leg is gone she will have all of her sparkle back.
The surgery itself has risks like every surgery with anesthesia, but nearly every time a dog bounces back right away, say in a couple of weeks. Especially with small dogs like Poms, they do really well on 3. And if you are strong during the recovery, she will be too. It will have ups and downs typically, but it's nothing you can't handle.
Start familiarizing yourself with what to expect by checking our Jerry's Required Reading List , and then check out all of the great videos and interviews here, it will put your mind at ease. I know others will chime in (maybe more tomorrow since it's a holiday here in the States), but just wanted to welcome you to this community.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Poor Skittles! It sounds like she will probably do just fine as a tripawd as she is already handling the broken leg. Onc e that is out of the way, she will bounce back. Everyone of us is horrified when we first hear the news and can't imagine making this choice. Even though we all wish our kids had all 4, we soon can't imagine them not being a tripawd. It makes them special! Make sure and put rugs down on any hard surfaces so she doesn't slip.
We look forward to hearing updates and demand pictures! We all know how cute Poms are.
Skittles - it's OK to chew up all the grips on your Dad's golf clubs!
Luanne and 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.
Ditto Luanne and Jerry!
It is a hard decision ,but Skittles has so much going for her----youth, size,already using three legs and a lot of love from you! AND, it' not life threatening cancer!
Surgery has it's risks, some take longer to recover than others and it's a tough week or two...or three! But boy oh by! When recovery takes place you will be so thrilled with your decision! It is something you are doing FOR Skittles---not TO Skittles!!
After you do more research, I'll find she's probably masking her paid more than you realize. Dogs are so stoic. K would also think there will be plenty of issues down the road with a dangling leg.
And yes, some dogs go through many ups and downs the first two weeks....looks like Alost fully recovered one day...and then crash the next.....ALL NORMAL! Skittles could care less about having three legs after a day or two....she won't even remember having one!! The "down", in my opinion, is just more related to surgical recover, balance of pain meds, etc. And she will feed of your energy too! Lots of paradise, applause and cookies do wonders!
We are hear for you. We support you with whatever decision you make.....and we all understand!
Tell Tiger Woods over there he needs a few more swinging lessons:-) 
Just kidding....please don't tell him that! We tripawd parents can get a little goofy sometimes, huh Luanne
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!
With skittles age and size, she'll adapt really well to being a tripawd! Barret is 20 lbs and only 4 years old and he bounced back almost immediately. It was hard to keep him from jumping off the sofa and other high places after recovery because 3 legs doesn't phase him!
The best advice I can give you is to read the 3 legs and a spare ebook, prepare yourself, and keep calm! Skittles will do great!
Heather &Barret
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
My little pug Maggie lost a back leg to cancer. She was one of the obstinate types, she really took her time coming around, to the point that I thought I made the wrong decision. She was walking the day of surgery and healed up just fine, but she was not herself for almost 6 weeks. HOWEVER, once she got used to everything she was back to her happy, stubborn pug life, and hopped happily for almost 4 years. Most all pups here bounce back much faster, and the young ones seem to do really well right away. I only tell you our story so you won't get discouraged if Skittles has some down time.
There are some advantages to having a small Tripawd, but one difficult thing is tring to help them get around without picking them up. Luckily for me Maggie never really needed any help. As a rear amp she would just sit down when she got tired. And she was not very active the first month and a half...more like a block of cement (to borrow an analogy from another member).
Bottom line is that I don't regret the decision at all.
Good luck with the surgery, and let us know how Skittles (and you!) are doing.
Karen
Thank you all for your support. I can't believe the out pour of love and support. You all have made me feel so much better about our decision and lightened the pain in my heart. I still feel horrible about what she must endure but all of your responses have truly been a blessing to me and Skittles. I will keep you updated and post pictures. Blessing to you all,your families and tripawds.
I can't give any advice or words of wisdom on making that decision as, thankfully, it's not one I've had to make. I'm sure it is heart wrenching. (I adopted my pup after she was found as a stray - already a tripawd.) However, as the parent of a small, young tripawd, I can tell you that I'm sure Skittles will do great. She has everything in her favor (youth, size, general health, etc.) and you will soon find that she does not mind being a tripawd and that she doesn't let it slow her down. (I have had people tell me that, until she slowed down, they didn't realize that my little whirlwind of energy running down the path only had 3 legs.) It's amazing how well dogs of all sizes and ages adapt to life on three legs, but Skittles has several important advantages that will help her adapt. 
Hi there, I'm chiming in a bit late in the piece but wanted to welcome you to this amazing community. We are relative newbies here (our dog Dotty had her rear right leg amputated 6 weeks ago) but I can reassure you that a small dog is a breeze to heave about in the early stages of recovery and then they make it look easy once they've got their head around their new, cool life. And Skittles is just a young pup! Dotty is 10 but has still taken to her new configuration with ease and aplomb, once she got through a difficult first 10 days.
Before I made the decision to amputate I beat myself up over whether I was "mutilating" my best friend for purely selfish reasons. I really didn't think I could ever hold my head high and explain to someone why I did this to her. Now...I am so proud of her and so proud of our decision to fight for her. She loves us so much and gets a ridiculous amount of pleasure out of small everyday things (me putting sneakers on just about turns her inside out, grab a lead and you almost need to resusitate her). These little explosions of joy become so much more important when you come through the other side of the decision-operation-recovery process, by that stage you have earned the right to see the ordinary as extraordinary.
Lots of little triumphs await, you just need to stay in touch HERE, through the difficult first hours after surgery, the long nights, the worry over little things, the snags. Just keep coming here, there's so much love and support, you can't go wrong.
Good luck, best paw forward, Skittles!!
Love from Victoria and Dotty
With the holiday we've out a bit so I'm just catching up. So sorry to hear of your girls broken leg. You have found a wonderful place here to talk ask questions and find support. We all have been thought the difficult decision of amputation. Our boy is 82 lb baby, and he has done well with his front right amputation. The tough time is post surgery, but after that you will be amazed how well they do. One of our vets said to us "dogs are born with four but they were given a spare, because they do so well with three" wish you the best in making your decision. Our thoughts are with you.
Esther and Snoop
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