Tripawds Three Legged Dog & Cat Forum Archives
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat. Explore 17+ years of forum archives for stories and answers to questions about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery. Enjoy fresh discussion and connect with members in the new Tripawds Support Circle.
Join The Tripawds Community
Register your free account to join the Tripawds Support Circle. Connecting with members and getting the support you need is now easier than ever with the Circle app!
✅ Easy Photo Upload
✅ Direct Messaging
✅ Subscribe to Topics.
✅ Live Chat and much more!
Forums Locked: Search archives for answers & join Tripawds Support Circle to keep discussion going!
Log In
Members
Thank you so much for posting the video of Jack doing a high-five. Bailey typically doesn't do any jumping - but watching the video was uplifting to the entire family. Just getting all your advice has been really helpful and is giving us a lot of hope!
Take Care!
Hello Shanna,
Thank you so much for the support - it is greatly appreciate. I know I've been beating myself up a lot and I need to stop doing that and know that I am doing everything I can for Bailey. Congrats on Trouble's 9 month ampuversary! Awesome!
Take Care,
Denise
Bob and Cherry,
Wow - talk about coincidences. Well, I will be thinking of your guys' 9 month ampuversary while I am dealing with Bailey on Tuesday. Thank you for giving me so much advice and support. I greatly appreciate it. Bailey and I have been spending quality time together and that has been great. We had bath time today - which we both enjoyed and I am looking forward to the next phase of Bailey's life.
Take Care,
Denise
8:24 pm
28 November 2008
Offline
kane007 said:
Bailey and I have been spending quality time together and that has been great. We had bath time today – which we both enjoyed and I am looking forward to the next phase of Bailey's life.
Denise, you guys are going to do just fine. With this great attitude, you are more than prepared to embark on the not so awesome journey. Bailey is a lucky dog!
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.
12:18 pm
So, we have decided to amputate as that is the only way to save Bailey. Bailey is currently pain free and happy – running around.
It is very hard to watch her running around and appearing to be perfectly healthy when I know we are going to be removing her leg and that she is actually sick.
Hi Denise and Bailey! Your story sounds similar to mine and my dog Dixie. She had a soft-tissue carcinoma on her front left elbow as well, and was getting around normally with no pain (that we could tell). We tried to remove the tumor but it was too deeply attached and they couldn't get it all. So the only option (financially) was amputation. We fought with the decision as well because we were afraid of being too aggressive. In the end, we knew it was the only way she could live a longer disease-free life.
We are 4 days post-amp and she's doing awesome! My advice so far is to make sure you have over-night care for at least the first night. Our vet doesn't have supervised over-night care or recommend to us to find a place, so they sent her home with us the evening after her surgery. Dixie was completely out of it — hysterical whining. We didn't know if it was pain or dysphoria. It was extremely traumatic for all of us. We rushed her to an emergency hospital and they took care of her over-night. It allowed me to get (only 3 hours of) sleep and Dixie to be supervised.
The next morning, she was standing and walking! It was incredible. I thought she'd have more trouble figuring out the three-leg thing since she had full use of her fourth leg before. Just know, Bailey will surprise you in more ways than one during her recovery.
Keep in touch with the group on this website. Everyone is so sincere and has a lot of experience! They'll help you get through the worst days and will be excited about the good. 
Dear Bailey,
So here is a nice coincidence my dog Bailey is 2 1/2 and a golden and just got diagnoised about a month ago with osteosarcoma. We had her front leg amputated on August 14th. It was such a hard decision because I was worried she wouldnt be able to do the things she used to and I didn;t want her to be depressed, but dogs are amazing creatures. I thought for sure the day that I picked her up from the doctors I would be crying but when she came in she was almost running on her three legs and I was so happy to see her it didnt matter to me anymore that she only had 3 legs. She is almost a month past ampuaton has done very well. Good luck to you both!
ashley shafferman
4:35 am
13 September 2009
Offline
Hi Denise and Bailey,
How is Baily doing? My Jake is scheduled for his surgery tomorrow. I'm really getting nervous and wanted to know how Bailey did with his...
Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
