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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Hello everyone. My Shih Tzu Henry is having his front right leg amputated tomorrow (06/20/2017) due to mast cell tumors. I am overwhelmed and nervous about what the next few weeks/months will bring us. I've read many posts on this site and have found some relief hearing all of the positive remarks. I ask that you put my Henry in your prayers/send us positive energy as we start on this new journey.
Hello HenrysMami, welcome! Your future posts won't need approval so please post away.
I'm sorry you're dealing with mast cell cancer. Have you seen our interview with oncologist Dr. Ann Hohenhaus?
Mast Cell Cancer Basics for Tripawds with Dr. Hohenhaus
Many of our members are quite knowledgeable about the condition as well. Stick around and they are always happy to offer input too. I'm glad you've already found help in their experiences.
If there is anything we can do to make your journey easier, just let us know OK? And remember, you can always visit the Tripawds Start here landing page to see all of the resources we offer.
Keep us posted and we are keeping you in our thoughts too!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello! Our Jaxon has recently become a Tripawd due to an accident, but we are on this journey with you. Sending positive thoughts your way!
Thank you! I hope Jaxon is doing well and likewise send positive thoughts your way.
We will certainly be keeping you and Henry in our thoughts tomorrow!
Tracy & Zatoichi
Tracy & Warrior Angel Zatoichi 💓
Zato was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in October 2016. He triumphed through radiation and amputation with dignity and grace. After living a life of love and happiness, Zato earned his angel wings on February 19, 2018. Read his story here.
Welcome to you and Henry! I personally don't have any experience with Mast Cell but there are many here who do so I know you'll get some great feedback! Will be keeping you and Henry in my thoughts and prayers for surgery day! Your Henry is adorable! Try not to worry about this journey as a whole and take one day at a time. We'll all be here to help you! The smaller pups like Henry seem to figure everything out in record time and really do well! Keep us posted and let us know when he's out of surgery so we can celebrate getting that done. We celebrate everything here even their first 
after surgery. Hugs to both you and your handsome Henry!
Sending very best thoughts, but I am certain he will do beautifully. Awaiting your updates anxiously!
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Henry's avatar is ADORABLE! Can't wait to see more pictures!!
YOU ARE NOT ALONE, okay? We are right by yiur side! We understand the stress kf getting to this point a d the deep love you jave for Henry. We also understand how happy and relieved you will ve when you see how well Henry does on three legs!! 🙂
If Henry is at a 24 hr clinic, they will keep him at least one night. He will ve high as a kite in good meds so he won't ve feeling anynpai ! Use that time to catch up on your sleep! Henry may be restless and whiny for a few nights when he comes home. This IS major surgery and it does hurt! Henry will probably come home with Tramadol, Rimadyl, an a antibiotic and Gabapentin. It may take some tweaking to get the doses right to keep the pain at bay.
Recovery is no picnic for about two weeks, so STAY CONNECTED!!! And shhh.......don't tell the BIG dogs, but the LITTLE dogs are usually mobile faster than those guys! 🙂
Slow and easy for now....potty breaks, rest, rest, rest! No jumping, no stairs. Drinking and peeing are important. Henry may need to be bribed to eat with really good stuff for a few days. He may not poop for a few days.
If you have hardwood floors, use non slip rugs for traction
.
Update when you can, okay? Oh, and eat @ots of CHOCOLATE! It helps!!
Lots of 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!
Good morning everyone. Henry's surgery went well yesterday. He wasn't at a 24 hour clinic so he came home yesterday evening. He did well last night, whined quite a bit, but managed to stand on his own by 2 am. Needless to say, there has been no sleeping for me, but I'm hopeful that naps will be had throughout the day.
Thanks everyone for the support!
henrysmami said
Hello everyone. My Shih Tzu Henry is having his front right leg amputated tomorrow (06/20/2017) due to mast cell tumors. I am overwhelmed and nervous about what the next few weeks/months will bring us. I've read many posts on this site and have found some relief hearing all of the positive remarks. I ask that you put my Henry in your prayers/send us positive energy as we start on this new journey.
Yay surgery went well and Henry's home! Yes make sure you nap and take care of yourself too these early days are tough. You're doing great give yourself a pat on the back! And Sally (Benny 55) swears by chocolate at this stage of the game.....for us not them 😀. Let us know if we can help you in any way....we're here for you!
YAY! SURGERY IS OVER!! 🙂 And applause ro you for bringing Henry hime the day of surgery! That's rough, even for a Vet Tech! But it's better than having him unattended after such a major surgery!
Yes, grab a nap here and there when you can.....And good luck with that!! 🙂
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!
Henry is a SUPER STAR! That's terrific news. And I'm so glad you brought him home the same night since nobody would be around to keep an eye on him. Hats off to you!
Get some shut eye if you can and holler if you need anything at all OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We're so glad Henry is home and we know he's glad to be back with you so he can get all the attention he deserves! We are hoping for a quick recovery for this special fella.
I also vote for eating lots of chocolate! Surely it has to help!
Tracy & Zatoichi
Tracy & Warrior Angel Zatoichi 💓
Zato was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in October 2016. He triumphed through radiation and amputation with dignity and grace. After living a life of love and happiness, Zato earned his angel wings on February 19, 2018. Read his story here.
Henry is doing so well! He has been hopping around, slowly but confidently. He ate twice yesterday and isn't whining or demonstrating that he is in any pain. He figured out how to pee, the first attempt was enlightening for him when he realized he can't left his hind leg, but he's got the hang of it now. We are still waiting for him to have a bowel movement. I know from what I've read that can take a couple of days. I'm going to try baby pumpkin food today to see if that helps get things moving.
Does anyone have any other suggestions for assisting with BM? Also, it looks like it's going to rain today. Any suggestions on how to keep his stitches dry? I'd love to add a picture but I can't figure out how. If someone can walk me through it, I'd love to share it with you all.
Yay for Henry's remarkable and pawesome recovery!
Does anyone have any other suggestions for assisting with BM?
You bet. First I would try straight up canned pumpkin pulp over baby food. There's more fiber and should run through him faster. Steamed squash, some olive oil or metamucil flakes can also help.
Any suggestions on how to keep his stitches dry?
I wouldn't worry too much as long as he's not out there long and not rolling around in mud. Just pat dry when he comes inside.
I'd love to add a picture but I can't figure out how.
Sure! Here are instructions for adding images to the forums. If you'd like a tutorial just PM me.
Glad to hear things are going so well!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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