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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Seamus, otherwise known as Moose, is my gorgeous 7 year old greyhound whom unfortunately had osteosarcoma in his front right leg. It has been amputated today (4th August 2015) including his shoulder. 
It's been such a tough couple of days, but any support and success stories would be lovely to hear!
moosesmum said
...any support and success stories would be lovely to hear!
You've certainly come to the right place! Search these forums and browse the Tripawds Blogs for plenty of stories and feedback from members. Bookmark Jerry's Required Reading List for lots of helpful links too.
Please keep us posted about Seamus. He looks fit and strong, so he should recover quickly and adapt well.
Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis but glad the amputation went well. I would definitely down-load the books (they are HUGE help) and stay close to us. Thank you for posting. The first few days are rough ... up and down but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It helps to remember that dogs don't miss their leg ... they just adapt. It's truly amazing to see and I am sure Seamus will be on the way to recovery... feel free to ask us anything... we're not vets but we have a lot of collective wisdom here that will help!
hugs,
alison with spirit shelby in her heart (and little jasper too)
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
SEAMUS!!! SEAMUS MOOSE!! I love your avatar picture and cannot wait to see more!! You are gorgeous indeed!!
Recovery is no oicnic, that's for sure! Sleep is pretty much off the table for awhile! Every recovery is different and every dog is different. For about the first three weeks after my Happy Hannah's amputation, I just could not believe I had done this TO my dog! But when her sparkle came back brighter than ever, I knew I had done it FOR my Happy Hannah! We had THE most delightful o e year and two months and spow and loving and tummy rubs and snuggle time.....just a gloriously happy time!
For now, just rest, eat, drink, potty and more rest. Getting the pain meds balanced can be a little tricky. The main thing is to give thenpain meds consistently so the pain doesn't get a head start. Moose may not feel like eating much, so just pretty much give him anything...steak, chicken, macaroni and cheese, etc. Oh, and let us know when he has his first poop! We celebrate anything around here!
Check out member OhMyNixon....a delightful Greyhound who crossed over recently with liver issues, but beat osteo for over TWO YEARS!! Bart, a Visalia, whipped butt for over FOUR YEARS!!
STAY CONNECTED! We are right here by your side! We understand the emotions...the love and devotion...like no others can! Stay in the moment and let NOTHING interfere with your time together! Remember, Seamus is not worrying about a thing!
Look forward to more pictures and updates when you can.
Love and hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Awww welcome Moose! Get well soon sweetie!
You'll find lots of inspiring stories about Greys. Here is the link to Nixon's story that Sally was mentioning: OhMyNixon. and Avery's blog, Mueller the Greyhound, and TJ's story. And we also have a new Grey who just joined us, Elsa. Search the Forums for "Greyhound" and you'll find others.
When does he get to come home? Let us know what kinds of questions you have, we are here to help.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome and howdy!!!
So glad you found us! Seamus looks gorgeous, can't wait to see more pictures. You have found great company in this community. There's nothing you can't ask or say, we'll be here for you.
Don't let the "new normal" spook you. Trust Seamus, he'll guide you. I know it's easier said than done, but try to stay centered, it will get better.
Pam
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
Thank you all for your lovely replies!!
I have honestly have one of the most emotional weeks of my life, the stress is really taking it's toll, but it's getting better.
Update on Seamus : He's had a massive bless from the surgery despite our concerns of this being raised with the vet beforehand 🙁 He's still very swollen and recovering, and his red blood cell count has been very low so he's had a blood transfusion. His results have become better since that but still quite low.
He's also had an irregular heart rhythm but with some medication and regular monitoring it seems to have been solved.
He's ALSO had problems with his kidneys which they are sorting out at the moment.
AND he's decided to stop eating, but is still drinking lots by himself, and he's feeling very low. So he's now being prescribed anti depressants which will help his mood and also increase his appetite.
Today we saw him walking/hopping at a very good pace outside with the vet nurse! I SOBBED when I saw him do that, such an emotional moment and has made me feel much more positive about it all.
Thank you again for your support 🙂
Em, aka moosesmum
x
Goodness graciois Moose!! We know Greyhounds can have some "issues" with surgery, but did you have ro have every single one of the ??? You probably still jave some good pain meds in you so you are a little loppy. Your humans aren't in those pain meds though and they are feeling pretty darn stressed!! So let's start getting better eeally quickly, okay ?
I'm sooooo glad Moose is starting to show some signs of improvement! And I'm also really glad you got to seem him out strutting today just fine in three legs!! The emotional stress of this journey is almost debilitating sometimes. Then add everything you are dealing with on top of that...ugh!! But to see Moose progressing is so fulfilling!!
When can he come ho e? He is definitely in good hands eight now, that's for sure. But once he gets home, everyone will feel better. On your next visit bring him a cheesburger and some ice cream...may help!!
TRY and relax and focus on the progress he has made. Take lots and lots of deep breaths...roll out the chocolate..and stay connected!!
We wouldllve to see more pictures of Seamus when you can. Look forward to next update!
Hugs and love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
I can't give you any advice for the recovery because Bailey's was smooth sailing! He was going down the back stairs and using the bathroom on his own after 4 days. But I did want to share that we had 1.5 years with him when we were told to expect 3-6 months. He also had osteosarcoma in his right leg and they removed his shoulder and leg. He was able to get around really well for a long time until he started getting a tumor on his right hip. I hope that the rest of recovery goes well and that you gain a lot of quality time with him.
Xrays taken Jan 31, 2014, Osteosarcoma biopsy results Feb 10, 2014, Amputation Feb 17, 2014, Happy and healthy until June 2015 when a hip tumor started to form, passed away Aug 22, 2015. 18 months past amputation is pretty remarkable for this miracle dog!
Hi Moosemom (Em)...
I'm not sure I've ever been through something as stressful as Ellie's amp. Like Moose, she had some definite bumps on the road to recovery. I remember my stomach just feeling all knotted up and this constant anxiety about her recovery from the amp (in her case, it was all (not) eating related). When she'd eat, it was like a balloon going up in the air. And then she wouldn't eat and we'd be crushed. So I completely understand breaking down w/ sobs when you saw him doing well! You're just emotionally bankrupt and it just comes pouring out (well, if you're a woman it just pours out....not sure about men).
I sure hope Moose is feeling better soon. I'm sure he's feeling your love and that helps.
Denise, Bill and Angel Ellie.
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
1 Guest(s)
