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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Our 8 year old shepherd mix Ava was diagnosed with a nerve sheath tumor in her right front leg on 12/14 followed by amputation surgery on 12/21. Prognosis is excellent and hopefully the surgery curative as no signs of spreading and her health was excellent otherwise. She even got to come home a day earlier than expected and before Christmas!
It is a bit overwhelming but she is adjusting well and trying to get back to herself. She is an active dog so trying to keep her calm has been a challenge 🙂
Everything happened quickly after diagnosis but we are grateful for the knowledgeable staff and caring surgical residents at the first class university hospital we were fortunate to have access to in our area.
This blog was referred to us too by a caring surgical resident who took care of Ava before and after surgery and whose greyhound just had the same procedure two weeks prior!
We look forward to learning more on this blog and thank you for providing such a resource! It has been a bit overwhelming for my family.
We look forward to helping our sweet and strong Ava move forward in this new chapter of her life with strength and love!
Hi Ava and family! Thanks for stopping by. I wanted to get your post approved so others can see it, but I'm on my device so I'll be back in a bit with some thoughts...
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hey Ava and family, I'm back and just wanted to say CONGRATS! What a great Christmas present to have her come home early. I'm so glad to hear things are going well in recovery. Just wait, in a few weeks she'll be rockin' on 3 legs like she never had that fourth one to begin with!
We're keeping our paws crossed that the surgery got rid of the cancer so your pack can get on with life! In the meantime you may want to check out our Tripawds e-books library and Jerry's Required Reading List to make sure all your bases are covered. When a diagnosis happens so quickly it makes your head spin, so we're here to help in any way we can.
Thanks for all the kind words about this community. Please thank your vets for referring you to us too, it's an honor.
P.S. If you'd like to add photos of Ava (she looks adorable in her avatar!) here's a post that describes adding images to the forums. Let us know if you have questions. We can't wait to see pics!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oooooh, what a cutie. I'm in favour of photos.
It seems like the pets either don't want to get up or want to tear around the house after surgery. Either way it is a bit of a challenge. My cat did both and I came to enjoy her the most when she was sleeping. I didn't join this site until after her amputation and would have done a few things differently if I knew better.
I'm happy to hear that Ava's prognosis is good. Now Ava, keep calm and give your body time to heal.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Thank you all! She is a doing remarkably well and prayers that she continues on this road to recovery! We look forward to when her sutures are removed and she can continue to heal and gain strength. She was already trying to show me around her favorite places in her yard today 🙂
Awww Ava, you are so beautiful! Can't wait to see more pictures of your lovely self!
Wonderful to hear surgery is done and you for hime just in time dor Christmas! What a spectacular present for everyone!
I know itsw been wuite stressful getting to this point, but, as you can see Ava is ready to get on with living life to the fullest! 🙂 She'll soon have all her sparkle back 🙂
Glad you were guided here by Surgical Assistant. She/he certainly would have a lot of empathy if his/her Greyhound just had amputation surgery. Hopefully the Assistant will also joint eh community here and tell us more abput the Grey.
AVA! PAY ATTENTION! You HAVE to take it slooooow and easy for a bit longer, okay? Your favorite places in the yard aren't going anywhere.p! You'll have plenty of time to explore them all you want soon. Sounds like you are rockin' this surgery stuff....this .MAJOR surgery stuff!! What a Champ!
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!
So 3 weeks post surgery today and Ava is a champ! We are still taking her out in the backyard on a leash and limiting stair use but she is wanting to play with her brother JJ and our son, grab her favorite sticks and explore! We are amazed and blessed she is doing so well and she loves being back on her spot on our bed at night 🙂
We aren't going to let the news that the margins weren't there post surgery get us down and going to enjoy our beautiful pup for as long as we can.
Way to go Miss Ava!!!! Yes, don't let anything keep you from just enjoying that beautiful girl. As you know, we can just take one day at a time.
Lots of Bubba smooches for Miss Ava...
jjreed88 said
d Ava is a champ! ...........she is wanting to play with her brother JJ and our son, grab her favorite sticks and explore!We aren't going to let the news that the margins weren't there post surgery get us down and going to enjoy our beautiful pup for as long as we can.
Your attitude is exactly what everyone strives to embody on this journey, BE MORE DOG! Live in the present with no worries about the tomorrows! 🙂
And it's clear NOTHING is getting the lovely Ava down!!! Absolutely delighted to hear how much progress is making!! She's truly getting her sparkle back!! 🙂
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! I could learn a lot from her for sure! I will get pictures up soon 🙂
Hi! Sorry for the delay - she is doing so well! We had a bit of snow about a week ago and she had such a blast in it like she was a puppy 🙂
How is sweet Bubba?
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