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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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Welcome Bertie our second tripawd...we must be doing something right...
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Member Since:
10 June 2015
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5 December 2015 - 1:22 pm
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This past July our lives were changed by the addition of Bertie, a very sweet and very scared 7 week old kitten who had suffered some sort of trauma and lost the use of her front right limb. Official diagnosis being Brachial Plexus Avulsion. She was found lying in the middle of a  busy road in downtown Seattle. A good samaritan scooped her up and took her into the vet clinic my wife works at. We decided to bring her home to try and rehabilitate the leg. After months of rehab, massage, acupuncture, and lots of love she regained use and sensation down to her wrist. She is even slightly walking on it with her wrist flexed in, we were optimistic but knew we weren't out of the woods yet. We knew the minute ulceration started the leg had to go; sadly that started a few weeks ago. The wound was almost down to the muscle layer, and we knew it was time; her surgery is scheduled for next friday. 

I know without a doubt she will be just fine, and her life will be fantastic, but I can't shake this feeling of failure and worry at the pit of my stomach. Her growth was stunted from all the early trauma, so she's only 5 pounds. Granted that will prove beneficial later on in life, but I am worried about her recovery. She's a shy and timid cat (can you really blame her) and we can barely handle her. We can't even fathom putting her through surgery twice so she'll be spayed at the same time. So that means she'll be recovering from not only an abdominal surgery but also a leg amputation. It's going to be a difficult road for her, but I know that once she's recovered we'll finally be able to establish the type of relationship with her that's not based on treatment, but based on companionship and love. Hopefully we'll then be able to gain her trust and confidence. 

I ask you all to send her good vibes and think of her this next Friday (Dec 11th) as she joins the tripawd community. Her dog brother Federico will be at her side, he celebrates his 8 year ampuversary and 10 year birthday next month! 

~Kim, Julie and Bertie

PS: I would share a picture of her but for some reason my computer wont let me, or I can't seem to figure it out... 



Member Since:
27 July 2014
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5 December 2015 - 3:39 pm
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I'm sure that Bertie, although shy, knows how lucky she is to be a member of your family. I once had a male cat who would bring kittens home for me to take care of. I wasn't pleased but I'd raise them and then find homes for them. I could not even touch one kitten for a year. I knew he wasn't adoptable so I named him and then suddenly he let me touch him and he became the most cuddly, loveable cat!

Once Bertie is through the recovery phase of the amputation I suspect he will become much more confident. I'll think of her on surgery day.

Keep in touch.

Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona

Schofield, WI
Member Since:
13 August 2015
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5 December 2015 - 5:58 pm
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Good healing vibes being sent for sweet Bertie next Friday.  Obviously you are awesome pet pawrents and Bertie is one lucky kitty to have been rescued and surrounded by your love.  Keep us posted on her journey!

Linda & Max

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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5 December 2015 - 6:34 pm
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Awww sweet Bertie is so fortunate to have found her way to you. One Tripawd is great but two is just life changing! I love that you gave it such a great try to save her leg through rehab, of course am also so sorry it still has to come off. As a young kitty she may have some balance and coordination challenges but it's nothing she can't overcome with your help and Federico's leadership 🙂

Remember, our animals are reflections of our emotions, so whatever you project out there Bertie will reflect back to you. The stronger and more pawsitive you are during this journey the more she will sense that and give it back. If you feel frustrated or down come here and we'll help you stay strong OK?

As for photos, here is a post about adding images to the Forums. If you'd like assistance just holler OK?

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
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13 January 2016 - 2:09 pm
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On Jan 10th we celebrated Federico's 8 year ampuversary, and on the 11th we celebrated Bert's one month ampuversary. And here's the crazy part, they're both missing the right front leg!! I think they were meant to be together!!

Bertie's doing fantastic, as if there was any doubt. She's young and spry and will fill our lives with love and joy for many many years to come. Her shyness is improving and the trust is starting form, although we still have a ways to go, but we're happy with where she's at.

Federico is our handsome hound/dobie mix that has been an inspiration to all that have known him. He was hit by a car at around 1 year old. He suffered multiple breaks to the right forelimb and elbow and nerve damage. For whatever reason, he never received the necessary medical care and found himself in a shelter. He was adopted out and returned something like 5 times over about a year. During which he was suffering from chronic and severe pain, which made him distrusting towards human touch and moderately aggressive. He ended up on the "kill list" at a shelter where the rescue organization Rescue Every Dog found him. They could tell the aggression was due to the pain and not who he was, so they scooped him up. They were trying to raise funds to have his leg amputated when I discovered that face online. At the time I worked in a veterinary specialty hospital and had access to a boarded surgeon. There was no doubt that he needed to be with us. We adopted him and had the leg removed within 2 weeks of discovering him online. It took about 6 months for his aggression and distrust towards us to subside, and almost 2 years before he didn't need a muzzle at the vet, but we got there eventually. I did a lot of touch therapy with him, and the success I had with him really inspired me to become a massage therapist, which I now am for both people and animals. 8 years later he is the most sweetest creature and loves everyone he meets. Sadly and ironically, in December he was diagnosed with cancer. There is a very large and aggressive mass surrounding his one and only elbow, and there is a mass in his lungs. The cytology on the elbow mass was inconclusive, but did show suspicion for synovial cell carcinoma. We're not planning to do chemo, nor do we plan to remove the only front leg he has, so there's no reason to get further diagnostics done on the mass. He's been receiving acupuncture and herbal remedies for years, along with a horde of pain meds, and that's really what's been keeping him going for much longer than we ever thought possible for a dog his size. He's at end stage cancer now, but we didn't have to watch him suffer through any of the other stages, that to me is a win! I don't know how much longer he'll be with us, but he's happy and loved, isn't that what we're all trying to do here. So for now we celebrate that he has had 8 wonderful pain free years with a family who loves him dearly. 

I still can't seem to figure out how to attach photos, even with the instructions, so I attached links for you all to view via google if you're interested. 

Bertie

Federico

Cheers!

Kim , Federico, and Bertie

On The Road


Member Since:
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13 January 2016 - 3:13 pm
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Wow, Federico and Bertie are so lucky to have you. I'm sorry about Federico's cancer diagnosis, that's a tough one, but you guys are obviously giving him an awesome quality of life. Kudos to you for all you're doing for him, while helping Bertie be the best Tripawd kitty she can be.

I tried embedding your photos here. I think there is a setting you've got in the Google drive that prohibits photo sharing. Not sure what it is but if you care, look at your settings to see if something is checked that disables photo sharing.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Michigan
Member Since:
2 April 2013
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13 January 2016 - 5:55 pm
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They are both adorable and so, so lucky to have you!  How great that finding Federico led you to what you do!  I guess you were where you needed to be smiley

The best way I found to share photos is by uploading them to photobucket.  Then you get a link to each image.  You click on the little picture of a mountain that's just above what you are typing and it will say "insert/edit photo."  Then you add the copied link to the image.

Donna

Donna, Glenn & Murphy 

Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17  
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs

Donna.png

Los Angeles, CA
Member Since:
13 June 2013
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13 January 2016 - 8:15 pm
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WOW... how lucky they are to have you!!! And they are adorable! Bless your heart ..... you are amazing .... 

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

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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13 January 2016 - 10:04 pm
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My heart strings are really being tugged over here right now

I'm so sorry you are dealing with this nasty liece of crap disease, so sorry.

But I tell ya' what, Federico, and Bertie too, hit the Puppy Lottery to find a forever home with you! Frederico would never have known what love felt like. He never woukd have known the meaning of a gentle touch with a human hand. He never woukd have known tummy rubs. He never woukd jave known happiness and joy.

I applaud you for your commitment to staying in the moment with Frederico and making every moment count! Your love for him comes shining through. Let nothing rob you of your time together!

And keep those pictures coming! OMD! That mug is soooo sweet! He just looks like he's all heart

So Bert a d Frederico, HAPPY AMPUVERSARIES!! You clearly should have steak and ice cream to celebrate!!. In fact, Frederico should get a drive through burger once a day!!

Wrapping you up in hugs and love

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!

Member Since:
10 June 2015
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14 January 2016 - 6:59 pm
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Thanks everyone, your words of encouragement mean the world to us. 

You know regarding the pictures, I'm just not sure what the issue is. I've tried on 2 different computers one of which is a regular old PC, a tablet, and a iphone. I've literally tried everything I know how (except the photobucket idea) and for some reason I can't paste the location to the photo editor. So I gave up, hence the google link. I did set that up to "share" so I'm not sure why it wont let you upload it...sigh...anyways not the end of the world. 

Thanks again everyone!

Kim

Member Since:
10 June 2015
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24 June 2016 - 4:08 pm
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UPDATE:

First on Bertie: 

She lets us pick her up now!!!! She is a different cat, so lovable, so playful, so silly! She's such a joy! She's doing well on three legs, her age and size have been a huge contributing factor to her success, and we expect many many years of joy, laughter, and laser light with our teeny tiny little tripawd kitty.  

Now our Federico: Sadly, the cancer finally took over. We said good-bye to our stubborn hound on June 6th. We got 8 1/2 years with that guy and cherished them all. His life was so difficult and was full of disfunction and anxiety and we loved him the best we could. His last day went exactly as we planned, a beach trip, some cheese burgers and a picnic in our back yard. Because my wife in a vet tech, we were lucky enough to have had a friend come over to do the deed. We're at peace with his passing and are holding our other babies close. 

I once again attempted to add a photo but I seemed to have some sort of blockage with that. I've tried on 3 different computers now, a PC, Mac, and a chromebook, none of which will let me...alas. 

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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24 June 2016 - 5:10 pm
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kimimoto said
UPDATE...

So sorry for your loss.heart And congratulations on the progress with Bertie!

I once again attempted to add a photo but I seemed to have some sort of blockage....

Here ya go...precious!

bertie.jpgImage Enlarger

Federico.JPGImage Enlarger

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Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Schofield, WI
Member Since:
13 August 2015
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24 June 2016 - 5:39 pm
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I'm so sorry for your loss of Federico.  Such an expressive face he has.  What loving parents he had in you!  You were able to see past everything he had going on in life and recognize the dog he could be.  Bless you for your loving spirits!  And that love lives on in beautiful Bertie!  What a difference you have made in both their lives!

XXOO

Linda, Riley & Spirits Mighty Max & Ollie

Michigan
Member Since:
2 April 2013
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24 June 2016 - 8:28 pm
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I'm so glad that Bertie is doing well!  It's amazing how resilient they are smiley

I'm so sorry about Federico.  I'm glad you were able to give him peace and love for his final journey.

Donna

Donna, Glenn & Murphy 

Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17  
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs

Donna.png

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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25 June 2016 - 8:07 am
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Awwww I love these photos.

My heart goes out to you, I'm sorry about Federico. Some dogs just have it hard at first through no fault of their own, and are so blessed to cross paths with great humans like you. What a lucky boy to have you there until his last moments. I'm sure his grateful spirit will always stay close.

And wow, 3-paws up to Bertie, she's looking great!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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