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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Hi there. We are newbies to the site and Zach has been home for 5 days- including today. We are going to try to leave him alone at home today- I know you may be thinking it is too soon, but we are just trying it today. I'm so exhausted from this up and down ride of him learning how to hop and almost falling. Zach thinks he can do everything he did before. He forgets he's lost a leg. He gets tired easily on his potty breaks and he loves to go just a little further in the yard than he probably should. We've had a few cries out for phantom pain
, but so far two days and no cries. Some whininess. He has been such a trooper. I'm so proud of him. His dad and I are barely hanging on some days and it I.s hard to live a normal life right now.
We haven't heard back from the tissue samples yet, but we should soon. It has been great hearing from others who have walked this journey and know it will be okay or at least better soon. Once we start to go on short walks in the yard or down the street I know Zach will feel happier.
I'm scared about the stiches itching. When he was a pup he pulled out some stitches. He hates the cone of shame
. He does not want to go back to Elizabethan times and pretend he is a prince. He is too handsome for that! But we will be his pawrents and do what is best for him even if he thinks it isn't. It is good to read others stories. I'm afraid for when he will cross the rainbow bridge; he is so special to me and to us I know it will be devastating. I used to think I would want to get another pup right away now I wonder if I can ever get another one. I know I'm way ahead of myself! But those are the thoughts I'm having. I will update you as time goes on. Oh, I'm afraid to start a blog because I m afraid I won't use it. So for now these discussion forums will be my blogging spot.
Cheryl and Zach
P.S. Zach says he is doig. Just fine resting and recuperating. So far not so bad. He is ready to get back to his regular jumping habits! Although he loves the diet of chicken broth with everything and chicken and cheese with his meds. Why eat kibble? Just wait it out and the good stuff will come:) ruffy ruff! ~Zman
Hi Cheryl and Zach, welcome. Your future posts won't require approval.
It sure sounds like Zach is having a typical recovery, which is great, and you sound like like good, diligent pawrents. Keep up the great work!
Fear not, whatever happens next just know that Zach only cares about today and making the most of it. It's such a great lesson for all of us to learn.
Keep us posted on his recovery and let us know if there's anything we can do to help.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Well, I'm at work now and I left Zach with his collar on- couldn't stand the thought of him messing with his stples. He was laying on his bed in the living room. He was only slightly annoyed at me for the cone. I'm praying he rests quietly until I get back home.
He took a poop yesterday. 
a large one. Wondering when the next one will be. Crazy how the simple things are so important. Probably the way life should be.
Oh I forgot to say that yah, as hard as it is to leave that collar on, it's for the best. The damage a determined dog can do to stitches on an amputation site is unreal. Good job Mom!
"Crazy how the simple things are so important. Probably the way life should be."
Exactly!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Zach,
Sorry if I've missed it but I couldn't tell if it was a front or rear leg you lost. If it's a front one then you can buy inflateable collars (a bit like a life ring) that are far more comfortable/ cause less damage! and will prevent chewing to the front. No good for a rear op I'm affraid.
Luv & Licks,
Loius
Cheryl,
Welcome to the forums to you & Zach. We got to chat a little in the chat room the other night. Glad to hear Zach is doing so well.
Don't worry about the Rainbow bridge until you have to face that. I guess I jumped into life with Sassy so much that I tried forgot she had Cancer even when she had lung mets until it was time for her to go. I know there can be a lot of sadness around here in times but also a lot of happiness.
Good idea to leave that cone on if he is known to mess with stitches.
Hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Welcome to you! Pooping is so great! And it is silly how these things become so important. Sounds like it was a good idea to leave the cone on him. Keep the faith and keep us posted!!
YAAAAAY for first poop!!!
And YAAAAY for mom and dad hanging strong!
Yes, Michelle and Jerry got us "virginians" connected...you've got all my contact nfo. so don't hesitate to use it, okay? I've pretty much given you a quick overview ofour first couple of weeks in the email. But a couple of things I want topiggyback on that others have said......
Starting right now, right this moment...start living in the present with Zach because that is where he is!! He is not worrying about a thing!! He knows he has to adjust his mobility, build up differe t muscle strength and figure out how to get more treats out of you than you ever dreamed possible.
WHENEVER he crosses over to the other side of life, yoj will do what's best fornhim at that time...just like you jave every second he's with you. NO ONE jnows when that will be ...for Zach, for you, for anybody here. Zach does NOT have a time frame stamped n his butt! Many, many dogs have kicked this crapy disease to the curb for many, many years!!! And remember, a year in a dog's life is equal to seven!! Keep on rocking Zach!
If you worry about what you will lose before it's even gone...it prevents you from focusing on what you have while he's still herez! So make a VOW, right now t Zach.....you will let NOTHING rob you of your time together!! See, I lived the first couple of weeks in sheer fear and panic....nt in tne moment at all....I think I mentioned to you....worrying avout what I had done TO Happy Hannah....and then, of course.....knowing I jad done this FOR Happy Hannah! So, while livi g in fear was very short term, I can tell you, if you can go ahead and skip over it right now and stay in the bliss of the moment.....it's a lot better foryou and certainly Zach!!! Now, granted, it's a little easker to do when recovery has taken place and you see his sparkle come back!! But heck! Yo already have seen "sparkle"......think how good he felt when he pooped!!! CELEBRATE everything! He will love the energy of joy!! 
Take loads and loads of phots and videos...we love those around here. No, that stupid piece of crap isn't going to get away with making you live in fear....HECK NO!! You've got TRIPAWD POWER on your side......BREATHE IN THAT POWER NOW AND FEEL THE STRENGTH!!
You are not alone...we are all with you!
((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))
Sally and Happy Hannah
Your Zach sounds like he's a resilient and strong fella' with a whole lot of living to do and fun to be had!
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 everyone! Great tips, advice and support! You are so right about living in the moment. That is all we really ever have anyway. He seems to be doing great this afternoon. I think the day to himself gave him extra energy when we got home:)
A little background info. He had his left front leg amputated. We are waiting to hear if it was neurtris or a nerve sheath tumor. The MRI could distinguish between them. It had not reached his spinal cord so that is good. We had to make the decision to amputate or try steroids and wait to see if they helped. Wh felt like the more aggressive treatment gave Zach the best chance of being pain free and healthy. He had lost a ton of muscle already in his left front shoulder which would not grow back, so we went with the amputation. His scar is huge because they took out his shoulder as well as the leg. The vet took out a bunch of the nerves as well.
We are now trying to adjust his pain meds so that he is not too drugged up. He sleeps a lot and that is good.
I can hardly believe it but right now he is lying on the side with the stitches to the pillow. He hasn't done that yet. I think that is a good sign. He really is a strong doggie, and he is ready to make a full recovery. He is the best!
WOW! Laying on his amp. side! That IS incredible! My Happy Hannah took five weeks before she full laid n her amp side (rear leg)!
Glad Mr. Zach didn't mess with his stitches! Of course, the cone was quite a deterrent!
Ueah, proceeding with the amputation, while I knowit was an agonizing decision, really does give him immediate quality (once recovery is complete) and a great head start in treatment!
GOOD BOY ZACH!! Keep teaching your humans about living like a dog...in the moment!
Hugs and treats for Zach!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Boy that is a GREAT sign if he's laying on his amp side! Another milestone to celebreate!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Zach sounds like he is doing great
The first few weeks of recovery can be a bit difficult...as I'm sure Sally shared with you....but slowly, slowly things get so much better.
I'm a big fan of the cone of shame ...though Tucker hates it. Tuck was one of the dogs that Rene described that thought he should take matters into his own mouth - two nights before his amp. So Tuck wore his cone until his stitches came out two weeks later. I must admit that the cone did make ambulation a bit tricky at first but I knew he couldn't interfere with the healing process.
Hugs
Linda and Tucker
Another good night! Sleeping on the sofa isn't great for me but I want to be in the room with my Zach. Shannon, Zach's dad, comes in throughout the night to check on us. I think Zach is the only one who gets any decent sleep. Thank you so much for all the cheers it helps so much! Zach is panting like crazy now - he just had his meds. Hoping the dosage is okay.
The vet said we could adjust the tramadol. So we are trying to give not as much to see if it helps. 1 whole pill knocks him out, which may not be bad for recovery. I gave him 1/2 pill this am along with his other stuff gabapentin and rimadryl. I do not like to see him panting so hard. But I know this will not be the case for long.
Cheryl and Zach
Glad to hear someone is getting sleep!
It's so hard to tell with the panting, you just have to adjust the meds through trial and error, you're doing great with that. He's got a great medication protocol, I like the way your vet thinks. Hang in there, this will be over sooner than you think and you can put the pills and panting behind you. Keep us posted and smooches to Zach!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
welcome to you and Zach! I know the sleeping on the couch feeling! We ALL slept on the futon for three weeks after Cody's amp. I was also so worried about all of the things you are worrying about. It is so hard to stay in the moment when we are dealing with something like this. Just try to remember that the more time we spend worrying, the less time we get to spend with our babies being happy and enjoying ourselves!
Cody also didn't like the cone.. however he just wanted to rest so much that it ended up not being a big deal to him!
Good luck to you!
Cody and Family
Cody is our 7 year old Australian Heeler mix boy. Diagnosed on 2/20/14 and became a tripawd 2/21/14! We chose a homeopathic approach and he is being treated by Dr. Loops our of NC.
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