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
Lisa,
I'm so sorry to hear about Pofi. My sweet Ted has made numerous "ungraceful" entrances into my SUV over the last few months - with and without my assistance (but most of them have been "with" my help...ugh) and I've felt terrible each time, but you just never know what these silly guys are gonna do. Don't beat yourself up - things happen. The timing of this also adds stress to your life..... Deep breath. It will get better, just give it some time. We are thinking of you and Pofi. 
Wanda
Clare is corrct.... some vets do house calls with their bag of acupuncture tools and such. One of the ones we worked with does. Her specialty was "pain management " and she mixed traditional with holistic practices. Alas, she's in the Boston area and Minnesota is most likely too far.
Regardless, it sounds like you are off to a good start with rest and anti-inflammatories. Pofi is happy, hungry, and getting foot rubs. That's not too shabby. These injuries take a while to heal, which is one more load on yours and Ken's shoulders. Sending love and positive healing energy your way for ALL of you.
Peace,
Jenifer & Milo
Sending many prayers to Pofi and hoping for a good update soon. He's a warrior so hoping the meds and rest help him back to normal soon. R&R for you Pofi relax and heal.
Can I just say how very much this stinks. I am so, so, so depressed.
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.
Everything about cancer stinks. We love you and Pofi and are all supporting you in this.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Can I just send you a big warm hug? xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Oh Lisa. This IS rotten and it DOES srink and NOTHING is fair a put what's happening to Pofi! To be given the extra hurdle to deal with on top of everything else is infuriating and frustrating beyond words. Of course you are feeling depressed and stuck and .most likely hopeless. Even though these emotions feel awful, they are certainly "normal" so don't beat yourself up for feeling this way!! None of this is in our control.
The only thing that we can do...and I'm not saying this lightly...is be more Pofi!. Pofi is just taking it moment by moment and all without thinking about how unfair and rotten this is. He has none of those emotions we humans attach to things. Ahhh...the bliss of being dog. In these kinds of circumstances, we don't have that luxury, at least not consistently, no matter how hard we try.
Rage, vent, cry, scream....we all understand and engage in those emotions right with you!! You have to be emotionally and physically exhausted! Then though, be glad Pofi is free of all our human emotions along those lines!
The whole time I'm writing this, I keep reminding myself that Pofi is Pofi! Pofi has an inner strength and determination thst has astounded us this whole jlurney...and continues to astound us with his perseverance! Part of the reason Pofi is whomhe is, is because Pofi feels so loved and so confident with you by his side! NEVER underestimate the power of that kind of bond! Your love for Pofi will pull you both through this.
I know you have soooo much on your plate, but PLEASE stay connected and feel our love and feed off of the strength we are sending you. I know it's too early to see any improvement, but we look forward to celebrating each and every tiny little victory whenever they start showing up!
Sending you love, hugs and all the powerful positive and healing energy of your Tripawd Family!
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!
As always, well said Sally! Ditto everything she said, 100x over. It may not seem like it, but you've all got what it takes to see this through. Please don't give up on yourselves, or him (I know you won't); he is feeling and feeding off your love for him. Take care of yourself.
Paula and Nitro
P.S. When I was cutting the grass this morning, Nitro was laying on his pillow, embracing his "inner Pofi"; I just know he was also sending powerful Tripawd vibes your way.
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
I love how this community brings us together from around the world, but times like these I wished we were all closer together so we could deliver real hugs, maybe help with some chores and bring over the wine and chocolate.
I want to share something an old friend (I met on this site) told me once when I was going though a rough time with one of the pugs. She said that these dogs come into our lives because we have the means, ability and desire to take care of them, no matter what life throws at them.
Pofi is lucky to have you guys.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
krun15 said
I love how this community brings us together from around the world, but times like these I wished we were all closer together so we could deliver real hugs, maybe help with some chores and bring over the wine and chocolate.I want to share something an old friend (I met on this site) told me once when I was going though a rough time with one of the pugs. She said that these dogs come into our lives because we have the means, ability and desire to take care of them, no matter what life throws at them.
Pofi is lucky to have you guys.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
This is so true 1000% Thinking of you & Pofi Lisa. Everyone has had great advice.
xoxoxo
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."
Oh Lisa!! 
I am just catching up after a couple days and see I've missed so much! I was cringing as I read each bullet you posted! As others have said, I'd chalk it up to crappy luck. We are human. Life happens. Pofi knows you love him to the moon and back, he feels it! Move forward and keep your chin up! He's counting on you to stay positive. Healing takes time. The groin stuff especially must make it awkward for Pofi to get around right now, but I love his spunky spirit, his appetite and ESPECIALLY love hearing about the tail wag and happy attitude! Follow Pofi's lead here! 🙂
One thing I have to say, Pofi is so lucky to have you and Ken just like you are lucky to have found him!
Chris & Kylie xo
Thank you all so much. Being positive is getting harder each day. He is definitely not improving, I think he is worse than when we saw the doctor on Friday, but am having difficulty judging if he is worse day to day - that feels a little up and down. A Get a Grip sling harness should arrive today and I hope that will make assisting him/carrying him easier so we can conceive of carrying on and hoping for some signs of recovery. Right now I can't even conceive of bringing him somewhere for chiro/accupuncture, because it is hard moving him around, but much more because it seems hard on him.
Being honest, I think we are nearing the end. Maybe we should already be there. Penny jar not in our favor at this moment.
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.
Oh Lordy, bless your heart!!
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
Oh Lisa I'm so sorry to hear there's been no improvement. Maybe this is one of those injuries that get worse before they get better. Is he still eating and drinking and does he seem happy or is it going the other way? That being said we aren't living it either. You guys know that sweet boy inside and out and only you can make that call of when and if it's time based on his quality of life. Maybe call the acupuncturists and see if any would be willing to do a home visit. I'm still saying daily prayers for Pofi and you and Ken that this can have a good outcome. If prayers and healing thoughts can help Pofi has boatloads coming his way from this entire community! Much love and many hugs!
Yeah ditto Linda! So true!! . Often these injuries seem to get worse before they get better. That groin pull has got to be so sore and painful!! And then every other muscle has ro be hurting to as he adjusts.
As Linda said. We aren't there. You know Pofie best.
This is just a 2¢ for whatever it's worth, okay? The "penny jar" is a good guide in some cases, and not so much in other cases. This seems to be a scenario where the penny jar is NOT the best guide!! The main reason I say this is, Pofi has the potential to improve. While he is miserable right now and his quality isn't great, he should, based on what the Vet said, be avle to recover.
Obviously, the strain of moving around is hard on both of you. Add to that, wanting him to heal quickly because of the crap disease hanging over your head....very, very stressful for you! Of course, Pofi doesn't have that additional stress going on in his head! That's good!
Hopefully using the new harness for a few days will help ease the strain on voth of you. I'm sure it's awfully hard to stay positive right now, so let us do that for you, okay? We DO believe Pofi will feel better...slowly but surely! We DO believe Pofi can heal and get more great quality time! So hang onto us, okay?
Thanks for updating. And continue to love and spoil, which, of course, you have done every second of every day!
Love and hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS...Karen...thanks for sharing what your friend said...true.
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!
1 Guest(s)
