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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My sweet 2 year old Luna had her front leg amputated Tuesday afternoon due to Osteosarcoma in wrist. She came home yesterday and has slept a lot, drinking wTer and the only way we get pain med down is with peanut butter rubbed on top of mouth. She will go a few steps but then is done. We cannot get her outside to pee and that is my concern. Any thoughts? She also will not eat. They sent her home with a Hills Science diet digestive canned food but she is not interested.
Hi Luna and family, welcome. We are so glad you found us. Sorry about the diagnosis! What kind of dog is she?
When was the last time she urinated? If she hasn't done it within 12 hours let your vet know. They can show you how to express her bladder or you can give it a try yourself. Many YouTube videos have pointers.
Lack of appetite is common for dogs on pain medication. What exactly was she given for pain? Don't worry about that too much right now because she's drinking water which is great. And if the peanut butter is working, that's good. Here are some pill giving and appetite boosting strategies that will give you some pointers:
Amputation Recovery Supplement Helps Tripawds Get Healthy
Natural Remedies for Amputation Recovery
Easy Fish and Meatballs Recipes for Cats and Dogs
How to Hide Pet Medication (and Get Your Tripawd Eating)
Also keep in mind that she just had major surgery. Try to put yourself in her paws, how would you be if you just had your leg removed? We as humans tend to expect a lot from our dogs, we just aren't used to seeing them so down and out. But this is recovery, and being mellow and medicated is part of the healing process. Don't expect too much from her for a few weeks. Rest is medicinal.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you Jerry.
she is a mixed breed my daughter adopted at the humane society and then we took over , com Mom story I am sure. We believe she has lab, shepherd and husky along with a possible hunting breed because she points.
she is finally urinating and will eat chicken for us. She is slowly starting to navigate on her 3 legs but tires easily. I hate this for her as she was such a happy dog that leapt and bound everywhere. I want to see her spirit come back.
She is on Tramadol and gabapentin and we can give Remadyl now that she is eating. They did not prescribe and antibiotic and I will call them tomorrow because that just seems necessary with such a huge incision. Any thoughts on that?
Hello and welcome.
It's OK that she tires easily- that is completely normal for new Tripawds. And she needs all the rest she can get- our surgeon said only short, leashed potty breaks for the first two weeks post surgery. I know it's hard to see our pups seemingly down but it really is the meds and the tiredness she is dealing with.
Peeing and eating (even just a little) are good signs. Keep track of each little victory and soon you will see your girl back to herself!
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
Just checking in on Luna. You've gotten great advice from Jerry and Karen.
YAY FOR PEE!!! Poopy 
may take a few days, but let us know when that happens, We love to celebrate
Recovery is rough! The first week plus is usually the hardest part. She just needs complete rest, POTTY and more resr. The fact that she can take a few steps is a food sofn! Many sogs take several days vefore they can even stand, much less hop. It's important to manage the pain, even od the meds make her a little woozy.
Luna WILL get her sparkle back, slowly but surely. Jist remember, it IS MAJOR surgery, and all while adjusting to three legs! Giver her lots of gentle massage to keep her muscles from getting sore.
You're doing a great job!
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 all so much for the support and replies to my questions or even thoughts. I am having a hard time navigating this site so takes me time to find the responses.....guess I’m getting old 🙂
Luna is doing ok, all she will eat is chicken. Is there something more nutrition wise I could fix her, or is the chicken enough now for four days out from surgery?
she has laid on the amputation side a few times, is that ok or should I try to keep her off of it?
Any Food or diet recommendations would be great.
she loves when my friends come to visit, it is one of the times she perks up and wags her tail, it makes me so happy and my friends love it too. At some point I will figure out how to load her photo on here so she can join the ranks of all your beautiful babies
Here's a link for poctures. It's a starting point anyway! adding images
This link may help you navigate the site. start here
The fact that Luna is laying kyn her amp side indicates it's not hurting too much!!! My Happy Hannah took weeks before she lay on that side. The pressure may feel good too. That's just my take on it.
Try any yummy food Luna will eat at this point......scrambled eggs, bacon, cheeseburgers, stinky licerwurst, warm rotisserie chicken, steak, cheese pizza, etc Another go-to you might try is Pet Fresh. It's in the refrigerator section of Whole Foods and Target also (pet section)
It's really good she perks up when friends stop by. Maybe they could bring her a cheeseburger and some fries. Sometimes they'll eat fkr others when they won't eat for others. Silly pups! 🙂
YAY FOR TAIL WAGS AND PERKING UP!!! 🙂 🙂
And....shhh......mh Happy Hannah convinced me a scoppmof ice cream was BERY nutritional during recovery.....And beyond! 🙂
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!
lunabug said
Luna is doing ok, all she will eat is chicken. Is there something more nutrition wise I could fix her, or is the chicken enough now for four days out from surgery?
she has laid on the amputation side a few times, is that ok or should I try to keep her off of it?
Any Food or diet recommendations would be great.
Hoo boy do we have tips! http://nutritio.....s=appetite
And if she's laying on her amp side that is a VERY good sign! Most dogs don't do that for a while because it's so sensitive. Celebrate that little victory!
We are always here to help with questions so don't be shy. The Start here page Sally linked to is a good place to get oriented but you can always PM any of us with questions OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
My Jack is 2 weeks out from amputation. Here is some advice and thoughts...
Antibiotics are not given, if the incision is kept clean, you'll be surprised how well it heals. I noticed it looked remarkable better about the 6 day mark. A warm compress helps keep those fluid pockets from forming as well.
I used special food mixed with Jack's normal food to keep him eating. This worked well for him. His favorite is chicken mixed with his kibble.
Laying on incision seems to be just fine if they want to, Jack did this also.
On day 4, Jack started hopping around everywhere on his own, including outside to potty. He figured out pretty quick how to poop with 3 legs. I also added plain yogurt to his diet to help keep his good bacteria plentiful and to hopefully help with his poops.
Jack slept a lot during the first 2 weeks. This seems to be pretty normal. The pain meds make them very groggy also.
Best of luck to you and Luna! Sending you love and wishes for a fast recovery!
I don't have much to offer, since we're new to this journey also, but wanted to say--our vet recommended giving pills in hot dogs, and that's worked really well! Our dog won't eat pills in peanut butter, cheese, cream cheese, pill pockets, biscuit dough, etc etc 🙂
Thank you all so much! It is so nice to have someone to turn too.
Luna had her drain removed today, pooped today and took two short, really short walks today. It’s been a pretty good day. Last night she was determined to come upstairs and sleep in the bed, so she did. With lots of help. Getting down was a challenge but with lots of time and patience we made it.
My my husband ordered some Chinese herb called Fritillary Bulb extract that is suppose to stop the spread to the lungs. Who knows. Has anyone heard of it?
Odingoodboy, I will have to buy hotdogs. Thanks for the advice on pill admin. I hope you all have lots of time together.
Glad she’s doing well! Luna and Sass had their surgeries on the same day. She’s been lying on her incision side since the beginning as well. I think it’s comfortable for them, it’s just tougher to get up from that side.
It seems very exhausting learning to walk/hop with 3 legs. Each walk back inside from potty seems to knock Sass out for a few hours. They’ll build up their endurance, though.
Luna seems to be recovering nicely. They’re so much better at this stuff than how humans would be 😂
I know what you mean about being exhausted after a short walk, Dolan. It wasn’t long ago they had endless energy, but each day that passes is better. I pray Sass continues to heal and starts finding more energy.
to ight Luna seemed suspiciously quiet and went in my daughters room to sleep. It was sad to me as she put her head under the bed. I was quite concerned. Then my good friend showed up to visit and she barreled down the stairs, jumped on my friend and took hr longest walk yet. She is pooped now, but it was sooooo good to see my happy Luna back. I’ve decided she is playing us for extra luv, and that’s ok:)
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