Tripawds Three Legged Dog & Cat Forum Archives
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat. Explore 17+ years of forum archives for stories and answers to questions about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery. Enjoy fresh discussion and connect with members in the new Tripawds Support Circle.
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Hi everyone, I just need a little reassurance that my 3-year-old beautiful mutt, Peggy, is going to be okay after her rear leg amputation today. We've had a bit of a traumatic journey that led us to this point: she was hit by a car this summer while in the care of her dog sitter, resulting in hind-leg paralysis. She recovered slowly, and was doing great, operating at 99%, swimming and running and jumping, but began developing small sores on her paralyzed leg. It soon became clear that she had not regained full feeling, or perhaps even any feeling, in that lower paw. Her sores were wrapped, and then, even with a cone on, she self-mutilated. It was incredibly traumatic to find. Now she is undergoing full amputation so as to prevent further self-mutilation, and I am confident that this young, happy, resilient dog will lead an amazing life post-surgery, but I am just feeling fragile and could use some assurance of any kind, especially concerning my ability to care for her and make sure she doesn't go after her stitches. Thank you so much.
Welcome to the club nopawdy ever wants to join!
The vast majority of dogs cope much better during amputation recovery than their people do. This is why we suggest to Be More Dog . And that is not just some silly saying.
While you wait for comments from others, use the Advanced Search above to refine your forum search results with specific phrases, and you're sure to find lots of helpful feedback. You can also search all blogs here . Or, consider downloading the Tripawds e-books for fast answers to common concerns and feel free to call the toll-free Tripawds Helpline anytime!
Please keep us posted. Your future forum posts will not require moderation. Meanwhile, start here for help finding all the helpful Tripawds resources and assistance programs.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello and welcome.
How long did it take Peggy to recover from the car accident? Recovery from an amputation takes 2 to 3 weeks for the incision to heal and the pup to be off pain meds. It does take a while to get used to new balance and how muscles are now functioning. Peggy has a head start because she couldn't use her paw, but there will still be some adjustment.
As far as keeping her away from the incision- definitely a cone! I hate those things but it is important that she not lick her incision. I'm guessing that the incision won't draw her attention like the sores did, her paw must have been feeling very weird, but you don't want to take any chances. Some here have used boxer shorts to cover a rear incision- the tail goes through the fly. You might be able to use one of those inflatable donut type cones, but if not if she can get to the surgery site.
My current Tripawd is a little Pug mix who lost her right rear leg after being hit by a car at 7 months old. I adopted her at 10 months so she was fully healed when I got her. My Pug Maggie lost a rear leg to mast cell cancer and I did go through recovery with her. Lucky for me she was grumpy slug who bareley moved during her recovery so I didn't have any issues!
Do you have a harness for Peggy? I have the RuffWear WebMaster for Elly and I have used one for my past 3 dogs for various reasons. I really like the handle on the back so I can help her in/out of my truck and over obstacles, and I can help her balance when needed. She doesn't need much help at this point, but she never goes out of the house without it.
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
Maggie's Story Amputation and Chemo
Find me now on Tripawds Circle
Thank you both for your welcome. Peggy took 10 weeks to fully recover from her accident — about a month on total crate/near-crate rest, and then 6 weeks of supervised very short walks, etc. We were just so thrilled that she's recovered so well, and then to have this happen — and so traumatically — is hard. But she's a real fighter and hopefully the lack of sensation in her leg means that she won't experience much phantom pain .
I'm a planner so my impulse right now is to figure out what to buy. She has two soft flat dog beds. We don't have stairs but I think the harness might be helpful? I think I might need to get the donut to supplement the e-cone, just for my peace of mind.
Hi and welcome to the Tripawds site. Our dog, Murphy had his right rear leg amputated for cancer 5 weeks ago and has adapted quite well on three legs. He has started taking short 10-15 min walks about a week now. Recovery from the surgery as far as incision healing and pain takes about 2-3 weeks. We use a harness which is very helpful on stairs but, luckily, you won't have to deal with that. The harness was also very helpful in the first week when he was still working on his balance.
Keep us posted on Peggy's progress. This site is a great place to ask questions that might arise.
Val
Awww I'm sorry you find yourself here but glad you decided to join. We totally understand the freak out feeling!
I agree that yes she is a TOTAL FIGHTER! She has everything in the world going for her. Hang in there.
As for things she may need, have you seen our Tripawds Shopping List?
Harnesses are helpful for dogs who go for lots of car rides. They really aid us in helping our Tripawd get in and out of the car, to avoid putting stress on their joints by jumping. We use the Ruffwear Webmaster on Wyatt Ray every day.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you, everyone. Just picked her up and she is totally zonked, which I know is normal. Because of her past history, they've actually stitched a bandage onto her, and she has a secondary 'sticky' bandage that's wrapped around the amputation site. She'll also be wearing double collars. Any advice on getting her to go to the bathroom these first 24-48 hours?
Sorry to hear about your pup it she will do well. My Oscar is six weeks post op on his rear leg amp and doing great. The first week or 2 will be a challege but you will get through it. My Scar isn’t taking walks now and running in the back yard. He even gets up on my couch. He’s back to his old self. You will get used to this new normal (we are still figuring ours out) but every day is easier. This sight will be very helpful to you. I know it was for me. As far as the bathroom, my dog figured it out on his own and now I don’t even think twice about it. I think this might be the only website where we get so excited about our dogs pooping and I love that. Celebrate each small step in the right direction.
The nice thing (I don't know if 'nice' is the right word) is that we are very acquainted with the longtime healing process from her initial injury. And yes, this website has been so incredibly helpful already in the 12 hours since we learned she'd be losing her leg.
You can fashion a makeshift sling by cutting a material shopping bag so you can sling it under her belly and have the handles on the top. Works like a charm!
Val
You'll be surprised how fast she figures everything out, including potty.
Here is an explanation of the DIY Sling Val mentioned.
My Pug Maggie never needed any help with potty, although she didn't poop for 6 or 7 days post op. That is not uncommon due to the pain meds causing constipation.
BTW- bringing home the day of surgery can have some extra challenges. Maggie stayed overnight at the vet after surgery but several people have brought their pups home same day. She might be agitated and vocal as the surgery meds wear off. You might put something absorbent under her in case she has an accident.
It is helpful to have been through a long recovery before- you have the advantage of knowing how she does with pain meds for one thing. She should heal faster this time though.
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
Maggie's Story Amputation and Chemo
Find me now on Tripawds Circle
Good morning, Peggy had great night. Just a little rustling every few hours, but no crying or pain or confusion. She woke up very alert and very hungry, and gobbled a big plate of wet food and drank a bunch of water. She's continued to drink water through the day, even as she's zonked out because of her sedatives, but still no pee. Should I be worried yet?
We used a bit of the DIY sling back when she was paralyzed, so it's coming in handy again!
Wow that's looking like a great recovery! Has she peed yet? I've been told that if a dog doesn't go in 12 hours, then it's time to let the vet know.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Glad Peggy is home and surgery is done!! You may not get much sleep for a few days, but recovery doesn't last furever!! Try and grab a little nap here and there.
Eating and drinking. GREAT NEWS!!
Let us know when we can do the happy pee dance, and the happy pooh dance too!
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!
SHE PEED! Well, all over me, but it was still great. I had picked up her up to try and go outside, and she just started going. She also peed in her crate over the night, and had a little diarrhea. She's also gotten up to standing on her own a few times. Otherwise still pretty zonked out on her meds, but eating a bunch (she's never been a picky eater) and drinking water whenever offered.
We're taking her in for a quick check this afternoon because she smelled funny this morning and it's unclear whether it's her bandage or her diarrhea, which has a particular, weird, almost sweet-ish smell. Who knows!
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