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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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Member Since:
27 July 2014
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19 January 2017 - 10:38 pm
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Phew.... Breathe, he's fine. The suture area will likely bruise. On my cat it looked red but certainly let the vet know if you are concerned. Some people put cool packs on the site, my cat like a cool damp cloth on hers. Others will let you know what helped their dogs.

I hope you both sleep well tonight.

Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona

Livermore, CA




Member Since:
18 October 2009
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19 January 2017 - 10:48 pm
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It's great that he is getting around so well on flat surfaces.

Do the stairs have good traction ?  It is really important for tripawds, especially new ones, to have good traction .  I would stay away from the back stairs until he is healed up and stronger.  But don't give up on them altogether yet.  If you can provide good traction he may be able to do them eventually. 

For now it's probably best to keep him away from the back stairs if he is the type that has a 'memory' for falls.  My rear amp pug Maggie never did lots of stairs after her amp.  She was really little, only about 12 inches at the shoulder.  She could do 3 or 4 steps at a time.  Elly, who is a little smaller than Maggie and also a rear amp, flies up and down the stairs on a daily basis.  We have a split level house so the longest run is about 8 steps. 

Is he eating and drinking?  Otherwise doing OK?

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

Member Since:
2 January 2017
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19 January 2017 - 11:18 pm
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Kerren and Mona, thanks for telling me he is fine. I'll just go ahead and believe that! Luka is kind of a pink guy under his hair anyway. I was looking at that photo of Astro's sutures, and Luka'a don't look like that at all. I wonder if his native pinkness contributes to the effect. Anyway, I'll be watching and will be doing warm pack/cool pack treatments.

Karen and SPGs-- Eating and drinking and otherwise doing great. He actually seems MUCH more comfortable than he was with the tumored leg. I am the most uptight of the two of us now, so if I just stay put and work on the computer, he assumes his regular spot next to me and crashes out. If I am up and about, he is monitoring ME, as usual, so the more chill I am, the better off he is. The stairs are not slippery, but I can definitely add traction . I think he has kind of a bad memory of them already because of the slippery snow and ice around them last week when he was still on his bad leg.

It is so amazing that Ellie can fly around like that! That plants a real mental image! 

Going to give sleep a better try tonight than I did last night. As for Luka, he's out for the count.

Lisa

Member Since:
14 February 2016
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20 January 2017 - 1:15 am
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You might see some greater bruising in the next day or two around the suture area - normally just color changes, but then it should start to improve.  You are right that a dog's skin coloring impacts on how visible the bruising is.  If it continues to get worse, or the bruised area gets noticeably larger after a couple of days or there is a lot of seepage, a bad smell, etc. from the incision, talk to your vet.   And I agree, avoid the back steps for now.  When he has recovered, and the weather is better, he will probably be fine on them.  But for now, if you have an option, no need to challenge him with them so early.

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.

Livermore, CA




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20 January 2017 - 11:37 am
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I should add that Elly is only 2 years old and full of energy! She is also not dealing with cancer and 1.5 years past her amputation, she is very strong.

I lived in a one story house when Maggie was a Tripawd so I didn't have to worry about too many stairs.  I did build a Trex deck on my back porch after she became a Tripawd.  Trex is that 'fake' wood that holds up very well but can be a bit slippery.  There were two small steps to get off the deck, and even though I build them with a Tri-pug in mind Maggie would not go up or down them without her traction rugs in place!

It sounds like Luka is really doing well. And yes- some good sleep for you will definitely help everyone!

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

Member Since:
27 September 2016
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20 January 2017 - 12:22 pm
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Hi Lisa! I'm a little late to the Luka pawty, but it sounds as if he is doing very well indeed! Stairs are indeed an issue for many of us. I live in a mobile home so stairs are unavoidable. My Fionn is a front amp so gong down was the hardest. He is 4.5 months post amp and manages them fine now, but took a few falls in the beginning that completely freaked me out! If I may suggest- check out Fionn's blog http://fionnsjo.....pawds.com/

We blogged every day for the first 2 weeks since those are the hardest. There are daily pics of his incision and details of what worked and didn't work for us. If nothing else, our stories will show you that we ALL go through similar post op issues and fears. Fionn hasn't posted or blogged much recently. He's too busy feeling GOOD. I am actually waiting for him to come out of his 5th chemo treatment right now 🙂

Here's to Luka having a swift recovery!

Nancy and Fionnheart

Nancy- mom to the FABULOUS Fionn. He rescued me in 2015 when he was 6. 

Right front leg amputation at age 7 for osteosarcoma 10/6/16. Taken too soon 6/12/17. Read about our journey here:

http://fionnsjo.....pawds.com/

Member Since:
2 January 2017
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22 January 2017 - 12:58 pm
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Well, Luka's recovery seems to be going OK. The redness I was so worried about on Day 3 looked better yesterday. I talked to his vet and she said it could continue to become worse until tomorrow, so I guess he is on track!

I devised a ramp for my steps, and that is working really well. We are walking a couple of times a day, now down the block and around the corner, and he is very enthusiastic about that! Pooping became normalized on Day 3, and the peeing has always been good. He hasn't fallen since Day 2. The yoga mats in the house are great, and now he is venturing off them somewhat and seems to be doing fine.

My major concern is the anxiety. He follows me around the house panting heavily. He has had some bouts of this over the past year, but it's really bad now. Late last night, I had to put together a place for myself to sleep on the floor in the living room, and he finally settled down next to me. Anyway, it makes me a little crazy, all the pacing and panting, and I am worried that it is going to compromise his recovery. Big exercise takes care of it, but that is just not an option for a while. Right now he is right here next to me panting away while I write. His meds are gabapentin and rimadyl. 

I can't seem to post any photos--keep getting a box that says "source."  Any suggestions for that?

Thanks!

Lisa

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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22 January 2017 - 1:07 pm
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lisaam said
I can't seem to post any photos--keep getting a box that says "source."  Any suggestions for that?

Yes! way-cool Images must be hosted somewhere online, and you paste the link to your image in the Source field.

Here are detailed instructions for adding photos to forum posts . If you don't already share photos online somewhere, you can start a free Tripawds blog any time and upload them there. Need further help? Post in the Tech Support forum and we'll be happy to help!

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

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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22 January 2017 - 2:18 pm
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Sweet Luka! It's all gonna be okay! You've had a pretty traumatic week or so. A bit of anxiety and uncertainty is normal.

And Lisa, you've been through some intense times too, to say the least!! Just continue to stay strong and confident and calm. It sounds like Luka is very tuned I to you and any energy you put out, consciously or subconsciously.

Are you sure he's not panting and anxious due to pain? Is it possible he's overdoing it? Don't k ow how far "around a block is", but it sounds like a lot this early on...maybe not.

To state the obvious, I'm not much of a resource as far as the anxiety. Don't know if the Gaba has anything to do with it, but probably not.

Just wanted to chime in a applaud you and Luka for doing such a great job!! Getting to this point is not easy, but it sounds like Luka is well on the way to living life to the fullest!! 🙂 🙂 And it continues to get better!!

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!

Member Since:
31 May 2016
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22 January 2017 - 4:00 pm
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Sounds like Luka is doing really well! The walks may be a little long - everyone told me that short leashed potty walks were all that my guy should do for at least the first week or so. I skimmed your earlier posts but didn't see - is he on Tramadol? That made Clyde pant like crazy. Clyde panted a lot until his staples came out. Good luck!

Member Since:
2 January 2017
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22 January 2017 - 5:41 pm
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The walk is about nine houses long,so maybe too long. I have to keep him from bounding, he is so excited to be out and about, so it is hard for me to deprive him that, but maybe I just need to. No tramadol! We tried that early on with the ACL diagnosis, and it did the same thing to him as to Clyde. It's good to know that after staples (for us, sutures), he calmed a little. I called the vet and she called back with a message that she could prescribe something that might calm him a bit, but I'd rather not further medicate if it isn't necessary. Maybe just let it play out a little while longer.

Thank you for the feedback! Also, thanks for the photo tips! I'll give it a shot.

Lisa

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2 January 2017
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22 January 2017 - 5:44 pm
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I couldn't figure out how to get the photo to show up here, but this is the link!

Day 3

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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22 January 2017 - 6:03 pm
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lisaam said
I couldn't figure out how to get the photo to show up here...

You almost got it! Since you started a blog and uploaded the photo, you just need to copy the link to the image file and paste it in the Source field when adding your forum post...

FYI: Here are detailed instructions for adding photos to forum posts . If you don't already share photos online somewhere, you can start a free Tripawds blog any time and upload them there. Need further help? Post in the Tech Support forum and we'll be happy to help!

Image Enlarger

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

Durham, NC
Member Since:
16 September 2015
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22 January 2017 - 6:28 pm
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Cute puppy!!!!! SO glad Luka is excited to be out and about - that's a good sign! I think post-op is far more stressful for us 2-leggers than our 3 legged babies so try not to overthink or worry too much (easier said than done, I know).

Keep us posted! 

Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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22 January 2017 - 8:08 pm
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Look at that happy smiling boy!!! Making me grin right back at him!! 🙂

Yeah, you can almost "see" his energy and how excited he is to just let loose and run!!! I can only imagine how hard it is to put him in slow down mode!

As you already k ow, tripawds need to keep their "speed" up a bit, as the momentum helps them keep their balance. Rear leggers seem to have a more fluid movement when they have a kittle momentum going on. That's just my personal perspective, not professional or necessarily factual at all!

OTIS,one our beloved heroes around here, always liked to go five houses and then laze around and just chill before heading back. Maybe Luka is a nine hiuse guy, but still should rest at the ninth house before heading back. He's already up for playing full out...just needs to hold up another week or so!

GRRRRREAT PHOTO!!! Can't wait for more!!

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!

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