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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Hello everyone, my sweet boy Marley will be having his front left leg removed on Tuesday March 21st. We found a cancerous tumor that is aggressive and had it removed, but the oncologist suggested amputation and chemo. I am sad and worried for him, but am thankful that we can do this to hopefully stop the cancer from coming back. All of his screenings came back great and he has cancer nowhere else in his body, so I am praying that amputating his leg will stop this nasty disease. He is a 10 year old Boston Terrier, 25 pounds and still very spunky! I am looking for advice on how long before I can leave him alone, suggestions on bedding (such as a tempurpedic dog bed) and if I should get food bowls that are higher off the ground. I really have no clue what to expect when I bring him home (I'm expecting the worst), so I want to be well prepared so that he is as comfortable as possible. Any other suggestions that anyone may have would be greatly appreciated, Thanks 🙂
Hello and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I'm sorry cancer has brought you and your handsome boy here- what kind of cancer are you dealing with, is it mast cell cancer?
I've been owned by pugs for almost 18 years, although one of my current pups is only part pug
.
First off you could look through The Required Reading List for lots of information and tips on dealing with amputation.
You ask lots of good questions- it's good to be prepared! One very important thing for tripawds is traction . If you have any slippery floors you will want to cover them with throw rugs or yoga mats. Most Tripawds seem to prefer firm beds, you can read about different beds in our Gear Blog. My first Tripawd Maggie lost her left rear leg to mast cell cancer and she preferred her soft snuggle ball bed after her amp, but she seems to be an exception.
I also tried raising her food dish but she looked at me like I was crazy! I think it is more important for front amps- you can try a stack of books or a bucket or small stool and see how Marley does with that.
Stay tuned for lots more ideas and information from this great community. We have been where you are now and can help.
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
Marley's avatar picture is sooooo cute! Cannot wait to see more pictures!
Karen has given you great advice and links. You have definitely come to the right place for support, information and an understanding. We understand the kick in the gut when yiu get the news. We understand the fear and the uncertainty. We understand the agony of trying to do the research and trying to determine the best route for our dogs and cats. It is stressful and exhausting!
We also understand the relief of making a decion and moving forward on a path that will give our dogs and cats quality pain free time!! Sure, recovery is no picnic for a couple of weeks. But once you see Marley's sparkle to come back and see how happy he is without that painful leg, you will be estatic! 🙂
.ost dogs spend the first night at a 24 hr clinic. Marley will come home with Tramadol, Rimadyl, an a antibiotic and probably Gabapentin. It IS MAJOR surgery and Marley needs to just do short potty breaks and then just rest for the first rwo weeks. Eating may be off a bit and pooping may not happen for a few days. Drinking and peeing are important though.
You do want a somewhat supprtive bed. If it's too squishy it's hard for them to stand at first without slipping.
My Happy Hannah was very restless and whiny and just wouldn't settle down for several nights. It slept very little and she didn't either. Some dogs are a bit more comfortable when the first come home because the hospital pain meds are still ffairly potent. By about day three they are out of their system and sometimes it appears they have gotten worse instead of better. It's usually a matter of adjusting the pain meds.
The length of time you'll need to stay home varies from dog to dog. Every recovery is different. IF at all possible though, you'll want to stay home at least three to five days. If not possible to stay after the third day, have Marley confined as best you can and have someone check on hi and take him out to potty. Obviously block off any stairs, no jumping up on bed, etc.
Now, you need to rest as best you can. Marley is going to do just fine! Most dogs are up and walking within 24'hrs. Some dogs need a bit more time.
Eat lots and lots of CHOCOLATE between now and surgery day. It does wonders for calming nerves!!
The main thing is to STAY CONNECTED! You are not alone, okay? We're here for you and Marley
Lots of 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!
Hi Angie and Marley and welcome to the family!
You have already received some fab advice and from the experience that I had with Zuki, that covered most things I needed to be prepared. I got Zuki an orthopaedic bed in preparation but as GSD's regularly do he still opted to lie on our cold tiled floor, even on his incision side (made me cringe although didn't seem to bother him!!) so its hard to tell what their preference will be.
A few other handy items I found useful was aloe vera gel and arnica gel or something similar for his skin. They shave a large area around the op site and the razor rash can be quite nasty, sore and itchy. I found putting some cream on a few times a day soon cleared it up (although be careful to avoid the actual incision) the arnca gel also helped to sooth the bruising in matter of days.
We also stocked up on yummy treats to help with giving him his meds and also to encourage his appetite. The anaesthetic can knock them off kilter for a few days
Zuki was a rear amp and we used a cone of shame to prevent him fussing at his stitches although i've read a lot where people have used t'shirts to cover and protect the area, especially on front leg amps and this seems to annoy them a lot less than a cone.
Most of all try to remain calm. It will be an emotional and physical roller-coaster for about 2 weeks but keep positive - Marley will amaze you and you will love him even more than you do now when you see his warrior spirit shine through!
Good Luck for Tuesday
Karis and Zuki with wings
xx
Zuki Wuggafer 30/09/06 - 11/11/16. Right hind tripawd due to Osteosarcoma. He had a strong 5 and half months as a tripawd but unfortunately a secondary issue with his spine ended our battle. He loved life, loved our family and was the best dog I could ever ask for. Truly my first love, forever in my thoughts and heart.
Read our story: http://zuki.tripawds.com/
Thank you for the advice everyone! Marleys cancer was Histiocytic sarcoma. Lucky we got it removed off the leg before it had spread anywhere else. Thats why the oncologist suggested amputation to prevent it from coming back and possibly spreading (as this cancer is bad and can spread quickly). We have another Boston who is 19 weeks old and I'm going to have to make sure that Marley has plenty of space for recovery. They love to play so hopefully that will help get Marleys spirt back after recovery.
Welcome to the Tripawds nation Marley! For the first two or three weeks, no jumping/major stairs, so think about blocking off any furniture that might be tempting. If you have a two story house, you also need to consider where everyone will sleep. I was on a mattress downstairs with Otis, who was way too big to carry upstairs. Traction - yoga mats or cheap industrial door mats - is also key. When Marley comes home, it is helpful to keep a log book. There will be lots of meds, at many different times - it helps to keep track of what is due when, as well as food, water, #1 and #2. Make sure you also have lots of yummy things to give meds with (things with a strong smell works really well), and some favorite foods, just in case Marley isn't into food right away - scrambled eggs, chicken breast (and maybe some broth to swirl into water if drinking is a problem), soft cat food (always a favorite). Many front leggers wore T-shirts instead of the cone of shame - you might want to pick up a couple of small, child sized T-shirts just so you have them. And stay close to this community. We are pretty much 24/7, so reach out with questions at any time and someone will likely get back to you.
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.
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