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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Thinking about Po and you...our vet told us, like everyone on here, every dog is different and some need more time than others. Otis is doing well on the whole, but each day is different than the one before. Sometimes active, happy, alert, other times just sleeping... hopefully Po is feeling better every day.
Thanks, I just saw your post about Otis's surgery. I hadn't realized your puppy had the surgery not so long ago like mine. I just read Otis is 7 that is awesome. He seems to be doing so good for his age and weight.
Po seems pretty moppy 🙁 I am not sure if he is in pain or just depressed. He has never been an energetic kind of dog, more like a couch potato. He does like small walks and I am hoping he will be able to start those soon. I am looking forward for him to start wagging his tail again. ... after all it only has been 7 days post op.
Keep us updated with Otis and best of luck.
WHOA!!! HOLD UP!!! BACK UP!! I CANNOT BEEEEELIEVE YOUR VET SAID THAT!!!!
ALL I CAN SAY IS I HAVE NEVER, EVER, HEARD A VET GIVE THAT KIND OF "DIAGNOSIS" ON A DOG WHO IS JUST SIX DAYS POST AMP!!! I HAVE NEVER HEARD RELATING A DOG NOT DOING ZOOMIES YET AND NOT FEELING LIKE PAWTYING EQUATING TO "GIVING UP" OR LOSING THE WILL TO LIVE!!! HOLY MOLY!!! ERASE THAT FROM YOUR MIND RIGHT NOW!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
PO, AN ADMITTED COUCH POTATO, IS A LARGE DOG RECOVERING FROM MAJOR SURGERY AND ISN'T FEELING VERY PERKY RIGHT NOW!!! ,DO YOU THINK YOU WOUKD FEEL ANY BETTER?? NO! NONE OF US WOULD!!! DO YOU THINK YOUR FAMILY PHYSICIAN WOULD SAY YOU HAD "LOST THE WILL TO LIVE" BECAUSE YOU FELT BLAH FOR AWHILE AFTER MAJORAJPR SURGERY WHILE TRYING TO HEAL???
Okay, off my soap box!!!
Itsq such a fine line between pain symptons and being too druggy from pain meds sometimes. I know you've probably already written this, but one is he on CONSISTENTLY now...the amount...the frequency...and his weight? He is drinking okay, right? No fever, right?
Onto solutions. Do you have a firend or family member that Po adores?? Have them come over....make a big deal of ringing the door bell, knocking loudly. Have them come in all excited and upbeat!!! 🙂 🙂 Have them bring a cheeseburger!! 🙂 Is their a neiighbor dog thst he likes....or a cat that he doesn't like? Maybe they could hang outside the fence and see if that brings a tail wag.. or a growl!
HANG IN THERE!! AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, STAY POSITIVE AND UPBEAT AND SHOW TOTAL CONFIDENCE AND APPLAUD ANY AND EVERYTHING HE DOES! 🙂 🙂 I know this is hard, so very hard. We're cheering with you and for you both! 🙂
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!
Be patient, he will get there! And he IS. From what you described his recovery is quite typical. Try to put yourself in his paws and know that most humans would feel even worse than he does at 7-days post amputation. Bigger dogs often take more time, but the more you can show your boy that you truly believe he WILL go on those little walks again, the more he will believe it. Be strong, use a little tough love (no more hand feeding or babying OK?) and in a few weeks you will find yourself truly amazed at how far he's come.
Sorry your vet said that to you. I think they meant well by trying to balance what they've seen in their own practice versus what you're going through, but that in no way means that Po is giving up.
We are cheering you on so keep us posted 
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello, Jake also had his surgery on Monday January 8th. Moving around a bit, but mostly resting. Can only get him outside to pee maybe once a day, and I feel it is when he can’t hold it any longer. Once outise, he is happy! I too felt that maybe we did the wrong thing, but it was the only guarantee to get rid of the tumor that was growing on his elbow. Waiting for lymph nodes results. I feel this website and the people will be very helpful for us and Jake!
Thanks guys, yes i need to be more patient and be more upbeat. He is now drinking on his own in his own bowl which is progress. Still not eating well but again he never has been a big eater so I need to work on that.
The Vet also told me to stop babying him that this is not for his own benefit. ugh.
Today so far as been good. He is walking everywhere practically on his own and has been wanting to move a little more which makes me happy. Hopefully this will continue.
Hello Jake and pack, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
Thanks for joining the site and contributing here.
Please consider starting your own thread so you can tell us Jake's story and get answers for your specific questions and so we can help you and Jake as you start on this tripawd journey.
Oh- and you did the right thing! You know what would have happened if you had not taken the painful leg and tumor away. You have given Jake a chance to beat cancer and have more quality time with you! The recovery period can be tough but it is short- you will see Jake's sparkle come back as he heals!
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
Hello cinwett and Jake,
Just like us we are waiting for the lymph node results. The wait is agonizing. I know the feeling about wondering if I have had done the right thing. I ask myself this everyday. What kind of dog is Jake? how old is he?
Best of luck and keep us updated 🙂
11 days post-op and Po seems to be doing ok. Still quite tired but hopping around. He is still not eating much but he goes outside quite often and start smelling the grass. Has any of you have some experience with eddie's wheels? I have been thinking of gettin Po some wheels so we can start walking again. Maybe even building my own. He is used to walk about 2 miles a day. He loves it but there is no way he can do that on three legs. I think that would cheer him up.
Here is a great Blog post on How and When to use a Wheelchair.
Here is a Blog Post about big dog Trey and his Wheelchair.
Not all Tripawds need them, in fact around here there are not many who use them. I would suggest that you have Po evaluated by a certified rehab vet before looking into wheels for him. If he does need wheels then they can make sure correct measurements are obtained and help you learn how to use it. The Tripawds Foundation could reimburse you for your first visit- Details Here.
Many people here us wagons or strollers to get their Tripawds farther on walks. I actually have two strollers for my little dogs- I always seem to have two dogs who can't go the same distance but still want to get out. True, a bit easier with small dogs, but they do make strollers for big dogs. Here are some reviews of Dog Strollers.
It's still early in Po's recovery. He should continue to gain strength and become more himself!
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 want to celebrate Po's improvements!! While the improvements may seem "little" and coming slowly....they are HUGE this early in recovery! 🙂 And the fact that being outside is keeping him engaged and enjoying the scents of nature...all good signs! 🙂
Po doesn't care about how far or how fast he walks. He just enjoys being outside with you and "stopping to smell the roses". Po will be going on walks the further he gets away from the recovery period. He'll just want to be able to stop and lounge around some during the walks.
I know you get tired of hearing us say this, but it is ATILL EARLY IN RECOVERY FROM .AJOR, .AJOR, MAJOR SURGERY. The walks will come. Slow and easy for now though and celebrate the improvements he is making!
It took me three weeks before I could finally say I did this FOR my Happy Hannah and not TO her.
Keep trying any and every yummy food you can think of. Steak, hamburger, etc.
Hang in there and update when you can.
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!
I know it is still early. Monday will be 2 weeks post op and he is getting is staple removed. I hope it is all uphill from there. 🙂 Thanks again guys for the support.
Otis is also getting his staples removed on Monday. We will be thinking about you and Po and sending good vibes!
Otis loved to hike, run, and walk. We used to walk 2-3 miles a day. Our surgeon told us that 15-20 minutes would be a good walk for Otis now and I would think the same for Po. Just build up slowly and give him time.
Camille and Otis
Glad to hear Otis is getting better. Po got his staples removed today. I took him in cause he is experiencing some facial paralysis 🙁 The vet doesn't know what it is and I just can't put him through anymore tests. He has had enough and I have had enough. We are stopping the gabapentin since he is doing good on this. He had a tough day! he stayed in my car for hours after we came back home. He even growled when I tried to get him out. Bacon didn't even worked. I am pretty sure he is angry at me for taking his leg off. You guys should have seen him fight to go to the vet to get his stitches removed. He was fighting to not go in. Two people had to lift him up to go in the back. It was sad to watch.
Yes Po loves walking too. The vet said the same, start with 15-20 min. We will start tomorrow.
I appreciate prayers and good vibes. I want my baby to get better :/
Oh no! Is it possible he is growling because there is some source of unknown pain? Or because he overextended himself and is exhausted? This sounds like a really rough day. Please keep us updated. I hope he sleeps well tonight and that you do too. You and Po are in our hearts.
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