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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I am so happy I found this group!! I am pawrent to Shellie, the newest tripawd. Shellie (10yo mini Schnauzer) just lost her hindleg to cancer (adenocarcoma that metastisized in the bone in her leg). She had surgery on 8/30/17.. we are on day 2 post op and she still feels awful. Won't easily take her pain meds, won't eat and wont try to walk. She will drink water and ate 1tbsp of yogurt today.... what's a pawrent to do??
clcase07 said
...what's a pawrent to do??
Our #1 best advice is to Be More Dog . And that's not just some silly saying...it is still very early in Shellie's recovery. The first couple weeks can be a roller coaster, but you've come to the right place for plenty of inspiration and recovery/care tips, and support from members.
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!
Best wishes, please keep us posted. Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello and welcome.
What pain meds is Shellie taking? Does she have a fentanyl patch? Was she able to stand at the vet before they released her? When you say she feels awful do you mean she is in pain?
It's not uncommon for dogs to not want to eat after surgery. Try all her favorites and maybe some extra stinky stuff too. Don't worry too much about her diet for a few days- just get something in her stomach and get her pain meds down.
Our surgeon said only short, leashed potty breaks for the first two weeks after surgery, rest is what she needs now. Has she been able to pee?
The first week or two can be full of ups and downs so don't get discouraged. Even though our pups and kitties deal very well with amputation they still need a recovery period to heal and adjust. My Pug Maggie lost her rear leg to a mast cell tumor and she took her time accepting her new normal. I was sure I had made a mistake by choosing amputation- all the guidance I got from our multiple vets is that 'dogs do great on three legs', not one of them warned me about the recovery period!
Hang in there, it will get better.
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
Thank you, Karen!
I have been questioning my decision all day! But since I am not ready to lose her and she is in perfect health otherwise, there wasn't an option for me or her vet. Shellie is on tramadol and rimadyl. I've read a lot of amputees are on fentanyl patch so will ask our vet about that. I just know she has to be in pain due to the surgery, though she is not crying, whining or breathing shallowly. So maybe that is my human mommy side coming out? I am truly trying to Be More Dog but it is hard!
She did stand on her own three legs at the vet with minimal assistance but was also on some major pain meds too. We do take potty breaks (urinating) several times a day with a beach towel for support. She has been urinating 2-3x/day and drinking lots of water. I am just concerned over her lack of appetite. She is 10yo and the Emergency technician said it can take longer for older dogs to recover. Surgery was Thursday and it is now Sunday... 3 days post op....I just want my baby to feel better again 🙁
I am hoping she learns to adapt to her new normal quickly since she was unable to use her leg much for the past month (will be an adjustment without the extra weight). Shellie is a fighter and spunky so it is hard to see her feeling peaked.
Thank you for telling me about Maggie... I am so sorry you lost her. Hearing from other tripawn owners helps so much.
We have seen that here too, that the more 'mature' pups seem to take a little longer to start moving.
The reason I asked about fentanyl is that it can make some dogs lethargic- if she is not on it now then the vet may not add it. Maggie came home on fentanyl, tramadol and rimadyl. Many pups here now get gabapentin, if you think Shellie is in pain you might ask about adding that. How often does she get her tram? Sometimes changing the dosing schedule helps- another thing to discuss with your vet.
If you find the beach towel too bulky you can make a sling from a cloth shopping bag- you just split it down the seams and the handles are built in. Drinking and peeing are good signs.
Here is a blog post on recognizing pain signs.
'Being More Dog' takes practice, not something we humans can get overnight! Thanks for the kind words about Maggie.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
She is on tramadol 3x/day for 5 days, so 2 more to go. She does seem more coherent when the tram starts to wear off.
I've tried an infinity scarf and she didn't seem to like it, but when I used the towel she did and went pretty eagerly. Thank you about the cloth shopping bag! I thought about doing that but wasn't sure just how... great advice! May make her more comfortable too.
Another question I had was do I need to try getting her up to walk or stand for short periods of time? Or is day 3 too early? Would it help increase her appetite? would it hurt her too much?
I keep reading all the other posts and blogs and you are all so incredibly helpful! Thank you so much!!
5 days is most likely to soon to be off pain meds- Maggie was on them for two weeks, most pups here are on pain meds for at least two weeks. There are a few lucky pups who seem to be OK off them earlier but most are not. If she is too wonky on the tram you may be able to lower the dose- talk to your vet about that and maybe needing pain meds for a longer period.
Our surgeon said only short, leashed potty breaks for the first two weeks after surgery so her resting is the best thing for her. What guidance did you get from your vet?
Here is how you make the shopping bag sling.
Here is a post on how to recognize pain.
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
We have a 13 yr old Husky Roscoe who became a tripawd on Monday (8/28), so just a few days before Shellie....Roscoe would not eat anything except a little peanut butter for the first 3 days; his appetite did start to come back (in spurts) on Day 4....we were also worried....but we just kept putting everything in front of him (treats, ground beef, even empty pill pockets), until he finally came around and we noticed the food was gone!
Roscoe also had a lot of trouble getting up on his own - for the first few days we had to force him up to go out (even though it took all of my willpower not to let him lie back down, especially when he would yelp), but once up, he was OK....up until yesterday we could only get him up by using the canvas bag sling to help him, and even then, he could only go a few steps before needing to rest.
I was super nervous about his progress, especially when reading about other dogs walking right after surgery....but the assurances of the folks on this forum reminded me to be patient....and to give Roscoe a break, even if I feel like he's a spry 13-yr old....
All of a sudden this morning (Day 6), Roscoe started to get up on his own and was able to make the walk from the basement out to the yard on his own! 
It still wears him out, but we can see him getting stronger every day.
You and Shellie will see progress....I had my doubts too....but starting to see the light, even though I know we still have recovery time ahead of us....
One other thing we did with the canvas sling was to line it with a piece of a fleece blanket (we found inexpensive fleece blankets at the dollar store that we didn't mind cutting). I just stapled it to the bag (high, near the handles, so there was no risk of the staples rubbing against Roscoe)....turns out it worked out better that I didn't sew it, b/c since we were still holding Roscoe up to help him pee, it sort of got in the way of the stream a few times....so I would just remove the fleece, wash and re-attach to the bag....it also helped to keep the bag from bunching up.
Karen.
After the 5 days, she is to go to 2x/day on the tram. We go back 2wks after surgery to take stitches out. The vet is amazing. They call daily to check on her. I did take her in Friday so they could give her an anti-nausea med. I called the Emergency Hosp today and they told me she is doing ok too (technician i spoke to has a tripawd too). He was worried she may be anemic, but her gums turned the pink they were supposed to, after I pressed on them as he asked me to. But said she wont let herself starve.
Thank you! I feel better hearing I shouldn't push her!! After she urinates, I promptly pick her up and carry her back inside. I remove her cone Friday though, she is so lethargic (sleepy) that I dont think she needs to have the cone on until she starts trying to lick the incision.
i have never felt so incredibly helpless. Jist taking it one hour at a time.
Sounds like things are progressing normally for Shellie! Slow and easy to start, after all she has had major surgery! At least for the first 2 weeks let Shellie have the lead, unless she suddenly decides she wants to run rings around the house! You have gotten great advice and links so far. I would also recommend you take a look at Jerry's Required Reading List if you have not run across it already. And never hesitate to ask questions!! That's what we are here for!
Sending Shellie lots of healing tripawd strength from the Oaktown Pack 
xoxo,
Martha, Travis Ray, and the OP
I'll admit I was thinking the same thing when LB's vet said how resilient dogs are, they do great on 3 legs... I thought that if animals are so resilient then why was LB feeling more down than up? I was being a Nervous Kelly. I had such high expectations for such a short period of time that it was unreasonable. I wanted my buddy back. Know what I mean?
LB is 25 days post-op today and I am so happy to say that it was like a switch was flipped about 2 or 3 days ago. He beat me down the stairs (it wasn't a race to me but he might have felt it was), he's been wagging that tail and looking alert with his ears perked and doing that adorable head tilt when I talk to him. He's licking his food bowl clean.
The take-away is that you can't judge your pup's recovery by everyone else's. That was my mistake and I'll admit it. My boy is finally coming around but it's been a long 3 weeks. I hope your girl's recovery is easy...for the both of you.
Tiffany, mom of Linebacker "LB"
Oh my gosh!! I am so happy to hear Roscoe is doing better!!!! Go Roscoe!!! Shellie is spunky and spry like Roscoe!! So that's why it is so hard to see her hurting😥
What a great idea on the sling!! I took your and Karen's advice and cut a nylon grocery bag, then folded in half (she is only 15#) and sewed it together all along the bottom and in 2 places along the long ends so they don't flap open... love the idea of adding padding!! I am sure i have something i can use or will get it! Was thinking it would help when i saw it on (under) her.
i did put a small bit of tuna in a small bowl and some yogurt on a spoon (only thing I've been able to get her to ingest, even if it has only been a tablespoon) but she just turned her head.. will definitely keep trying and leave there for longer periods of time now.
You've gotten some excellent advice here for Shellie. The beginning stages of recovery are difficult but you both will get through it.
It is difficult not to question yourself and worry - but she will sense that and respond! So try to tell yourself the surgery is done and recovery is the focus. Easier said than done, but you can do it 
One thing I will say about the pain meds - I ran out of them and Tai needed them. I was scraping pill dust just to try something until I could get more. It's great that your vet is in contact so much, I would really discuss this with them. Shellie has had major surgery, you know her best and are her best advocate!
Sending positive thoughts to you both! Everyone here is so compassionate and there's so much experience, you've come to the right place. I don't know how I would've gotten through Tai's amp without them.
Tracey & Tai
I am heartbroken and devastated to report Shellie passed away Monday, Sept 4. She was 10y 9m old and a true presence at a mere 15 lbs. She was my world, my light, my baby. She was full of life, she was bigger than life.
i can't explain what happened as I am still in complete shock. She never regained her appetite & started refurgitating water. The vets told me it was a normal side effect of the tramadol/rimadyl. I am still in shock and will miss my sweer sweet baby girl forever.
STUNNED AND SHOCKED!!! I AM SOOOOOO VERY SORRY!!!! I was just catching up reading all the posts...and everything sounded so "normal"....and then to get to your devastating post!!! Tragic! We are all absolutely gutted for you and heartbroken with you. I am so very sorry! We all cry with you tonight and in the days to come.
This is a nrsaty and brutal disease and can be soooo unpredictable. With every preliminary test available, it can still hide and viciously show up when it has already done damge that no one could forsee. Everything you were describing was nothing "out of the norm" at all this early in recovery.
Hold onto us right now, okay? Perhaps a conversation with your Vet can give you some clarity. Based on all the preliminary work ups I guess the Vet did, there was absolutely no way anyone could forsee any of this. You HAD to give her a chance!! You HAD to try. No one could predict this.
Please, please stay connected. I know there are no words right now so I won't even try. We already feel in love with Shellie from your first post and we already know how deep your love for her is with every loving word you wrote. And Shellie knew how much you loved her. Know that to be true. She knew.
With all my love
Sally and My Chunky Spiritual Being Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie
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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