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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Hi my names Debbie and our dog Oscah recently had his front leg amputated (monday).
He was diagnosed with bone cancer and on monday when he went in for his xray we were expecting a definitive answer on what cancer and how bad it was. However our vet was still unsure and we chose the option of amputation. We're still waiting on biopsy results for a clear answer.
He's on day 3 post op and the last couple days he's been great, our beautiful happy dog, already got his balance sorted ( we think so well because he was used to not using that leg) walking well and already been for a pee and poo.
However today he seems to be a bit blue, not his normal happy self. My partner is worried ,I think because we're still waiting for the results, and because he's been himself for the last couple days. Is this normal?
Any advice welcome.
Also I'm so happy to have found this place
Hi Debbie and Oscah (I love how you spell it!), welcome. We are hoppy you found us too 🙂 although sorry you had to in the first place. Nobody wants to join this club but we'll do our best to support you both during your journey.
It's not unusual for a new Tripawd to have a post-op slow-down like this. It's hard to see them go through it because we're not used to watching them get around slower. But remember that getting around on three legs is tiring, and using muscles in all new ways tends to catch up with a new Tripawd soon after surgery. There's nothing wrong with that, it's normal and happens when the body tells the brain "Woaah, slow down buddy." Let him rest and relax in a confined space in your home so he doesn't get too much activity right now (he should only be going outside for quick, leashed potty breaks, nothing else, until his stitches com out).
My main question though is, what pain medication is he on? If he's not on enough he may be also be slowing down due to pain. Is he showing any other signs like anxiety, pacing or inability to get comfortable? If that's the case, please call your vet and let them know so you can adjust his pain meds.
Otherwise he sounds like he's having a normal recovery. As always though, whenever you are concerned please keep your vet in the loop OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sorry you jave to be here but, as you can see from Jerry's reply, it's a great place to be for support and information! We all understand the stress involved, the uncertainty and the fear.
And we also understand the joy when recovery is over and the sparkle starts to come back! 🙂
Most dogs here come home eith Tramadol, Rimadyl, and antibiotic and usually Gabapentin too. Some even come home with a morphine pain patch.
Oscah is experiencing what many dogs experience around day threeish.....a "crash" from coming off of the good hospital pain meds. They are out of their system by then and it becomes a balancing act getting the doses of the Tramadol, etc. right.
Right now all Oscah needs is complete and total rest and short potty breaks. It IS MAJOR surgery and requires some time to heal!
Drinking and peeing are important, but pooping and getting his appetite back may take a few days. So YAY for POOP!!!
Oscah is ahead of the curve!!
For whatever it's worth, it took me about three weeks before I could say I did this FOR my Happy Hannah and not TO her!! It's hard ro be patient and feel optimistic whjen our dogs are recovering from this major surgery. But it is imperative that they just rest and get good pain management for now.
Update when you can and TRY and get some rest when you can. This early recovery stuff is hard and exhausting on human and dog!
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!
Ditto what everyone else said - what you are experiencing is absolutely normal as the hospital meds wear off. Keep an eye on his pain signals and don't be afraid to call your vet if you feel his pain is not being well managed. Many of us worked with our vets to adjust pain meds during this time. The real positive - many dogs really perk up when the staples come out, about day 10 - 14, so this recovery, while intense, is short.
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.
Thank you all. That has definitely lightened the load.
He's on tramadol and hes not showing any other signs of pain minus one incident when his little sisters tail hit the incision. She got excited when he stood up otherwise shes been the calmest we've ever seen her.
We have been limiting his movement to just the toilet and for food. His appetite has definitely not diminished.
I also think he might be bored. He was always a very active and playful dog. On day 1 he got up ready for a walk when my partner went to take the pup out.
Will keep updated on his progress
Hi and welcome!
My dog still gets bored because he can't be as active as he used to be. While your dog should, of course, not move much yet but if you think boredom is a problem already just try and do little games with him while he is lying down, especially if he eats fine. Even if it's just hiding a treat in on hand and showing him both hands so he has to pick the right one, stuff like that. Maybe it will also take both of your minds off things for a while.
All the best
tina & Manni
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
Hi all.
We've had such a busy couple weeks. Finally got time for an update. Oscah has been doing really well. We found a good balance of his pain meds and the last week he's been a much happier dog.
Stitches came out today so we took him across the road to the field near us for his first walk. He was the happiest we've seen him in weeks. And he was quiet happy to have a sniff around while we threw the ball for the puppy.
The only thing he seems annoyed at is he really wants to lie down on his other side. But obviously without his elbow he can't hold himself up. And just changes to the side he can lie down on. Did anyone elses dog struggle with this?
Oscah and Debbie
Hey Debbie, glad to hear you guys are doing so well!
It took Manni quite a while to comfortably lie on the amp side (as in months). He has found little ways for adjusting and working around missing a leg. When he's on his belly turned away from the amp side, he angles his paw to hold his balance, he also uses his head and nose to get up 😊
I am sure that Oscah will get the hang of that too eventually. Adjustment takes a little time.
All the best
tina & Manni
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
Hi all.
I just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone here for the support and advice we've been given over the last month.
Oscah is doing so well. My partner has finally been able to relax knowing we made the right decision.
So far no sign of mets and we have our happy, sometimes naughty dog back and running around.
Thank you all again. You all took a massive weight of worry off our shoulders
Oscah and Debbie
SWEET! Thank you for taking time to update; every story brings hope to someone else. And we are so glad we could be there for you, it's an honor.
We hope you and Oscah have many, many great times together. Have fun and give him lotsa ear scratches from all of us!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
WONDERFUL UPDATE!!! YAAAAAAAAAY FOR OSKAH AND YAAAAAAAAAY FOR TRIPAWD NAUGHTINESS!!! 🙂 No sense in trying to say "bad boy" to "skah any ore....tripawds are soooo darn cute they can get away with ANYTHING!! 🙂
Isn't seeing their sparkle come back the best feeling EVER!!!
YES!!! You did, indeed, say you did this FOR Oskah and not TO Oskah!! 🙂
And HAPPY ONE MONTH AMPUVERSARY!!! Keep em coming! Ice cream and cake for everyone!! 🙂
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 all.
Sadly I don't have a very good update on Oscah. He started coughing last week so we took him to the vets. He had over a litre and a half of fluid on his lungs and has developed tumours in his lungs. He had them drained and he was so much more comfortable but it wasn't to last 4 days later he started coughing again. Back to the vets yesterday and there is nothing more we can do.
We will sadly saying goodbye to our beautiful boy tomorrow.
While we are all extremely sad we can't see him suffer anymore and we are blessed to have had the extra months with our gorgeous boy.
Thank you all for everything
Oscah and Debs[Image Can Not Be Found]
Sooooooooo sorry!!!!! STUNNED!!! I'm just soooooo very, very, very sorry. Such a brutal unforgiving disease that does what it wants, when it wants and there is basically nothing we can do about it. I'm just so very sorry. Tears yet again, over and over. I'm so sorry.
Oscah is, I deed a BEAUTIFUL VOY who has been loved every second of his earth life a d NOTHING can change that EVER!!!
I just said there is nothing we can do, but that's not true. YOU DID DO SOMETHING!! You gave Oscah the best extended quality time for more loving and spoiling that a dog could have!!
You gave Oscah the chance to live moment to moment pain free and to be Oscah again. And remember, Oscah never cared about days on a calendar. For Oscah, each moment with you was eternal bliss!
EVERYTHING you have done for Cabo has always been out of love for him...and tomorrow will be no different. The fact that you got an additional few days after draining the fluid was quite remarkable, as it can often come back in a matter of hours.
I knkw there are no words right now. Our hearts break with yours. But right now Oscah is still by your side. Right now we will do everything in our power to remind you to continue to stay in the present with Oscah. Make every mome t more celebratory than the moment bedore. Junk food, ice cream, even a couple of M&Ms, tummy rubs, ear scratches, steak, cupcakes, etc
We are here every step lf the way, okay? We are sending love and strength and peace.
With love
Sally and Alumni 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!
Hi Debs,
I'm so sorry to hear about Oscah. I know you treasured the extra time, although it is never enough. We're wishing you peace and comfort as you help Oscah run free and leave his pain behind.
If you have pictures of him, we'd love to see your sweet boy.
Tracy & Zatoichi
Tracy & Warrior Angel Zatoichi 💓
Zato was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in October 2016. He triumphed through radiation and amputation with dignity and grace. After living a life of love and happiness, Zato earned his angel wings on February 19, 2018. Read his story here.
Today we said goodbye to our beautiful boy, Oscah.
A big softie who's been with our family through everything. Despite being off his food he enjoyed his hand fed dinner of steak, sausages and cheese (He always could tell when you got the cheese out of the fridge) and lots of cuddles from all the family.
I will share some photos later of our best buddy, our awesome mountain running partner and our all together beautiful boy
Today we celebrate our time we had with him
1 Guest(s)
