Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Cheeto had his front leg amputated a week ago yesterday. He is doing amazingly well. I am keeping him crated and leash walking. He wanted to chase birds on his walk today. I feel so bad for him. He is limping a little on his other front leg. I have a small fenced in backyard for potty time. Think it might be safe to let him have a little free roam for a few minute? We are transporting a cute little cocker spaniel Saturday from Savannah to Macon. He is a rescue. We are going to let Cheeto ride with to get him out of the house. Any input is appreciated.
Glad to hear Cheeto is doing well!
I think there are two schools of thoughts about activity...some think that they need to be resting and others believe that muscles get weak if they don't have activity. I think I'll let others tell you since my experience wasn't an amputation. I did bone surgeries that required no acitivity.
Here's hoping Cheeto continues to do well!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
after the first week, gayle was getting about pretty well, and we didn't restrict her too much. i was always 'there' when she went down the ramp into the yard or when she wanted to get up on the sofa. i'd say it's probably best to get the sutures/staples out before you let cheeto go too rouge, but sounds like the little back yard or free range in your house might be ok, under supervision. that being said, watch the remaining front leg, as it took several months for gayle's to get really muscular, and to find it's 'center' in her stance. you might try some massage or ice when it seems tired or sore. hope this helps.
charon & spirit gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Great advice . Thank you both.I was wondering about the leg not getting any exercise. I know I get stiff when I dont move around and he is definitely limpy. First few days he was not so it has gotten sore since then. I think we will stick with our routine tomorrow, do the car ride saturday, and Sunday try to let him potty out back with me not holding on to him (but nearby) he does stairs well, just does need to find his balance. He still trys to start lifting his leg to tinkle but quickly remembered "oops cant do that! He is such a trooper and inspiration. I think our next bridge is going to be when we try to get back to our routine. I have been spending every spare moment by his big crate, even sleeping on the couch. He cries when I get out of his field of vision. With 7 other dogs, he is going to have to share me again. The little guys I know are feeling neglected. One day at a time! I will just focus on how blessed we are that he is doing so amazingly well and I found this wonderful support forum!
I also didn't keep Abby confined or crated really. She really wanted to be outside, so I just let her go lay out in the yard. It wasn't like she was racing around out there, and our yard's not overly huge, so I felt OK with her just hanging out out there. (But then... we also don't have other dogs, so there were no other distractions around to tempt her to play.) I'd keep Cheeto somewhat restricted - don't go crazy, but give him some room to move around while keeping an eye on his activity.
Wow - 8 dogs! They must keep you busy!
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
I think free roam for a few minutes will perk up his spirits as long as there's no rough play with the other dogs. When his stitches/staples come out I wouldn't worry as much but for now I think a week out is still too soon for most dogs to wrassle around.
The car ride sounds like a great idea though! Have fun!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I let him out without the leash in the back yard. he definitely has not lost any of his spunk and still bounces like Tigger. I even threw the ball about 4 feet because he bought it to me with such hope in his eyes. He was so very happy. No pain pills today! I am taking some tomorrow for the ride just in case. Good day!
That's excellent! Glad to hear! Way to go Cheeto!
The sooner you can get off those pain pills the faster they get back to normal. The pain pills make them goofy! If you feel like there is pain in the future, try ice therapy on the surgical site. It'll numb the the throbbing and pain. (baggie of ice or peas - no more than 10 minutes)
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
WOW - Cheeto's doing so great! Yes the other pups may feel a bit neglected. Such is the life of a MonkeyButt. If you go to the MonkeyButt Federation blog you'll read about many 'fed-up' tripawd sibs. It's a great place for them to vent a bit.
Keep on healing!
Judy and Baby
So happy to hear that Cheeto's progress is so great! I think it's good that you are making sure that he doesn't get too wild. Especially since he still has his staples. I think it is good too to allow Cheeto short free roam periods throughout the day to build up his muscles ad his stamina. I know he is going to really enjoy that car ride today. I think they really get tired of being cooped up in the house. Valentina would want to just lay in the grass for as long as I would let her and I had a hard time getting her back inside. Sometimes she would even just stand there looking into the distance for a very long time and I couldn't get her to budge. She loved outside. I am kind of sad that she is not here to enjoy the wonderful weather that we are having here this weekend. Over the winter when it was cold we didn't stay outside for as long as I think she wanted to and I was looking forward to spring so we could spend more time outside. But at least we had last summer and the times we had are priceless. Cheeto has a long and wonderful life to look forward to with you and your houseful of animals!! Enjoy each other to the fullest!! I know you will!!
I will definitely check out the monkeybutt blog (love the name). He so enjoyed the outing yesterday. Cant figure out how to put the picture of him with a big ole smile on his face here so will put it on his blog.
Thanks for the tip about the ice. I did give him a pill haveway through the trip as we were in the car 11 hours and wanted him to be comfortable. He had a blast and helped to save a handsome cocker spaniel named Denzel . We pulled him from animal control in Savannah GA and took him to a cocker rescue.
ANgel is your profile pic Valentina? The love of my life was a black great dane named Amon who lived just past his 10th birthday. They are the best!
You guys are all great and the support I get here is awesome. We are not leash walking to potty anymore. He is allowed to walk on his own to the back door, down 7 steps and move around the small fenced yard. I try to thow the ball a short distance once or twice to see him smile 🙂 Stitches out tuesday and hoping I can move back upstairs to my bed! He is staying crated in between outside trips as he is just too crazy and full of energy. He is going to have to go on a diet when this is all over as I use treats to get him back in the crate(who has who trained here lol)
cheetosmommy said
I will definitely check out the monkeybutt blog (love the name). He so enjoyed the outing yesterday. Cant figure out how to put the picture of him with a big ole smile on his face here so will put it on his blog.
Wooo hooo! So glad you went out on an adventure yesterday. Thank you for saving that pup! Is Cheeto showing any signs of tiredness today?
As for adding photos in the Forums, it's super easy especially since you already have a blog. Here's how:
Oh, about using treats for training... Remember, you can always use regular ol' kibble as a bribe instead of treats. For a food motivated dog like him, the kibble is just as tempting. Just remember to cut back his meal portions based on what you fed him that day during training.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yes that is Valentina on my profile pic. She was definitely the best Dog I have ever known!! I am so thankful to have had the experience of having her in my life.
So happy for you and Cheeto!! He is doing so wonderful. Bless you for the many animals that you help. I currently just got approved to be a foster Mom for Great Danes and I am awaiting my first foster Dane. There are 2 that may fit into my household ad the coordinator will be getting back to me soon. I can't wait. Great Danes make me so happy!! And helping them will be a great experience.
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