Join the forum discussion on this topic!Wondering what to expect with your new amputee pet? Jerry’s got you covered with his best tips for three-legged dogs and cats. Tripawds Required Reading List shares Tripawds’ best advice since 2006.
These links answer many of the most commonly asked questions about:
- amputation information for dogs and cats
- pet cancer treatment options and care
- how to keep your Tripawd strong and fit from puppy days to the senior years.
Get Jerry’s Best Tips for Three-Legged Dogs and Cats
We began as a dog-centric community, but each day we are adding more information to help cats facing limb amputation. Thanks for your patience as we add more tips for amputee cats too.
These articles are just a small sampling of our best posts from the Tripawds Featured Blogs. You will find much more help in the Tripawds Community Discussion Forums.
Confused about getting around the community? Check out “The Tripawds Start Page” for instructions.
Overwhelmed? Want to talk?
Call the Tripawd Pals Helpline!
Jerry’s Required Reading List
From the Tripawds News Blog
Amputation Surgery Help for Dogs and Cats
Read Before Amputation
Frequently Asked Questions: Learn About Tripawd Dogs and Cats
Top Ten Questions: Amputation And Coping with Bone Cancer
(Read Related Forum Discussion)
Pre-Amputation: Why Your Pet Should See an AAHA Accredited Vet
Pre-Amputation: Pet Amputation Recovery and Care Tips from Vets at #WVC2017
Pre-Amputation: Why Amputate a Dog’s Leg?
Pre-Amputation: Ten Things To Know About Tripawd Cats
Pre-Amputation: The Tripawds Recovery Shopping List
Pre-Amputation: Make a New DIY Tripawd Dog Sling
Pre-Amputation: Choosing a Vet for Amputation Surgery
Pre-Amputation: Considerations When Price Shopping for Vet Care
Pre-Amputation: Surgery and Recovery Tips from Dr. Wiltzius
Pre-Amputation: Partial vs. Full Leg Amputation
Pre-Amputation: Amputation Not an Option?: Consider Bisphosphonates
Pre-Amputation: What to Expect on Amputation Surgery Day for Your Dog or Cat
Pre-Amputation: Pain Signs in Cats and Dogs: Learn the Symptoms
Pre-Amputation: Our Best Pain Management Tips
Read After Amputation
Post-Amputation: What to Expect When You Pick Up Your Tripawd from the Clinic
Post-Amputation: Four Things to Remember About Amputation Recovery for Cats and Dogs
Post-Amputation: How To Help Your Tripawd’s Post-Amputation Recovery Pain
Post-Amputation: Prevent and Manage Pain in Dogs and Cats
Post-Amputation: All About Gabapentin for Cats and Dogs
Post-Amputation: Tips for Three-legged Cats During and After Amputation Recovery
Post-Amputation: Litterbox Tips for Tripawd Cats
Post-Amputation: Amputation Recovery Tips for Multi-Cat Homes
Post-Amputation: Side Effects After Amputation
Post-Amputation: Suture Reactions at Amputation Site
Post-Amputation: Fluid Build-Up and Seromas
Post-Amputation: Heat and Ice Therapy Tips for Tripawd Cats and Dogs
Post-Amputation: Post-Surgery Incision Care for Dogs (good for cats too!)
Post-Amputation: Post-Surgery Pain in Tripawd Cats and Dogs
Post-Amputation: Best Pain Relief Tips for Tripawd Cats & Dogs
Post-Amputation: What to Expect: Amputation Recovery Time for Tripawds
Tips for Amputee Pets with Cancer
Diagnosis: MRIs versus CT Scans
Diagnosis: X-rays vs. CT Scans
Diagnosis: Why Biopsies Matter
Cancer Care: Oncologist or Family Vet, Which is Better?
Cancer Care: Cat Cancer, Oncology and Radiation Realities
Cancer Care: Tripawd Chemotherapy Options and Alternatives
Cancer Care: Pet Cancer Clinical Trials: What You Need to Know
Cancer Care: Prednisone and Dog Cancer Tips
Cancer Care: Metronomic Chemotherapy FAQs for Tripawds
Cancer Care: Electrochemotherapy for Dog and Cat Cancer
Cancer Care: Immunotherapy (Cancer Vaccine for Dogs)
Cancer Care: Inhalation Chemotherapy
Cancer Care: Intralesional Chemotherapy
Cancer Care: Lung Metastasis Help
Cancer Care: How to Prepare for Pet Loss Before It Happens
General Tripawd Health Tips
Post-Amputation: Tripawd Health Tips to Avoid Injury to Remaining Legs
Post-Amputation: 10 Things to Know About Adopting a Three-Legged Dog or Cat
Mobility and Fitness Tips for Three-Legged Tripawd Dogs and Cats (including prosthetic tips too!)
Devices: FAQs About Artificial Limbs for Pets with Dr. Denis Marcelin-Little
Devices: Prosthetics for Amputee Pets
Devices: Wheelchairs for Tripawds, When and How They Can Help?
Fitness: Try These Simple Starter Exercises for Tripawds
Fitness: Front Leg Tripawd Cat Tips and Tricks
Fitness: Orthopedic Health Tips from Colorado State University
Fitness: Rehabilitation Therapy for Amputee Pets
Fitness: How To Prevent Common Injuries in Tripawds
Fitness: How to Help Aging Tripawds Live Better
Rehab Therapy: Texas A&M Vet Rehab Tips for Tripawd Dogs
Rehab Therapy: Chiropractic Care Basics
Rehab Therapy: Easy Massage Tips for Phantom Leg Pain in Tripawd Dogs and Cats
Rehab Therapy: Massage Tips for Happy Pets
Rehab Therapy: All About Acupuncture
Tripawd Dog Parents; check out the Tripawds e-books
for fast answers to most common questions.
From the Tripawds Gear Blog
Best Gear for Amputee Dogs and Cats
Harness: What’s the Best Harness for a Three-Legged Dog?
Harnesses: The Best Harness for Three-Legged Cats is Here!
Strollers: Take Your Tripawd Everywhere in a Pet Stroller
Beds: Best Beds for Tripawd Dogs and Cats
Boots and Shoes: Dog Boots Protect Paws and Provide Traction
Raised Bowls: How to Measure Raised Pet Food Bowls, and Why
Crates and Confinement: Best Pet Gates, Pens & Crates for Safe Amputation Recovery
Interactive Games: How to Keep Recovering Amputee Pets Busy
More Mobility and Fitness Tips for Three-Legged Dogs and Cats
Pain Management: Pain Relief Gear for Dogs and Cats
Fitness: Swimming and Three Legged Pets
Fitness: Ramps and Furniture Steps for Dogs and Cats
Fitness: Strengthening and Fitness Tips
From the Tripawds Nutrition Blog
Cancer Care for Dogs and Cats
Cancer Care: Mushroom Therapy information
Cancer Care: Diets and Nutrition Tips for Pets with Cancer
Cancer Care: Jerry’s Canine Cancer Diet & Supplements
Cancer Care: Pill Taking Treats, Strategies and Secret Recipes
Cancer Care: Tips to Boost Appetite
Cancer Care: How to Stop Diarrhea
Cancer Care: Coping with Lung Metastasis Coughing
Cancer Care: Artemisinin Information for Cat and Dog Cancer
Cancer Care: Vaccinations After a Dog or Cat Cancer Diagnosis
Nutrition and Recovery Tips for Amputee Pets
Weight Loss: How to Help Your Cat or Dog Lose Weight
Recovery Diet: Get Your Tripawd Eating After Amputation Surgery
Home Cooking: Recipes and Tips
Cat Diet: The Basics of Cat Nutrition
Joint Support: Everything About Joint Support for Dogs and Cats
Medication, Parasite Control and More
Cannabis: All articles featuring medical cannabis / CBD for pets
Medication: Before You Buy Pet Meds, Read These Tips
Medication: How to Choose Quality Supplements Versus Rip Offs
Parasites: Controlling fleas, ticks, heartworm and other bugs.
From the Tripawds Downloads Blog
Pre-Amputation: How to Find Emergency Financial Help for Vet Bills
Pre-Amputation: Is Your Vet Following the Latest Pain Management Guidelines?
Pre-Amputation: MRSA Prevention in Canine Amputee Patients
Pre-Amputation: Learn About Post-Amputation Bleeding in Greyhounds
Pre-Amputation: Dr. Nancy Kay Explains How to Advocate for Your Tripawd
Pre-Amputation: How To Make Pet Healthcare Decisions With Your Vet
Amputee Pets Cancer Care
Cancer Care: Questions to Ask Your Veterinary Oncologist
Cancer Care: How to Give a Dog Pills
Cancer Care: How to Be More Dog (Learning to Cope with a Diagnosis)
Cancer Care: Dr. Dressler’s Dog Cancer Survival Guide Kit
Fitness and Rehab
Fitness: DIY Core Strengthening Exercises for Cats
Fitness: Easy DIY Rehab for Tripawd Dogs
Fitness: Rehab and Fitness Tips for Tripawd Cats and Dogs, a 3-Part Series
Fitness: Build Your Own Wobble Board
Fitness: Gentle, Safe Stretches for Your Tripawd
Fitness: Fun DIY Games to Keep Your Tripawd Injury Free
Fitness: The Importance of Canine Rehab and Exercise
Download the Tripawds fitness e-book, featuring tons of helpful tips for three-legged dogs!
From the Tripawds Amazon Blog
Before Amputation
Pre-Amputation: Help Your Tripawd Recover From Surgery
Pre-Amputation: ‘Without Regret’ Book Prepares You for Amputation
After Amputation
Post-Amputation: Interactive Games for Recovering Tripawd Dogs
Post-Amputation: Calm Music for Recovering Tripawd Dogs and Cats
Post-Amputation: Cone of Shame Alternatives
Post-Amputation: Abscess Wound Care
Cancer Tips for Amputee Pets
Cancer Care: Help Your Dog Fight Cancer Advice Book
Cancer Care: Facts About Dr. Dressler’s Apocaps
Cancer Care: Mushroom Therapy Tips to Fight Dog and Cat Cancer
Cancer Care: Real Stories and Practical Approaches to Dealing with Dog Cancer
Diet and Lifestyle Tips
Dog and Cat Diet: Resources, Tips and Recipes for Healthy Dog and Cat Diets
Tripawd Living: Guardians of Being Teaches You to Think More Dog
Tripawd Living: Strollers Help Animal Amputees Get Around
Tripawds Lifestyle: Natural Flea and Tick Sprays We Love
Tripawds Lifestyle: How to Be Good to Your Good Old Dog
Hospice: So Easy To Loves Helps You Cope with Grief
Hospice: Help for Coping with Anticipatory Grief
The Tripawds Community Story
Jerry’s Story: How Tripawds Came To Be
Tripawds on TV: Watch Jerry in the PBS Documentary: NATURE “Why We Love Cats And Dogs”
Spirit Jerry: How We Coped with the Grief, and our Search for Jerry’s Acres
Spirit Jerry: Video Tribute to a Canine Cancer Hero
Tripawds Leg-a-Cy: Meet New Tripawds Spokespup Wyatt Ray Dawg
Coping With Loss
Tripawd Forums: Hospice Guide and Grief Support Resources
Tripawds News: Penny Jars Measure a Dog’s Quality of Life
Tripawds News: How to Prepare for Pet Loss Before it Happens
Tripawd Forums: Question Yourself to Prepare for Pet Loss
Spirit Jerry: How We Knew His Time Had Come
Emotional Health: Fear, Guilt and Anticipatory Grief
Emotional Health: Free Counseling from the Argus Institute
Emotional Health: Acknowledge There Is Nothing Left To Lose
Emotional Health: Understand The Truth and Welcome Reality
Fun Stuff
Tripawd Gifts: Show Your Tripawd Pride with Three Legged Dog and Cat T-Shirts, Mugs & More!
Tripawd Gifts: Pay Tribute with Custom People & Pet Memorial Jewelry
Tripawd Heroes: Inspawrational Canine Amputees Loving Life on Three Legs
KillBarney Blog: What is the KillBarney Tour?
My son’s Huskie had one tripod puppy … and he wants to give him up for adoption, could you tell us if you could help with this process?
Hi Marco. Try getting in touch with your nearest Husky rescue organization to see if they can help. Unfortunately we do not rescue dogs ourselves. You may also want to consider posting in our Tripawds Rescue Forum to let people know the puppy is up for adoption.
My 7 year old Great Pyrenees “Sumo” lost his left rear leg to bone cancer 2 1/2 weeks ago. He seems happy and back to his normal self for the most part. My concern is that he still isn’t getting up and around on his own..we still have to “sling” him with blankets to get him outside to pee and poo (which he does laying down). I have seen him hop across the yard a little but he wont stand to get outside. Any tips on how to get him more motivated??
Great question Dawn! Sounds like it’s time to start working on helping Sumo rebuild his strength. You will find plenty of tips for the amount and type of exercise required to keep Tripawds strong in Loving Life On Three Legs. Or, you can search the blogs and forums for many helpful articles and videos.
Above all, we strongly recommend consulting with a certified canine rehab tech (CCRP or CCRT). And, the Tripawds Foundation currently has launched the Vet Rehab Reimbursement Program which is providing a limited number of free consultations.
Post in the forums for MUCH more feedback from members!
This is a wonderful way to help our three-legged furry friends. They need all the support they can get!
I’d like to say a big thanks for this site. We have just recently found out Zeus has bone cancer. When our vet told us what the diagnosis was & what to expect were all devastated & just didn’t know what to do or think. Zeus is scheduled to have his leg amputate this week. We know we have a way to go but we are certain he will be back to his old self soon & best of all the pain will be gone. I’m off to the pet store now to buy him a new bed & find some none stick shoes.
Thanks for the comment! Best wishes for Zeus’ speedy recovery. Be sure to post in the forums for lots of advice from others.
Thankyou for this website.
It was a very helpful resource for me when my dog was diagnosed with bone cancer. Unfortunately I one had 1 month with her after her amputation. However, we had wonderful life together and I did everything I could to make sure she was pain free.
Jerry is/was so inspirational……
Thank you for the kind words Tiffany. And bless you for giving your pup the best month ever. May she run free of pain and rest in peace at the Rainbow Bridge with Jerry and all our Tripawd Heroes.
I am new to this website because I am preparing to adopt a dog named Bob, who lost his leg in a farming accident in Chicago. I live in San Jose, CA and my friend in Chicago has rescued this precious dog, but she already has 5 dogs of her own. I have always been a dog person having 2 babies who passed away after a short life of 12 and 13 years. I now have 2 cats, which has been new to me and I still miss having a dog in my life. I plan a semi early retirement this year and I was thinking I would like to make Bob a home with me here and my cats. Do you think this would be too much for a dog who lost his leg only a few months ago? Or should I just take a leap of faith and do it? I think after reading your website and reading the ebook “Three Legs & a Spare” I really want to try. I just don’t want the dog to suffer any unnecessary pain in the travel to get out here and adjusting to a life shared with 2 cats.
Thanks or any advice.
Thanks for asking and bless you for wanting to adopt Bob. If he has recovered and is fit and healthy, the fact that he is missing a leg should not be a consideration about him fitting into your existing pack. Find out if he is good with cats, then figure out how he will get to you. In my own personal opinion, I would never “ship” a dog on a plane. Instead, consider a road trip! Please post in the discussion forums for more advice from others.