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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Hi
Of course you can feature her, she deserves a bit of limelight. We now live in Italy with another street cat I adopted from Istanbul as well. Her name is Pirate and she has one eye. When we moved to Italy Three Paw sat on the plane next to me and purred for the entire trip. Nothing fazes her I think.
I am trying to work out how to attach some pictures but I am clearly not a genius in these things 🙂
Oh yay! Thank you, she has quite a story. I'm jealous of where you all live! And we'd love more pics, I'm glad you figured it out. As for videos, the best way to share is to upload to YouTube and then copy/paste the video URL into the forums. It's a great way to show the world how terrific Three Paw (and Pirate!) is too!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello
I have some distressing news. When Three paw was amputated they only did a partial. I wasn't sure if it was the right thing because I had heard partials aren't often successful with cats..Well of course she developed a pressure sore. It wasn't serious yet but getting bigger so the vets advised full amputation. She had the surgery yesterday and  is now in the hospital recovering. When i saw her after the operation she was already eating and drinking. This morning when i saw her she purred and nuzzled my hand. I wasn't prepared for the scar though and I am terrified about bringing her home. i have bought a soft cage for dogs that zips up for her to recover in. It looks more like a cave. I am so scared she is going to try and run about and fall and tear her stitches.
Actually I am just scared in general. I feel traumatised for her. She just went through a surgery and now another one. I feel at this moment like I did the wrong thing but i have to give her time, right. She has such a fire in her soul To have out her to sleep would have felt wrong.
feeling confused and afraid and sad
Sorry to hear this! Three paw is eating and drinking & purring at the vets!?!?!!
That is AMAZING! Three paw is going to be better off without the partial causing problems for her!! I know it is scary thinking about bringing her home!Â
I was terrified to bring Purrkins home too! Three Paw already has been getting around with her 2 legs! She is Amazing! You are amazing for giving her a life!! You are stronger then you think!!
 Good job on the soft cage/cave!! You already are prepared for her not to be running around and falling!! She will not fall and rip her stitches out! Make sure she is coming home with meds & you know how to give them! You probably already do know!;)
Ok you did not do the wrong thing!! You just showed us how she was getting around with 2 paws!! She already has been adjusting! This surgery really isn't all that different then the first one(partial) Three Paw Melek! Will be ok!! She has fire in her soul, she has the will to live and your giving her that life!!Â
Your not confused you are getting prepared for Three paw to come home! There was no choice, the leg was already gone, they just took the remainder! Â You already made the hard decision the first time!! Don't second guess yourself now! Trust you instinct and listen to your gut!!
I know your scared but I do believe you both are going to get thru this!! She should be on meds which should slow her down, you have the cage where is she going to go? She isn't going anyway fast in the cage!! She probably isn't going anywhere fast without the cage! Â (probably;) I would put some blankets or towels inside for her!!Â
Take a deep breathe !! Believe in yourself!! I know your believe in Three Paw!! We believe in you both!! You will get thru this !Â
We are sending you strength for tomorrow !!!
Please update us when you can!Â
Hugs!!!Â
Holly & Purrkins
When something is said as well as Holly just said it, the only thing I can say is DITTO!!! Absolutely ditto!!
So PLEASE read it over and over, okay? Seriously! She's spot on woth everything she said!
I'll just add that we are all here for you and we'll helpnyou get through recovery, okay?
YIU ARE. OT ALONE SO STAY CONNECTED!
Lots and lots of 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!
thank you Holly and Sally and furry co
I cried as I read your mails but I think some of that was relief and gratefulness that despite being alone here I am not alone. I am going to pick her up this afternoon. She will be much happier at home and now I know I have you guys holding our paws from afar I am going to do everything I can to help her succeed.Â
My other cat ( pirate) loves the cave so this is a good start. I have put Three Paw's favourite bed in it. There is carpet all around it. When she falls she will feel softness I am determined about this.
thank you again
I will report once she is home
xoxox
Sending you and Threepaw a hug (Pirate too). Â I am a tripawds member for my dog Bella, but have two rescue kitties, Ninja and Ziggy. Â I love my cats and can only imagine how hard it must be when this happens. Â It sounds like your Threepaw is in great hands. Hang in there and let us know how things are going.
You are never alone in this journey!! You have all of us!! Italy time is 6 hours behind me. I will turn my alerts on my phone! You need anything I will hear you OK!! You get freaked out or scared jump on and post! Try to be strong for Three Paw panic or whatever with us!! You are determined and your love for Three Paw will get you & your melek thru this!!!
HUGS!
Holly & Purrkins
THANK YOU EVERYONE.....she is back home now. Just had some dinner and a drink of water. Lounging in her crib inside her cave. The vet tried to send me home with only anti-inflams but I insisted on some strong stuff too just in case. She purred as soon as she got in the cave so i think she was glad to escape the vets.
I feel relieved to have her here. And to have all of you here too.
xoxo
Glad to hear Three Paw is home!! GOOD for you on getting the pain meds!! I do not know what some of these vets are thinking??Â
We are taking off a limb that is going to hurt!! I am sure she is glad to be home!! We are relieved to hear you sounding better too!
You guys are going to do great! Need anything post, keep us posted please!Â
Hugs to you and cuddles to ThreePaw MELEKÂ & Pirate!
Holly & Purrkins
Good for you for being such a great advocate for Three Paw! YES! I'm so proud of you for asking for the stronger medication. That will make her recovery smoother.
We've had a few members here have to return to surgery for a full amputation. The latest thinking in vet medicine is to leave as much stump as possible if there's a chance a prosthesis is in the animal's future. However pressure sores are quite common in those animals with partial amputations. I wish someone would invent a device that could cushion the area so these sores didn't happen and more animals could really have a chance at a prosthesis. I'm sorry you guys had to return to surgery, as if once wasn't enough. Yikes.
How wonderful she is home with you now. There may be some ups and downs and you'll probably worry at times but rest assured, it's only temporary. She'll be back to her old self in no time at all. And you are never ever alone in this as you can see. Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Such a good update! Has me grinning ear to ear! 🙂 🙂 Being home ks your own cave is the best therapy ever!
May still have some rough couple of days...maybe not...."not" would be great!
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 everyone Three Paw says thank you for all her support..she can see her mummy is exhausted so she is glad you are there..she slept in her cave all last night, used her kitty litter tray like a pro and crawled beside me this morning for a cuddle...eating normally..seems happy..bit of purring from the cave.
I have made her a special kitty toilet tray because she needs to lie down to go and i don't want her lying in her own mess. Basically I bought a huge plastic dog sleeping basket and took out the cushions. I line it with a large dog toilet pad and use sellotape to affix it to all the corners. It has a lowered front entrance so she can just run in and go and it is big enough for her to lie and then get up and run out again. She seems very happy with it and never gets dirty. She is a genius.Â
so far so good..the stitches look clean..the main task is getting her NOT to move about too much ..luckily the cave seems to make her happyÂ
it is hard seeing her go through this a second time but of course as always she is teaching me how it is done xo
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