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 did a blog post on how I made Purrkins onesie/T-shirts for recovery. Purrkins is a front leg amputee.
What size to buy and how I made his;)
Interested here is the link Diy Baby Onesie/T-shirts
Hope this helps any of our future Tri-kitties & pawparents😽
Questions post on the blog or this forum or Private message me - happy to help .
Holly & Purrkins
Thanks for putting the info here! It will definitely help others.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
What an excellent idea.
My cat is scheduled for amputation on Monday. I'm curious if anyone has successfully adapted this idea for a rear leg amputation. My instincts tell that's probably not possible due to the proximity of the wound to the business end of the kitty.
Hi Raven
Welcome I’m sorry you had to join us but glad you found us!
Here is a post on recovery suits Easy DIY Pet Surgery Recovery Suit Ideas for Cats and Dogs
Easy DIY Pet Surgery Recovery Suit Ideas for Cats and Dogs
One of our members with rear leg kitty Tia used a Pet Good recovery suit that may be a option. You don’t have too much time to get it? They have some recovery suits on Amazon too you will see in the above post.
( I copied this from her blog!) http://tiatheca.....ipawds.com
"Today her larger sized suit arrived from Vetgood. The medium was so tight on her torso it was making her “freeze and flop”. The large size fits better in the torso, but the bottoms were too big. So, I am using the smaller size bottoms and the large top. She no longer freezes and flops over and seems to be mobile in this new configuration. She is happy to have the cone off, I think.
https://vetgood.....-and-cats/
In her comments section a member asked her what she thought about it"
azrael
It worked OK. She tended to get it dirty when using the litter box, so it was rotated with the cone for washings fairly frequently. It did keep her away from the stitches and she seemed more comfortable vs the cone.
If one was a little more crafty than me, you might be able to sew up the extra fabric where the missing leg is, which might help keep it cleaner when using the box.
http://tiatheca.....om/page/2/
I did ask the surgeon if the onesie would be ok and he approved ! Run by any idea by the surgeon. I do hope you can do without a cone , We have had mixed results with types of cones working & not working.
This one worked recently for Rusty a rear leg kitty
All Four Paws, The Comfy Cone Pet Recovery Collar
Rusty’s Mom comments - “We have it attached with a normal cat collar (actually the breakaway style cat collar) As well as gauze tied around like a ribbon. The way that it closes is with Velcro so that was added security as well. “
Another rear leg member Dawna Mom to Tuxedo her comments on on cones "Tuxedo managed to get out of all the various cone collar types except the rigid plastic one, that had to be both fastened skin tight to his neck and secured to his collar”
Hopefully one of our rear leg kitty members will chime in and be of more help!
I can only speak for front leg amp and what worked.
I couldn’t see how it could work for a rear leg kitty , we had one member try it and I guess she got out of the onesie & had to use the cone. I didn't have that problem. I don't know that it would cover enough but do not know? http://jillsjou.....weet-home/
Let us know what you decide upon & if you have any further questions now or in the future.
Hugs !
Holly & Purrkins
Hi. Rusty' Mom here.
I almost renamed the little boy Houdini! Within the first 24 hours of being home, he has removed the plastic cone...twice. You can just see the pride too if you look at my profile picture! I didn't want to risk him going after the stitches so I asked around here as well as looking online. The cone I found on Amazon slotNum=0&_encoding=UTF8&ie=UTF8&imprToken=fGL.wlt6ZESVKgsCPmAOqQ&linkCode=sl1&linkId=30f6ee79986892770cccd96f95497ee9&slotNum=0&tag=tripawds-20">The Comfy Cone worked best for us. We used both a collar and gauze.
It has now been in place for two weeks! We don't take it off for any reason because once it is off, it will not go back on.
i am still a newbie in the tripawd world (amputation was 9/14 and stitches were just removed) but if there is anything I can share from my experience, please let me know.
this forum has been a godsend for me.
Gina
Rusty "The Bunnyman" adopted us in 2014. Aug/Sept 2017, back left leg amputated (HSA cancer). He remained cancer free over 900 days. Cancer returned as of emergency visit on day 931. 15 days later, he gained his wings 04/18/2020 due to congestive heart failure. He will always watch over his fellow tripawds and their hoomins with Head Scritches and Sand Paper Kisses.
Boy, what a great resource this site is. Just found out Raven required amputation last Tuesday, and the big day is tomorrow. Of course, we're going through all of the mental agony experienced by others in this community, but it is has been very helpful to have this site to quickly get up to speed on preparations.
Thanks Holly and Gina for the very helpful posts! I am now an owner of the comfy cone, and a Vetgood recovery suit is on its way via overnight delivery. I asked for post-surgery at-home instructions during my last vet visit so I could be prepared by surgery day. It mentions icing 3-4 times daily, which begs the question--How does one ice a cat!?? I'm quite sure she won't be cooperative. I'm hoping the Vetgood suit is the solution to that problem since it has ice pockets.
Thank you for your time and kindness to respond, Holly & Gina. Very appreciated!
Mark
Hi Mark, Raven is so lucky to have someone who gets prepared. My cat Mona had a days notice for her amputation. She was prepared, I wasn't, and Mona made up the rules.
For icing, you can use one of the squishy ice packs wrapped in a towel or even a damp cold facecloth. Just place it on the surgical site. My cat like both warm and cold facecloth and she laid down on this amputation site on a cold tile floor when she had the opportunity.
I'm sure Raven will be very cooperative because she'll be sleeping from the medication. It will be be fun to see photos of her in the Vetgood suit. It could be even funnier seeing a video of you putting her in the suit!!
Your Raven and my Mona have similar faces. Cuties.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Prayers for you and Raven!
we weren't told to ice the area so I have no words of wisdom to add here!
We did keep him contained to an xxl dog crate (48"x30") for 2 weeks.
Rusty "The Bunnyman" adopted us in 2014. Aug/Sept 2017, back left leg amputated (HSA cancer). He remained cancer free over 900 days. Cancer returned as of emergency visit on day 931. 15 days later, he gained his wings 04/18/2020 due to congestive heart failure. He will always watch over his fellow tripawds and their hoomins with Head Scritches and Sand Paper Kisses.
Alrighty Raven!! You e tire Tripawd family are gonna be cheering for you!! And that's a lot of cheering! 🙂
Although yiu probably will jzve a restless s@eep to ight, Raven will be high as a kite and feeling no pain tomorrow, so try and get some rest at least tomorrow night!
As you can tell from Holly, Kerrenand Gina, you have THE best insight in to what to expect and how to prepare!! So stay connected and let us know how things are going when Raven comes home!
Recovery is no picnic, that's for sure. The support that you get here will help carry you through. Raven will amaze you as the weeks progress! 🙂
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 and welcome Mark and Raven,
I think that Tuxedo might hold the record for being the biggest cone escape artist. I swear he could get out of just about anything. While not the same brand as the one Rusty used, here is a picture of Tuxedo with his flipped over, right after he spat out his meds. This was within minutes of getting home from the vet.
The little devil was so proud of himself too! I mention this because of how easy he could do this. So if using a soft cone of any type, this needs to be watched out for.
As to icing the area, I never did that. But then again, Tuxedo seemed to do just about everything that one is not supposed to also. If there is anything that I can do to help answer questions, please ask. I hope Raven is up and around very soon. Best wishes
- Dawna, Dazzle & Tuxedo
Good luck today, we will be thinking of you.
Jackie and Huckleberry
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
mommatux said
Hi and welcome Mark and Raven,I think that Tuxedo might hold the record for being the biggest cone escape artist. I swear he could get out of just about anything. While not the same brand as the one Rusty used, here is a picture of Tuxedo with his flipped over, right after he spat out his meds. This was within minutes of getting home from the vet.
The little devil was so proud of himself too! I mention this because of how easy he could do this. So if using a soft cone of any type, this needs to be watched out for.
As to icing the area, I never did that. But then again, Tuxedo seemed to do just about everything that one is not supposed to also. If there is anything that I can do to help answer questions, please ask. I hope Raven is up and around very soon. Best wishes
- Dawna, Dazzle & Tuxedo
I do believe Tuxedo is the record holder and that he was trying to telepathically give Rusty hints 
! I do love the PRIDE that is just so obvious when they succeed!
Rusty "The Bunnyman" adopted us in 2014. Aug/Sept 2017, back left leg amputated (HSA cancer). He remained cancer free over 900 days. Cancer returned as of emergency visit on day 931. 15 days later, he gained his wings 04/18/2020 due to congestive heart failure. He will always watch over his fellow tripawds and their hoomins with Head Scritches and Sand Paper Kisses.
Good for you for being a proud owner of both with overnight delivery!!
Raven will be covered either way!
“Of course, we're going through all of the mental agony”
We understand how awful this feels we’ve all been there! What you need to remember is your doing this for Raven not to her! You are choosing Raven over a leg! We do this for our animals not to them! Your new MANTRA!!
As for the icing, the suit has a pocket for a soft pack. That should make it easier, using a soft pack not sure if that comes with the suit or not? You don't have to use the pocket if its too difficult . Ask the surgeon you might be able to put over the suit she will tolerate that better.
The hospital iced Purrkins incision for 3 days ! He was at the hospital 3 nights 4 days. I didn’t have to ice they did. After the ice they gave us warm compress instructions.
Our home instructions were-
Please apply a warm compress to Purrkins incision 2-3 times a day for the next 3-5 days or until seroma resolves.
Heat a moistened clean washcloth in the microwave. Place in a sealed zip block bag & apply to Purrkin incision for 10 minutes at a time.(check the warmth before applying )
Purrkins loved his warm compresses and they didn’t have a problem icing his in the hospital .
Raven should be good and doped up too, you may not have any issue with her allowing it. We will hope so for you both!
I think most importantly make sure your coming home with pain meds and know how to give it, unless they send her home with a pain patch. Is she coming home the same day or staying ?
If your having her recover in a room with a bed make under the bed is inaccessible or she will go under the bed and you wont get her back out! We took our bed off the frame, you can stuff under the bed but really stuff it so there is no way possible to get in.
It’s Normal for cats to want to hide when they come home so provide a cozy den like place . We used a spare room for Purrkins recovery & he chose the closet to recover in.
We are sending pawsitive thoughts and prayers, good juju, for today!
Please ask if you have any questions or concern’s thats what we are all here for. Please update when Raven gets thru her surgery we will be thinking of you guys!
Hugs,
Holly & Purrkins
Hi Mark and Raven! We are sending our best and hoping for a speedy recovery. Keep us posted and be sure to start a new topic all about Raven so we can follow along OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for the well-wishes everyone. Just dropped Raven off at the hospital. They said they needed to keep her for 1-2 days, which I didn't originally anticipate.
jerry said
Keep us posted and be sure to start a new topic all about Raven so we can follow along OK?
That's a good idea, Jerry. Looks like I've unintentionally hijacked the thread topic. I've received so much helpful advice with two simple posts, it makes sense to chronicle her care. I'm certain someone will have something to offer that will improve her recovery.
You folks are very kind. Thanks!
Mark
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