TRIPAWDS: Home to 22969 Members and 2152 Blogs.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG

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.

JUMP TO FORUMS

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!

Please consider registering
Guest
Search
Forum Scope


Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Register Lost password?
sp_Feed sp_PrintTopic sp_TopicIcon-c
Mrs. O'Brien
sp_NewTopic Add Topic
Member Since:
30 October 2019
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
1
30 October 2019 - 8:49 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

hi! New here but stumbled upon site as my kitty is about to be an amputee.. she was diagnosed with a sarcoma in her front right leg joint. At moment vet didn’t see spread- but we are hoping for that to be the case before we go ahead with surgery. My question has probably been asked a million times but she is soooooo much hating the cone she is wearing from biopsy procedure. I know there are alternatives to the dreaded cone for after amputation. Any recommendations???? I want her to be as comfy as possible. Cone is making her miserable and I know she has to wear it again soon... thanks in advance! If I can do anything to make one aspect of this horror better for her then lay it on me!

Livermore, CA




Member Since:
18 October 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
2
30 October 2019 - 11:27 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Hello and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.

I'm sorry you are facing cancer with your girl- is her name Ivy?

There are some alternatives to the cone of shame , but is is really important to keep her away from her incision while she heals.  When my Pug boy had knee surgery I had good luck with the inflatable donut type cone.  Some front amp kitty parents have had good luck with baby onsies.

Stay tunes- I'm sure you will get much more input from our kitty parents!

Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls

Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.

1999 to 2010

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo

Member Since:
3 August 2019
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
3
31 October 2019 - 12:16 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

So sorry you and your little furbaby are going through this.. My Fuzz was diagnosed in August and after a whirlwind of appointments and testing and consultation had a full front right leg/scapulary amputation in late September for what post op biopsy diagnosed as osterosarcoma.  Fuzz's huge mass was in his entire scapula thus resulting in full leg and shoulder being taken.  The hospital here sent me home with a cone, however, did not have him use it while under their 24 hour ICU post op care.  They actually advised to watch if he leaves the incision alone to not use the cone for his own comfort.  Another suggestion to have on hand was a modified infant tshirt or an actual pet/cat tshirt that could be used to cover front half of his body if he begins bothering the incision.  My Fuzz was a trooper after his surgery and proved wrong every fear I had.. he was up, eating, moving around and using the litterbox within hours of his surgery and that continued even bringing him home.  Good pain management and comfort will be key to incision care .  Fuzz came home with a fentynal patch for 5 days, 2 days of an anti-inflammatory pill and gabapentin 3x a day at .5 ml.  They suggested ice pack on incision a couple times a day post op if he was good with that (some cats are some are not and they said not a big deal if not)  but after couple tries he was not keen on that so we did pursue it further.  Fuzz never even looked at his incision and it was pretty large.  He had staples in his and they warned as the healing progressed it could be itchy or staples loosen and then he might try grooming site- nope.. I monitored him closely for many days and his incision healed so quick and never even had any seeping, bleeding, or bruising.   I included a photo I took of his incision site a few days after being home... we are now almost to the 6 week mark past surgery (Friday) and his fur is finally growing back, the incision is beautifully healed and he has adapted to his 3 legged life.. his only issues are some discomfort with spasm/possible phantom pain in the actual shoulder area and he has remained on his gabapentin for this reason- outside of those periodic episodes every so often he is literally running and jumping and climbing around here like he is not missing a limb!  Good luck and a very speedy recovery to your kitty and know that you have found the best site and people possible for any and all things related to tripawds!!!

IMG_9064-e1569757189895.jpg

Fuzz's incision

IMG_9158-e1570976093358.jpg

Fuzz a couple weeks after staple remove earlier this month showing that literally nothing keeping him from his antics!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
4
31 October 2019 - 9:09 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Hi and welcome to you and Mrs Obrien! We are sorry you may be joining us, after all this is the club nopawdy wants to join. But if you do need to, we are here to help.

Have you seen our e-book "Cool Tips for Tripawd Cats "? We have lots of great tips in there about things like the cone of shame . For example, here are some articles we include in the book that talk about cone alternatives:

The Best Soft e-Collar Cone for Dogs and Cats Recovering from Surgery (I'm pretty sure they make this in an xxs for kitties)

VetGood Protective Recovery Suit for Cats

The Suitical Pet Recovery Suit Makes Amputation Healing a Snap!

Easy DIY Pet Surgery Recovery Suit Ideas for Cats and Dogs

Keep us posted on how things are going, we'll be waiting for an update.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
30 October 2019
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
5
31 October 2019 - 11:49 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Yes my little Ivy.. I will DEFINITELY do whatever it takes to keep incision clean and healthy- if it’s the cone so be it!! My vet mentioned the donut I’m wondering if that’s better- I guess since she’s still wearing the cone from biopsy I’ve noticed she really can’t lay down- head flat.. she’s gotta be uncomfortable and bows botthe time for that! Thank you for responding- I will keep updating- we have sono and tests to make sure there was no spread on Saturday so keeping fingers crossed for her!

Member Since:
30 October 2019
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
6
31 October 2019 - 11:53 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Thank you for this! I’m not too sure I’m responding to you guys correctly- still trying to figure the site out.. your kitty is gorgeous and I’m really impressed with recovery! Gives me hope! Fuzz is a trooper for sure. I love the onesie idea- I’m wondering if it would be enough to keep her away.. ugh I’m just so nervous- bad enough the procedure but the thought of complications is terrifying! Thank you for the pics too.. 

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
7
31 October 2019 - 2:06 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

ivylove said
...still trying to figure the site out... 

Check out the tutorial videos for help navigating the Tripawds network and posting in the forums. And, start here for help finding the many other resources.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
30 October 2019
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
8
1 November 2019 - 1:33 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Ivy is going in for a series of tests tomorrow a.m.. hoping cancer hasn’t spread past the joint! 

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
9
1 November 2019 - 1:44 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

We will keep our paws and fingers crossed for good news!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
30 October 2019
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
10
1 November 2019 - 5:20 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

Thank you!!

Member Since:
30 October 2019
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
11
2 November 2019 - 11:42 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Ivy’s tests came back clear! No mets! Now the real serious thinking about what it all means starts.. I’m just so thrilled I can’t think. 

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
12
2 November 2019 - 1:29 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

YEAAAAH! Super hoppy for you guys! Thanks for sharing your good news.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

new hampshire
Member Since:
26 June 2019
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
13
2 November 2019 - 2:36 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

A little late to the party here but wanted to say welcome to you and  beautiful miss Ivy.

🎉🎉🎉Yahhh for clear scans!!!! I know what a weight off your shoulders that can be! 

         Hugs ❤ Bev, nurse Moe cat, Autumn's Angel Roane & Angel dog Gypsy 🐾

My sweet soulmate Roane was diagnosed with osteo in June of 2019. Had a rear leg amp on July 2nd & crossed the rainbow bridge to be with her sister Gypsy on the first day of Autumn Sept 23 2019.

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
14
3 November 2019 - 5:44 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Also late to the pawty, but just in time to say YAY FOR IVY!!! 

 'All clear" is grrrreat news!!!  Go ahead and enjoy being thrilled.....thinking is overrated!!😉

And love the avatar picture of Ivy.  Sweeet😊

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!

Member Since:
30 October 2019
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
15
3 November 2019 - 8:01 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

OMG! How sweet are you guys?!?! Thank you!!!!! I am going to call to schedule a surgery tomorrow-get it set... this site has 100% helped me come to terms with it all... thank you again.. she came home without the cone from the biopsy and she hated the cone- we decided to sit and see if she messed with it - has totally left it alone! Vet actually commented that she was so sweet (I knew that ❤️) and let her take out the stitches without being held in place and was purring.. I know she already feels relief.. 

edited to add I would include a pic but can’t figure out how to on my phone..

Forum Timezone: America/Denver
Most Users Ever Online: 946
Currently Online:
Guest(s) 150
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 1268
Members: 17731
Moderators: 6
Admins: 3
Forum Stats:
Groups: 4
Forums: 24
Topics: 18610
Posts: 256797
Administrators: admin, jerry, Tripawds
Tripawds is brought to you by Tripawds.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG