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.
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!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
It is possible, it also may not be as bad as you think. I honestly cannot say BUT I would totally make sure that they trim that cone to a length that she can get to her food. I am sure they will, but once in a while you see them so long that it makes it really difficult to function.
Breathe.. in and out. It is going to be a bit of a roller coaster ride for the next couple of weeks, but you are prepared. You have asked questions, prepared, and soon this will be over.
I am kinda glad they are compounding the meds. The GABA tastes like 
The liquid should be much easier to give with a syringe. Have you given oral meds before?
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
I just sent an email to the care coordinator asking her to clarify this discrepancy
because everyone eon here seems to have not let their little one sit in that hard cone for 2 weeks.
And also Dr. Kennedy had written I could even transfer over to a t-shirt! Which I think is worse than the soft cone in terms of protection from biting licking etc.
Thanks! Yes I give her methimozole and gabapentin now already in liquid form !
Ok the care coordinator now wrote this:
Sure! You can try using a onesie/suitical so this can cover the incision site if Pittens is very upset about the ecollar. As long as the area is not easily accessible, that should be okay.
.....
What the heck
I suppose Ill let them do what they will for that first night. and Ill assess when I get her back..... Im feeling the soft collar is the best and then after a week go to the t shirt-
what do you think
We have seen the onsie work, the soft collar work, the hard collar work, and one of my favorites needed the hard collar AND the soft collar...
They are all different. That's what I meant, lol. You are already prepared. Take it as it comes and take the appropriate measures for her needs.
Extra hugs
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
What it boils down to is what works best for you and Pittens. Any scenarios mentioned by the professionals, either , collective or individually are fine. WHATEVER WORKS and keeps Pittens as distressed as possible!! I have NO doubt uou will be watching her like a hawk so, as already suggested, there will be times you can take off the cone (and or tee ahirt)while under your strict supervision.
Recov is a time that calls for flexibility and adjustments. The best laid plans can be thrown oit the window sometimes, depending on the individual.
You are more prepared than anyone could ever be!! Good job!! You have processed all the options leading up to this decision and for recovery afterwards. I don't think anyone could do a more thorough job! 👏👏👏
You've chronicled all your thought processes on thos difficult decision. You have weighed pros and cons and have gotten advice from professionals, The thought you have given to this is always with what's best for Pittens. You've looked k to the illusive crystal ball as best we humans can. Now it's up to Pittens
There isn't anything that could come up that a Vet couldnt help with or any of the great tripawd kitty mem here. couldnt figure out.
It's time to gorge on chocolate and junk food! They calm the nerves beautifully!
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!
Oh yes, strict doctors orders! Tater chips, chocolate, ice cream, and wine if you drink it🤣🤣🤣😺😹
The only thing good i have seen with this godforsaken virus is that a lot of places deliver now too!!!
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Thank you but this warrior is feeling a bit weary and beat up right now🥴🥴
Trying to persevere💖
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
My front leg amputee Mona did not wear a cone or clothes. The vet took her to his house on the first night of the amputation and when I picked her up the next morning I asked where the cone was and he said she didn't need it. Based on his observation for over 24 hours it turns out he was right.
Here's what her incision looked like after 24 hours:
She didn't bother with the incision but when she started cleaning herself I would wipe down the area with a damp facecloth and she'd ignore the area. The cutest thing is that she immediately started cleaning her face with a rear leg paw! They are so smart.
I agree with Jackie that a bathmat is the best bed because they need some firmness to be able to get up. Mona's recovery space was under a shelf in a bedroom closet - it was cozy like a den and I could easily slide her out on the mat.
YES!! Kerren, I thought of Mona but could not remember if she was the magical kitty that recovered without a cone! Huck did too.. however we made.. um.. 2 visits I believe for re-stapling. But I still have all my digits
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Hi Sumi! To answer your question, there are a few oncology/surgical care coordinators at AMC who help everyone. It seems that you were already in communication with someone, so hopefully you are set. If it is Eve Taylor, she is phenomenally responsive. It seems like Pittens will have internal stitches, just like Griffin did, because you have to send a photo of the incision after 2 weeks instead of returning to AMC for the removal of stitches. I'm not sure if having internal versus external stitches was the reason, but Griffin never bothered his incision. He was discharged from AMC in a hard cone (which I promptly removed) and an AMC shirt (super cute!), but no covering over the actual incision. I used human neck gators as a type of body sleeve for a few days when we went outside, but after a few days, I didn't use anything at all. You know Pittens best, so if a onesie or soft collar will work for her, follow your instincts. Sending you hugs! Stacy
Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com
4 Guest(s)
