Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

…?  

Frankie's gives out at the elbow (guess it's elbow....kinda up at shoulder).  He is almost a two legged dog with one good back leg (tplo) and one back leg with failed cruciate.  He is curved in his mobility as he leans on the side with the two good (relatively) legs. And yet, high

…of Gabapentin.  The carprofen is basically  an anti-inflammatory  and not much help with major surgery pain by itself.  

My tripawd Frankie had TPLO surgery awhile back and didn't poop until day seven!   Hopefully she wont wait that long.  And maybe by eating more now she'll poop.  

…rush on answering, I'd love to update our Remaining Leg Surgery article with Petra's story at some point.

Spoil that girl rotten, one year AND a TPLO is a remarkable accomplishment! You guys ROCK!

We would loooove to see photos of her! If you're unsure how adding images
works, just send me

…is a little over 13yrs old, amputation in August 2018 due to angry myxsosarcoma in her rear left leg - not a candidate for radiation or chemo. TPLO in both knees a few years prior. 

Today we were lucky enough to get in to see Sophie’s amazing surgeon (he fit us in during his lunch break since

…for amputation surgery, as long as the dog is otherwise healthy and orthopedically in good shape. And even those giant breeds who have undergone a TPLO or other ortho procedure earlier in life can still do well. So don't let her size be the thing you get hung up on. 

Another thing not to focus on

…home.

I'm owned by a front legger  tripawd named Frankie.  He had surgery on  one rear leg and then a year later (or maybe  it was two) he had TPLO surgery  on the other.  Then a year after that he had surgery  to remove "wires", etc from the first surgery that eventually  failed.

And

…there is a tendency for another tear, to occur, it may not ever happen.  Did she have TPLO surgery or the "other" one....the one where use the fishing line type?  How much does she weigh ?

As Jerry said, the Surgeon woild not have…

…tripawd front legger Frankie (adopted him as a tripawd five or six years ago).  He had has the fishing kj e surgery on one rear leg and then the TPLO surgery on the other later.  

Mist want you to know that IF it happens, it's certainly  doable.  Obviously it's  ot easy handling a tripawd …

… during TPLO recovery, but the dogs get through it on regain mobility  just fine!

You are doing everything  right to check into any preventative resources

…blind Rock Star Merry Myrtle and my Tripawd TPLO x 2 Rock Star dressed up as my Cristmas presents because they are the greatest gifts I could have. every moment of every day♥️💖♥️💖

 One of the

…my face with ice cream sis wonders!

When you mentioned  the meniscus, that reminded  me,   and if I recall correctly, that in both of Frankie's TPLOs the meniscus had not been destroyed prior to surgery. In Merry Myrlte's case (my four legger), I did try a conservative  approach at first, then

… I can't  help myself.  You gave me an "excuse" to post a picture of front legger tripawd, with  TPLO surgeries on each back leg (separately).  Here's Frankie treeing a squirrel.

And the other picture is my Blind RockStar Merry Myrtle helping

…m so glad your surgeon helped put your mind at ease. Yes, TPLO recovery is way harder than amputation recovery. In fact we tell new members of prospective Tripawds that if you've been through TPLO recovery, you

…is helping Petra AND helping myself get through this period the best way possible.

This too shall pass and I know from other forums that TPLO recovery can be grueling even for the four-leggers. Thanks for much for y’all’s enduring support here for me and all the other tri-parents!

…another one at eight weeks (I think xrays were suggested at eight weeks).

As you may recall, Frankie had surgery on one rear leg, then another TPLO on the other remaining  leg.  In the meantime the first surgery eventually  failed, so his other TPLO leg, and his one remaining  front leg, are…

…the first.  Guessing it just depends  on to what degree the repairs have to be made based on the extent  of the damage.

Now. my  four legger had TPLO surgery  on one  of her back legs in July.  Obvioisly this is not a comparison to your Petra's situation, but FWIW, her recovery took much longer…

…I'm trying to ,ale is that Petra doesn't  have the "lizury" per se, of holding g that leg up every now and then, or still limping a little as the TPLO surgery settles in.  Petra pretty much "has" to use it to some degree and it makes sense that she's still not using that leg but so much at this…

…once with him, but I could tell with my very untrained eye and things just weren't lining up right for his gait.   So water therapy is not for every TPLO surgery,

Also, IF I recall, .Rehab for the surgery leg itself was more about range of motion type things.  Myrtle's Ortho Surgeon wasn't  too

…. 

I'm sorry you are having these issues with therapists, I would think that in Austin you wouldn't. Weird!

Also, if anyone has experienced TPLO recovery with a tripawd, I’d love to know more about how your recovery went.

Sally can definitely chime in there! Stay tuned.

…are a little over 4 weeks out from the TPLO surgery and Petra is doing well but not walking/using leg much. We’ve gone to PT a few times where she does the underwater treadmill and other…

…try them even though they do not have the credentials.

Would love to hear any thoughts on getting a wheelchair
. Also, if anyone has experienced TPLO recovery with a tripawd, I’d love to know more about how your recovery went. I’m pretty bummed Petra is not walking yet. Thank god for the pandemic

… 

In this video, and of I recall correctly, Frankie already had a crucite repair surgery on one of his remaining back legs and then a year later, a TPLO surgery  on the other

A blind dog and a tripawd enjoying life ro the fullest!

…out of the bedroom he pulled ahead of me.  I’m a little concerned because now he’s a little whinney.  He has never been a whiner even after the two TPLOs and broken femur.  He stops whining as soon as I come over and talk to him so maybe he’s bored??   I tried to give him a frozen bone and he

…you so much!!!!  We’re leaning towards proceeding with the surgery.  Sorry for being unclear - both TPLOs are good - he’s had one on each leg. He had one in 2017 on the left then in Nov, 2019, we went to do the right leg. That surgery went fine but…

…his left femur broke overnight so he had to have surgery on the left femur after getting the right TPLO done. It was a lot to handle.  I actually started sodding my patio to give him a short walk from bed / potty since I live in a condo building -

…cow!!!  WOW!  Jist WOaw!  Two TPLO on the same leg....then the other leg fractured  on the same day as the  second TPLO surgery???   Have to say, do ot recall anyone here with those exact  circumstances!!

This is one of those  "forced choice" situations where…

…the Orthopedic Surgeon believes Kit is a good candidate, that's  helpful to know.  And YAY for good xrays!!

Curious, how long between the first TPLO and the second?  Was there a particular  "reason" that the first one failed?  

I can tell you that, of you've already been through those previous

…it seems that Surgeons always are overly optimistic  about how quickly  at dog will be mobile after an amputation,  and equally  as optimistic  after TPLO surgery, whether it's  the remaining  leg or not!!  As Petra said, that's  not the case!!

Your boy is a "mature" fella and he's not a "light…

…k pwmot is soooo ja4d to be patient,  but this is a hurdle that, with time and patience,  Cooper will work through.

I just had my four legger have TPLO surgery and it  was a couple of weeks before she would stop trying to hold that leg up while walking  or standing  still or getting up.  It was…

….

I would use the pain meds as  long as necessary, over the next several weeks, even if at a reduced amount.  The reason a dog is not using  the TPLO leg is because  it still hurts to do so.  Obviously  this soon after surgery  it's gonna hurt anyway just from the pain of the surgery  itself. Of

…what is best for him no matter what. My gut says he’ll be standing up the day after surgery being “Kip”.  He’s been such a good patient after the TPLO/femur surgery which was a big one.  After about 1-2 weeks, he starts to return to normal.  Just don’t want to push my luck with him

Katie

…pup but we are now at the point we are having to consider amputation. Kip is a 105 pd lab/rottie mix.  About a year ago he went in for his 2nd TPLO on his right hind leg and overnight, he stood up and his OTHER femur (the left) broke - the next day we did an emergency surgery to fix the left…

…back as an osteosarcoma.  I brought him home with essentially two broken hind legs.  We took care of him and he got so strong!  Because of the TPLO on the right, we couldn’t do an immediate amputation so we did the limb sparing efforts with palliative radiation and chemo.  Kip was a champ and

…Cooper beginning to put weight on the leg again, even if just for a few seconds. It’s hard not to compare and worry. Petra is now 3 days out from TPLO on remaining back leg and I was hoping we would be in better shape at this point. She is still not sleeping through the night—it is like having a

… Around which I think was the appropriate thing to do.

I am hoping to connect with anyone who has a large rear leg tripod and just went through tplo surgery to the other rear leg.  We are now in day 10 post surgery and I am getting a bit discouraged as I read about other dogs who are able to

…can wear over the shoulder for added leverage, sounds like the option you mentioned, Sally.

Cooper and family, wow, sounds like a tough start to TPLO recovery. When did Cooper did lose his other back leg? Petra is about 9 months out from her amputation. From everything I've read, the first two

…Oh my gosh.  Is there really someone else out there who has a tripod whose remaining back leg just had tplo surgery.  

Hi Cooper and family. Welcome. I'm in the Tripawds Chat
for a bit if you want to talk or have a tour of the community (You can

…my gosh.  Is there really someone else out there who has a tripod whose remaining back leg just had tplo surgery.  I'm a new member and trying to figure out this new wonderful tripawds so please bear with me. Our 93 lb Cooper just had the surgery 8

…at first.    Yes, you have a challenge on your hands, that's for sure.  But you and Petra are a strong team and you WILL get pass this!  The TPLO's are strong and hold well.  The recovery  time requires a lot of patience, especially in Petra's case!

Now, try and get some rest!  This has

…holding. 

The first one was what they call a "fishing  line" surgery.  When the second surgery was needed for the other leg, I was able to do the TPLO surfery which, in my unprofessional opinion is a vetter, stronger option.  Frankie did seem to recover faster with the TPLO

If I recall, he was…

…be as good as new!   If she is tolerant of the sling or a harness at first, , that's  going to be a big help.  

Let us know how we can help.  TPLO is the best route and will get your sweet Petra good results!!

Extra hugs!!!

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too

…
Anyway, we had consult with bd certified ortho this morning and got confirmation that she has a complete CCL tear and meniscus tear, so we are doing TPLO tomorrow morning. Doc said she will likely be able to bear more weight on the leg immediately after surgery than she is able to currently (I’m