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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Just wanted to let everyone know that today...three weeks and two days after his surgery...Finn took a LONG, Fun, TAIL WAGGING, FEET FIYING IN THE AIR, big smiling, playful GRASS BATH! and then he played with me for a little while. What a joyful moment!!!
Take heart all of you who are behind me in this journey... it is so painful at first but our baby's do come back to us 
Peggy said
Take heart all of you who are behind me in this journey... it is so painful at first but our baby's do come back to us
Yes they do! And they come back with more personality than they ever possessed prior to the surgery. Welcome back, Finn!
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Awwww....that's so great! Joyful! What a great word to describe the moment. Congratulations to you and Finn on his progress.
So happy for you and Finn. Nothing like a good roll in -- well I'll just say enhanced grass!
Harley is an 8 year old Golden Retriever. Amp surgery for an infiltrative lipoma canceled due to two masses in chest. A rescue, he found his forever home on 3/18/07 and left for his eternal home on 1/09/13. His story and medical history are at http://myharley.....pawds.com/
So happy for you--enjoy!!
Our beautiful Lily was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her front leg on 12/14/11 at age 8 and had amp on 12/16/11. She completed 5 rounds of carbo. She was so brave and kicked cancer's butt daily! She lived life fully for 4 years, 3 months, and 15 days after her amp. My angel is a warrior princess. I miss her so much.
Now THAT is something to smile about! Oh what wonderful news!!!!
It's terrific to "hear" such happiness in your voice!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yay!! What great news! I have been watching Finn's progress. Dylan is right behind you. Yesterday he went down 5 steps to the yard by himself. He's off the meds as of yesterday and we can see the difference! 
Dylansmom
That's great news and does keep me hopeful. Dexter' surgery was a week and a half ago, and we are right in the heart of things being bleak. In addition to the amputation he has a pelvis cracked in three places from the car accident. He's pretty listless and actually has taken to growling at us if we try to touch him or take him for walks. In addition, he shakes and just looks generally defeated. We're hoping our little guy returns to us when the pain subsides. This is one of the most difficult things I've been through, I'm totally strung out. Harder than when my last dog had cancer, and just as hard as a sick family member. I feel really helpless that he's not feeling better and that this happened to him. If anyone had an experience like this, please share because I need more to hold on to.
Hi turtledan,
Dexter has so much going on right now and the pelvic issues are making this recovery so much harder for you. I don't know that this really compares, but Zeus strained his back a week after surgery and it was pretty hard to deal with that on top of the amputation. In fact, we were terrified when he first declined because we thought maybe the cancer had spread somewhere else (thank goodness for the members here calming us and pointing out that cancer doesn't usually spread that fast). Our vet did a full exam and found the back sprain. He would whine/cry (not loud, but pitiful nonetheless) whenever he had to stand or walk or when we picked him up to go out. It was heartbreaking. But, with ramped up pain meds and some down time he improved bit by bit.
Try to keep in mind that you are dealing with a whole issue on top of the amp that other members are not dealing with and try not to compare your recovery too much with the others that *only* had amputation. Dogs are resilient (especially compared to us humans) but you are still early in the recovery. Hang in there!
Lisa
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
Hi Turtledan and Dexter, I have been watching Dexter's progress. I have no experience with the cracked pelvis that is hurting him so much, but just wanted to let you know we are sending good thoughts your way. Hoping things will be better for you every day. I know how heartbroken you must be and this is such a difficult time for you. Just know that we care and again, sending good thoughts your way.
Dylansmom
Turtledan and Dexter... To hear your Story is heartbreaking and makes me wish I had more to offer! I only know our experience and will continue to pass on progress and joyful moments in hope that they can offer some encouragement to help carry you through. I found that I was most overwhelmed when I looked too far into the future. Someone here reminded me to remain hopeful but also in the moment. When I did that I could begin to see Finn's tiny moments of progress... a good nap that looked sound... a good drink of water or a treat eaten with enthusiasm. Our beloved pets have given us love not caring if we were sick or miserable or going through a difficult situation. I guess this is our turn and I have to believe they know that we are doing all we can and that is RIGHT AND GOOD! He knows you are there...caring and loving and that helps him!! The weight is heavy but keep trying to notice the good moments no matter how tiny. They help lighten the load. I'm here for when you need some support. Passing on some good thoughts to you both and hoping that you see some hopeful signs today!!
YAY Dylan!! The individual successes are so sweet! I am happy for you and proud of you Dylan and so happy for your mom because I know with every triumph a weight is lifted from her heart!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!
So glad to hear that Finn is coming back to you. It is a truly glorious experience to see them enjoy life again.
Hang in there Turtledan. Dexter has got a tougher gig than most amputees. Keep loving him. It is early days.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Thank you all so much for the encouragement. Everyone here is so helpful and it really feels good to have this community. I'm so happy all of your dogs are doing better. The message of one day at a time is so important - in every aspect of life, really. So the last 24 hours have had some of the tiny moments of success. He lets us pet him a little more (although he still shows us his teeth sometimes), he gets himself into and out of his carrier And his walks outside are longer, more self-driven and we don't need the sling as much to support him. We gave him some pumpkin today and that helped him do number 2 for the first time in 4 days, which was a huge relief (sorry if that was too much information 
).
He seems to have taken a liking to peeing in his bed, but we're cutting him some slack on that, though we hope he won't get used to it when he starts got feel better.
I'm in the hunt for a good collar and harness for down the road when he's better and taking longer walks. Does anyone have reviews to share of the Ruff Wear harness or others?
Best,
Turtledan and dexter
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