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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Hello!
Wasn't sure where to post this, as I have a list of random questions!
Our 1 1/2 year old lab will become a tripawd in the near future. Is there a "good" time for us to schedule surgery -- summer or fall? Reasons why?
What types of supplements do you have your dogs on? Should I start them before we undergo the surgery? Opinions?
Finally, what is a monkeybutt? LOL. I have not been able to figure this out yet, so I thought I'd just ask.
Thanks.
Erica, owner of Buddy the Wonder Dog
I have a question first before answering 🙂
Does your dog have cancer? If so, then these are the supplements I use on my dog:
K9 Immunity Plus
Maritime Pine Bark tincture
Dasuquin with MSM(joints)
Vertex
Daily rotating homeopathics for her cancer prescribed by Dr. Charles Loops, a homeopath specialist in cancer cases.
Your next question on timing of surgery:
I would opt for good weather, if you have a choice! My dog was done in mid October. The day we came home, we had about 4 inches of nice white snow for us to have to deal with on top of her being a 'fresh' Tripawd. NOT good for footing.
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
Thank you for your response.
I should have prefaced my post with -- my dig has a paw injury that will not heal (he came into rescue with it), so he needs to have his leg amputated. I have read about glucosamine, etc. supplements for tripawds -- wondering what others use.
We live in Iowa, so the snow can come early in fall -- and would make it difficut for Buddy to re-learn to balance, walk, etc. I hadn't thought it through too much. Was thinking about bandage changes and all in the heat. Your point is a very good one and more important.
I'm brand new -- we learned last week of his impending surgery.
Thanks so much.
Whether or not there are bandages depends on the vet. Trouble had no bandage, no staples, and no visible stitches. All internal, dissolvable. stitches. Her incision looked like a plastic surgeon had done it. Most of them (once recovery is over) adapt very quickly to their new selves. Hoping everything is uneventful for you and Buddy.
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.
Ah, OK, then the supplement information will be sorta helpful. The joint product and the Vertex I do recommend no matter if cancer or not. The Vertex is helpful for muscle mass and an all around good supplement.
I'm not sure what you mean about bandage changes? Do you mean right now before amputation on the foot? My dog didn't have any bandages after her amputation.
I'm sorry to hear of his injury...why won't it heal?
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
He has a fistula -- a drainage tract from an injury he had when he came into rescue. It's caused by a piece of debris somewhere in his paw or leg. We've had two surgeries to try to fix it -- to find the debris, get rid of scar tissue, etc. But the fistula came back. He developed a cyst on his paw this past week, probably in response to all the yuck going on in the paw (the vet put it in more scientific terms.)
After his surgeries, we had to keep his paw covered, change bandages twice a week, etc. I guess I thought it would be the same with the amputation. As I said, I'm learning!
Hi Erica,
These are all great questions!
We would recommend having the surgery done as soon as pawsible. Adding snow to an amputation recovery is an extra challenge for pawrents (not necessarily for dogs, they tend to go! go! go! no matter what the weather!).
As for supplements, here is a good video about that very subject:
Canine Rehabilitation: Pain Meds and Supplement Tips from CARE
You might also want to check out the rest of our CARE videos about surgery recovery and exercising.
As for Monkeybutts. Why? Do you have one?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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