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 Everyone. I was doing a little research and came across this site today. I am a Mom of 3 pups. 2 Boxers "Monte and Deja" and our baby Morkie "Gracie". She is a whopping 3 lbs! My husband and i are having some infertility issues so our newest addition Gracie has really helped in that dept. The bond I have with her is sooo different then with our two Boxers who I love dearly as well. Its more of a momma/baby thing LOL.
Yesturday was absolutly devistating for us. Gracie decided to jump from one couch over to the other and fell on her back right leg. It being a "SUNDAY" we had to rush her to Emergency pet clinic. At this point money was and is not an issue for my sweet pea. After 5 hours in the clinic, Xrays and Bawling my eyes out hysterically....the prognosis came in. Gracie fractured her calcaneous and a splint would not cut it for her healing. Our options: We would have to find a Board certified surgeon...who would even do this kind of surgery on her leg that it needed....with screws and anchors..etc. The area fractured functions and supports the whole leg. Cost being $5000 dollars at minimum!!!!!!! WHAT???? We called around and no one wants to perform this kind of surgery ....they turned us to all kinds of specialists, even rabbit and Guinee Pig surgeons. No one feels comfortable performing this surgery that has such a low success rate anyways. So we have ruled this out. Our other option, Amputation! WHOA!
I am just extremely heartbroken for my pup. She is so sad, on pain meds and Im in limbo over here waiting on a second opinion as well. Hoping to get in and make a decision soon! Im coming to terms with amputation and Im not crying as much today. I just want her healthy and back to normal. I have to hold her to poop and pee, hand feed her and Im just so nervous in making sure I am taking good care of her!! Altho she is really sleepy, I know she is sad!! On the bright side she wagged her tail for me once this morning! YAY!
Just thought i would share my story as I wait to hear from the vet today!
Welcome to tripawds, your future posts will not require moderation.
I'm sorry to hear about Gracie's accident. I'm guessing that she is not so much sad as whacked out a bit by the pain meds- they tend to do that! If you do choose amputation I bet she will do fine, she is young and not dealing with cancer (yea!).
Everyone here says that little dogs have an easier time on three- and I agree to some extent that that is true. Here is something I have NEVER said... my pug was 6 times bigger than Gracie 
. Maggie was about 17.5 pounds when she lost her left rear leg to a tumor. She was stubborn and took her time getting used to her new normal- but she hopped happily though life for almost 4 years. With small dogs you can pick them up- but on the other hand it is really hard to assist them because they are so low to the ground. And Maggie was never able to do more than three or four stairs up after her amp- she was just too little and it put too much stress on the one back leg. She could, and would go down just about anything.
You should look through Jerry's require reading list for info on what to expect with amputation and recovery. The first couple weeks after surgery can be tough... but we have seen here that the young pups tend to bounce back quickly.
Let us know what you decide to do.
Karen
As Karen just said, this is something I REALLY thought I'd never say on here, but your little one is smaller than my kitty! My Jill is a 10 pound cat tripawd, and, I know I anger the big dog owners out there when I say this, but they bounce back SO FAST when they are little!! I am the lover of a very little doggy too, my parents have a 3 pound poodle, so I know how fast and sprite those little ones are. Gracie will do AMAZING on three legs!!
Feel free to come into the chat room at some point, there's usually a bunch of us in there at night!
If you want to take a look at how my "little one" (althought 10 pounds ain't so little to you!) did after surgery, please private message me and I can send you some links to her videos right after surgery jumping and running around OR, you can go to her blog and the see some of her videos if you go back towards the beginning. Again, she's a cat, not a dog, but on the small side. The link to her blog is in my signature. Let us know what else you need!!
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
I am so sorry Gracie suffered such a bad accident. I know how difficult it is to consider an amputation. You look at this precious family member and just can't imagine making such a life altering decision for them. But I have to say, that dogs do extremely well with the change. I have a much larger dog, but was very hesitant because of her age (12 years). She is a victim to bone cancer, as many of us here are. She is at 6 weeks post amputation and running and playing. Occasionally she has a day that she doesn't feel like taking the stairs unless she absolutely feels that she has to. I am also adopting another tripawd that lost her leg to a similar accident to your Gracie. She is a 10 month old Husky who fell off a patio when she was young and the break was too severe to correct with any hint of success through surgery. She is 5 months post amputation and you wouldn't know she was missing a leg by watching her. We met at the dog park this weekend and she ran with the best of them and played without any hesitations. I wish you and Gracie the best. If surgery just is not an option, try not to worry too much about the impact of an amputation.
Adelaide is a young tripawd Husky, from an injury. Her amp was on 10/1/12. She has 4 sisters, Aissa (a senior border collie/chow), Maggie May (a puppy Great Pyrenees), Mathilde and Morrigan and 1 baby brother, Bagheera. We are all watched over by our angel Brendol, who was dx with OSA 1/30/13, amp on 2/6/13, and left us on 8/20/13.
You can read their stories at http://adelaide.tripawds.com and http://brendol.tripawds.com
Gracie, Monte and Deja! Such acute picture. --what a precious baby girl. So sorry to hear about her misfortune.
Having a 123 lb. Bull Mastiff (at time of surgery), I concur with Jill that large dogs (just from my experience--others have different results) --mine anyway---have a slower recovery from the surgery itself, plus she's on the younger side of senior. Your precious Gracie has size and age ping for her---as well as a devoted loving mom. No one can predict the results, but I'm sure you've reviewed this site enough to know amputation relieves pain AND your little girl doesn't have bone cancer so she should have nothing but sunshine days and moonlit nights ahead for her. Sorry you maybe put in this position but she has so much going g for her I think you'll see a new Gracie unleashed after recovery
Sending you loads of supportive energy. Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Everyone is right. Some smaller dogs have an easier time with recovery than do bigger dogs. Not saying all bigger dogs do. I agree do not feel bad if you do the amputation. She will be like she never had a 4th leg. She will adjust fast.
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Gracie & family, welcome. We're so sorry you had to find us but we're happy to help make this easier any way you can.
You're smart for seeking out other opinions. This is a big decision and it's overwhelming to say the least, nobody ever expects their dog to become a Tripawd. The good news is, smaller dogs do great on 3 legs, they have it so much easier. And I agree that putting in the plates and screws is taking a big, big chance. We've seen many dogs end up here because the plates & screws didn't take. So get your other opinions and then that way you can know in your heart you are doing all you can for your girl.
We had never heard of a morkie before! She has a very sweet face.
Good luck and keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh poor thing! I feel for your emotions. Such a tumultuous day, filled with ups and downs and shocks. We can all relate.
The cost of the Sx is amazing. Plus, the rehab and recovery from it must be a nightmare. Damn. I think you're wise to look into other options. In the meantime, I have to say that you're in a good spot: you can learn how she is on pain meds before the amp! Well, if you go with amp. Pain med management can be really tough, but you're already learning how she handles them! If you go with amp, she will amaze you! Promise!!! Jackson has his right rear leg removed due to cancer and he gets around like it's no big thing! At least you're not battling cancer... I'm jealous.
Sending you HUGS. If you go with amp, her recovery will blow you away. She WILL BE GREAT! PROMISE!
~ Katy
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
So sorry about your pup. Ouch! I just have to agree with everything that has already been said here. Gracie has everything on her side...youth, health and a loving pawrent! I look forward to your updates.
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Poor little tot! She is adorable and so sorry this happened. Just like toddlers they think they can do it all and we are just not fast enough to stop them. If you decide to go with the amp, she will probably barely miss a beat. Mine is on the smaller end, (but not that small!!) and 12 1/2 yrs old and at less than 2 months out can jump into a truck and on the gooseneck bed in our trailer (much to our dismay). Please keep us updated on Gracie - we will be sending the most positive thoughts ever in your direction. She is lucky to have such great parents.
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
What a sweet little pup!!! You will not regret finding this place...lots of great advice on hear! I know amputation sounds scary but the rehabilitation will be far less evasive than the other surgery you are talking about. They (especially the little guys/gals) bounce back so quickly! Here is a video on my Miss Roxy just three weeks after her surgery...
...awww, I forgot how tiny she was; a year later she is 40 lbs and 24.5 inches tall and doing great as you can see in this video...
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers...keep us posted 
Roxy…Border Collie cross born on approximately October 27th, 2011;
Rescued in January 2012 by Oops a Dazy Rescue & Sanctuary;
Right hind leg amputated on January 20th, 2012 due to a severe spiral fracture;
Adopted on February 21st, 2012 by Teena, a devoted human & Charlee, a purebred BC.
Hugs, tail wags & sloppy kisses
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