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 all. Just wanted to introduce myself, and well...my tripawd.
Jezebella has been a tripawd for most of her life. She was only 5 months old when she was hit by a car, only 2 weeks after being adopted from the Humane Society. The original adopters dropped her back off at the Humane Society they got her from that day, unable to afford the surgery. The HS put a grant together to save her, and in order to, had to amputate her back leg. After the surgery, they contacted the family, and she was picked up 2 days later.
Unfortunately, the original adopters did not keep her long. They dropped her off at an county animal control facility the next day. Luckily, they left her medical id collar on, so the animal control officer read it and contacted the HS to come get her.
A few weeks later she was adopted again! And the adopter had her for a whole 3 months...but gave her up again, after in her puppiness, destroyed a family heirloom quilt, that the adopter decided to use to cover the kennel she was kept in for 6+ hours out of the day.
A month or 2 went by, and she was finally adopted again. This family decided to adopt her to surprise their son who was just coming back from Summer camp. He was ecstatic when he met her... that night he broke out into hives and they decided to return her to the HS facility.
Around the time she was 10 months old, she was featured in the Humane Society's magazine, commercials, news ads, a news segment, and even on a billboard. My ex and I had a bad habit of going by the HS to tease ourselves with other puppies, donate food and grab a coffee. We went by one day, and in the first kennel was little old Jezebella (or Precious as they had named her). I decided I wanted to meet her, and she was the most nervous ball of fur I had ever met. She trembled and shook (and shed) everywhere. She was so anti-social that she hid under my chair with her head against the wall.
I fell in love.
The HS said I had to bring my other dog in to do an evaluation. Jezebella submitted before the test began, and my other dog, Kiwi, decided that laying down next to her was the best thing ever.
Upon bringing Jezebella home, she parked her butt under our dining room table for days. She refused to move except to crawl out slightly enough to eat, or to use the bathroom.
Fast forward a few years... She opened up to be one of the most social dogs I have ever met. Always has an attitude, but willing to say hi to all.
And here we are...nearly 12 years later together along with her sister, Luna. Luna is a deaf double merle Aussie Shepherd who is about 11 years old (we think).
Awwww what a story! Thank you for joining us and introducing the community to Jezebella. She is such a special girl who was destined for the best life EVER with you!
It’s so nice to meet you. If you have any photos you want to share please do! Our instructions for adding images are in that link but if you need help just let me know.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello and welcome!
Thanks for sharing your story...it's close to mine. My current Tripawd Elly was 7 months old when she lost a back leg after being hit by a car. The people who owned her at the time couldn't/wouldn't take care of her injury, thankfully a lady who lived down the street did rescue work and talked them into relinquishing her to get her treatment. Elly had been passed around a few times before the people who had her when she had the accident, I was her 4th home.
Elly came with severe separation anxiety and lots of fear issues. We have made great progress over the years, she is now 5.5 years old.
It's great to hear how well Jezebella has done and how she overcame her bad start in life, very inspirational for me!
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Hello! Thank you for saving Jezebella. I would have probably done the same thing. Sometimes you just meet a dog and know it is meant to be OR that you know you can show them a much better world than they have previously known. Being spoiled doesn't mean posh beds and high value treats but a loving family who accepts you where you are.
At almost 13, how is she doing with mobility? Have you had any challenges or found some ways to keep her strong and mobile?
How did Luna come to join you?
All of my males have been returns. My poor Scottie was 9 months old when I got him and he had been returned 6 times already. The worst reason I've ever heard of why a dog was returned was that they redecorated and the dog no longer matches the decore. My friend who was doing the surrendor had to keep her cool to get the paperwork signed and then just ran out of there before she lost it.
Up until very recently, Bella has been very mobile. She needed a little help going up stairs, but other than that... she didn't act 13. Both of my girls are pretty relaxed and not very active. Even when we go to the park to play, they do their business and then pretty much lay down and wait for me to be ready to go.
Luckily, in the last 12 years, I haven't had any mobility issues with her, up until the other day... We were at the dog park that is in our apartment complex, and as all dogs do...she ran to the fence to greet and bark at some dogs walking by, and did something to her only back leg. She didn't show any signs of pain or discomfort, except for the fact that she wouldn't put weight on it. I carried her home and called my vet. He had me meet him at his house the next morning, because knowing my luck, his office is closed for a week for renovations...
He did a preliminary check on her leg, and deemed that nothing was broken or fractured, and didn't feel any evidence of tears. Her only spot of discomfort was in the hip itself. I have an appt tomorrow to get an xray done. His advice was just to make her comfortable, and assist her with walking. I bought a harness to help support her while we walk for now.
Her demeanor has definitely changed over the last few days. She is still my puppy in attitude, but she doesn't really want to eat or do much, which has me worried. I was told by previous vets that she would most likely have arthritis by the time she is 9. She finally started showing wear and tear at 11.
And for Luna. [Image Can Not Be Found]
She came to us from a rescue in San Angelo, TX. She was abandoned along with multiple other double merle aussies in an abandoned yard. I met her outside the local Petsmart, during an adoption event, and fell in love with her. She has by far been the most interesting dog I have ever had the pleasure of calling mine. From having starburst eyes to being deaf...she is always doing something different from other dogs. I've had her for almost 9 years. And just realized that all 3 of the dogs I have had (or have) have all been adopted during the month of November over the years.
Aww I'm sorry Bella is feeling bad. Is she on any pain medication while you wait for answers? The lack of appetite and holding her leg are two important pain signals so some antinflammatory meds might be a smart thing to do right now. Check with your vet OK?
Luna's so lucky to find you! What a story and what a life you have given her.
Bummer your photo didn't show up. Don't worry though. Here are instructions for adding images .
- Upload pics to a photo sharing site like imgur.com or your own Tripawds blog!
- Right click and copy the Image URL or just copy the image if you’re on a phone
- Return to your Tripawds Forum post and paste the image URL (or the image itself) in your post. It should automatically appear.
If you’d like help figuring out the process let me know.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Adopted in November because it's THANKSgiving time!. All your dogs are giving thanks for having the best home ever any doggies could have!.❤
What you have done for Bella and Luna is just beautiful. It'ssuchajoy reading how well a tripawd can thrive for years. And I know to Luna, being deaf is not a hurdle at all because of your loving care.
As Jerry said, check into some antiinflmmatory treatment. Also some have success with Adequan injections.
Hope uoiget the picture posting worked out. We would love to see your pack. Smooches to them!.😘
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!
Thanks so much for sharing jezebella's and your story. Our 5 month old puppy lost his hind leg at 3-1/2 months old due to a brutal attack by 2 neighbor dogs. We had only had him a few weeks. I am heartened by stories about dogs who lost a limb while very young. I doubt our pup, Totem, even remembers ever having 4 legs. He is doing great now. I'm thrilled to hear that jesebella lived a great life for 9 years before arthritis reared its head. She is super fortunate you adopted her.
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