Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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On Friday I was sitting in my office when I received a call from my wife, the Director of Development at a local animal shelter. We regularly foster pups, or adult dogs that do not do well in a kennel environment. About a year ago, we fostered a pup that was brought north to Maine from a southern shelter. The litter of pups were unnamed and this one happened to arrive at our home the day my best friend welcomed his first daughter into the world. In tribute, we named her Avery and she was a shy but sweet mixed breed pooch.
My wife, on the other end of the line, simply said to me, "Avery is back at the shelter," which his her way of saying, "I'm bringing her home, whether you like it or not!" What saddened me was what she said next... "and she only has three legs." I immediately said of course she should bring her home, but now find myself as the first-time caregiver to a tripawd. Avery had been hit by a car and her owners to their credit, saved her life. They spent a ton of money on the surgery, but then followed it up by taking her home and promptly removing her cone. Left unmonitored, Avery ripped out her stitches. and with that, her former owners dropped her off at the shelter.
So now she is with us, and I am sure if my wife gets her way (which she always does), Avery will join our other three pooches on a permanent basis.
With all the back story said, it has been about a week since her surgery and the area around her stitches is healing well. My concern is some swelling that is not around the area of the surgery, but surrounding her other rear hip. I am assuming that this is simply the fluid draining to the side of her that she has been laying on as she recovers. I have seen other threads asking about swelling, but most of the questions have been in relation to the surgery site. Any thoughts on if my assumptions are correct? And advice on how much swelling is too much? Its quite noticeable but doesn't seem to be bothering her.
Thank you for any advice given.
-Greg
Hi Greg, welcome to the Tripawds community!
What a lucky girl Avery is. It's hard to believe that someone would drop her off at the shelter like that...grrrrr. Your wife is a rock star! And so are you for welcoming her into your pack.
I would get that swelling looked at. Is it rock hard in one spot or solid and squishy all over? It could be anything and probably isn't serious but usually normal fluid buildup is around the incision site, since the fluid takes the path of least resistance and drains out the incision. Probably a good idea to have the vet look at it. Please let us know what they say OK?
And we hope we get to follow along with Avery's adventures!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Greg and Avery,
I don't have any advice but just wanted to welcome you to the site nobody wants to join but everyone is glad they did. It sounds like poor Avery has been through a lot and I'm glad she found her way back to you guys.
Our Abby didn't have any swelling issues or bruising so afraid I don't have any words of wisdom. Hopefully a quick check from the vet will determine it is nothing too serious.
All the best,
Jackie, Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
I can't help with the advice as our Baxter is just coming home today from his amputaion surgey, but the other- foster, adoption, returning animals, that I would like to say something about.
Two of our three are shelter adopted.
Baxter was just adopted over a month ago. When he hurt his leg, and after the vet's news that he would lose the leg, I called the shelter founder to get advice and she asked if we wanted to give Baxter back to them. I was floored! I couldn't believe she was serious. But sadly, she was. And she thought that was why I was calling with the news of his surgery. Apparently, it happens a lot. But I can't imagine giving our little guy back ever! How anyone brings a pet home and returns them at the first sign they are going to be inconvenient is offensive to me.
And our other adopted, Diesel, was adopted with heartworms. As a matter of fact, him as a six month old puppy, his mom and dad were all owner surrenderd at the same time. All three were heartworm positive. His dad had them so bad, he didn't make it thru the treatment. But we got Diesel thru it and he is a happy, healthy boy now and the sweetest member of our family- humans included!
Thank you to your wife and you for helping rescue animals!!
And strangely enough, we are in the South, Mississippi and our shelters, shamefully, have so many animals they have to transport them up North. Both our pups came from CARA, Jackson, MS. Do you know where Avery came from?
Thanks everyone. My avatar is a picture of Avery from when we first fostered her.
Just got off the phone with the wife and she was able to get an appointment with the vet that performed the amputation to check on the swelling and to get an overall sense of how she was progressing. The swelling was not much of a concern, but the overall sense from the vet was that it was not related to the amputation, but rather, to the fact that the woman failed to inform staff when she was surrendered her to the shelter that she had also broken her pelvis. I find myself beyond angry with her former owner, but also happy to know that she is in a better spot. It's a wonderful dichotomy.
So in addition to learning about her pelvis, we also gleaned some insights from the vet staff about her former owner. Apparently she was just a wretched woman who essentially said in so many words that she didn't pet Avery because she "always bites her." Maybe Avery just sensed evil, who knows, but what i do know is that I have been hauling this poor three-legged, broken pelvis pooch up and down flights of stairs, unknowingly causing pain that I can't imagine, and she has not once so much as mouthed me.
Anyway, frustrations with her aside, I am glad we are up to speed on all her medical needs and can now manage things more comfortably for her. don't have any "good' pictures of her right now, but for the time being, this will have to do: Ferocious, Snarling, Biting, Beast below
littleaccent – not sure which shelter she was brought to maine from. i know the shelter has worked with groups in georgia, louisiana, and indiana in the past. not sure of the actual shelters though…
She's beautiful, and you and your wife are wonderful for all you do! Please keep us updated on her progress - what is the doctor going to do about her pelvis?
Welcome Avery! So glad you found a GOOD home!(Glad you got away from Cruella DeVille)
You wont come across a better group of people anywhere on the internet! Can't wait to see some pictures!!!!!
Spirit Samson was Spirit Tripawd Daisys four legged "brother" and ruled as the self proclaimed head of the Monkeybutt Federations East Coast Division. Lady Chunky Monkey stayed from Oct 2011 and left for the bridge in Apr 2012. Miss Perdy is left and has some big pawprints to fill.
Do you have what it takes to be a Monkeybutt? Find out more at the Monkeybutt Federation
I'd be really careful - that dog looks quite dangerous and may maul you!
I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am that Avery landed back at the shelter with your wife. You guys are doing an awesome job and will be so rewarded taking care of a tripawd. You will learn so much about Avery and so much about yourselves as your journey continues.
Thank you for stepping up and helping this little one out.
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.
She is absolutely gorgeous! My big girl is an injury tripawd too, but I got her that way from the rescue she had been staying at. Could not ask for a better pup! She looks absolutely snuggle-able in that pic, I just want to cuddle her like crazy. Definitely a ferocious beast you have there.=P Good luck on your journey, she looks like she'll be a joy to have in your family.
Proud mommy of a Belgian Malinois tripawd named Lizzie, who is completely spoiled rotten, loves kids, and will be going into therapy dog training as soon as I can afford it. You can find her blog here.
Also proud mommy to Vito, 3(?) yr old GSD. Adoption weight: 58lbs. Current weight: 90lbs. Goal weight: 85-90lbs (ACHIEVED!). Tested positive for EPI on March 30th, 2011 and stable ever since.
"Sometimes it takes an imperfection to create perfection."
Such a bittersweet tale. Thank dog for it's happy ending! She must have been sooooo thrilled to get to come back home to you guys for her recovery! (And probably beyond...)
I intended to only foster Gerry, because it seemed much too soon (less than a month) after losing my last tripawd to cancer to take on a new dog for keeps. But, then I got greedy and couldn't let anybody else have him. 
Gerry has been a tripawd since 12/16/2009.
He was a shelter dog with a mysterious past and an irrepairable knee injury.
Videos and pics of Gerry's pawesomeness can be found at: http://gerry.tripawds.com
Oh that story breaks my heart for her. I'm so sad that she had to go through all that, but SO happy that she found her way back to you. Clearly, she looks like a vicious beast and you better be careful!
I want to kiss her and snuggle her! Please give her an extra snuggle from me and an extra kiss from Abby!!
Jackie, Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
I have a tear in my eye from your story....and a smile on my face that Avery found her way back to you! It's fate. She looks like the sweetest girl ever - you two look like you belong together - just like peanut butter and jelly! Lots of hugs and kisses from us xoxo Sue and Sammy
Avery looks like such a sweetie! I'm so glad she got out of that bad situation. My tripawd Ranger was also a case of neglect after injury. He was hit by a car and pretty much ignored until the owner thought he needed to be put down. Luckily, a vet tech recognized his loving nature and got a charitable organization to provide the surgery. He went to a great foster home and eventually to us! I bet Avery knows that you rescued her (twice!) and will be an awesome addition to your family! Please keep us posted on her progress.
Lisa
Sadie is my 9yr old Rott/Shepherd mix. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right scapula 1/28/10. Our brave girl had her amputation 2/13/10 and her last chemotherapy on 6/6/10. Unfortunately, a tumor appeared in her back right leg and on 10/7/2010 Sadie's earthly journey came to an end. On 10/24/2010 we adopted Ranger, a handsome Rott/Lab mix tripawd (got hit by a car) I think Sadie sent him to us.
http://ranger.t.....pawds.com/
She's ferocious! Yikes!
Hey that's what my original peeps thought about me too I guess because they dumped me at the vets after they let a rope get tangled around my leg. Whatever you know? People are so weird, I don't get it, but all I know is that now I have a good home and my life is much better. I've moved on to better things, just like Avery!
All we want is a place to be ourselves, have a good time, and show our peeps what life is all about. It makes me hoppy that another dawg like Avery has the chance to do that. Thank you for rescuing her.
Wyatt Ray Dawg . . . The Tripawds Leg-A-Cy Continues!
Read all about my adventures at my Tripawds Blog
Thank you for the kind words everyone...
A quick update on Avery. She is doing much better and is getting more and more mobile. The swelling that was likely settling in her opposite hip has reduced dramatically. We ordered some compression socks with rubberized feet to help her navigate the house a little better (we have hardwood throughout with a few area rugs). Between that and strips of shelf liner creating non-slip "bridges" between the area rugs have given her free range of everywhere but the kitchen. Overall though, she is really adapting well to her newfound "limitation."
Other than that, she is really just working on strengthening her hind leg and being just "one of the pups"... we have a german shepherd mix that is very good when it comes to playing/wrestling... they both wrestle from a prone position, and avery often is the instigator...
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