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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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Bella Mae's becoming a Tripawd as I type.....
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bellamaesmom
1
2 January 2012 - 2:47 pm
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Well our beloved 10 month old American Bulldog Bella Mae is becoming a tripawd as I sit here typing this post.  I found this site last night and was so very thankful for the information it provided me as I felt a bit more prepared for what was about to happen today.  As for Bella Mae's story well she is my third child.  I wanted another two legged baby but my husband did not so we settled on a four legged one;) she has gone everywhere with me since she was six weeks old.  Loves to visit and ride in the truck.  Unfortunately that is where the story takes a negative turn.  About three weeks ago Bella and I had just dropped the kids off to school like we had done a million other mornings and on the way home BAM! we were t-boned in my SUV two houses from home.  Bella's side of the truck took the impact of this huge casket vault setting truck and trailer that crushed my SUV. How she managed to escape with no broken bones is beyond me but thankfully so.  Unfortunately, her right front shoulder suffered a brachial plexus avulsion which basically detached the nerves of that limb from her spine.  Thus she had no use or feeling in that limb.  After dr visits and such we decided to wait a bit the see if nerve regeneration was at all a possibility but woke up New Year's Eve Day to my poor Bella covered in blood and half her paw missing.  Apparently, sometimes they begin to chew the "ghost" limb as it has no feeling.  I have never experienced anything like that in my life!  I pray noone else would have to.  So after a vet visit to pack it and wrap it, antibiotics, (Had to happen on a holiday when noone is open!) and now today the big day amputation. She truly hasn't used it in a few weeks so it is really just a nuisance at this point but I am concerned with the phantom pains they speak of.  Because she is young I know she will adjust fine she already plays three legged with our 11 year old mutt Camille. (Speaking of Camille she must think she is next to go poor baby... as amidst this our 8 year old Jack Russell had a heart attack 2 days before Christmas and passed away.  He had a heart murmur when he was born but it was never an issue before, til then, UGH!.  Now we leave with Bella and she doesn't return with us.  They say two to three days recovering in the hospital).  Anyway I am patiently well okay not so patiently awaiting news that she is out of surgery and everything went well.  I hope to get some well needed advice on her recovery and adjustment from this site. Thanks so much for reading her story.  I'll go pace some more! 

Las Vegas, Nevada
Member Since:
14 August 2009
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2
2 January 2012 - 3:12 pm
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OMD! OMD! OMD!

What a horrific story!!!  You poor you!  OMD!!!  I just can't imagine what you have been through!  Poor Bella and then your poor Jack Russell.  OMD!  And then there's poor Camille who must have all sorts of thoughts running in her head!  Thank goodness your kids were out of your SUV and you were okay too and the only injury was Bella's paw!!! 

 

Well, I'm glad you found us here!  But OMD!  I'm just so sorry for you an Bella and of course, my condolences your little Jack Russell.  What a lot to have happen.

 

Let us know when she gets out of surgery! 

In the meantime...here's some good reading material on how a tripawd recovers.  (that'll give you something to do besides pacing the floor)  http://tripawds.....ding-list/

 

You truly deserve this:

{HUG}

Her Retired AvatarComet - 1999 to 2011

She departed us unexpectedly  January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.

She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.

knoxville, tn
Member Since:
12 February 2010
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3
2 January 2012 - 3:40 pm
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gosh, what a terrible accident.  you have had it piled high and deep in the last month!!  there are a few bulldogs here on the site.  here's the blog of gracie:  http://gracespl.....wds.com/  and there are probably others that i can't remember.  get plenty of rest (if you can) and know that bella will be so happy to see you and will be happy on three legs, once she is all healed up. 

 

charon & spirit gayle

Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included).  She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.

Love Never Ends

http://etgayle

New Jersey
Member Since:
4 June 2011
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4
2 January 2012 - 4:35 pm
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Oh, my! My heart goes out to you for all you've had to deal with these past few weeks. I hope that surgery goes very well and that you are all on the upswing for 2012.

Chicago, IL
Member Since:
5 March 2011
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5
2 January 2012 - 5:37 pm
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Wow, many blessings in this story, so many near-misses (you, the kids), but what a bummer and I'm so sorry about your Jack Russell.  The good news is that Bella Mae will be up and about in no time and after that, you don't need to worry about cancer like most of us here.  The recovery can be rough, but only for 2 or 3 weeks.  We're here if you have questions or concerns, and you probably will..it's hard not to worry when they are so not themselves.

http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.

Rock Hill, SC
Member Since:
28 November 2011
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6
2 January 2012 - 6:17 pm
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Oh my goodness, my heart just breaks for you.  My condolences on the loss of your Jack Russell and best wishes for a speedy recovery for Bella Mae!  Please keep us updated.

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/

San Diego, CA
Member Since:
29 October 2010
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7
2 January 2012 - 6:38 pm
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I'm so sorry to read about your Jack Russell. Please let us know what happens with Bella's surgery. She should do well as a tripawd since she is already used to getting around w/out the use of that limb. Once she is off the pain meds and has her stitches out she should be mostly back to her old self. I had a young dog too (15 months) at the time of her amp and she pretty much was back to doing everything she'd done before.

Come back here if you have questions or just need some support during her recovery. We've been there! I'm sorry you had to find us, but you won't be sorry you did. Great folks here with lots of knowledge, willing to share their experiences.

It is terrible that Bella (and you!) had to go through that terrible accident, but you will soon see that it is awesome to be a tripawd pawrent. Welcome to the club.
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!

krun15
8
2 January 2012 - 8:56 pm
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Welcome to Tripawds. You sure had a traumatic path here!
You've been through a lot already, you will handle the next couple of weeks just fine. Bella Mae is young, and is used to being a tripawd- hopefully she will bounce right back from surgery. Don't get discouraged though if she has some downtime, it is not uncommon.
You might check on some post amp pictures so you know what to expect when you pick her up. Click on the Gallery link at the top of the page and scroll down.
Condolences too on the loss of your pup, 8 is too young.
Let us know when she is out of surgery and how she is doing.

Karen and the pupapalooza

Galt, California
Member Since:
19 December 2010
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9
2 January 2012 - 10:35 pm
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So sorry to hear your events over the past several weeks.  Bella will pull through fine and be back to her self in not time.  There are some great resources that others have pointed you towards and don't hesitate to ask for anything here.

Member Since:
14 December 2011
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10
3 January 2012 - 10:06 am
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My heart goes out to you too!  Bella Mae will recover and be running around in no time.  I'm so sorry about your Jack Russell.  Hold on to the one that is still at home with you, it helps.  Take care and let us know how it all works out.

Regards,

Mary, Lucy's mom

Lucy's front right leg was amputated 12/19/11. Thankfully there was no tumor, but her nerves were found to be degenerative.  Life as a tripawd is Lucy's new adventure!!

In your heart, where I belong.
Member Since:
9 February 2011
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11
3 January 2012 - 11:18 am
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Wow, high and deep is pretty descriptive, isn't it? Karen is right--8 is way too young especially when the dog seems healthy. I'm so sorry you had that right on top of dealing with Bella and Christmas and life in general. And I'm sorry your pack has suffered such a loss.

Bella will likely do really well due to her age. Keeping her lean as she matures will be important, but your vet needs to advise you on that since she's still growing. 

Keep in mind that Bella will look to you for guidance on how to interpret this, so it's important to have the attitude that things will only get better. The "poor baby" stuff is best done in the bathroom--alone. She is young and you are her leader. Act like (and believe) that her potential is unlimited and so will she. Good luck and please let us know when she's out of surgery and then home. And pictures! We just can't live without pictures around here. 

Shari, Dakota and Evelyn the Embarrassment (English snob bulldog)

From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.

Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/

Member Since:
22 August 2011
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12
3 January 2012 - 12:41 pm
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Hi Bella Mae's mom. Welcome. I am so glad you found us, seems like in the nick of time. And I was horrified (saying OMD to myself over and over) as I read your story yet thankful that no one was super badly hurt. But I am sure this, combined with the loss of your other furbaby has made this a holiday to remember for a long long time, and not in a good way. Cadence and I send our sympathies for the loss of your Jack Russell. And as Charon and Spirit Gayle have always advised, make sure you get some medicinal naps in between all of this somehow. I am sure your Bella Mae will recover beautifully but there will be some sleepless nights and hard work ahead, but that is what we are for, to help you with this. Cadence sends her licks of comfort to Bella Mae.

 

Cadence's Mom 

Cadence Faye: Born 10/30/04, stepped into our hearts 12/23/2004. Rear leg tumor found 7/24/11 by mom and dad, Xray on 7/25/11, Osteosarcoma suspected 7/26/11, amputation 7/29/11, Carboplatin started 8/23. Met free so far! 

Massachusetts
Member Since:
23 September 2011
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13
3 January 2012 - 2:56 pm
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Wow, you have sure been through a lot.  Since Bella Mae has been getting around without the use of her leg, I am sure she will recuperate well.  My advice would be the same as others, be sure to rest up before she comes home.  The first few weeks are very difficult both physically and emotionally.  Each day will get a little easier and before you know it she will be getting around like a champ.  My Fergus did not experience phantom pains, hopefully Bella Mae won't either.  Be sure to use this website, it is an invaluable support system.  The only "dumb" question, is the one you don't ask!! 

Here's to a better 2012 for you and your family,

Tara & Spirit Fergus

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