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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Thank you so much Murphs Mom for telling me your experience. Hip replacement sounds so much worse than what Daisy is going thru. I talked to the vet this morning to see how Daisy did last night. They had her up briefly but are trying not to push her to move around more than she wants at this point. It hasn't been 24 hours since the surgery. She is going to be in the hospital overnight again.
The eggshell bed is a great idea! Dr. Terry said I will need something soft for Daisy to sleep on but Daisy is a hard cold floor sleeper in the summer. I have a smooshy dog bed but she doesn't like it.
Hope my girl gets better and can come home soon. I miss her! 
Marla
My Two Tripawds...Biscuit 
and Spirit Daisy 
daisygirl said
I will need something soft for Daisy to sleep on...
Don't miss the recommended beds for Tripawds in the Gear blog !
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
All of our wishes for a smooth recovery. She looks like one phenomenal girl. Good thoughts
OMD! I am having a meltdown this morning and Daisy isn't even home yet. She is possibly coming home today and now I'm freaking out that I will not be able to handle her. I've been up since 4:30 this morning. It's just me and and 80 lb. dog that is only able to walk on two legs! Trying to occupy myself with preparing her recovery area but it isn't helping.
Okay breathe.....
Marla
My Two Tripawds...Biscuit and Spirit Daisy
Oh, Marla, I know you're nervous. But, try to remember how you felt before you brought Daisy home from the amputation surgery. You were terrified, right? And it all turned out fine, right? This will too. It won't be easy, but just like that other time you and Daisy will figure it out and before you know it all will be well again! And yes - breathe!!!!
Lisa
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/
Marla, you CAN do this. Lisa is right; once you've been through amputation recovery, you can do anything. Daisy is such a sweetie, I know she will sense that you need her to cooperate and she'll be a great patient for you. Stay strong and breathe, you are tougher than you know.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you everyone for the support. I think most of my anxiety is because I haven't seen Daisy since 7:30 Thursday morning. I talked to the vet about an hour ago and she is up and around a little more and putting some weight on that leg. It still takes two people with slings to move her around. But she is eating and drinking a little and the little booger even pulled out two of her stitches!
I'm going back at 3pm when they close (when it's quieter) to see if I am able to maneuver her around on my own. Then we will decide if she comes home today.
Marla
p.s. Lisa-I think of Zeus often. His amp was only about 8 days before Daisy's.
My Two Tripawds...Biscuit and Spirit Daisy
Daisy is home! You all were right. It's going to be fine. She is getting around WAY better than what I thought she would. Daisy is a wonder dog. Already putting some weight on it and I have had no problems getting her out to potty and back into the house. Now I have to figure out how to keep her from rising when I come in the door after being gone. I don't have a crate and an ex-pen would still allow her to stand. They told me to keep that to a minimum and that I need to lift her to a standing position.
Way to go Daisy. You have been thru so much but never let it crush your spirit. You are my hero! 
Marla and Daisy
My Two Tripawds...Biscuit and Spirit Daisy
Awwww, yay Daisy!!!! That is wonderful to hear! I don't know how possible this would be for you, but when our Merlin had his two cruciate surgeries, I found an elderly person (in fact it was someone our vet knew of) who could come stay with him while I was gone. Each time their instructions were: "You can watch tv, or read, or play on the computer, whatever you want to do. Just don't let him get up and run to the door when we arrive." I would call when I was two minutes from home and she would unlock the door for us then walk over and put a hand around him to keep him from jumping up. Of course, we looked like nuts to the neighbors b/c we would park way at the end of the driveway, quietly push the door together and then run for the house. We would come in the door and go straight to him before he could squirm away. Alot of older folks are happy to do something like this for not alot of money.
Thank you for the kind words about Zeus. I certainly do remember their close surgery times - this whole community is a family but we form an extra special bond with those members who were in the trenches with us. I does my heart good to see Daisy doing so very well!
Lisa
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/
Marla - you are an amazing pawrent! We are sending sweet Daisy lots of love for a speedy recovery! Hang in there - she is a fighter and i'm positive that she will continue to amaze us all.
Alicia, Angel Daisy, and Quad-pawd Dakota
Oh what a great update! Home is such a great place to be at a time like this. I hope you both had a restful night, let us know how it went for you OK? Keep smiling!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Daisy, you and your momma are two mighty strong souls! You are both determined and will get trough this and not even remember this "hurdle"!
My computer tablet as really bee giving me a fit and I've had a frjstrati g time trying to pull this site up and then, when I do, I'm having challenges replying.
! Just want you to know I've been following your brave journey and bow down to you both!!
We are here for yo and that ADORABLE Daisy! Sheros soooo cute a d I know yo are so proud of her!
Look forward to more updates and you two contnue achieving victory after victory! We love celebrating around here 
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!
We have made it to Day 6 post-op! I gotta say the last few days have been rough-rough-rough. This recovery has been more challenging than her amputation. I am physically and emotionally drained. It's difficult to maneuver a virtually 2-legged dog around. Like any surgery we have had some ups and downs. She was having some pain control issues in the first days hom but that is now under control. My girl continues to be her happy self thru all of this even though I am a mess!
Last night she refused to potty so we came back in for the night. She did go this morning but had been holding it for 24 hours (and she did her 2nd poop--YAY)!
I feel like today we have turned a corner. She seems to be putting a little more weight on her knee and is much more stable when I get her up.
We go Friday for her 1st post-surgery check up. She *might* get what staples she has left removed. She has managed to pull three of them out so far. At least the incision has not broken open and actually looks pretty good. Tried a cone but she wouldn't quit flinging herself around with it on so vet told me to take it off as she is likely to injure herself.
Well that's it for now.
Marla and Daisy
My Two Tripawds...Biscuit and Spirit Daisy
Marla as hard as it is you are making progress with each new day. The fact that she held her poo all night long is a great sign she is strong and the same ol' gal as ever. I'm curious what kind of pain meds she's on?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Rene- Daisy is taking 75 mg Deramaxx once/day (twice her regular daily dose she already takes for arthritis pain) and 100 mg Tramadol twice/day. We added the Tram Monday because I couldn't get her to move that morning. Since she seemed much more alert and mobile this morning I decided to cut her Tram dose in half and only gave 50 mg. She pants and drools so much when taking it. I think it also makes it harder for me to get her around because she is so loopy. So far so good. She didn't seem in pain when I got home from work tonight but tomorrow morning will tell me if I lowered the dose too soon.
Marla and Daisy
My Two Tripawds...Biscuit and Spirit Daisy
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