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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September 8th, 2016 I hear my dog crying in pain and realize he's being attacked by my neighbors pit bull. I had a friend over who jumped two fences to get to him since the pit bull had dragged him off and so he came running to me. Due to the severe fractures in his right leg, he had to have it amputated yesterday. It has been very difficult watching him struggle and adjust to missing his front leg. I tell my self this will all be over soon and he will be back to normal before I know it and I am just hoping so. I have 4 daughters that I am trying to stay strong for as well as my dog. It's not easy but I'm trying to. My heart breaks for him. I'm very thankful he's alive and I will still have him in my life but my heart aches for what he went through and what he's gonna be going through.
I would love to hear stories of other tripods and how log it took to bounce back. are they ever the same again? Playing wise and mobility?
I am so, so sorry your little guy was hurt this way and for the trauma you both have suffered! How shocking - I hope the neighbor is helping with your expenses.
Toby will improve, he really will. This is so early in his recovery, but he will get stronger and adapt.
Many dogs here have amputation due to cancer or a longer term injury rather than this sudden and traumatic injury, so they often have been already limping or even not using that 4th leg at all and adjust sooner than others. But most get back to just being a dog and doing things a little differently than other dogs with four legs!
You may want to seek out a certified canine rehab specialist to help with strengthening Toby's core and remaining front leg. I suspect Jerry or an admin will be along soon to give some info and advice on that.
Check here for Jerry's Required Reading List which has blog posts on fitness, exercise, massage and pain management for his recovery period.
This topic thread has lots of videos of Before and After Amputation - so you can see dogs getting mobile again.
Lots of good thoughts for your Toby from me!
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Hester to the rescue! Thank you Lisa & Pofi, your insight and support is always so helpful.
I also feel awful for what happened to poor Toby, that breaks my heart! Yeah, is your neighbor helping? Geez I hope so. Grrr.
And I know it's hard to picture how he'll do afterward, we picture our dogs hobbling around and looking so sad, but I can tell you that 99.9999% of dogs and cats do wonderful in no time at all and go on to have a fantastic quality of life on three legs.
One thing to keep at the forefront of your mind as Toby comes home: your attitude, and that of your kids, will determine how he does. Stay strong, optimistic and "normalize" your life as much as you can right now, and he will feel that energy and give it right back to you.
We have tons of resources here to help you. This one may help right now. It's a video about post-op care and how to Be More Dog .
Also, yes, I do agree that a certified rehab specialist will be very beneficial for him. Doxies' unique body type means we will have different challenges than most Tripawds, so their expertise can guide you in how to help Toby overcome them. The best part? Tripawds Foundation will pay for your first consult. Here is a blog post that explains:
http://tripawds.....-tripawds/
I'm off to work now but stay tuned, lots of folks will chime in. Also, I'm staffing the Tripawds Helpline today so you can always call that number too OK?
Hugs to you, Toby and the pack. Stay strong!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh gosh, so sorry to hear this. So glad your friend was there to help!
It sou ds like Toby is home and didn't spend the night at the Surgeons's, is that correct? Right now you are witnessing him comi g off the a anesthesia and hospital pain meds. As already mentioned, most dogs here limp off and on before getting the dreaded diagnosis, so they already have atiny, riny bit of "adjusting" to three legs ahead of time. But this early on in rrecovery, many dogs need several days before they can go potty without assistance. Low riders like Toby take a little extra time sometimes.
What kinds of pain meds is Toby on? Most come home with Rimadyl, Tramadol, Gabapentin and an antibiotic. It's very important to keep the pain managed. Sometimes it takes aus little tweaking to get the right balance.
YES! YOUR TOBY WILL MASTER THE ART OF THREE LEGS!!! Right now he's recovering from MAJOR surgery and just needs rest, rest, rest and potty breaks! He may not feel like eating for a day or two, but drinking is important. He may not poop for a few days either, but peeing is important.
If you have hardwood floors, you'll want to get non slip scatter rugs for traction .
I'll try a dd fi d the blog to PRINCESS REIGN, an adorable Doxy who ha dles three legs like a pro!!
Keep js posted and TRY and get some rest and TRY not to worry...and good luck with both, right? STAY CONNECTED! YOU ARE NOT ALO E!! Recovery is no picnic for awhile. We here with you!
Lots of 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!
I'm still learning this website so forgive me if it takes time to reply.
Today Toby went outside and went pee on his own. He seems to be a bit happier to see people today and has moved around some. His doctor told me to keep him in a kennel if he's not being held or if he's not outside for the bathroom. I try to not hold him to much because he seems to be a bit in pain even with his medicine. He shakes a bit off and on so I try to just keep him warm and let him rest.
watching him struggle to hop around and to do what use to be normal for him, has been hard but I'm trying to stay happy and positive so he picks up on that to. On top of doing what I can for him, there's a part of my heart that just aches for him. I wish this never happened to him but I'm happy he's alive and I can't wait for this part to be over with and for him to be chasing the cats and stuff like he use to.
Our vet bill was 1821.14 and of course the owners of the dog that attacked Toby said they don't know if they will be able to afford to pay any of the vet bill but they are working on the home owners insurance to see if they will cover at least half of it. Which, I feel they should have to pay all of it but we will see what happens.
Where/how do I start looking for a rehab type thing for him? And I wonder how long I need to give him before doing so?
Thank you everyone for your kinds words, advice, and information. It has seriously been a big help.
Thanks again,
Hanne
Toby doesn't necessarily have to be in his crate, but you do want to limit his activity. Rest and leashed potty breaks are about it for now - no jumping on the furniture, no running around the yard, no long walks - at least not until his staples come out.
What medications is he on? Like Sally said above, most come home on a combination of pain meds. Murphy came home on Tramadol, Rimadyl & Gabapentin. You want to make sure that you are giving something every few hours, not everything at one time, that way you have adequate coverage. Some of the shaking that Toby is doing could be pain-related. And since he was attacked, I would imagine that you may have some anxiety issues to deal with.
From my understanding as a pet owner, the owner of the other dog is responsible for all of your vet bills, whether or not they agree, their dog caused the injuries. Hopefully you filed a police report. You may have to go to small claims court to force them to pay.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Good for you for focusing on being a strong and confident pack leader for Toby!
You WILL get past all this initial trauma and the hurdles of recovery! We talk a lot about BEING MORE DOG around here. It involves staying in the present...the NOW..with No worries, no regret! Toby has no regrets and is just gettin on with life.
The cats will be chased again and he will do it with just as much glee as before!
It's hard to be patient, but recovery doesn't last forever! Toby's sparkle will come back!! There will be one thing he will have to adjust to however. He will be getting more spoiling than either of you ever thought possible!!
Others can help with the Rehab contacts and timeframe. Every dog's recovery is different. Rehabe may be able to start within three weeks for ine dog, and four or more for another.
How frequent are his pain doses? Does the shaking seem to happen shortly before the next dose is due?
You're doing great!! Can't wait to see photos of this cutie pa tootie!
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!
Sorry to be so brief, I'll be back soon. Meanwhile:
Where/how do I start looking for a rehab type thing for him? And I wonder how long I need to give him before doing so?
see
http://tripawds.....ces/#rehab
Scroll down to "Find Holistic Veterinarians and other Health Practitioners for Dogs and Cats." I'd make an appointment now. The sooner the better.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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