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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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Forums not only about cancer dogs!
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On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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21 October 2008 - 1:24 am
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Some visitors have expressed how they thought this website was only about canine cancer survivors. We apologize, because that is not the case at all. Cancer just happens to be the leading cause for amputation in dogs.

So, without further ado, we present this forum specifically for the discussion of three-legged dogs who became that way for reasons other than cancer ... whether that be accidents, birth deformaties, abuse, or being kicked by a horse.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
28 May 2008
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21 October 2008 - 9:14 am
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The more tripawds in the family the merrier!!!

Good topic Jerry! You are quite busy these days up in heaven aren't you?

Big smooch from Mom...(I'm getting a little jealous here of her affection for you!)

Zeus

Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together

Member Since:
25 April 2008
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21 October 2008 - 11:33 am
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Yes, Jerry you have certainly gotten your wings. Thanks for continuing to be an angel here on earth and helping fellow tripawds Innocent

Kim & Angel Buster

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
–Anatole France

Member Since:
27 July 2008
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9 November 2008 - 12:30 am
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Awwww, I think it's great that you started this group.  It will be good to see how many responses you get.  Good job, you guys & Spirit Jerry!

Love, Vicki, Blazer & Kitty Kimber

Member Since:
28 August 2008
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10 November 2008 - 12:43 pm
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Well, I never felt like I wasn't welcome here and I don't have cancer.  I'm a Tripawd and proud of it! Woof!  I wish I could remember what it was that happened to me but it doesn't really matter.  My mom took one look at me and knew I was special and now I have a nice home and lots of friends here!

Pogi!

Metro Kansas City
Member Since:
23 October 2008
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10 November 2008 - 1:01 pm
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Calamity & I always feel welcome here & we hope we don't have cancer. We get a lot from this forum & the people who participate.

The majority of amputees do have cancer - it's sad & devastating - but the surgery & the recovery is the same. Mobility afterwards is still the same. Hints & ideas will fit all.

I think this forum is a wonderful thing!

Janie & Calamity

Janie & Calamity http://www.trix.....gspot.com/

Member Since:
30 November 2008
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30 November 2008 - 8:48 am
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Pacey and I felt welcome here right away, and we're so happy to find a forum to help us out!

Thanks so much! This is a wonderful forum and i have found some great information.

There is one question that i couldn't find the answer to however. I read a lot about adding a Glucosamine supplement to a tripawds diet. Pacey is 7 months old, should i start giving him a Glucosamine supplement now? or is this something that should be done when he gets older?

Thanks!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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2 December 2008 - 1:04 am
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Hey Pacey, that is a great question. We're not vets so we don't want to try to answer that but you might want to post something in our "Ask a Vet" thread, or better yet, join us tomorrow, Tuesday, for our live "Ask an Oncologist" chat at 5pm Pacific, 8pm Eastern. My oncologist, Dr. Mullins, is very knowledgeable about supplements and can probably answer that. Hope to see you there!

 

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
30 November 2008
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2 December 2008 - 6:19 am
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Thanks! I'll definitely try to make it to the discussion tonight.

Member Since:
27 July 2008
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2 December 2008 - 12:22 pm
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Wild horses couldn't keep me away from the "Ask the Oncologist" discussion tonight at 5 p.m. PST, or 8 p.m. EST.  I'm really excited about this since the last discussion Jim & Rene planned with Dr. Pam was so successful.

Your friends, Blazer, Kitty Kimber & Mom (Vicki)

Cope
11
12 December 2008 - 11:59 am
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Hi! I am new to my life as a tripawd. My mom is pretty upset seeing me with a missing leg because I was such and active dog before my losing battle against a volvo. Is there anything my mom can do, other than buy those little harnesses, to help me walk better...my balance isnt all too good and mom cries when I fall down.

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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12 December 2008 - 1:18 pm
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Cope said:

Is there anything my mom can do, other than buy those little harnesses, to help me walk better…


Thanks for joining the discussion Cope!

The best thing you can do right now is wait, and get lots of rest. Your strength will come back. You just need a little time to recuperate.

Tell your mom not to show her anguish, because you know, as a pack animal you are likely to follow her lead. She needs to be strong. Reading our answers to top ten dog leg amputation questions may help!

You should start a new topic to share your story and let everyone know when you had your amputation so we can all follow your progress ...

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
27 July 2008
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13 December 2008 - 8:48 am
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Hi Carley & Cope, and welcome!

Definitely, you need to start a new forum thread so that everyone will see your messages and I like it when the person includes the dog's name in the title of the thread.  It sure makes it easier for people to find you when you do that and like Spirit Jerry said, we could use more details as to when Cope had your surgery and all that.

Cope will do fine once he recovers.  Watch Jerry's videos on http://www.youtube.com under "jerrygdawg" and you'll see some of the amazing things dogs can do on 3 legs.  They really do fine.  Honest.

Love, Vicki, Blazer & Kitty Kimber


Member Since:
30 January 2009
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31 January 2009 - 1:29 am
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I am very happy to have found this site, and this forum!!  I would hope I'm posting in the right area, I'm new here, so please bear with me!!  I'd like to introduce you to my furkids, their names are Happy (german shorthair pointer), Jasmine (goes by Jazz, black lab), and Gatsby (german shorthair pointer).  All are rescue dogs from abusive situations.  Happy is 12 and a half, and in November of 2008 was diagnosed with lymphoma cancer.  Gatsby is fine, on the large side for a GSP, a big love bug and funny dog!!  Jazz is my lame and lazy dog.  I rescued her from people with an ad in the paper, they were going to put her in the pound and probably to sleep because she has a limp.  I went to look at her, saw those sorrowful eyes begging for help, and she came home with me that night, and never looked back.  She was so happy to get into my (a complete stranger!!) car, and never suffered any seperation anxiety.  I later learned that the people had kicked her, and broken her left hind leg (I already knew something was wrong because it wouldn't bend).  I took her to my vet, and he told me that after seeing the x-rays, there is nothing that can be done to heal her leg.  It was never taken care of properly, so the bones and joints are completely fused together.  Amputation is the only option besides leaving it like it is.  She isn't in any pain, and she gets around fine, climbs in my bed with me (sometimes needs a little help), and uses it to balance on when she pees (like a male, lifts her other leg, it's too cute).  However, that leg does throw off her balance, and her hips get really sore after walking or standing more than five minutes at a time.  The vet said she would get arthritis at an early age because of it.  So now I'm left with the question, leave it, or take it??  She's about seven years old (my best guess since I've had her for four years).  She's so used to having it, I wonder and struggle with this decision, do I leave it, or do I have it amputated and then she has a big adjustment to make??  I really don't know what to do for her, and like I said she's not in pain, so thus far I have done nothing about her leg.  As she is getting older, and I know she needs to lose some weight, I just wonder if I should go ahead and do the surgery??  I have done some PT with her, that doesn't help because everything is completely fused, those x-rays were the saddest thing I have ever seen.  You can pinch the pads of her paw on that leg, and she doesn't react.  If I even touch any other paw she immediately rolls over so I can pet her belly!!  I have tried flipping over that paw, so she's standing on the wrong side, and she doesn't know it, so I know there is nerve damage as well.  Finances are tough, but I have found a lab rescue group that will help with that.  I just don't know how to make the decision??  I've spent hours crying for her, searching my heart and soul for the right thing to do, and still don't know.  I feel that she does fine the way it is, so it might be kindest to leave it and not make her have to go through that adjustment.  But at the same time, I had a lab who was 13, and she had arthritis, and it almost killed me to see her like that.  Just wondered if anyone has any thoughts or suggestions, let me know please!!  Thank you, and I look forward to getting to know all of you and your furkids!!

On The Road


Member Since:
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31 January 2009 - 5:22 pm
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doggymomma52323 said:

So now I'm left with the question, leave it, or take it??


This would be a great question for a new topic in the Ask a Vet forum. We've heard that the weight of the extra limb can cause spinal issues over time. And your vet did mention arthritis. But amptation would not require much adaptation if she is already not using the leg. A couple weeks of healing after surgery and she should be fine, if otherwise fit and healthy. 

Please start a new topic for this with your questions. We'd love to hear what others have to say.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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