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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Tolly is sooooo adorable!!! Clearly she is a very loved pup!
And I agree with yiur partner about getting some FREE perks from that Vet! I would really "discuss" their definition of consultation versus your definition!!
And don't worry aboht forgetting stuff. Under the bedt of circumstances we all do that! This is a stressful time and all the medical mumbo jumbo confuses us even more!
Hopefully we can help sort things out for you, so continue to stay connected!
B R E A T H E......B R E A T H E......We are right here by your side! 🙂
((((((((((((((((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!
Megstamum (Clare) will be able to help you regarding orthopaedic surgeons in the UK. I'm sure she knows a few by now, even if not close to you. But I'm sure she'll be able to help regarding how to find one!!
Good luck you guys, I know about migraines and how bad they get and I always feel like I lose a few braincells when having had one -I can't even imagine seizures! If in doubt, come back here, read again, ask again. Nobody here will ever mind!!
tina & Manni
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
Thank you so much everybody, appt done and GOOD NEWS!
We saw a new vet who was just wonderful. My partner said the following (he was in with her, I was sat outsidemost the time with Sasha as I wasn't doing so good) :
- this new vet kept saying "and did the other vet tell you...?" and my partner said no every time, because it was all totally new information. She proceeded to tell us loads of things the other vet should have, now we're much better informed and more aware of our options
- she said we should NOT put Tolly through the surgery with wires (that the other vets, one in particular, heavily pushed) as there are too many risks and complications, and not enough certain gains
- she then said she saw no reason why Toller wouldn't recover well just with splints. She said in her opinion the worst Toller would be left with is a bit of a limp, but it should not inhibit her, she shouldn't be in pain, and she should be able to manage walks and live life as a dog should
She said that once fully healed we can reasses, and see how the leg is doing. She said that if there were any pain or problems, we could discuss amputation then, but in her view Toller should be okay.
Does this sound adequate? When my partner said he started discussing diets to help arthritis, the vet said that was a good idea but didn't see why Toller would be particularly susceptible.
Right now the plan is try keep a splint on (the vet acknowledged that splints do fall off and some dogs seem to be worse than others) and have regular appts to asses how Toll is doing. After 6-8 weeks crate rest we begin physio to strengthen up her leg, and possible future x-rays to make sure everything has healed okay.
Again thank you to all that have replied so far, your support meant so much to us, and I'll keep you UTD with how things are going. Here are some pics right after the appt!
She was spark out in my partner's arms here 🙂
I think that's great news!Let her heal and then see. And a vet that takes her time is great!
Hoping for a speedy recovery!!
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
This is wonderful news. I was just looking up every teaching hospital within a couple of hours of you, but it doesn't sound as though you'll be needing one, or not at the moment. For future reference, my choice would be The Liverpool University Small Animal Teaching Hospital, should you need to seek expert, specialist advice in the future (to be clear, this is based on research, not personal experience. I haven't been there myself)
Definitely sounds like a good idea to give her foot a chance to mend, without unnecessary interference. But I must say, I can see no reason not to give a supplement such as Dasuquin now in addition to a high quality fish oil (both can be bought online - you don't need a prescription). It certainly won't do any harm and it may help protect against arthritis, even if the vet doesn't feel there's any reason why Tolly should be particularly susceptible, which is great news.
It's great that you've found such a wonderful, thorough, sympathetic and communicative vet. It makes such a difference! And the physio should really help too. Tolly is such an adorable baby 
Do keep us posted. We'll be thinking of you, and I'm looking forward to the video you'll be posting in a few months, little Tolly scampering about, all healed up and full of mischief...
All best,
Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
I'm sure she knows a few by now
Oh, so true... 
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR TOLLY!!!! AND YAAAAAAAAAY FOR YOU FOR BEING SUCH A GOOD ADVOCATE FOR TOLLY!!
You clearly found THE right Vet for Tolly who really seems to know what's what!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 Everything you were told makes perfectly good sense to my untrained ears!
So glad this sweet little dog is in your loving care furever! 🙂 🙂
And I may be COMPLETELY WRONG on this, okay?? As far as joint supplements, if I recall correctly, our "volunteer" Vet doesn't suggest joint supplements jntil they are older (maybe four or five??). Of course, I'm beyond daft when it comes to searching stuff here and I couldn't find the post. Again, I may be soooo wrong and it may not even apply to Tolly's situation anyway. So check into it further for yourselves, okay?
Dtto Clare....we'll be looking forward to more video AND poctures of Tolly living life to the fullest!! So glad you found us and we can follow her journey!
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 definitely think that sounds like great news!!! And she's just so darn cute!!! XOXO
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Finding a vet that you feel comfortable with and trust is sooooooo important!
You guys are doing great being strong advocates for Tolly.
So maybe we should have a disclaimer for the first time you log on but....now that you posted (and shared pictures) you are all part of our family here and we want to follow along with Tolly's recovery. For one thing, she is just too cute for words! Also your story may help someone down the line who is in your situation.
Good luck with the healing and keep us posted.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Hello!
I have an awesome update for everyone about Tolly 🙂
We're 2.5 weeks into 6-8 weeks crate rest, and SHE IS DOING GREAT!!! Not only has she been managing 18-20 hours in her crate far more easily than we expected, but her recovery is progressing much MUCH faster than the initial vets lead us to believe 😀
Here is a video taken tonight, barely even a limp!! (I don't think it's letting me post the video due to an iFrame (?!) so here's the url):
She is 2.5 weeks into recovery, and already doing better than the first two vets lead us to believe she would do once fully recovered!!!! Also up until a few days ago the first vet (who seems to have been assigned 'our' vet) was still pushing surgery, and phoning us almost daily. We finally told her 2 days ago that we have zero intention of putting her through the surgery...because duh?!
For mental stimulation and happiness things are hard for Spud, although she's doing REALLY well I feel awful because nothing is keeping her stimulated. We found some training we can do in my partner's arms, but she gets bored after a few reps. Food and treats bore her unless it's smelly wet food, and she doesn't even have any interest in bones, pigs' trotters etc!! She goes on a 'walk' everyday in my partner's arms, and just whinges the whole way XD
Now she's being held on the other side of a barrier watching our other dogs, which is some stimulation for her, and we play excited kissy-face games too haha!
Oh that little spitfire looks great! I'm so happy she is doing so well. She's probably thinking "What's the big deal guys? I'm FINE can't you see? Now let's have some REAL FUN!"
She'll keep you on your toes that's for sure but what a cutie. Keep up the great care!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Aw, Tolly is such a cutie pie! It's great that she's doing so well, they are amazing 
Tracey & Tai
Can your partner or a friend go with you to the vet? One person to ask the questions on your list, the other to take notes? Even with the best of memories, it is hard to keep this stuff straight if you are not a vet yourself. And definitely keep looking until you find a vet you trust. Your situation is very difficult - probably harder than those of us whose dogs had cancer. Are there any universities with vet schools within a reasonable drive?
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Wow! No sooner did I post then I realized that there were more posts that I missed. So glad you found a good vet and she is doing so well! By the way, my Tess had a limp her whole life - her right front leg was broken in her first year of life and never set by a vet. Although it healed crooked, she was not in any pain, could do everything other dogs did (and could run like the wind). She did tear her cruciate when she was 8 1/2, no idea if that was related to her gait, but never developed arthritis, which was identified as a key risk.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Oh, that's great news!
The wonders of youth! 🙂 I know that in human children broken bones med A LOT better than in adults and why shouldn't it be the same in dogs? Maybe she'll surprise you and the vets and she'll be back on all four feet in no time!
It's really great to hear and thank you for giving us an update! Please keep doing that!
I hope you yourself are doing as well, too!
tina & Manni
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
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