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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Just want introduce my new puppy to everyone. Wildest Dream Trés Spécial, or Trey,
He even gets along with the barn cats!
So "Hi!" from Trey. We look forward to sharing our journey with other special critters. 
Oh TREY! You are soooo darn cute, thank you for joining us! Your future posts won't need approval so post away.
What a lucky dawg you are to find such good humans who will take GREAT care of you. And yes we DO have info for your people, have you seen "Loving Life On Three Legs "? Lots of great tips there for growing healthy and strong.
We often get people who have questions about a big dog starting out as a Tripawd when they're born, so we'll be real curious to follow your adventures. Sure looks like you're doing great.
When you have time check out our Gear blog post, this will get your people thinking about how to stay fit:
http://gear.tri.....gged-dogs/
Another tip? Stay lean my friend! One extra pound on a dog is like five on a human. Staying slim = less stress on joints.
Really hoppy you are here!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome Trey and Family!!!!
Trey you are just too darn cute and I want to smooch that precious face through the computer!!! I'm so happy that Trey being a Tripawd didn't deter you from opening your home to him. A lot of people see Tripawd pups and kitties as "disabled" or "special needs" but that's really not the case. They can learn to adapt to life on 3 legs fairly quick (dogs and cats that have undergone an amputation surgery) and Trey is totally ahead of the game as that's all he's ever known. As I'm sure you've see there is nothing "disabled" about Trey.
I don't have any specific advise per se but just let Trey be a pup. A lot of us here worry about our fur kids (both 3 and 4 legged) but we can't wrap them up in a bubble and keep them completely from doing what they love because we fear something happening. We can only try and prevent "major mishaps" but there will be stumbles and falls from time to time.
I look forward to watching Trey grow up and hearing all about his amazing adventures!
Sahana and her Angel Leland and Lucian too
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
I don't have specific advice for a larger breed as mine was a small 22 pounds but Trey is adorable!!! I love that face!!! I would definitely agree with Jerry - download the books as they are huge help. There are lots of great exercises to help strengthen the remaining legs for best use.
Keep us posted!!!
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
Well hello Trey! Wonderful to meet you and your good looking pack! Welcome!!!
This just warms my heart! Thank you for bringing this brave fella' into your some so he will know what love feels like!
You'll find tons of information in the links Jerry gave you. I always like the idea of raised water and food bowls so they don't nave to strain. Non slip scatter rugs are good for traction if you have hardwood floors.
Cannot wait to follow the journey of Ttey and all his pack! We love photos and videps around here!
Hugs to all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Welcome, Trey ! here in Brazil your breed is called Bernese Mountain Dog, and it's becoming more and more popular.
I understand the concerns about his development since he will grow up to be a big guy.
I would suggest physical therapy from the start, a harness instead of a normal leash for him, and special care with his weight. Should be as light as possible.
hugs from Daniela & Johnnie
Our awesome Golden Boy was diagnosed for OSA in April 2014 in the proximal humerus, front-leg amp on 05/20/2014. Finished chemo (Carbo6) on 07/10/2014. Ongoing treatment: acupuncture + K-9 Immunity Plus ( 3chews) and home-cooked no-grain diet. Stopped Apocaps because of liver issues. Liver issues: controlling altered enzymes with SAM-e and Milk Thistle. October 17: started having seizures. Taking fenobarbital for seizures. April 18: started prednisone.
Actually, Bernese Mountain Dogs are a different breed. They are cousins to the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, and the only one of the four Swiss "sennenhund" breeds that have long hair. In order of size the four breeds are Entlebucher, Appenzeller, Bernese, and Greater Swiss. 🙂 When Trey is an adult he will be larger than a Bernese, hence the breed name. Also, his hair coat will always be short. Berners sometimes look larger, but it's all hair 😉 If you put them on a scale, the Greater Swiss has more mass - they are solid built dogs originally bred for all around farm work - herd the cattle to their fields, watch the farm, and then pull the beef to market in a cart when the cows are butchered. Their nickname is the poor man's horse.
This is Trey's half brother at a dog show:
He averages around 135lbs. I have one male who is just under 150lbs, despite a perpetual diet. My bitch is around 125lbs fit and trim. Even with the short double coat, they still shed almost as much as a Berner!
Very informative! Thanks for the distinctions.
A d what a good looking dog Trey's brother is!
I know we saw a "group" picture of Try and the pack...would love to see individual pictures of your ,
male and female! So much to hug!
HUGS!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Welcome! Trey is simply adorable. The advice I have been given is keep their weight in check, their core strong and try not to let them jump off things like beds, vehicles etc. T he weight thing, My DARYL has down, he is not at all food driven, but the jumping, he is crazy. He is down most times before I can grab him to help. I am sure that with over 100 lbs. you will be doing little lifting of Trey when he is grown. I have already thought ahead to the future and wheels for my boy if he needs them at some point. Enjoy him, he is a keeper! Lori, Ty and Gang
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Welcome Trey & Family. I am glad you found us. Everyone has given great advice. When he gets older I would suggest good joint supplements to. They will help 🙂
I love all the pictures. Make sure to start a blog to keep us informed of his journey too.
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Well, I think he's a member of the "adorable" breed!!! What a cutie!!!
Welcome!!
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
Realized it has been almost two months since I last checked in, and want to remedy that! Trey is doing well. He has graduated from puppy class and has started adolescent puppy class. He has a new BFF. My youngest barn cat has adopted him. I guess kids of the same age gravitate to each other 😉
He has begun coaching his older brother. Not so sure Truffle wanted a coach lol!
He has become a full member of the pack whilst growing like a weed!
I do have some concerns about his wrist. When he's tired, he almost walks on his pastern. A carpal wrap isn't quite strong enough to keep him upright, and he's growing too quickly for a custom splint right now. So, we take it easy on the front leg. Wrap it when we can, but really have to watch it closely. When it's tight enough to keep him straight, it restricts circulation and after a few hours causes slight foot swelling. 🙁
My regular vet isn't concerned about it, but I am slowly researching a rehab type practice to get another opinion.
So, that's about all - except Trey can now attest that acupuncture makes him very sleepy!
Awww I am glad you updated us about Trey. I don't have any experience with front amputees but I think you are doing the right thing by checking into rehab vet.
Keep us updated. Loved all the pictures of him & the pack
xoxoxxo
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Adorable! Love to know you guys are doing well and life is good.
Trey is getting some awesome care! I agree, watch that front leg and his activity levels so the ol' arthuritis doesn't kick in. A good rehab vet will prescribe some exercises and homework that will help tremendously. Be sure to check out these rehab discussions with Dr. Kennedy, lots of good info here:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Such a good looking pack!! Beautiful dogs, must beautiful! Even little mitty is adorable!
And Trey, you are an outstanding motivational coach...very passionate!!
Good to hear from you and thanks for glimpses into your delightful family album! I love that picture of Trey being so relaxed after his acupuncture session. Such a well cared for boy...a very lucky boy!
Hugs to all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
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