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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Bo is our 6 year old gorgeous, sweet natured miniature goldendoodle.
She was hit by a van on Tuesday morning after being spooked by a hot air balloon. My husband had taken our two dogs for an early morning run in the fields surrounding the local racecourse. He called me at 7:30 to say that Bo had run off and he couldn’t find her so could I get the kids up and dressed and come to the racecourse to help him look for her. As we were driving up there he called to say that he had received a phone call from somebody to say that Bo had been hit. So we arrived to find her on the side of the road with some lovely people who had put a lead on her and wrapped her in a blanket. She had basically tried to run back to the car after being spooked (the car was in a layby about 2.5km from where he last saw her ). I pulled up and stuck my hazards on as he and our other dog at the scene and we just scooped her up and drove to the vets with me holding her. It was fairly traumatic for everybody.
They got her on fluids and pain meds and then we were allowed in to give her a cuddle before heading home. It was awful because we weren’t sure if we were saying goodbye or not. Lots of tears and shock. She had to be stabilised enough to have a general for X-rays which they managed this afternoon. She had multiple pelvis fractures and multiple fractures of her right leg. Her right foot was a real mess and she’d lost one of her toes. She’s also got a large bone deep wound on her left inguinal area that is down to the bone but thankfully has not damaged the abdominal cavity. Her lungs and internal organs are all ok which is a huge relief.
After a few anaesthetics to take X-rays and begging wound cleaning, today they are operating on her to screw together her pelvic fractures/dislocations and amputate her right hind leg. It’s absolutely the best decision for her and will hopefully mean that she can return home and begin her recovery asap.
she will be on crate rest for 6 weeks before she can begin to get used to her missing leg status.
I was wondering if any other tripawds here had also had to deal with pelvic fracture and how that impacted their dogs recovery. I know it’s going to be a very long journey for us all so any advice or hand holding would be very welcome!!
x
Ohhh my gosh! I'm so sorry about Bo's terrible accident. Just sooo lucky she survived despite the bad injuries. It sounds like she is getting some excellent care. Where are you guys located? Just curious.
Generally when a dog joins us because of a car accident like this, recovery can be a bit slower. There's just so much the body is dealing with, other than the amputation. So don't get discouraged if you think her progress is slow, don't compare her recovery to others because her situation is so unique.
Despite this, she can go on to be happy and healthy on three! We highly encourage physio to help her get strong and have a better recovery, and for you to learn about her capabilities and limitations now and as she grows older. Ask your surgeon for a referral, or if you need help finding a center we can help. Tripawds Foundation even pays for the first consultation with a therapist so please take advantage of the program.
Meanwhile you are in very good company here! And as for this kind of accident, there are many who have gone through it. The dog who first pops into my mind is Murphy. He had a similarly traumatic accident with hip trauma and long recovery but he did great! He is an angel now but lived a high quality life on 3 for many years.
Be sure to let us know how Bo is doing. Check out our What to Expect articles , and our Tripawds Recovery Shopping List . Our Loving Life On Three Legs is also handy!
Your future posts won't need to wait for approval so post away!
Oh gosh! Such a traumatic day on so many levels!!! And all Bo wa ted to do was get back to the safety of his car and go uome! So glad some kind strangers were there to help calm him.
There will be a lot of layers to hsi recovery beyond the "normal" recovery from the amputation surgery. That in itself is MAJOR surgery and now the pelvis surgery in top of that, Nope, not gonna a be easy and will take a bit longer for recovery. Lots of patience and a strong confident attitude around Bo will help in the healing.
Proper pain management will also be crucial to his healing. Also, as Jerry said, a Rehabilitation Specialist consult as he gets further out in recovery will be invaluable.
So glad all his internal organs check out okay, That IS good news!
Try and get some rest. Bo is getting some good drugs right now and seeing g lots of pink elephants!
STAY CONNECTED! We are here to help uou through this drought past and celebrate with uou as Bo's sparkle starts to come back bigger and brighter than ever! BTW...a miniature Golden Doodle will add a whole new level to aTirpawd Cuteness!!!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS.... I'll get j toich with Kathi (Beloved Murphy's Mom) and see if she can add some insight.
Also, while I can't think of the names roght off the top of my head, and if I recall right, we have had some dogs in here who actually had part of their pelvis removed during amputation due to osteosarcoma. Not the same Bonis experiencing, but recovery may be similar
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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