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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I have one more thing to add (I've been thinking about your post all day!)...
Let us know how your vet visit goes. Depending on your vet they may or may not want to spay Trinity during her amputation. PLEASE do some research into this before agreeing or disagreeing. It is a bit of a controversial issue among vets right now and I would hate for you to make the decision without knowing all the options. The basics:
PROS (of spaying early):
She will not need to have another surgery when she is 18 - 24 months old.
You will save money as a large dog spay is quite expensive.
Her chances of developing breast cancer will be as decreased as possible.
CONS (of spaying early):
Vets are seeing a great incidence in hip/joint/ligament problems in large dogs that are spayed/neutered at an early age. This is going to be especially important in Trinity’s case because she is only going to have three legs supporting her.
If you are not careful she could become pregnant which would be very hard on her, and it would contribute to pet overpopulation.
Depending on how many heats she goes through her risks of developing breast cancer can become increased.
Do some research on your own, and look at both sides of the argument so you can decide what is best for you and Trinity. It may even be worth it to talk to two different vets. Here is a link to an article written by a vet (it is a little more focused on neutering but the concerns are similar and well explained) to get you started with the basics: http://www.pets.....-your-dog/
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Thanks to everyone for the great advice and concerns for Trinity! She us doing great! We go to the vet tomorrow, so I will let you know what happens. I would love to post pics of her, but I can't figure out how! My only access to the Internet is my iPhone, so if anybody has any hints please let me know! Thanks again!
Good luck at the vets!
Here are instructions for adding images to your posts. Let us know if you have any questions. It's more challenging to do it on an iPhone but it can be done.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sorry everyone, I am not doing very well with keeping you all updated. Trinity is doing great. She is now 4.5 months old and weighing in at about 50 pounds. Her surgery is soon to be scheduled. We are going to try to do it at about 6 months old and try to spay her at the same time. Thanks again for all the support.
Oh gosh no apologies necessary, we're just glad she's doing so great! Good luck with the surgery, please let us know what we can do to help make recovery easier.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Trinity's growing up so fast!
Yeah, that'll back a lot of "surgery stuff" and she's out gonna feel very good at first! But then she can move on and enjoy the rich full life the two of you deserve!
We'll be here waiting! Recovery can be stressful initially, so let us know how we can help!
Trinity sounds like a delightful pup!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
We had a puppy in a similar situation (I posted under Share Your Story, A New Tripawd in the Family). He had his amputation a few weeks ago (June 14th) and is doing great. The vet decided not to neuter him at the same time (and we are glad as it seemed like too much - plus he has a small hernia that needed repaired). The first two weeks post amputation were really rough, but he is doing so much better now. We are getting him neutered and the hernia repaired once he is completely healed. Glad to share anything I can about having a puppy with an amputation or tell you anything we went through:)
Oh my what a sweet pup that Trinity is! We are a two Great Dane house hold and share that amazing special bond that is only Dane. If you don't already know, you will join that small club of humans who knows exactly what that means. Sounds like you are just as extraordinary for adopting that beautiful baby with a deformity. I think everyone has given great advice and Tripawds is definitely the site to help with the three legged world, i would only add a source of great help for all things Dane..... Allaboutgreatdanes.com
Sending you all pawsitive thoughts and hoping for some pictures of that beautiful merle Trinity soon! 
Patricia & Mighty Atlas
So my Trinity had her amputation today! She might even come home tonight! We did have her spayed too. I left it up to the vet to decide depending on how things were going. Thanks for all the well wishes and keep any words of wisdom coming! Great Danes are amazing! She is the best dog ever! Love her so much!
Yay! So hoppy to hear she made it home through surgery. Keep in mind if she comes home tonight it can be rough going as lots of folks have reported when they've done it. We highly recommend leaving her for a night as long as your vet has 24/7 care. If not, the she's better off at home but be sure to ask your vet about who you can contact in an emergency, and stock up on those pain meds too.
She'll be on her way to Loving Life On Three Legs in no time. Congrats!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
oh my!! that is awesome!! Please keep us posted.. and pictures.. we love pictures of our beautiful puppies,, 3 legged, or 4.. we don't mind!!
You are such an angel to take this girlie in... did you actually end up getting the boot for her for the few months that she was with her deformed leg?
when you pick up your girlis.. don't focus on her missing leg.. focus on the happiness in her eyes because whe will be so gosh darn happy to see you..
and of course, I tell everyone.. throw rugs.. you need those around so she doesn't slip and fall!!
can't wait to hear how things go over the next few weeks!!
Christine..... with Franklin in her heart♥
Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012. Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013. Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack... You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!
Awwww. I'm so happy for you and her! She's probably in a good deal of pain and confusion, radiating from all over her little body. Days ahead will be tough, but there will also be many moments of brightness. Hold on to those and just roll with the rest. Keep us posted on your sweet Trinity! Post pics!!!
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Thanks everyone! She is staying the night. Her surgery took 3 hours and they said she was very drowsy. I am very nervous though, they check on them at night, but no one stays! I never did get her the boot, as she got bigger, she used it less and less. She is going to be a little off balance, but she will be fine. Any tips on getting her down 2 steps to get outside to potty? Keep in mind she was spayed too and weighs 85 pounds (at 6 months old)!
She probably won't need the help to go down 2 steps but it can't hurt to be prepared with a sling. We recommend using a canvas grocery bags with the sides cut open. Place it underneath her belly and use the handles to support her as she descends.
I'm glad to hear that she will be checked on at night! Tomorrow will be a relief for both of you I'm sure, it will be a great homecoming.
Whoa, 85 pounds at 6 months old? WOW!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sleep well tonight! Tri ity is copletey drugged up and ot feeling a thing! She may be seeing a few pink elephants though while riding in a hot air balloon!
As Christine said, when you pick her up from the vets' just completely ignore her surgery site and jst clap and praise her for bei g such a good girl!
She will do jist fine. Recovery from BOTH surgeries...WOW! I'm sure she'll be on penty of pain meds for awhile. Just love on her, stay calm and positive and she'll get her sparkle back soon.
We are nere for you. You are strong!
Coe back tomus tomorrow, or as soon as you can.
Surrou ding yoj with calm and lots of healing energy for Trinity!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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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