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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Hello everyone!
So my lovely Molly is on day 6 of her post-op recovery and doing fantastic!
Right now I have her situated on a small little area rug and she likes sleeping on it. She has her own little area in the front room to relax.
I am wanting to make sure she is the most comfortable she can be. I know it's recommended to have raised water/food dishes for posture. Do you all recommend a raised bed as well for easier mobility?? (ie. getting in and out of bed) She is a rear amp. and she's 7 years of age.
We rescued her in April and she has been primarily an outside dog until the accident. Now she is a fulltime house dog. So I don't really know her bed preferences.
We have hardwood floors and that's where she sleeps. She doesn't try to get on the furniture.
So raised or not raised...that is today's question. 
Once I know what is recommended, I can browse the Tripawds recommended beds list.
Thank you all!
Welcome to the forums- your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I have to dash right now- just wanted to approve your post so other members could respond.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Welcome sweet Molly! Your avatar picture is adorable!
If she's a medium to large/extra large, I cannot say enough good things about the Big Barker Bed . i is,in my opinion, the tempurpedic version for dogs! It is only for medium to larger dogs though, unless they now make a smaller version.
I absolutely believe the support and strucure of this bed prevented my very FLUFFY , SOMEWHAT CHUNKY, Bull Mastiff from having any joint issues or back problems. . When amputees lay on soft, squishy beds, sometimes it's hard for them to get up or stand as there is not enough firmness to keep them from slipping. Again, this The Big Barker Bed is just too much bed for little guys.
And no, this bed needs no additional foundation or anything to elevate it. Search here and you will find info. on it. If you purchase from the Amazon link here , it helps support tripawds.com too! Win/win all the way around!
let us know more about MOLLY when you can. i know recovery can be a little daunting to say the least! Y ou are not alone so let us know if we can help in anyway!
Look forward to seeing more pics of your pretty girl.
Sending you and Molly the very best wishes for a continued speedy recovery and a glorious life together.!
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!
My recommendation is an orthopedic dog bed . We have two and love them.
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
Hi Molly and family, welcome! We're so glad you joined and look forward to following along with your adventures. What a lucky girl to win the lotto by joining your pack!
Do check out the Beds Page in our Gear Blog, it has a lot of info such as:
Although most humans think that recovering dogs need lots of fluffy pillows to lay on, what they really need most is a low profile bed with extra firm support. New Tripawds are often adjusting their position to be comfortable and can have a hard time turning around on traditional pillow-style beds. Fluffy beds can also act as a sponge for post-op moisture, bugs and odors. Consider making your own dog bed, or review this selection of the best recommended dog beds for restful recovery after amputation surgery.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you all so much for the recommendations! Definitely going orthopedic for sure with Miss Molly. My husband works R&D with a local mattress manufacturer. They have all sorts of foam to work with, so he is going to make her a custom, low-profile orthopedic dog bed !
You are right, your Molly is a lovely girl !! I am late to the conversation, but I want to add that I have used orthopedic beds for all my Labs as long as I can remember. These are the thicker ones made from egg-crate type foam. They are insanely sturdy, but very comfy at the same time. My sweet Tripawd Polly loved the bed, used it all the time, especially recovering from her amp surgery, and could negotiate the bed just fine.
I hope your pretty girl continues to do great, post-op, and she will be ready for some extra spoiling as well !!
Best Wishes,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Pawesome, let us see what the new bed looks like! What a great resource to have available.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi again, I'm glad you got some good input.
I don't usually comment on the bed issue as my rear amp pug Maggie was an exception in her choices for beds. She insisted on getting in her snuggle ball even right after surgery. I made up a flatter, foam bed for her but she would have nothing to do with it. She slept in her snuggle ball all the time, except at night when she slept with me. The picture below was taken after she attended her first Tripawd Party, and about 3 years after her amp.
I'm glad you found us and that Molly is doing so well post op.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Hi Molly, I bought a single bed egg crate foam topper, folded it in half and placed several layers of fleece on top. As she is a large dog, I buy queen/double sized fleece blankets and fold that. With several layers she can mound up and renovate as she pleases and there is still the firmness of the egg crate mattress topper underneath. It is very comfortable (I've even slept on it) yet firm enough so that she isn't falling over on it when she stands up. I also have another blanket that I fold up in a roll and place that around the mattress - so she has an "edge" and can lay her head. Yes, it looks a mess but is comfy yet firm.
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