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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She's so adorable (of course, I'm maybe a little biased because she looks like my angel Abby...) but I would do just about anything for that girl too!
That is a big bummer that both news need the surgery, but at least it's not cancer!!! Happy dance for that news!
Vacations are overrated anyway! 🙂 You can have a stay-cation with your lovely pup!
Keep us posted!
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Hi Ellie and family. Sorry Ellie is having such a hard time right now, but just as she has amazed you as a tripawd, I will bet that she will amaze you even more with the recovery ahead.
First, she is beautiful (and yes, I immediately thought of Abby when I saw the pics)!
Second, I'm sure that Cometdog will chime in soon. Comet was a tripawd due to a birth defect and, if I'm not mistaken, underwent ACL surgeries on both back knees and she recovered fine.
Good luck to you!
Lisa
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
Ellie was born with a shorter leg ...previous owner neglected her and she was rescued from Death Row at the shelter. I got her just 3 months after her amputation.
Jackie when i showed my wife the thread she saw Abby and she was like OMG she looks just like Ellie. Abby was beautiful and I am sure you have great memories with her. One day we will all be back together.
Stay-cation it is!!!!
Oh Wowza! What an adorable dog Ellie is! She and Angel Abby could have been sisters!!!
So sorry to hear about the ACL rupture! Four words. IT SUCKS! IT SUCKS! (x2 since you have two to deal with)
Like Zeus' mom said, my Comet was born with a deformed front leg and her 1st one blew at about 6 years old. Second one a 1 1/2 - 2 years later. It's not uncommon on tripawds. We did the TPLO's. (actually ours was closer to $3500 each - it's been a while now so i don't remember exactly...we had a surgeon from Iowa come in and do hers)
Lucky for us Comet was just under 40lbs so we could carry her. Having a 2 legged dog was extremely challenging! Being that I was home with her all day, she had to be near me so it got very hard carrying her everywhere I was. And going up and down our indoor stairs was hard....by week 12! We carried her for 12 weeks because at that time, she was not to bear any weight on it and we didn't have a rehab facility - so we followed the vet's instructions of "NO WALKING ON IT". I'm not sure what your vet suggests. It took 12 weeks for the bone on each to heal.
The first surgery was traumatic. With a deformed front leg I was afraid of wire crates because the deformed foot could get caught. I bought soft sided crates and that helped but she really couldn't see out too well.
However on the second surgery, my husband made a rolling crib. We had old wooden baby bed without legs that we added a bottom to that was sturdy and added heavy duty wheels. I bought the wooden baby bed thing years ago at a garage sale, not sure why I bought it since I don't have kids. I think you could probably make one...a trip to the thrift store may give you ideas. We then put a stretch mesh cover on top so she couldn't jump up. (a bungy car thingy you buy to hold down stuff) We padded the inside so her legs wouldn't get caught in the rails. We padded it with dog toys (see pic below)...yes, they are all the same. (don't ask why i had 100 of the same stuffed animals - but i did!)
She really liked it since it wasn't enclosed too much and she could be next to us at all times. Rolling her around the house and even outside made the experience so much easier!
Here's a top view of the homemade dog crib! (pic below)
Once Comet healed from the second surgery - she did great the rest of her life. We never had a problem with her legs after that and she didn't really develop arthritis. She had a boatload of other maladies but very little arthritis and I had her for 12 years.
Sending Ellie lots and lots of good thoughts!!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Comet looked like a total GEM!! Im sorry to see she has passed but I know we will all get to be together again one day.
Ellie like Comet was born with a shorter/deformed leg it was further damaged at some point prior to us having her and she was rescued from the needle on death row. For that I am eternally grateful. She has been a constant source of fun , companionship and just plain joy. picture below of her before the amputation, her Vet has just recently passed on and he always loved to see her. Said she was special , "there is just something about her Duncan" how right he was!!
We have a spare room which we are going to transform for her over this weekend. As we have three other dogs we cant let them be together when we were out for her safety and recuperation. You have given me some ideas. Got some toys for her and we are going to sort out some sort of comfortable sleeping area ...not sure what yet just too soon to get it all clear in my head. The Vet has also suggested an orthopet acl brace for the leg that is going to be operated on second... did you have one of these ... i think with her being a tripawd the extra stability will help to maintain the leg as it is now and prevent any further damage or breakage.
This baby had her trials and tribulations before meeting us and I am not going to fail her now. So we will press on and I will attend to her every need. I was pretty good when the wife had Rotator Cuff surgery so hopefully I will manage the same for Ellie.
Thank you all.
Duncan and Ellie
Gosh. Sorry about the ACL news. Sounds like she is in great hands with a dad who adores her to pieces. And how could you not with that cute little face?! When is her first surgery? Wishing you the best as you face a difficult recovery. Thanks for keeping us posted. =)
Oh, oh, oh!!! How cute!!! That itty bitty leg! Poor baby! What a great family she has in you and your wife!
When I researched ACL repairs prior to surgery, I read horror stories because the pups were not confined well enough. Make sure you don't give her any room to move about when you transform the room. And don't be surprised if she is upset in a room by herself! That's why i like the soft sided crate while we were not at home and at bedtime. We had a German Shepard that adored her but they would have played with each other so we kept her separate but together via crib and crate.
My little Comet was my world! Oh gosh, she was! She, too came from a ghastly beginning! She came out of a home of 22 dogs (a dog hoarder). Most of them were put down because of malnutrition. Why Comet survived, I'll never know. Actually Child Protective Services had come to the home for a problem with the people's children and found the dog situation. When i stumbled on Comet at the shelter, she was already marked down to $10.
Comet's leg was supposed to come off but she came down with kennel cough which led to pnemonia/collapsed lung. The vet wouldn't do the surgery the day we brought her in. It took weeks to get her well and by that time we realized she could move the shoulder and like to paddle stuff with her gimpy little leg. We didn't want to put her thru anymore. She had never been able to be just be a puppy, so we didn't follow thru on the amp. Honestly, i fell in love with her little leg...she used it to be ornery by kicking stuff to get attention!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
You sound like a terrific dad for Ellie. Your love for her is so heart warming. I'm sure this will be sticky for you guys for a while, but your attitude will surely pull you through it. Ellie is so lucky to have found you!
Leslie
Well she has been a little sore today after the manipulation of the leg done under sedation but she was feeling good enough to go out sit beside the car and want to go for a drive 
. Head out enjoying the wind ...good to see her happy after days of nothing but laying around.
We going to have some cuddles on the floor tonight watching the Tour de France....Daddy with a beer Ellie with a chew 
Oh, we are addicted to watching the Tour. We enjoy snuggling w/ the pup and watching the Tour too.
Enjoy your pup. It's nice to see them happy.
Jackie, Angel Abby & MBBunny Rita's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
I think the sedation and the tramadol she is along with the novox has had an affect on her appetite ...gone off dog food all together. However a piece of tenderlion some chicken breast and some hamburger meat has gone down a storm...esp the tenderloin..... I told her daddy is going to be on skirt steak for a while ...but she is worth it
She was laying besdie the door when i pulled up at the house tonight wagging her tail... just seeing her doing that is worth 5000 ... its going to be a long road ..emotional im sure to see her in pain and recuperating ...and I am going to lean on you all for support and advice, but as I told her the other night daddy is going to make her run again.
Thank you all!!!!!!
Its a long road we take in life ... never thought id end up living in Alabama ..I gave up a lot future wise to come here from Scotland and start again but had i not Ellie would never been in my life and not that I havent already but seeing her struggle recently I think it has made me cherish her more ..I just want to have her around and happy for as long as possible. Just like you all are with your babies.
Hey Ellie's Dad, that's great news that it's not cancer! Woo hoo!
As you've already learned, ACL repairs put any dog on a long road to recovery but especially a Tripawd. And yep, we'll be here for you to lean on all the way through recovery.
A Scot? In 'Bama? Wow, now that's something different! I can't imagine the culture shock for you!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Well it has been a busy last few days, Ellie getting her and house ready for this week and well read below.
BTW Yes Jerry it was deffinetley a culture shock.
Rescued a dog on Friday night with a couple of friends from a very bad situation, I cant understand how people
can be cruel to such sweet animals. Here we are fighting to make sure our babies get thro traumatic events and there are people who intentionally go out of there way to harm them. The POS that we rescued the baby from tried to claim that a big cat had done the damage ..started to get a bit aggressive with me when i went to leash her ..just about put his ass on the floor..self control at its best let me tell you. The guy had obviously either kicked her repeatedly or stomped on her head ..drunkered .. or druggie whatever he is a sumball. Alabama is terrible for things like this, I work ..should i say Volunteer for an animal rescue and we do what we can. I am not putting this link up to ask for donations simply to show you what we deal with ...http://theshack.....k-mart-dog PLEASE NOTE THIS IS VERY GRAPHIC... I was face to face with this sweet girl and she was so scared ...
Ellie has been doing a little better ..I guess the drugs are taking the edge of things. I am so nervous for her , take her in Tuesday morning. I pray that she copes well with the surgery.. we have her room just about ready. Keep my baby in your thoughts. You have all helped me so much with the advice and kind thoughts. Dreading the recuperation ..not for me i will do whatever , I am just fearful of seeing her in pain. Hope you know what i mean.
Duncan
Hi Duncan, thanks for the update. Since I am too much of a wuss I can't look at the link. I know that it will haunt me forever as other images already do. Please tell us, how is the little girl you saved? Will she be ok?
We will help you as much as we can with Ellie. There is a lot of collective knowledge, experience and big hearts on this website.
Keeping you and Ellie in our thoughts.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Thanks Karen for the thoughts I will let you all know how it goes. I believe in the power of prayer and good thoughts ..
I used to think i couldnt look at things ..the photos are bad but when you have to deal with it for real and have a dog so scared its different, you see past it .. i guess you just swallow your fear and move on because you realize the poor baby in front of you is in pain and doesnt understand why it happened.
She should be ok now .. she had the eye removed as it was out of the socket, when I got the call i was like oh i dont want to see to myself this but the guy was being abusive and the other two there were young ladies and it was a dog in need so I went to help the dog and make sure my friends were safe. I wanted to drag the POS into the woods and beat the crap out of him ..but that wouldnt achieve anything.
Magnum looked liked a beutiful dog I am so sorry for you recent loss. One day we will all be reunited at the Rainbow Bridge.
Best Wishes from Mobile Alabama.
Duncan
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