Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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That was pawsitively WONDERFUL!!!!! Obie is one handsome dude Karen. Sally needs to show Frankie this when he's a little more with it, smile ❤
Sally, I'm probably right there next to you. I have been a sun worship warrior for as long as I can remember. I hope the procedure is simple and not too painful. My turn will probably be next.
They make a great "salt" that you can throw down to melt ice that's paw friendly. That might be easier than trying to crack ice. I'm trying to remember the name of it, grrr I cannot remember it. I will go look.
Waiting to hear that your transport journey went ok. Sending you lots of positive energy.
Jackie ❤❤
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
Woo-hoo! Glad the surgery is over Frankie. Get some rest and get better soon so your mom can stop worrying about you.
David and Rocky (and Baxter now too!)
Rocky had his right front leg amputated on Valentine's Day 2017 after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma.
He joined the September Saints on September 3, 2017.
He is the toughest, bravest, sweetest and best friend I'll ever know.
Great news Sally! And you and Frankie will be able to share "war" stories while Nurse Myrtle takes care of you as Clare suggested. I seem to recall either her or Hannah wearing a nursey type uniform.
We do worry about our pets and our Tripawd Nation family.
Hugs, cuddles and love to you and the furry ones,
Kerren and her furry ones, Eli and Mona, who said to tell Frankie to purr so he heals faster
You all just light up mh world!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 That's what people do who are pure love and light!!! 🙂
Never doubt thst the pawsitive energy you send doesn't make a difference!! It does!! Itsw a very empowering feeling knowr I have the support of this SPECTACULAR COMMUNITY!! 🙂
QUICK UPDATE: Just got home abput an hour ago after taking Frankie to the overnight cash sucking clinic and spending some nighty night time with him. He wags his tail when I talk to him, but he's really whacked! Being mobile right now is not in the cards. Hoping to pick him up in morning regardless! I HAVE to get that boy home and on the road to recovery
And Jackie, Im iin a rural area and theire aren't that many "neighbors" around. They all pretty much do ther own thing. Other than my work, I pretty much stick to myself too. There's oe kind woman who has helped me out if I need a ride if my car breaks down, but she's old (older than I am!) and can't kift 79 lb dogs either! 🙂 Yeah, I will DEFINITELY chexk I to the "salt" or "chicken grit" someone suggested!! THANK YOU!
The Vet said:. "The surgeries I've done like this have all gone well. But Frankie's was AWESOME!!!! REALLY, IT WAS AWESOME!!! I'M SO PLEASED!" You could hear the joy in her coice! She was quit pleased! She said it was DEFINITELY torn/rupture,but the meniscus was in good shape! She was glad about that.
Now it's up to Frankie and myself to get this boy fully recovered. She gave me a couple of sheets kn PT that I need to start with him.
I HAVE to say this ine thing about the "overnight cash sucking clinic"! My Vet was being nust as helpful as she could so she sent along some Tramadol and some fluids so I wouldn't have to pay a pn outrageous amount there. My Vet sent all the infor over and explained this is to be bare bones as itsw just an overnight stay becae I coue get him out of the car and carry him up the steps saf The on-call Vet started going over a "treatment plan." I nicely interrupted and explained the purpose agin. Anyway, a lot of back and forth went on...hyes I have antibiotics, yes he's had his today...yes he's had a pain injection, no I don't need to be charged for a morphine injection. Okay, yiu get the picture. So she had to keep knocking sruff (aka known as monies to be collected) off her "esrimate.
She kept the Tramadol charge on there at $23 FOR ONE!!!!!!! My Vet gave me SEVEN to take over there st $12!!! I said I have the Tram for him!! GET READY......SHE SAID THE $23'is for GIVIW him the pill....it takes staff rime ro give him the pill!!!! Too tired to deal with it tonight, but I will tomorrow!!
THE IMPORTANT THING IS FRANKIE IS SAFE AND SHAKING OFF HIS DRUGS AND WILL BE HOME TOMORROW!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Oh...just fot an email notification from Martha....be right back 🙂 🙂
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!
Thally! Frankie!
Mum just told me what’s going Frankie!!! Dude! I feel for you! Please get better real soon, but take good care of yourself k? You remember that bedrest thing right? It was all about layin around, getting all of our most favour foods spooned into our mouths, getting extra schmoozin cuddles and if you batt those beautiful eyes of yours, you’ll get even more! Geez buddy, even I have to admit, your eyes are Top 10 candidates for the most stunning ‘suck you in to my world’ type eyes!
Youre surgery went fabulously!!! Brilliant! Brilliant! Brilliant! Buddy, you are already halfway there! Bed rest, ice cream, chicken, hot dogs and anything else in the world you ask for, that’s the prescription for you until you get the all clear from Mum okay! And speaking of Mum, you make sure she gets lots of ice cream and chocolate, we have to remind her that her prescription works and makes us all feel better!!! In fact,My Mum is sitting beside me while I Paw at her iPawd, eating a really big Fruit & Nut (no comments please!) bar, ‘cuz she is so hoppy for Frankie! I asked for some, but she said that I would frow up and make a mess on her iPawd!!! Sheesh, maybe I should head Back to my bedrest, so that I can get whatever I want! See Frankie.... enjoy that bedresting while you can! You’ll be back to your pawsome howling self once again, in no time at all! After all what’s that time thing to us dawgs anyway right!
As inrember correctly, you and Myrtle have quite the costume collection... (didn’t you once tell my Mum that you were in a thong once?!) Merry Myrtle should be able to find the nurse outfit and help Mum take excellent care of you. At the very least you will get a good chuckle and what Dawg doesn’t love a good belly laugh?!
Ruvin’ and Schmoochin and lots of sloppy kisses in their way to you Pal! Two Paws up to you all for pulling through the stressful surgery! Ruv you Thally!❌⭕️
Schmoochable Stu and his motley crew! 
p.s. it was me that asked about neighbors lovey. You’re a country bumkin like us heh?! Ha! It has its major benefits most times, but it can be a drag when you can’t call on the handsome fella down the street to come and use his muscles to do a little shoveling for you heh?!! I know... I can’t even find any good fellas to look at for myself! (except my own of course, but a little extra eye candy doesn’t hurt heh!
)
Jackie suggested the salt and I believe that it was Linda who had suggested the chicken grit to me and Stewie.
Remember...“live in the moment!“ 
Just checking in on you guys!
Great News on the AWESOME surgery & the meniscus was in good shape! I don’t know anything about these repairs sounds like you got the best news !🎉🎊
We have been thinking of you all day and hoping to hear Frankie is home and you managed getting him inside ok? I hope you don’t have the same white out there!☃️❄️⛄️🌬
Hope you both are resting and Frankie is seeing the famous pink elephants !
Update us when you can !
Much Love & Healing thoughts coming to VA!!
Hey guys! Just checking in to see if there was an update. I hope the travel home went well and I hope you're all doing ok.
Bunches of hugs,
Jackie ❤❤
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Thank you all sooooo much!!! And I say again, never, ever doubt that your words of support mean the world to me....to anyone who heard from you! Each of you.....sooooo special to me, to this community!
PUG PAL OBIE, YOU ARE THE MOST ADORABLE PUG PAL DUDE IN THE LAND! Your drumstick was quite impressive! And you certainly seemed to be a very chill Dude during all your recovery. Frankie acts like it hurts him when I put some frozen corn on his drumstick, even though it's wrapped in a towel! I know his leg hurts really bad though, even when I don't have ice on it.
I wish I had a Grandpa like you do for Frankie! He's like a healing soft warm blanket! May I borrow him?
And the snacks of "KNEE CAPS"! PERFECT!! 🙂
THEWIE! YOU CRACK ME UP! You are so darn adoravle! Don't You worry, Frankie is getting plenty of loving and treats! I don't jave any spare KNEE CAPS for him, but I'll look for em! Maybe Ben and Jerry will make some KNEE CAP ICE CREAM!! And Petra.....eye candy?????Best junk food ever! 🙂 🙂
SOOOOOOO.....GOT FRANKIE HOME AROUND NOON! It was NOT easy! During all the time at the overnight clinic, he never got up on his own and it took TWO Techs to take him out. He has yet to touch the floor with his leg!!!. He holds it up tight and high!! SO BUMMED!
The clinic suggested I take him back to my Vet at least until they closed tonight.
I was determined, DETERMINED I was going to get that boy home! Even in hollering pain, he woukd still ve "happier" at home! They took to to him to seenif seeing me would make a differnce in his deameanor. With my Webmaster Harness in hand, I went back to his cage saying let's go see Myrtle and showed him the harness! He wagged and TRIED to get up vut couldn't even get to a sit. He just yelled and screamed. It was awful!!!
Vut while I had the Tech there to help, we got his harness on. I vot him up a d he screamed in such sgony, vut I said let's go!. The Tech had the Ginger sling under his tummy for the rear and Ihad the harness handle and we didn't stop til we got to the car! She was strong enough to lift him with the harness (more screaming)
So when it came time for me to lift him, I think I had the adrenalin yiu hear about when someone lifts a 500 lb rock off someone with sheer adrenalin! DID IT!!!
He still did not even touch the ground lightly with his surgery leg. He REALLY, REALLY was hopping on two legs! NO EXAGGERATION!! Not one second of help from the other leg! I held him up when he needed to pee a d he just leaned on me..
I told him we had to do the steps together and I would need his help. I told him I would not stop and he would have to help no matter how badly it hurt. We did it! 🙂
This is much, much harder than I thought. I really,really hought he woukd be using that leg by now a little like he did before the operation. He was doing so amazingly well!! 🙂 I WAS COMPLETELY UNPREPARED FOR THE AMOUNT OF PAIN HE IS HAVING AND COMPLETELY UNPREPARED FOR HAVING TO LIFT AND CARRY HIM AFTER 34 hrs. It scares the heck out of me he hasn't used that leg at all. NOT AT ALL!! He must have had less pain than I thought.before or he would not have used that leg like he did..
I NEED to have him start using it so he won't damage his two "good" legs!
Just a reminder that every dog is different! I do recall Marla (Angel Daisy's mom...a front legger with same surgery) said it was far harder than the amputation recocery!
The Vet called in Gaba and I gave him the first o e tonight, along with his Tramadol. I was PETRIFIED to leave him to go get it.. Once or twoce he tried to get up while I was in the other room. I heard the screaming and found him floundering on the floor screaming.
Obviously I can't do the range of motion on his knee yet. I do have to remember he has arthritis and hip dysplasia.
So there you have it! A surgery that goes well doesn't necessarily mean the recovery will go well! DON'T GET ME WRONG, I KNOW IT WILL GET BETTER! I'm just chronicling what it's taken to get to that "better" time!!
Can't wait to see him counter surfing again! 🙂
Love to all
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
Sally,
a friend of mine rescues street dogs in Portugal and she's had quite a few dogs with similar surgeries over the years. But yeah, not on a tripawd. However, they all took a while before they tried using their leg again for some reason. all of them.
If you've been given info on PT exercises: did they mention you can move the leg gently when he's lying down? I don't know how soon after surgery you are allowed to do that so you might want to check, but it's like a rolling motion, mimicking his walking. Also, if you can't do that just yet, touch his leg gently, his paw, gently stroke up and down so he gets a feel for it and kind of learns that it's still just his ole leg.
hope this helps at all, sorry you're having a hard time
tina
I really should get around to changing my signature.
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
I'm gutted to read this, Sally. Just gutted. I was so hoping things would be easier. I cannot imagine how you are coping with Frankie unable to put any weight on it, and being in such pain. It will get better, of course, as you say, and I hope it will do so very quickly, but right now, you clearly need more help. I really feel deeply upset to think of you trying to cope with this. How is he responding to the pain meds? Do you think a fentanyl patch might help? How are you coping with having to go to work etc? I'm sorry, I don't feel I am being very helpful. I haven't had to deal with a dog of Frankie's size, and that obviously makes things much more challenging. He is 3 X Meg, and I am 2 X You, so go figure.... I'm sure others will have more useful experience to share. I do find it very sweet that he leant on you to pee and I am sure you are right that being with you and Myrtle at home is more restful and comforting for him. Is there any way a vet might be able to visit?
I am thinking of you, Sally, as we all are, and praying for a positive update. Come on Mr Frankie, the counter is waiting for you...
Lots of love and a big warm hug. I only wish I was closer so I could offer more practical help.
Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx
PS Just to say, I managed to smash my phone yesterday (AGAIN...aaaaaaargh!). It is hopefully being repaired but in the meantime I have zero access to the internet at home. I am checking in when I can, but I wish I could do so more often. You are very much in my thoughts.
FRANKIE WILL BE FEELING BETTER VERY SOON AND HE NEEDS YOU TO EAT LOTS OF CHOCOLATE AND ICE CREAM BECAUSE THAT WILL HELP HIM FEEL BETTER QUICKER
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
((((Sally)))))
Ok, I am breathing for ya.. and thinking hard on this. Do you have one of those slings to put under his belly to help him lift his weight to go out? If you can get him up with the sling, and use that to take some weight off his back end while he is walking and even doing his business that can help stabilize him so that he is not putting all of his weight on his good rear leg. I had one with handles on either side that I used on the big dogs at the animal hospital, and it is a back saver. Maybe even a combo of his harness and the sling under that will help you have the strength without hurting yourself to help him go potty. Does the harness have a handle on the top of it? I would expect it to take several days from completion of surgery to start bearing weight. You should see that leg start to come down soon to at least help steady him. Little by little he will bear more weight but I strongly doubt he will do it all at once. With pain management on board that should make it easier for him to get a little more mobile. And because he is a tripawd it may be a little longer turn around on the weight bearing. If he will let you, give his good legs a nice massage when he lays back down.
This is the WORST part of the whole process! It will not last forever, it will just FEEL that way 
Clare has a good idea about the Fentanyl, they may ok something like that instead of some of the other medication so that he has a slow steady dose in his body that wont go up and down like oral meds. Keeping you both in my prayers that you can turn this corner swiftly. I know you can do this, I wish I was closer to be able to help you with him. I will keep poking around to see if there are any other tricks you can use to help him with his mobility. The rest is just going to be resting through it until his leg is less tender.
Sending you tons of hugs and much love
Jackie
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
.My dearest Tina.....For you to be here helping with Frankie while you are going tnrough soooooo much sadness, just shows the depth of compassion you have for others. To be able to do that during your time of heartbreak is where you will find the strength you need right now. And make no mistake about it, and you already know this to be true, Manni's grit and determination is within you now. Call on him to help you take one step at a time. He's listening. Talk to him. He hears you.
Surrounding you with our love and with the eternal bright light of hope Manni shares with us all. His impact here will NEVER end
Sally and My Chunky Spiritual Being Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS. I didn't change my signature for a loooong time . The "circumstances" of why I needed to change it piffed me off!!
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!
JACKIE!!! Breathing for me helped!!! I keep forgetting to do that!! Thanks for the reminder!!! 🙂
I'm well stacked with support gear! Is ice cream considered a "support gear"? 🙂
Because of FRANKIE's FRIENDS I have the Webmaster Harness and it as been INVALUABLE!!! And I have the wonderful Ginger Sling also! I haven't mastered using both at the same time. When the Vet Tech had the rear with it and I had the front with the harness we had a good flow. I think if he was a rear legger, the sling would be just fine on its own.
I think me being avle to manage is pain better having him at home will help.
Yes indeedy, things will get better! I have no doubt!!
Thank you sweet Jackie!!!
Much love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
So sorry to hear Frankie is having such a hard time! I am glad you got Frankie home we all know home is better and I am really not at all surprised you managed to lift Frankie! Adrenaline & Moms is a powerful force!
I cant imagine Frankie screaming I would be a wreck! I also remember Daisy’s Mom saying the same and the surgery being harder then the amp & on a Tripawd I am not surprised BUT the screaming ??!!? I would be panicking ! Can another med be added in the mix? Ask Dr Pam if this is normal ?!?!? Karen will know too!
We are thinking of you and hoping and praying today gets better in some manner, more meds can be added at the very least or the dosage or frequency changed.
Tripawd healing POWER coming your way Frankie !! We look forward to hearing no more screaming dear soul! Breaks my heart! Things will get better we all know that ! I still say more pain meds but that is just me? Hang in there Sally we know you will and know we are all with in Spirit & saying prayers!
LOVE , STRENGTH & HUGS & ICE CREAM AND CHOCOLATE ARE SUPPORT GEAR AND ESSENTIAL VITAMINS❣️
❤️❌⭕️❌⭕️❤️
~Clare sorry about the phone 🤬! We all know that! 😘 I am popping in when I can also for different reasons 😔 ❌⭕️ ❤️
~ I ditto Sally Tina!! And leave the signature alone!!! That is why I don’t have one figured If I didn’t add one might help us? Black and white cant hurt, rather repeat myself over an over 🙄
HUGS & love coming your way and might I add when you up for it go for a walk and see what you see? Look and listen ok! My first thought is the beach bundle up and go or any of Manni’s favorite spots! 😘
❤️
megstamum said
I only wish I was closer so I could offer more practical help.
FRANKIE WILL BE FEELING BETTER VERY SOON AND HE NEEDS YOU TO EAT LOTS OF CHOCOLATE AND ICE CREAM BECAUSE THAT WILL HELP HIM FEEL BETTER QUICKER
MY LOVELY CLARE! You ARE "here"with me, with all of us, always!! And you always have great ideas! And Frankie'loves that you recognize the value of ice cream for him and chocolate for me!!
We ABSOLUTELY will get through this! I wanted to post the "less good", as well as the good for anyone else facing this journey. And right now we are in the "less good" part! I am so grateful this is NOT that piece of crap disease! I NEVER forget that!
But if this trio of a 70 lb three legged COOL DAWG, a decrepit old bat for his hooman, and a very needy and jealous 130 lb Merry Myrtle can master thisrecoveryw, ANYONE can!
I rather imagine Nurse Myrtle is much like Elsie Pie when Meg is getting more attention for an "issue". She strategically puts her big chunk self in the way when I'm trying to care for Frankie. Lays on me when I'm trying to lay vy him to comfort him. Literally stries to vlock me if I'm giving him a treat with his pill to make sure she gets hers first! And I have to shove her vig vutt out of the way quickly. She snatched Frankie's treat with the Tramadol eaelier. Bitter taste? Not to her! Itsw a treat!!
She really does TRY and help though. When ne cries out in lain she's right there with him. Sometimes she starts "howling" with him in solidarity when he screams. Nope, all THAT nosie doesn't stress me....it makes me beyond stressed!! I tried howling in solidarity with them this morning but it didn't seem to help! 🙂
I know he will have better pain management for him now that he's HOME and now that I have the Gabapentin too.
I do have go back to work tommorw straight through the week end. My longest shift will be about nine hours on Sunday and that scares the heck out of me! All paws crossed he will be vetter vy then. I'll figure out a way for someone to check on him though.
Counting from time surgery was completed approximately, it's about 40 hours now and no "paw on the ground". And no where close to veing able to PT that leg!! I am soiy Ti a's suggestion and touching his paw a lot. When I take him out, I try and touch his paw as he holds it up so he'll feel the sensation. It's kinda hard though trying to hold I to his harness. He can STILL pull a d mlve fast on TWO LEGS!
MI.CHELLE had a great kdea to get a long training leash so I could give him a bit of "pee-poop freedom". As much as I need to hold onto his handle for his safety, sometimes he's still to fast and strong and I have to let go for my own "safety"! That long leash keeps him somewhst contained til I catch up!
Okay, that's our update as of 9:00 a.m. We slept three sold hours, then he was pretty miserable the rest of the time. I feel like I jave his pain meds scheduled fairly well now. The Gabapentin has only been given k ce last night about midnight. Starting to be cosistent i with that should help. Will call Vet later and see what we can do about PT for that leg!
Tramadol 75 - 100 mg every six hours.
Gabapentin 300 mg twelve hrs apart. I have some leeway with that, but gonna start there first.
Aside from the physical challenges for me and for him, the hardest part is, even though he'll scream in pain, lifting him up from a laying position to a standing position, and following through with that action and not stopping. Once we "power" through the pain, I'm able to complete whatever the task is...peeing...reposition for more comfort, etc. Right now he can't turnover or reposition himself at all!! . And if he gets that leg in a "wrong" position all hell breaks lose!!!
NO WORRIES! WE'VE GOT THIS!!!! I'm so lucky to have such a brave and determined strong-willed COOL DAWG!!! I have NO doubt Frankie has what it takes to get through this!! AND I CAN TOO....BECAUSE OF YOU ALL!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
LOOOOOVE!!!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too much
PS...Clare! So sorry about your phone!!! UGH!!! ARE YOUR PICTURES SAFE?'''
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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