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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My name is Amber, and my kids all have four legs, well now three. My husband and I have 4 dogs and 4 cats.
I've been reading this site for the last 2 weeks off and on and am finally posting. I don't usually post, just read, but I am super nervous!
Our dog Ralph had amputation surgery yesterday. We found a lump on his leg that came back malignant. We are waiting for a prognosis of course when they send it out to the lab but for now, I'm worried about bringing him home. This site can be a little overwhelming so I apologize if this is somewhere already and I missed it.
I have been reading about what I need in terms of good traction , a nice comfy orthopedic bed , quiet time etc. but have not seen much about multi dog households. I am also worried about going back to work and leaving him. My parents can watch him but I feel like I am the only one I can trust the most of course lol.
Does anyone have any advice on multi dog homes the day you bring your pup home and after? Ralph is 25 pounds and the other three are between 50-80 pounds. Ralph is the leader and the boss of everyone. Before this, if they push him, he gets on them to leave him alone and always lets them know "hey guys, I'm here, don't step on me". I pick him up in a couple of hours and have been running through him coming home over and over in my mind.
I plan to keep them separated at first, maybe introduce them to him one at a time, I know he will smell funny to them too.
Any advice would be very much appreciated 🙂
Hi Amber, Ralph and Family, welcome. We are sorry you had to join our club but we are glad you found us. And please don't apologize for asking a great question! We know we have a lot of information here and we know it's not always easy to dig deep into the forums.
I did a search for "multi-dog" in the Forums and the links show what came up. Lots of people have or are dealing with this issue, including Grizz' family, who just posted yesterday about some unusual behavior. You, however are the only one I could find who created such a wonderfully specific forum topic title, which will make it so much easier for others in the future to find info about this subject. So thank you!
To be honest I'm not the best person to assist on this subject because we have always had one dog in the house. But I know others here have multiple dogs, and no doubt will chime in soon thanks to your descriptive topic title. So stay tuned for that, but in the meantime, how is Ralph doing?
If you haven't already, having a separate recovery area for Ralph will help. Don't isolate him but create one where he still feels like he's included but safe from being pounced on or wrestled with. A baby gate that divides him from the others, or an x-pen placed inside your main living area can be so helpful as long as the other dogs know not to barrel through it. In most cases, other dogs in the pack will give the recovering Tripawd plenty of space to recuperate.
Let us know how things are going and do stick around, you'll get more feedback soon!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you so much for you response Jerry. This site is amazing. Ralph's surgeon actually told me about it so the word is out!
I am going to check out the link you added to your response after responding to you. Ralph is doing really well, thank you for asking. 🙂 He is small so this is working in his favor. He hadn't been using it for almost a month before the surgery so I wasn't too worried about how he would get around. I just want this giant incision to be healed as quickly as possible.
He came home and was hungry so that was good! He went potty both numbers and now he is sleeping. They have a fentanyl patch on him for the next 5 days which I'm a little worried about just because it's such a strong drug, but hey, if it keeps him comfortable I am ok with it.
The introductions went well also when we got home, I put them all outside (in our fenced yard of course not just running free) then let Ralph come in and walk around. We settled in for about 15 minutes with him, and then let the others in one by one. They were actually really sweet to him and have given him his space so far but let's wait for a knock on the door!! Holy moly that's going to be the challenge.
I like your idea about the xpen. We are getting one of those for sure. In the meantime, we do have gates to confine him to a small area while we are home but I want him to be out in the living room with the pen.
Oh, and you're welcome about the title, I read that they should be more specific to get better results and was like... I need results lol!
Hello and welcome.
My situation was unusual based on other's experiences here. My Pug Maggie lost a back leg to mast cell cancer. At the time I also had her little sis Tani. They were sisters from different litters and had been together with me since Mag was about 2 and Tani about 1. They were inseparable: played together, ate side by side without incident, slept in a pile- you get the idea. There were occasional fights usually instigated by Tani who would challenge Maggie for her alpha spot.
When Mag had her surgery my parents kept Tani for a couple of days so I could focus on Mag. After a couple days my dad brought Tani back, as soon as her leash was off she rushed Maggie, who was sleeping in her bed, and attacked her! I was surprised to say the least but before I could even step in Mag had Tani on her back and that was the end of it. I was lucky that no damage was done! After that they were fine together although Tani would occasionally knock Maggie over- not on purpose- but in excitement to get somewhere.
I'm glad your interactions went well! I would definitely only allow supervised visits until the sutures or staples are out. There is some credence to keeping the recovery period as normal as possible, but you want to keep Ralph safe while he heals. I used an ex-pen for weeks when my quad Pug Obie was recovering from knee surgeries (he couldn't be crated). It allowed him to be in the room with us but kept him contained and quiet and kept Tani (now the elder alpha Pug) from messing with him.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Hi Karen!
Thank you for sharing Maggie's story. That had to have been so scary when Tani attacked her! I am so glad that no harm was done!
I went to read some of your blog and found myself reading the one titled "A Decade Ago". This is about where I am at right now as well. I feel sad for Ralph right now like you did sitting on your porch watching Maggie. You said that she was miserable and you were sure you made a mistake, can I ask when you stopped feeling like that if you remember of course?
I am not sure that Ralph is miserable but I can tell he is confused and is trying to figure out how to maneuver with just three legs. He wasn't using his leg for quite some time but he did use it for balance. If he were just standing somewhere he would hold his bad leg up and let it hover, if he jumped on the couch, into the car or on anything he would hold it up. All of this I was sure would be signs that he would be fine without the leg but now I am realizing that he did use it for more than I realized.
He is hesitant to go up stairs but does great going down them, hesitant to jump up but great jumping down. Again, he was when he had the leg too I think because it hurt so bad to use it. I'm thinking I just need to get through this recovery stage and things will be fine, it's just tough watching the confusion in his face.
Ralph's avatar is as cute as can be!
Listen up Ralph! Oh my goodness, this is only three days since MAJOR SURGERY!! This is waaaay too early in recovery for your little spitfire self to be doing stairs or jumping up and down on furniture! Hoomans would still be in a hospital on a morpphine drip!
He WILL be fine on three legs! It's not just about adjusting to three legs, it's also about recovering from a painful surgery while on the fentanyl patch and, hopefully some other pain meds. Not all come home with a patch, but most come home with Tramadol, Rimadyl, Gabapentin and an antibiotic.
Even though he wasn't using that leg much before surgery, he still needs time to adjust. He's using muscles in a different way and he has some gait adjustment to deal with. Just having the "weight" of that leg removed can through him off balance a bit at first.
And in case you need a little reassurance , many of us here questioned "What have we done to our dog?" It took me about three weeks before I could say I did this FOR my Happy Hannah and not TO her!!
The sparkle starts to come back slowly at first. The routines start to come back slowly at first. Then they start coming back at a pretty good rapid pace.
While Ralph may be the exception, going up stairs is "generally", not always, but generally easier for front leggers than going down the stairs. Jumping down off furniture can put a lot of pressure on the one front leg, so mayve you can carefully lift him up and down, veing careful with his incision.
As you already know, dogs mirror our image. Stay upbeat and confident around Ralph. He needs to sense your pawsitive energy so he can know everything is going to be alright!
Sounds like he's doing well.....eating....pooping....peeing....drinking...GREAT NEWS!😁
Stay connected and update as you can. You're doing a really good job!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too
PS I think the first really good sparkle comemback with my Hapoy Hannah was when she started WOO...WOOOOING me when I came home. Then it went from WOO WOOOO to geting up to greet me at the door while WOO WOOOING!😊😙☺💞
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!
You said that she was miserable and you were sure you made a mistake, can I ask when you stopped feeling like that if you remember of course?
I certainly remember! Maggie was quite the exception to most pups you read about here. And she had her amp about 2 months before Tripwads got started so we went amputation and recovery alone. Maggie was a stubborn Pug who HATED any changes to her routine. She was grumpy for about 6 weeks! Most commonly around here you see dogs back to themselves in 2 to 3 weeks. She could hop the day of surgery and had no medical complications. She was just STUBBORN! In hindsight it made perfect sense- but when you are in the midst of recovery it's hard to find your 'sense'. Once she got used to her new normal she hopped happily along for almost 4 years.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Hi Sally!
Thank you for your response! He is a cute little stinker I must admit lol. Your avatar is also! Is that Hannah? Thank you for how nicely you said he shouldn't be going up and down stairs too 🙂 I only have one little step going out to the porch and two wide very shallow steps going into the garage. We built our house with our dogs getting old in mind, we have ramps going off both entrances to the yard and made it a one story ranch. I pick him up to go up and down the two stairs to the garage but the little step going out to the porch is what he has been tackling on his own sometimes. He definitely wants to run around! He had his rear left leg amputated.
He has been just standing and won't sit down all day. I called the vet and they said not to worry and if he wants to stand, let him, but it was for 8 hours while I was home working! I was able to work from home for the first 3 days, I go back Thursday.
They sent him home with Rimadyl and Gabepentin, he was given antibiotics at the vets office, an injectable I believe? It's hard to read the paperwork. We are also icing every four hours. I don't like this fentanyl patch at all, I think it is making him nauseous but they said if it is not excessive to leave it on the full 5 days which will be tomorrow. 🙁 He didn't eat this morning and he has not had a problem since he came home. I am debating taking it off a day early.
Thank you for the reassurance as well. I can't wait for him to be comfortable in this new "do" so I can say look what I did for him like you said!
I can just imagine how happy you were to hear your Hannah go "WOO WOOOO" again. That had to be music to your ears! 
Karen, Maggie sounds too cute for words with her stubborn ways! I'm glad she eventually bounced back though and you both found a new normal. 
Glad to hear things are looking up with his recovery!
His appetite should come back soon as he starts to feel better. As for the Fentanyl, yeah it can make dogs crazy but it's for the greater good. If you think it's bothering him that much tell the vet you'd like to remove it. The patch might be stapled on so removing the thing could be challenging. By now it's probably lost much of its efficacy so odds are there's not much of the medication left anyways. Just make sure you stick to the medication schedule, your goal is to stay ahead of the pain so it doesn't 'wind up' and get bad (when it does, controlling it is even harder).
Glad to hear your employer let you work from home. I love that you built your home with your dogs in mind!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you Jerry!
I think we are doing well. First day back to work and he acted like a lunatic when I left. He never does that. I have cameras and watched him the whole hour drive to work before I called my dad to go get him. I thought he would calm down eventually. He always just goes right to sleep when I leave. It was hard to watch.
I know it will get better though.
Thank you again for starting this website. I've since told others about it and plan to order one of these harnesses as well from here. I certainly appreciate all the wonderful resources.
Yes, it will get better! Promise!!
I know it was hard seeing him upset after you left. Very sweet of your Dad to go check on him. As Ralph starts to get further and further away from the surgery, he'll gain mor confidence and not feel so vulnerable,
And yes, the avatar picture is my Happh Hannah holding her food bowl in her mouth. Many dogs carry stuffies around, my Hannah always carried her food bowl. And as 125 lb Bull Mastiff, she always wanted me to fill it with food!
Gove Ralph an extra treat for me.....and give yourself some extra chocolate! You're doing a great job!
Hugs
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!
Thank you Sally!
Hannah is so so cute! Yes my other dog Clubber carries around your shoes lol. A food bowl is definitely different!
Today Ralph is having some vomiting episodes and he seems really anxious and doesn't want to relax. I called the vet and am waiting for a call back.
Hannah was huge! How did her recovery go? Did you need to use any socks or anything for traction ? Do you have carpets? I think I am going to go the route that Maggie's mom said in one of the traction posts and try yoga mats. I saw this stuff online but you put glue on their feet and then sand and I worry about them licking it off or any reaction they may have. I may need to start a traction posts and see what suggestions are out there that I haven't already seen.
I can't imagine doing this with a large dog. I am sure that was extra hard for you and Hannah.
I know she is forever grateful for what you did for her. 🙂
So etimes the meds can upset their tummy, especially if he's on an antibiotic. The Vet should give you something to coat his tummy. Is he eating okay?
What meds is Ralph on? Doses and frequency? Tramadol can make some dogs quite restless sometimes. Restlessness can also sometimes be a sign of pain and discomfort.
Recovery is just no fun at all!! So many little ups and downs at first. Ugh! Soon it will be smooth sailing and all this will be worth it. Again, promise!
For my Happy Hannah, I just used non-slip scatter rugs and they worked just fine. Plenty of inexpensive ones available . A lot of people have used cheap yoga matts. Check out the Gear link and you can find info on booties, toe grips, that sand/glue product, etc. But really, nonslip scatter rugs should be all you need for traction . One member noted that with all the scatter rugs around her house it looked like a Clown threw up all over the house! For trips to the Vet (and their slippery floors!), you might try Pawz Booties . They're basically like a balloon put over their feet. Just leave them on for short periods though because they are airtight and tight at the cuff. Inexpensive and do the job.
And thank you for your kind comments about my Happy Hannah, That was very thoughtful of you❤❤ As far as her recovery, she handled mobility like a champ. Quite unusul for a large dog to adjust to three legs so quickly right after surgery! However, the surgery itself was. not easy on her. She was quite miserable in that regard, very whiny, restless, no sleep, hard to get the pain managed properly at first. She never missed a meal though!🙂 I didn't find this great community until day six after her amputation. I was much better prepared from that point forward of what to expect and how to handle things. I'm sure recovery would have been easier had I found this site sooner!
Stay connected and let us know how Ralph is doing.....and how you are doing!! Would love to see more pictures of this cutie pie, and Clubber too!
Hugs
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!
I really hope it is just the meds. He was also diagnosed with acute low grade chronic pancreatitis in 2016 so I am sure that this does not help at all. He has never been on so many meds meds in his life.
He was sent home with gabapentin and rimadyl. The rimadyl made him sick so I stopped that and he is only getting gabapentin now. They did say that I could give Tramadol in conjunction with the Gabapentin if I wanted to. I think the staples are just bothering him now and he is itchy and cannot scratch himself so we have been lending a helping hand for the little guy!
I will try the scatter rugs and try not to make it look like a clown threw up all over LOL!
I'm glad to hear that Hannah did well with recovery! That is amazing for a dog her size! I am glad that you found the site after surgery, it sounds like you did very well beforehand but this site is definitely a HUGE help!
They called in regard to Ralph's cytology report yesterday and said it was a rare form os Osteosarcoma. They said that the results are compatible with a rare subtype of Osteosarcoma (Giant-cell rich Osteosarcoma); the recommendation would be to pursue additional treatment and treat as an aggressive neoplasia. The guy on the phone was not eve the surgeon who did Ralph's surgery and said he was "young" and had never seen this. He also said this was not his specialty and that he was just delivering the results. I had my sister in law decipher the cytology report to help make sense of it all and she said that there are so many cells that they cannot determine which type it is to even give a prognosis.
I am heartbroken since they told me they thought it was a low grade soft tissue sarcoma with the needle aspirate and that we would be done with this after surgery. I always said I would never put myself or my dogs through Chemo and now I am faced with the decision. I am supposed to go to a wedding today and just feel so under the weather I don't want to go. It's one of those with a 3 hour break in the middle of the wedding and the reception too 🙁
I'm trying to be strong and not look at him and think "you have cancer omg I'm going to lose you" everytime I look at him. I know everyone on here says to think dog and be happy but it is really hard right now. I just keep getting more bad news I feel. It went from "oh this is probably benign since he has not been sick or had any symptoms, x-rays and blood work are fine, this will take care of his pain" to "it's a tumor, looks like a soft tissue sarcoma" to "it's bone cancer".
Oncology apt on the 25th. Was reading about K9 Immunity and want to try that. I did read through all the chemo or not to chemo blogs too. Still can't figure out what to do. I don't even have a clear understanding of everything.
Ok sorry, I'm done ranting lol. Thank you for listening!
I can't figure out how to put a picture in here! lol
Try this link for posting pictures.....adding images
Okay......DEEP BREATH! REALLY!! TAKE SOME GOOD DEEP BREATHS! We'll do it right along with you! Here we go!
B R E A T H E.....INHALE SLOWLY .....EXHALE SLOWLY.....B R E A T H E.......INHALE SLOWLY.......EXHALE SLOWLY......B R E A T H E........B R E A T H E......
GOOD JOB!!! Now, let's get some clarity and move forward to solutions, okay? From your post, it sounds as though things are very INCONCLUSIVE and very much up in the air avput the so called "diagnosis ". In these kinds of scenarios (and we've seen plenty around here), we say diagnosis SCHMOGNOSIS!
Qe say that because we've seen many times when the diagnosis SCHMOGNOSIS changes from pre amp...to during amp...to after amp......and it just remains unclear exactly what "it" is.....especially when "they" use the term "rare".
There is NO reason to believe that Ralph won't get extended quality and live out his natural life! Even IF the diganosis SCHMOGNOSIS is different from what you were originally told, we still have dogs like CEMILE, like NITRO, like MURPHY, like STUBBORN PUG MAGGIE, who have lived for YEARS! Cemile is still with us as a large senior! Some do chemo, some don't. No guarantees either way. CLYDE just celebrated his two year ampuversary with NO chemo.
Once you speak with your Onco, hopefully you'll have more clarity and reassurance, as well as options.
It goes without saying that NOTHING HAS CHANGED IN RALPH'S world!!! All this inconclusive stuff doesnt mean squat to him! It's soooo important to realize that. It's sooo important to realize he is doing just fine and feels great!!! Well, maybe he still feels a little off because of MAJOR surgery, but he will be in top notch shape in no time!
It is amazing that the Gaba is handling his pain so well. Of course, being surrounded by your love helps too!❤ I understand your concern about his tummy with that pancreatitis scare.
Now go give Ralph a big hug and extra treat! Watch his tail wag and you'll feel much better!
Okay....back to. B R E A T H E......B R E A T H E.....Okay, enough of that. Let's head straight for the chocolate!!😁
Hugs
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!
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