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,
My name is Holly. I have two ex-racing greyhounds, Clipper and Kelsey. They happen to also be littermates, and they just turned 5 in March.
My little Kelsey was diagnosed about three weeks ago with Osteosarcoma.
She had her amputation, last Thursday. (Back left leg).
She had a bit more "oozing" than the doctors wanted to see, so she spent some extra time in the hospital, and came home last night.
To my delight, she is doing phenomenally well. She is eating well, get up and going out, and resting comfortably. The surgeon did a fabulous job. It sounds funny to say, but it is actually beautifully done.
I was fearful of her walking on my tile floor, so I leashed her and walked her to the bedroom last night in an effort to try to resume things as normally as possible. (she is doing great on the carpet).
She rested for most of the day, but she does stir from time to time, and walks to the door. Each time I have taken her out, sometimes proving productive, sometimes, not. I am trying to "rest" her, but not quite sure how to do this? I tried giving her a bone, but she has no interest at this time.
I would love to hear how you dealt with the first few days.... limiting activity and trying to figure out how much is too much.
Thank you for your replies
Welcome to Tripawds, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I'm sorry cancer has brought you here, but you will find lots of folks here to lend info and support.
The instructions from our surgeon was that Maggie was only allowed to walk for potty and food, otherwise to rest for the first two weeks which coincided with the sutures coming out. She was also a left rear amp but it was due to mast cell cancer. Maggie was a little, stubborn pug who was not keen on changes. She spent most of her time the first few weeks in bed so restricting activity was not a problem for me.
Others should be along to share some ideas.
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
Hello, I am also new to this and looking for feedback of what to expect. We have an 11 yr old golden that is very helthy other than the tumor in her front left leg. Our appointment in set for this Friday and we are devastated we have to do this.
I hope you hear back from someone as I too am curious about your questions.
I keep hearing that we need to follow their lead. I plan on exercising her for a bit then rest and keep repeating until she is up on her own and her normal self. We are looking into a harness to help support her when we need it.
Good luck hollys2hounds!!
Hi Caylee, welcome. Sorry we missed you in the chat earlier, I was at lunch. But I'm back now and you're sure to find folks in there most evenings so do stop by. Meanwhile please start a new post about your pup so we can get to know you two better. Our "Size and Age Matters" is perfect for an intro to your mature gal.
Do check out Jerry's Required Reading List and the Tripawds e-books , which have answers to many of your questions. Also keep in mind that while you don't want to baby her too much during recovery, she also shouldn't be doing much of anything except going on leashed potty walks and resting during the first few weeks.
Keep us posted. We'll wait for updates OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi there.. and welcome to the pack!
Throw rugs... I cannot stress enough about those rubber backed, washable throw rugs that you can buy. Heck you can be obsessive like me and buy all the same colour so that they match.. but it is much easier on them with hardwood, laminate and tiled floors. The worst thing for a tripawd is slipping and hurting that remaining leg!! I was so afraid of my guy slipping that I almost became wall to wall carpet again. lol
And now I have them for my Maggie who is 13.. and her legs are not good as she is dealing with osteoarthritis.
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!
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