Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Our dog bella ABD breed (American brown dog) was diagnosed with a mass cell cancer on her hind leg. They could not find any cancer elsewhere with the test they made so we made the decision to amputate. This was on April 19th, 2016.
April 21, picked Bella up at vet hospital (Texas A&M Vet school). She can get up and hop on her own for short periods of time. Both my wife and I were saddened to see the leg gone and our dog who the day before was chasing squirrels, hopping around. It was a rough night for both of us and our Bella was anxious and restless.
April 22nd. A better day. Bella now eating, popping and walking/hopping for short distances. She slept most of day which Vet told us she would do. We took her cone off until we could get a different one because she kept tripping on it (and figured how to take it off). We watch her 100% of time when cone is off to make sure she does not lick wounds. House looks like an obstacle course do to entries blocked. We keep telling ourselves that we made the right decision and not to judge her by the 2nd day home. I am guessing she is doing great in that she can walk/hop to back yard on her own and do her business. Still tough to watch.
Scott said
Still tough to watch.
Everypawdy here certainly understands that! Best wishes for Bella, your future forum posts will not require moderation.
It is still extremely early in her recovery. There is no need for her to be doing anything other than very short leashed potty time. Focus on healing for now, and take some time to read up on rehabilitation and nutrition. How is Bella's weight? Keeping Tripawds fit and trim is important. You will find lots of recovery and care tips in the Tripawds e-books , including recommendations for the type and amount of exercise recommended for new tripawds. We also recommend consulting with a certified rehab tech (CCRT/CCRP), and the Tripawds Foundation even established the Maggie Moo Fund for Tripawd Rehab to encourage members to seek professional advice.
Most importantly, Be More Dog . What Bella needs most right now is for you to remain a strong balanced pack leader since she will follow your emotional lead. Start here to get the most out of this community, or feel free to call the Tripawds helpline any time.
Please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi and welcome Bella and Scott.
How big is Bella?
My little pug Maggie lost her left rear leg to a MCT, you can read her story and about her amp and chemo if you are interested, the links are in my signature below.
Bella is not going to be herself for a couple weeks so don't get down or discouraged. Maggie had her amp before Tripawds was established so we went it alone. I was sure I had made a terrible mistake by doing the surgery. Mag took her time getting used to her new normal, she was as stubborn as they come and hated any changes to her routine. She had no medical complications and she could hop on her own the day of surgery...did I mention she was stubborn? I was down about everything and I think Maggie fed off of my mood to some extent.
Be sure you stay in touch with the vet on now Bella is doing on her meds. It can be tricky balancing the pain and the meds- symptoms of pain meds and pain itself can look similar. I've had three pugs take tramadol over the years, two did fine but Maggie got quite agitated.
You might try one of the cone alternatives and/or get her some boxer shorts to cover the incision, the tail goes through the fly.
It is tough to watch our pups at first after amputation- I spent a lot of time missing the things that Maggie wouldn't be able to do anymore. One day I realized that Maggie wasn't missing anything, she was too busy figuring out how to do what she wanted to do. At some point the sadness of what we lost is replaced by the inspiring ability our pups have to get on with life and find joy in every day.
Please let me know if I can help in any way, feel free to send a PM.
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
Thanks, yes my wife and I are trying to stay positive understanding that Bella will feed off our energy. She is 50 lbs. The vet told us her weight was fine but to watch her weight in the future since her activity will be down. She said she could lose a few lbs. Will keep everyone posted.
I asked how big Bella was for a reason...that I can't remember now 
But about those squirrels... my current Tripawd is a little pug mix named Elly, she was hit by a car when she was 7 months old and she lost her right rear leg. I adopted her when she was 10 months old. She immediately took on the responsibility of keeping cats and squirrels out of the yard. This picture was taken when she was about 3.5 months post amp.
Hope Bella keeps having good days!
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Hey Bella and her humans!
Recovery is no picnic for about two weeks or so. You may have a few ups and downs during that time. It is major surgery! It sounds like Bella is doing REALLY weel! She's eating, drinking and has had a poop! YAY FOR BELLA!!
The hospital meds are probably out of her system now, so you may have ro keep a close eye on keeping her pain managed.
Bella is doing exactly what she needs ro do...rest! My Happy Hannah was restless and whiny for the first several days. Sleep, for either of us, was illusive for a few nights.
I know it's hard ro believe right now, but as Bella progresses through recovery, you really will be amazed at how well she gets around! It really is as though she never needed that "slare" leg anhway! I think the shaved fur shocked me more than the incision! But once Bella's sparkle comes back and what she starts doing some of her "normal" routines again, you won't even noticed the shaved fur.
One reason and one reason only Bella may not wa t to chase squirrels as much as before. That's because she's too busy getting nonstop tummy rubs in the couch and being hand fed treats non-stop!! There is nothing more fun than spoiling a tripawd!!
Stay connected. We're right here to lend our support and first hand knowledge.
Hugs 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!
Well its been 7 months and Bella is doing fine. It has been a journey, bladder and skin infections but just took Bella to the Vet at Texas A&M and she is doing fine. She enjoys chasing squirrels and running in the back yard. Not sure if she will be able to take long walks, but she appears to be a happy dog.
That's great news! I'm delighted to hear that Bella is happy and giving those squirrels a run for their money...
Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx
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...
Oh yes, Murphy loves to chase squirrels! We have a park behind our house and if there's a dog in the park, Murphy can run the fence just as fast as our other 2 dogs! One guy has commented that he couldn't believe Murphy only had 3 legs! He does face-plant every once in awhile, but he just gets back up & keeps running lol. We try not to let him run for too long, we worry that he'll get hurt, but we know that he enjoys it, so we let him run a little bit.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Otis was all over the squirrels too! It amazes me that he and his sister Tess went back to their same "pack hunting" after he lost his leg. They still didn't catch anything, but the technique was the same. So glad that Bella is doing well.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Good news!!! You keep it up, Bella.
We had a Lab several years ago who was diagnosed with mast cell at age six. He had two tumors...one on his chest that was about an inch in diameter and another in the groin area. The pathology report came back with a dismal outlook. They said that because of the multiple locations, he would most likely zhave only another six months. Six years later, he died of something totally unrelated. This was long before the treatments that we have today, but it certainly shows that there can be a positive outcome to the POS disease.
Kathi and the Turbotail April Angel...and the Labradorkx
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Good job Bella!
Long walks and Tripawds rarely go together. All pups are different but long walks/hopping, especially on hard surfaces, really takes a toll on the joints. You might look into a stroller if you want to take Bella farther, I had a stroller for Maggie. Mag's little sis Tani was only about 6 when Mag had her surgery and she needed lots more exercise than Mag could manage.
It's really wonderful that she is doing so well with mast cell cancer- keep kicking it!
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
Scott&Jan said
....she is doing fine. She enjoys chasing squirrels ..........she appears to be a happy dog.
HAPPY SEVEN MONTH AMPUVERSARY COOPER!!!!!!! So glad ro hear yiu are doing well! Itsw always uplifting to hear good news! 🙂
@lts of love...And extra treats a dd cake and ice cream for Bella!! 🙂
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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