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!
First, let me say how happy I am to have found this site! I have spent the past few days reading everyone's stories, and digesting all that I can. Thank you!
I am the proud owner of Arthur, a 10 year old Rottweiler, whose front right leg we had to amputate 10 days ago, likely due to osteosarcoma (awaiting the biopsy results). It happened suddenly--he was jumping out of my car, collapsed, having broken the upper portion of his leg. So, emergency vet visit, followed by likely diagnosis of cancer, and recommendation to amputate. It has been very stressful, but 10 days later, my tripawd is recovering at home. He seems to be doing well, going in and out to the bathroom, eating well, and sleeping a lot too. The yelps have died down, and he seems to be returning to his old self. Stitches are set to come out in 2 days.
So, my question is, should I pursue rehab with him? He is hoping around fine, but not sure if I should do more than encourage the walks (once stitches are out), massage, and give lots of reinforcement? How did you decide whether or not to pursue rehab for your pet? And if you did, can you tell me about your process and experiences?
Thanks for any help you can provide!
Kai
Kai, I am in the Tripawds Chat room right now if you want to talk. Back in a sec...
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm so sorry to hear about Arthur. Those traumatic fractures are such a terrible ordeal for everyone! Glad he's got that bad leg off now and is doing well. He's very lucky to have you asking such a great question!
If you've hung out here you may have guessed that we are crazy about rehab therapy for Tripawds. The Tripawds Foundation will even pay for your first rehab visit , that's how much we want every single new Tripawd to go. Why do we do it? For starters, because we don't want anyone to learn the hard way about taking care of their Tripawd's physical needs. We learned the hard way with our Jerry and wish we would have taken him to rehab from day one. If we had done that, we could have avoided issues later on down the road. Today, we are making up for our lack of knowledge that we had then, by taking our Tripawds Spokepup Wyatt Ray to rehab. He's got an appointment in a few weeks, just as a check-in to see how we're doing with him now that he's 8 years old.
A licensed rehab therapist will guide you toward the right ways to exercise Arthur now that he's missing a leg. You'll learn what his needs and limitations are when it comes to his endurance and stamina. You'll learn how to avoid mistakes that lead to expensive vet bills later on down the road (cruciate repairs are a major issue with Tripawds who are allowed to continue doing what they always did before surgery).
We try to accomplish some of this in our Tripawds e-book Loving Life On Three Legs . However we are not vets, nor rehab therapists, which is why we encourage every single member to visit a local, licensed rehab center. If you'd like help finding one please let us know OK?
Thanks for being such a good parent to your handsome boy!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you very much for your help and quick reply! I would love some recommendations for rehab clinics in the Atlanta area, if you have any? I can search myself, but if there are some that you recommend, I would love to start there.
Thanks!
Kai
kaim said
I would love some recommendations for rehab clinics...
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I love this site! I am now a rehab convert (or I should say will soon be). Our pup Bella is 10 and 5 months post amp (left front leg) she is otherwise in good health, but she definitely tweaked something last weekend. I am not even sure if she took a tumble when we were not watching. Its been a rough week, but she's standing up now and can squat on her own. We are lucky to have a pet rehab place 20 minutes away and - even better - they will come to our house. This will cost more, but with Bella being so nervous, this is the way to go. I am looking forward to the first visit and will share how it goes.
Sounds like Arthur is in good hands. I'm looking forward to hearing how it goes.
Thanks.
Brenda said
I love this site! I am now a rehab convert (or I should say will soon be).
Thanks for chiming in and YAY! I'd love to hear how your experience with Bella went, don't forget to update us in your topic. Also, remember anyone can apply for the Tripawds Foundation grant / reimbursement of your first rehab visit .
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Okay Mr Arthur, we'll be cheering for you!! 🙂 We could cheer more effectively if we had photos of your cute self!! 🙂
Ten days is STILL early in recovery, so it's really wonderful that he appears to feel so good already! Still take it s@ow though. Itsw soooo easy to tweak something with just the slightest overdo during the first thirty days or so.
Update when you can!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS..Glad to hear Bella is continuing to move forward! YAY!! Wonderful that a Rehab Vet will come to the house!
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!
Dear all:
Thank you so much for the support and guidance! I have scheduled an appt for Arthur on Monday. Will report back and let you know how it goes.
His stitches came out yesterday--yaay! He's hopping around nicely, but I am thinking that he's remaining legs are getting a little worn out and achy, as he has been whining a lot when he really has to move and stand up. Hoping the rehab can help with that.
Find you on Monday!
Kai
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR STITCH REMOVAL!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Lots of good massaging and continue slow and easy Arthur!! 🙂 Warm towels over Arthur as you maasage helps too.
PICTURES!!!
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!
Thanks for the warm towel rec! Will do!
I can't for the life of me figure out how to upload pics--any advice?
Others will come along a d give you links on how to post. You have to ppst to a "host" first. For the love of goD, whatever you do, don't use Photobucket!
I @ove Athur's avatar and can't wait to see more photos!
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!
YAY for stitches coming out! That's real pawgress, congrats 
Here's a post about adding images to the Forums. If you'd like assistance just holler OK? We can't wait to see them!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I can't seem to do it...so, here are a few links from my FaceBook page:
Arthur 20 hours after surgery--just wanting to be in my lap
I hope that worked?
He would always cross his front paws when he was laying down. Do you think he misses doing that? 🙁
A few aren't showing up ('content unavailable') but a few others did. Are you on a mobile device or lap/desktop?
Adorable photos from what I could view.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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