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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I am so sorry for everything that Buddy is going through. Unbelievable that the neighbor can not be held accountable! In my state he would be arrested and should be! My dog Tasha is a front leg amputee she really wanted to lick and scratch at her incision so she ended up with a tee shirt, then the collar and eventually two socks taped to her back leg, she did one nite get very close to her incision and did make a sore so eventually she was a sight to see but it all worked and she never did get anywhere near her incision again. I hope Buddy continues to heal fast and will amaze you everyday at how a three legged dog can do anything !
Jo Ann & Tasha
Tasha 8 years old, First cancer diagnosis 6/26/09, Last cancer diagnosis 9/26/09, Amputation 10/01/09, Loving our girl moment by moment.
Tasha lost her battle and became my Angel on May 4 2011. Forever in my heart….
Buddy now has two sarcomas. He is still eating and drinking and using the restroom. There might be a very good chance he does have an infection. Brusing has gotten worse and it has dropped to other areas. I feel I maybe did something wrong. That maybe I pused him in some way. I have been laying on the floor with hu=im with wash rags with ice in them trying to use them as cold compresses. I feel so bad for him. I treat him the same way as I do my child. I want him to have a good recovery with no set backs. He was doing so well. I hope this will turn out to be nothing. Jessica
Jessica...It's normal to have good days and bad days, but when in doubt, call the vet for advice or reassurance. They would be able to tell you if there's something more you could do, or if you should bring him in.
Is the drain open so fluid can come out? My vet recommended warm compresses throughout the day to keep it open and clean. That might help. But best thing is to ask the vet.
I hope it's nothing.
Mary
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
Buddy is eating, drinking, and going to the bathroom … that is HUGE! That is great!
The first two weeks are hell. Up days and down days. There were times I just sat and cried; I was positive I had done the wrong thing. You will get through this. Just try to keep Buddy as quiet as you can; I spent many, many hours just cuddling with Harley on the floor.
I don't have experience with seromas, but many on here have had them. Does Buddy have a follow-up visit coming up to check his incision? If not, maybe take Buddy to the Vet to check his possible infection out (or at least give them a call and ask them if you should bring him in), and then they could check his seromas and bruising.
Best of luck! I hope this will turn out to nothing.
Amputation on 11/10/09, due to Histiocytic Sarcoma in left elbow. Angel Harley earned his wings on 06/24/10.
They had origiinallt left a space between the stitches. The first day and a half it did drain and then it just stopprd. I don't know if it grew up or got infected. I have tried warn compresses, but he moves to much and I cannot keep it on him for more than five minutes. I called the vet this morning and she said if he is still eating and drinking and using the bathroom it is probably not a real big emergency. Of course she can't see him over the phone. Also part of it could be muscle. It just seems overwhelming at times. I am trying to do the best I can. He is on his antibiotics. He has a follow up Monday and they are suppose to take the stitches out next Friday. Jessica
Remember, Jessica, that the recovery can be very rough. Buddy will have his good times and his bad, often on the same day. Easier said than done, but try not to worry. As long as he is eating and going to the bathroom he is probably okay. If your worrries are really strong though call your vet. You know Buddy better than anyone else does so call your vet if you think you need to. In the meantime, give your furry baby lots of hugs and kisses, like I know you are.
Debra & Angel Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Hey Jessica, you're doing great. Five minutes at a time is pretty good! Lots of dogs won't put up with them for longer than that. Be sure to make sure they're not too hot either. Your vet is spot-on with the advice, that's exactly what we would advise too (although we aren't vets so keep that in mind).
Hang in there, things will get better.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
OMGosh, We really are praying for you!
I'm Buddy too, I'm also a golden retriever. I'm 6 months old and was born without my front left paw. Living without the leg is not as hard as it sounds, but healing from the surgery after being shot! Not fair! Buddy is lucky to have such a loving pawrent! Your selfless dedication will be rewarded. We are pulling for you!
Buddy & family
OK guys it has been a little while. I have been busy. Buddy is doing ok. Getting back to life and now he thinks he is a lap dog since he has gotten to stay inside because of recovery.How can u say no to a three legged dog. He is still sitting up life a person except now he does it all the time. He was terrible about jumping up before surgery so I think this is his form of doing it. I got his Ruffwear harness that Brett bought for me. I have had trouble though because he has been shaved on the whole front besides his head the harness is loose. He has a heavy coat when it is there, but I need ideas. The front of the harness has no buckles and it is as tight as it gets, but I don't want to get a smaller one because once he grows his hair back the smaller one won't fit. We are doing ok though. All the swelling has gone down and there is no redness. We get our stitches out tomorrow. He has scratched half of them out. There was a little left so instead of it getting snagged I pulled it out gently. He doesn't seem in any pain. We do have our slow days where he doesn't want to get out of bed until 11, but who doesn't.. Sorry for taking so long on the update. Thank you all again for all your support. It really means a lot. Jessica
Hi Jessica, so glad to hear that he's doing well. Sounds like things are coming along as good as they can. Yeay! And you're right; nobody can say "no" to a Tripawd! (Well, except our Wyatt Ray when he does things like eat a road flare).
Hmmm, about the harness...Try using a t-shirt underneath, see if Buddy will wear one. Or if you have a dog sweater, that should also bulk it up. Hope that helps. Thanks for the update!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We got buddy's stitches out and everything is doing good. When we went in the vets office Buddy was so excited to see the vet he jumped up and put his paw on the doc's shoulder. He said that he had never seen a dpg that size do that 14 days after surgery. Buddy was not dreading the vet he wanted to stay... He thinks now he is an inside dog. I do not know how I am gonna turn him back into an outside dog. Buddy played with tennis balls before and now when we try to get him to play he won't even go after it. Any ideas? jessica
He's probably too tired to play??? 14 days is not very long after surgery.
I'm so glad to hear he's doing well! Dogs can amaze us!
I've never kept a dog outside, so I'm going to keep rooting that Buddy has a permanent place in the house!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
It was months after surgery before Trouble would try to play, and even now it is very limited. She gets very frustrated trying to hold a toy, and just doesn't have much stamina for ball or tug games, but she is almost 11 years old. The younger dogs seem to get back to play time and just keep going.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
jfarrell1220 said:
... when we try to get him to play he won't even go after it. Any ideas?
Yes, take it easy. Don't make Buddy overdo it and be sure to let him heal at his own pace to ensure a complete, trouble-free recovery. Find more interactive games to play that cause less stress on limbs than running and jumping do. Practice ups and down, and other core exercises to help him rebuild his strength.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yeay for Buddy!
I'm gonna be nosy . . . how come he has to be an outside dog again?
We dogs are pack animals, we love our humans soooo much it really breaks our hearts to have to stay outside all the time.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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