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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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Member Since:
13 March 2012
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1
15 March 2012 - 7:33 pm
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My 10-year-old Weim Mia had her right front leg amputated on Monday due to osteosarcoma. She's doing great as far as getting around and wanting to do more, including trying to play with her new 5-month-old sister Maggie. The biggest problem is that her left front paw, and somewhat her leg too, are very swollen. The vet told me she would have swelling and to use ice and massage the areas. It isn't seeming to work though. Maybe I'm not doing it enough?  

 

Thanks to you all. I read a lot of posts on here before her surgery and it helped prepare me so sincere thanks and lots of prayers to you all!!! 

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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15 March 2012 - 8:05 pm
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Maybe Mia is getting up and about too much. Confinement and rest are key to quick recovery. It's still very early in her recovery and all she should be getting up for is to eat drink and potty. Ice should indeed help keep the swelling down. If problems persist, please consult with your vet.

And welcome! Your future forum posts will not require moderation.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
13 March 2012
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15 March 2012 - 9:03 pm
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Thanks! I've started putting her in a crate while I'm at work because I was worried she might be up walking around a good bit. She likes to test her mom a good bit so hopefully that will help too!

Peoria, IL
Member Since:
8 November 2010
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16 March 2012 - 12:38 am
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I think we are all so hyper-vigilant after surgery that we don't notice the slight day to day improvements. Sammy had a seroma (fluid filled bag) at the site of his amputation and, despite many treatments with a heating pad, it didn't seem to get better. But, of course, it did. So will the swelling in Mia's leg and paw.

The best thing you can do for her is try to hide your worry. Our sweet furbabies worry as much about us as we do them. I wish you good luck and many days of joy with your Mia.

Beth and Smilin' Sammy

Smilin' Sammy, March 16, 2004 – Dec. 5, 2011
Golden retriever, diagnosed with osteosarcoma in September 2010 — right front leg amputated November 2010. He fought valiantly to stay with us; but a second diagnosis of osteosarcoma, this time in his left front leg, was more than our golden warrior could overcome. He loved his pack — and everyone else he met.

We loved him even more.
Thanks for the pennies, Sammy. They helped.

San Diego, CA
Member Since:
29 October 2010
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16 March 2012 - 10:34 am
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Hi and welcome to you and Mia - I believe others have posted about swollen paws as well. One I specifically remember was Angel's g. dane Valentina. As I recall it was nothing too serious and pretty normal to have the swelling - but maybe she or others will chime in. You could always give the vet a call.

Best of luck to Mia. I know how hard it is to not worry!

Jackie, Angel Abby's mom

Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!

Las Vegas, Nevada
Member Since:
14 August 2009
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16 March 2012 - 10:49 am
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Welcome Mia and mom!

 

Sorry to hear about the diagnosis but I bet Mia will surprise you and do very well!

 

Swollen paw/leg - I think it's normal due to activity.  But just remember to not get away with ice packs.  You should not leave it on more than 10 minutes every 2-3 hours.  And gel packs need to be wrapped because they get colder than ice.

I KNOW from experience ......because dummy head me gave myself frost bite!!!!  It hurt like a son of a gun and I never knew it until I took the pack off! 

 

Sending Mia lots of healing wishs!    

Her Retired AvatarComet - 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.

7
17 March 2012 - 10:38 am
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Hello. Welcome to Tripawds!!! My Great Dane Valentina did have lots of swelling in her remaining front leg and her paw. Somedays it was gigantic. It looked like someone blew up her foot with air or something like the Nutty Professor lol. The swelling lasted for a lot longer than I thought it would. I believe it was about a month. Being that she was such a large Dog the vet said that it would take longer because the space left behind after the amputation is so big that it accumulates alot of fluid and it has nowhere else to go. Extra fluid usually goes downhill to the extremities. Also I noticed that her leg kind of hung off of the edge of her bed when she was sleeping and I wondered if the angle caused the fluid to go that way. She never acted like her foot bothered her and it eventually went away. The weird thing was after it had gone away and she was mostly healed it swelled up again. The vet gave me some antibiotic spray to put on her foot and between her pads and toes. Within 24 hours the swelling started to go down. The vet thought she may have had a skin infection. She had a very slight rash on the underside of her foot. I think it was getting rubbed raw somewhat from getting used so much in a different way and then got an infection. The swelling looked exactly the same as it did initially when she was recovering from the amputation so it was confusing. With the spray the swelling went away but then came back a second time a while later. We treated it with the same spray again and it went away quickly and never returned. So I'm not sure if the swelling at first was from the amputation or an infection. But I really do think that alot of Dogs do have this kind of swelling in their remaining foot and or leg(s) and it is completely normal. Most likely in Mia's case it is just extra fluid that has nowhere to go so it is going to her remaining front foot. Being that it is still very early in her recovery it does really sound like that's what it is. It will probably be at it's worst for the first couple of weeks and then slowly start to dissipate over the next week or so after that. Just keep an eye on the underside of her foot and the pads of her feet and even between her toes for any redness or rash that could indicate an infection. And of course call your vet if you are not sure if it is normal or not. Especially if the swelling is ongoing after the first few weeks or it goes away and returns. Good Luck with Mia's recovery! She is a beautiful Dog!!

Member Since:
13 March 2012
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17 March 2012 - 5:12 pm
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Thank you all so much! Angel, that helps a lot. I think I am more worried about it than she is. It just looks painful, but it doesn't stop her from wanting to get up and walk around. I called the vet yesterday and he didn't seem concerned but asked me to try heat since I had just been using ice. I'm expecting it to go away in a day so it sounds like I need to be a lot more patient :).

 

Thanks again. Mia is doing fantastic other than that. Tired, but still my sweet (and rotten) girl in there. Blessed to still have her every day I get.

Waskom TX
Member Since:
8 March 2012
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17 March 2012 - 6:14 pm
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Hi! Welcome to Tripawds... I was super paranoid when we got Rocky home after his surgery. I was expecting everything to go wrong... Nothing went wrong.. It all went right.

 

We kept Rocky in a crate for a couple of days to diminish activity. It seemed to keep his swelling down.

 

Again, welcome! Hope Mia is feeling better soon!

Rocky became a Tripaw after a previous owner dumped him off after he was hit by a car...Rocky's Daily Blog

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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17 March 2012 - 7:27 pm
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Hi Mia and Mom!

Sounds like it could be something really typical and normal. It's great that you're in contact with your vet. I'm sure it'll be fine and dissipate soon.

Thank you for joining us here. I'm so sorry you had to, but we're here to help make this journey easier. Just keep the faith and know that many, many dogs beat those osteosarcoma odds. Remember, nine out of ten of them are wrong! big-grin

Can't wait to hear about your rambunctious girl's adventures.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Peoria, IL
Member Since:
8 November 2010
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20 April 2012 - 2:26 am
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Just curious — our vet recommended heat on the seroma , but it looks like some of you were told to use ice. Sammy's seroma was quite large (like a B-cup) and took about a month to re-absorb.

I wondering if the ice would have been better?

Beth and Spirit Smilin' Sammy

Smilin' Sammy, March 16, 2004 – Dec. 5, 2011
Golden retriever, diagnosed with osteosarcoma in September 2010 — right front leg amputated November 2010. He fought valiantly to stay with us; but a second diagnosis of osteosarcoma, this time in his left front leg, was more than our golden warrior could overcome. He loved his pack — and everyone else he met.

We loved him even more.
Thanks for the pennies, Sammy. They helped.

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