Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Thanks, Kerren. I'm so sorry your sister has had this to deal with but I'm pleased she's taken action and got rid of the Debbie Downer. I agree. Positivity is really important. Meg obviously didn't understand what the vet said (well actually, I wouldn't count on it, lol) but she definitely did understand the impact on me. She is VERY sensitive to how I'm feeling. We won't go back to that vet clinic. It was the first time we'd been there. Our main vet is in London and while we do need a vets for emergencies etc. in Norfolk, I'm sure we can find somewhere with a more encouraging approach. Big hug to you and Mona, and to your sister too.
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...
Things are looking up on at least two counts:
1) The Gabapentin has seriously doped Meg out. Nothing EVER dopes Meg out. I mean literally not ever. I LOVE dopey Meg. Is that bad?
2) I just got a very sweet email from the rehab vet, saying to try not to worry and that these things are to be expected from time to time in a dog who is ‘missing a corner’ (love that) and who is as mischievous and active as Meg and that we’ll soon have her back on her feet again (not wheels, note) so I think she does realise she’s not dealing with a car after all 🙃
Thanks everyone for your support.
Dopey 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...
That is wonderful news! So your day ends better, thank goodness
I cannot speak for dogs, but Huckleberry was knocked out cold the first gaba dose. He got used to it and sleepy but not like the first dose. I don't know if canines react similarly. I am so glad her doctor got in touch with you, that speaks volumes. Maybe her people skills need a little tweeking 
Give her hugs and smooches, she just need to be a chill puppy for a while.
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
Feel better soon, Meg! You are a rockstar! Loki has a backup dog sitter who is great with the boys, but always sneaks in a comment about how sad Loki's situation makes him. He never knew Loki before surgery, so he'll never understand how "hopping on three is better than limping on four", or that his frequent naps are a great substitute for incessant gnawing on a cancer-ridden paw, or that the sore muscles now are from taking 3.5 mile hikes full of tail wags and bright eyes, while fear of pain before surgery stopped Loki from even stepping onto our gravel driveway, completely ruling out hikes or long walks. I wish these negative nancies could understand that none of us wanted to put our dogs through the Tripawd process, but in the face of severe injuries, excrutiating pain, metastatic cancer, and ultimately euthanasia, becoming a Tripawd has given these pups an incredible second chance. And for Loki, like many Tripawds, I can look back and say that he is thriving for the first time in years, not despite having three legs, but because of it.
Meg and Clare, keep up those positive thoughts and please keep posting such amazing pictures and videos! Prove those lame non-Tripawders wrong! 
-Hugs and puppy kisses from Brittnie and Loki
🐾 Loki, Dog of Mischief 🐶
I loved life as a tripawd for over three years following right forelimb amputation due to an aggressive and recurrent hemangiopericytoma. I reclaimed my place among the gods and valkyries in Valhalla on November 11th, 2020. My parents miss me tremendously, but I know they'll keep me in their hearts forever... and don't worry, I've approved my mom's use of my Tripawds account.
WELL SAID BRITTNIE!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 Actually, BRILLIANTLY said!! 🙂 And Loki couldn't agree more! 🙂
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!
I couldn't have said it better, i couldn't have said it as well 
HUGS to you both from all of us🤗🤗
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
You know, after almost 4 years with Maggie and now 2 years with Elly I'm sort of used to people on the street feeling sorry for my 'poor dog' who is missing a leg, but when that feeling comes from a vet's office- well I find that pretty disappointing. They should have been around enough animals to see how healthy Meg is and although limping from an injury still full of vim and vigor!!
Maybe they read Sally's post that said Meg was ninety... 
I hope that some rest will get Meg back on her feet and back to her activities.
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 everyone for your understanding and support. We went to see the rehab vet and I started a new thread about what she said (basically that Meg has not sprained her carpus after all) http://tripawds.....-a-rant/
sorry, I can see that it would have been simpler to continue the same thread.
So yesterday I was feeling much more positive but today I am feeling really worried again. Meg is definitely not okay and every instinct tells me this is more than a bruised pad or something like that. Her leg keeps giving way, not from the shoulder as it did once before but sort of buckling and collapsing. If it’s not her carpus (and I don’t think it is because the rehab vet checked it very thoroughly and she knows) then the question is what is it and I am desperately worried that it’s actually her elbow and that it’s starting to disintegrate and could just go like the other one did. I just know that something is very wrong. I think we may need to get a scan.
Im going to contact Eddies Wheels too, but that will obviously take time and I’m also just really worried that with wheels Meg will not be able to do so many of the things that she most enjoys. I’m not sure if it would be fair.
Sorry to be such a downer myself after going on about the negative vet and you’ve all been so lovely and positive. To cap it all, Elsie is FURIOUS because I keep having to pick Meg up and carry her and that makes her really upset and jealous and then she starts shouting and when I put Meg down she bombs her. We are not a very happy trio at the moment but above all I am just desperately worried about Meg.
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...
Keep us updated, Clare! Sending all the love and positivity we can to help surround all three of you. 🙂
~Brittnie and Loki
🐾 Loki, Dog of Mischief 🐶
I loved life as a tripawd for over three years following right forelimb amputation due to an aggressive and recurrent hemangiopericytoma. I reclaimed my place among the gods and valkyries in Valhalla on November 11th, 2020. My parents miss me tremendously, but I know they'll keep me in their hearts forever... and don't worry, I've approved my mom's use of my Tripawds account.
Okay, we know better than to tell anyone on this journey not to jump ahead with worst case scenarios. So not gonna try! Okay, maybe I will try a little bit, but for a VALID reason!
First of all whatever is going, she needs at least one or two weeks of taking it easy. It doesn't surprise me AT ALL that, after all the pulling and range of motion stuff done at the Vet and Rehab that she's worse today.
I've had Frankie back and forth trying to figure out some of his "leg issues" (two out of the three!). And everytime I bring him back home he is in rough shape for several days because of all the manipulations they do! OUCH! I HAVE to get uim to a Rehab Specialist somehow, somewhere and checkmout options like leg support "braces",'etc. Maybe a "support brace" would benefit Meg if the front elbow is showing signs of "deterioration"?
And remember this Clare even IF there is an elvow "issue", this is a very, very, very different scenario than vefore! You have far.more knowlege....you have anp much vetter VET-REHAB TEAM!
I understand far too well all the concerns about Meg being able to be Meg. She and Frankie are two peas in a pod when it comes to being playing full out in everything they do!! While lounging around getting tummy rubs is pure bliss for Elsie Pie and Merry Myrtle it does not represent the same bliss to Meg and Frankie!!
For now, give the rest and recuperating from all the leg manipulation a chance to kick in.
Maybe a brace down the raod, or even Eddie's wheels will be an option. And neither one will deprive Meg of taking a mud bath!! Well, the wheels might mean you have ro disconnect her for a few minutes so she can take a roll in the mud!
The visual of Elsie Pie being a little diva brat is just....just....just so Pie!! Guess you'll just have to buff up your muscles so you can pick the Pie up at the same rime as Meg! 🙂
Sending healing energy to sweet Meg! And I really, really do think with some EXTREME rest from all the manipulations she WILL be showing improvements, but not overnight!
Lota and lots of love!!
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!
Just now catching up....so sorry to hear about Meg's leg issues. I used to have a really hard time when people would do the pity routine with Nitro; it made me so angry that I didn't always respond to them in a calm, polite manner. I'm sure my "tone" was defensive, but I got tired of apologizing for "making him have 3 legs". It's so stressful when you KNOW something is wrong, but can't put your finger on what it is. Sending prayers that you figure it out - I know you and Meg will deal with whatever comes your way with dignity and grace. Even if you decide to go with the cart, I think Meg will do fine, the are amazingly resliient as you well know. Good luck
Paula and Warrior Angel Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
Clare,
I am just now catching up. I am so sorry to hear that Meg is having some issues. I know Cassie who had Domino had some issues with his carpus too. (She was at the party in May) . Maybe a brace will help. I know that you are worried and keep a star like Meg quiet is hard to do.
I am thinking of you and Meg and of course Elsie Pie.
Keep us informed
xoxoxo
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Hoping things are slowly getting better for our girl. I saw slowly because injuries do take time....time is our friend in these situations. Praying hard here! For both of you!
Ok Clare I'm sorry to pester you but we need to know how things are going. I think of you guys everyday and I'm worried with no update. Praying things are getting better for our Megastar! ❤️❤️
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