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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My sweet Lily, a three year tripawd just had a TPLO yesterday and I am wondering if anyone can give me some insight on what we can expect for recovery. Unfortunately we have been through this procedure before with our other shepherd but she is a four-legged girl I am getting the feeling it will be very different.
Hope everyone has a great day and lots of love and puppy kisses from Daytona Beach, Florida
Hello and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I'm sorry Lily has to recover from another surgery! It is harder of course for a Tripawd to recover from a limb surgery but there are quite a few here who have.
Here are some links that may help:
What to Know About Remaining Limb Surgery on a Tripawd
Frankie’s cruciate repair!!
Maggie’s Knee surgery recovery
Remaining Limb Surgery Recovery for Tripawds
Ziggy Recovers from High-Tech 3D Limb Deformity Surgery
Since you've been through the recovery before you know its longer than recovery from amputation surgery.
She looks like a white shepherd in your avatar? We would love to know more about her when you have a chance.
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
Having a bit pf brain fog, So TPLO on the ONE remaining resr leg?
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!
It is her one remaining rear leg. She is a very active dog and the wear and tear on the limb was too much. They also repaired her miniscus when we was is surgery.
She is such a sweetheart, she is a three 1/2 year tripawd and became one due to a bone infection. She bounced back quickly from that but having surgery done on your one remaining rear leg has me a little worried. I am sure she will do just fine, but I just want to see what others have experienced.
Oh, okay, the remaining. Yeah, a tough deal you have going on, but certainly doable!
My Frankie referenced above in link Karen gave you, had TPLO surgery this past December on one of his TWO remaining back legs (a front leg tripawd). His other back leg did, however, have cruciate repair surgery just a year prior. His remaining front leg was starting to collapse fairly frequently as a result of carrying more we from the first surgery, and then try to compensate as his other leg was deteriorating. He is sooooo much better now (knocking on wood)!
I'll have to find the link, but one of our members (Amy) had surgery (believe it was tumor removal) done on her dog's remaining legs and, with a long recovery and lots of care, her pup (senior) recovered okay!!
The TPLO surgery is a quicker recovery than the "other" recovery for cruciate repair (based in my experience anyway). Obviously, longer recov9 time is required in your Lily's situation.
Do you have good discharge instructions on icing, when to start GENTLE range of motion, etc?? Do you have a good harness to help support the back end especially?
Don't know if rhis is possible, but could Lily stay at rhe Vet for four or five days for complete confinement, icing, etc? It is just myself and I wasn't able to lift and support Frankie proper by myself until he could help me support him, so my Bet was willing to board him for several days. I really hope you have help. It will make all the difference in the world. Of course, good pain management is needed for the first couple of weeks, continuing joint supplements, etc.
Stay connected and let us know how we can help. Update how things are going as you can. We're here for you, okay?
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!
Hi there and welcome! You've gotten great advice from Sally and Karen. Has Lily been released from the hospital yet? Your vet should be providing you with extensive post-op care instructions as well as a referral to a rehabilitation therapist. This is imperative, rehab is the key to a good recovery, as well as your ability to follow discharge instructions to the letter. I know this is hard for an active doggie but you can do it!
Unfortunately this is one of the most common post-amputation surgeries we see around here. This post amputation orthopedic surgery study was done recently and it should give you some comfort knowing that even after a remaining limb surgery, the majority of pet parents who went through recovery were happy with their Tripawd's quality of life afterward.
One of the best things you can do for Lily during recovery is to keep her mind busy and occupied with interactive brain games.
Also, have you seen our e-book Loving Life On Three Legs ? Many of the recovery tips we have in there are applicable to your situation.
Here is the link about Izzy and Amy's cruciate repair recovery that Sally mentioned.
Keep us posted on how she's doing, we're cheering you both on!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello!
I wanted to reach out on this as my tripawd, also with 1 rear leg, is three weeks post TPLO. I have followed things to a T. I am so scared to do something wrong.
I am not going to lie, it has been tough at times. Currently we just got back from the vet as a seroma formed and the incision site is draining clear fluid. He saw a rehab specialist and we were doing the exercises, starting to walk a bit more and more. Today he isn’t walking but the vet thinks the seroma and not walking are due to the increased activity and overexertion.
So, he is back to rest, rest, rest. My vet has been very positive about everything, not even terribly concerned about the seroma . Their outlook on the recovery and the long term impact this will have on his mobility are what have helped me stay positive through the process.
If you would ever like to talk about it more, I would love to offer any support I can. How is your puppy doing and where is your puppy in the post op?
Welcome champy830, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
Thanks for your input- nothing like someone on the same path to compare notes!
Please consider starting your own thread in Share your Story so you can introduce Champ and tell us his whole story.
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
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