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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Hey my name is Sasha am just new to this and am slowly getting the hang of it.. I was just told my dog has cancer in his back right leg and if i get the leg removed it should be a sucess.. He has been holding the sore leg up for about three months so he is use to useing three leg. He is booked in for surgery on the Tuesday the 6th of Novemebr 2012 i am so scared of him getting his legged removed i am devasted i dont know what to except. Or if he will ajust to it. I am so so scared 
He is a diabetic i have to inject him twice a day with insullion. I have so many questions and fears and would love for someone to write back who has been threw this or going threw it.
Thank you x
Sasha, welcome to the group. You are new now, but it won't be long before you are an expert. I moved your post into a topic of its own, so Sash's story wouldn't get lost in the middle of someone elses.
Making the decision to amputate is a hard one for most everyone. As you continue to read stories here, you will see that most adapt pretty quickly to life on three legs.
My questions for the vet would be around wound care for a dog with diabetes. Is there anything special you need to be aware of.
Will be sending good thoughts to you on surgery day and hopes for a speedy, uneventful recovery.
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.
Thank u very much for the reply and moving my convo. I will read all these posts and get some answers i need 
Hi Sasha! I'm thankful that Hugapitbull moved your post so we can help you feel better about what to expect.
How old/young is your dog? What kind of cancer does the vet suspect? It sounds like your vet thinks he's a good candidate for surgery, which is always a plus.
Try not to worry, the vast majority of dogs bounce back without a hitch. Do ease your fears by checking out our Required Reading List and our ebook, "Three Legs & a Spare." You'll find most of your ?s answered there and for those that aren't in these resources, we're here to help.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Sasha. I'm sorry to hear about the cancer. It is breathtaking when the vet gives that diagnosis and leaves you scared and confused. Most of us on this site have been in your shoes and we understand. But the fact that you are researching and learning how to make this work for you and your baby is a good first step. I know it doesn't seem at this moment that there is anything to look forward to, but I can assure you that there are some wonderful times ahead. With some patience and lots of love your pup will be amazing you in no time. Good luck and keep us posted!
Lisa
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
Hi Sasha,
My dog just had her rear left leg amputated on 10/26 due to bone cancer. When she was diagnosed I came home and immediately got on the computer and found this site. I cant begin to tell you how helpful it has been to me. When I first got the news, I was devastated. It was so helpful to me to read other people's experiences. I gained so much knowledge in such a short amount of time. I downloaded Three Legs and a Spare , which answered alot of my questions and gave me valuable questions to ask the oncologist. I was lucky to have a vet that was very patient and answered each and everyone of them. If you download the book it will give you the questions to ask the vet. It was helpful to me to have those questions all printed out. I would have never known to ask all the questions that it provided me.
My little girl Cadence is doing great. There were a couple of rough days because she decided to over do it one day, but overall she is adapting very well and is still the loveable and goofy girl she was before the surgery. Dont give up hope. There are many people going through this experience, and we are all there to guide eachother along the way. Everyone here is very supportive and helpful. Keep us updated. You and your love will be in my thoughts.
“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.” ― Milan Kundera
Hi Sasha, sorry you had to find us here. I know it's so overwhelming at first. But most dogs do great on 3 legs. There can still be lots of wonderful times ahead for you and your pup. It's an amazing thing to be a Tripawd pawrent!
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!
Hi Sasha, sorry you had to find us but glad you did. Dogs are amazing on 3 legs. Reading the info that Jerry suggests will help you get prepared. Some things that come to mind are making sure you have no slippery floors. Look for some carpet pieces etc to cover slippery spots. Don't be afraid to ring your vet when you get home from the surgery. It's a scary thing and they are there to help and so are we! Good luck with the surgery.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Thank you all for your kind words. Jerry my dog is 8 years old. Its a tumour on his leg it started as a abscess he got it removed twice and the second time it came back as cancer. I rang my vet and asked if he get leg removed how do u know it would not spread i wouldnt want to put my baby threw that to be told the cancer has spread. But the vet assured me that it hasnt spread.. I tryed to download the Three legs & a spare but i just cant seem to get it.
He has surgery 2morrow please god he goes threw that ok. My heart is just broken i know am his mummy and i have to be strong but i am finding this the scariest thing i have ever had to do. I have went threw all the storys here and this makes me feel better. Am so scared to just actualy see him with three legs i think am scared of the unknown. Will his scar be big? will he be in pain? All these things keep going threw my brain. As am typing this my baby is sitting on my knee he doesnt even know whats happening the wee darling he is 100% nothing has changed with him.
Brandy has been walking on three legs for a couple of months anyway so i think he will catch on quite qiuck. Am just scared to see him and the scar. Am so glad for this site to talk to people who are going threw this and who have been threw this is just amazing and i thank u all so much
All of us totally know what you're feeling, this is not an easy decision but once you see how relieved Brandy is to be rid of that bad leg you'll know you made the right decision. Recovery can be tough but it doesn't last forever.
Yes, the scar will be scary and large but if you look at our photo gallery of surgical pictures it will prepare you.
And yes, Brandy doesn't know anything has changed. Follow his lead; enjoy each moment as it comes, try not to worry about the future and you'll find it much easier to get though the tough parts of this journey. We are here to help however we can.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome to Tripawds.
My little pug Maggie lost her left rear leg to mast cell cancer. I will always remember how I felt when the vet said amputation, I don't think I heard another word she said that day. I was very worried about all the things you talk about, and I was worried about how Mag would adapt. We went through this before Tripawds was here so we didn't have anyone to share their experiences with us.
Maggie's scar from the amputation was actually smaller than the scar from her first tumor removal from her side. It was pretty weird to see her without the leg- but I got over that quickly and just worked on getting her healed up.
Make sure you have something to do tomorrow, surgery day is long while you are waiting for the call.
Let us know how she is doing, and how you are doing.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Karen and the pugapalooza thank you for your kind words.. How long ago did ur baby have the operation? Everyone is so nice and helpfull at this time i dont were i would be without this page. Do uns know how long a dog is kept after surgery or does it just vary.. The place i take Brandy for his operation is like a 1 and half hour drive and i cant get seeing him everyday if he has to stay away long. Its getting closer each hour.. 
Maggie's surgery was over 6 years ago, she passed away from a second, unrelated cancer more than 2 years ago. But she was a happy tri-pug for almost 4 years.
Mag stayed overnight in the hospital. I've heard of some pups coming home the same day, but most spend at least one night at the vet. Some of the bigger dogs here have spent a couple nights. I think this is best because they can monitor Brandy, make sure she recovers from the anesthetic, and get the pain medications adjusted.
I did not go see Maggie in the hospital- I didn't want her to be happy to see me, then have me leave her there again. Truth is it would have been very hard for me to do.
Try not to look at the surgery as a bad thing (I know it is hard), but as a good thing for Brandy. Sounds like you will beat cancer with the amputation, and that is a very good thing.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Left Brandy up this morning for his surgery hardest thing ive ever had to do I keep thinking its cruel what am doing taking his leg off. And i know its for the best its saving his life am just finding it hard. So scared to see him again i know am gona start crying but i cant show him that. I just am so scared of seeing the staples thats scareing me more than anything. I just lite a blessed candle and hope my baby is ok. Love him loads xx
We're cheering you and Brandy on. Hang in there and remember, it's not cruel, you are being compassionate by helping him get rid of the pain of the tumor he was dealing with.
In the meantime, be sure to write down all of your questions for the vet, and take a pen & paper with you when you meet. If you can have someone along with you, even better.
When you say you can't get the e-book, what do you mean? Did you get that figured out? Also, did you read our Required Reading List? Be sure to do that too, it'll keep you mind off of things.
Be strong, you can do it!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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