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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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Amputation surgery this week, Very scared!
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Member Since:
27 January 2014
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10 March 2014 - 12:07 pm
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My dog Ripple has been battling a mysterious lameness for over a year now. We have been to several different doctors but all agreed to try removing the plate from her TPLO surgery, then get MRI, then they have done everything that can be done to that left hind leg but she just gradually stopped using it. We even tried stem cell therapy. She had surgery on her back in August and they decompressed a nerve in her back and she improved but still will not use the leg and she cries sometimes and when she lies on her side she holds it funny, like she doesn't know what it's doing there. We are finally at the point where it seems the best way to get her pain-free is amputation. As the surgery date gets closer (it's on 3/13) I am getting SO nervous. I wonder if we're doing the right thing or should continue on as we are. She has to hold the leg up all the time and is on daily pain meds. I would love to get her pain- and drug-free but is this just too drastic? So many people in this community have inspiring stories. Can anyone help put my fears to rest? Thank you so much, it's nice not to feel so alone :)

Member Since:
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10 March 2014 - 12:19 pm
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A year is a long time. Wow! And you've tried so many other procedures to get this under control. I don't blame you for being nervous, but I think that you've made the right decision.

My Willow's amputation was due to cancer, not injury, and I didn't adopt her until over a year after her amputation, so I didn't have to make the decision. But I do want to share with you how well she did as a Tripawd. I was concerned before I brought her home that she would need more care than I could give her because of her "disability", but quickly found out that she didn't have a disability at all! Willow was a front leg amputee, and she still ran around...up and down the hills in my yard, chased lizards and squirrels and could even dig holes in the dirt!

Ripple will do great, and her pain will be gone! Her quality of life will be so much better.

I hope you'll share more about Ripple, and keep us updated after her surgery. Good luck!

Hugs,
Carol

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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10 March 2014 - 1:47 pm
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Hi Ripple, I'm so sorry I missed you in the chat today. I'm there now if you're online, if not, try again in the evening when you're more likely to catch folks.

Well, thanks for joining us, sorry you're in this scary predicament.

It sounds like Ripple has seen a ton of vets but one last idea for ya; has she seen a certified rehabilitation therapy veterinarian? Rehab vets (not just PTs, but vets who are certified as rehab therapiests) are often able to diagnose and treat similar sounding conditions without resorting to surgery.

I think that's where I would go next as a last step before surgery. Here's a blog post that explains why:

Canine Acupuncture and Rehabilitation Therapy Tips for Tripawds

We're here to help whatever you decide, please keep us posted.

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

Ohio
Member Since:
21 February 2014
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10 March 2014 - 5:58 pm
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WOW that is a long time to be going through all of this! I'm sorry that you've struggled for so long. The fact that she is limping at all means that she is having some kind of pain, and you're right to want to have her pain and drug free! I mean who wants to take a stupid pain pill everyday and not be able to play? I was SUPER scared about having Cody's leg removed. Like realllllly scared. I was afraid that he wouldn't know what to do and that he would just lay around all the time. Well we are 17 days post amp and he is AMAZING us every day! He goes for walks, gets up on the futon, tries to play with his brother (even though he isn't aloud yet) and got the hang of going to the bathroom super fast! The decision is scary and the first two weeks are rough.. but they adjust so well! Keep us posted and let us know if you need anything! Even if its just to vent

 

Best wishes!

 

 

 

Cody and Familybig-grin

Cody is our 7 year old Australian Heeler mix boy. Diagnosed on 2/20/14 and became a tripawd 2/21/14! We chose a homeopathic approach and he is being treated by Dr. Loops our of NC.

Montana
Member Since:
1 February 2013
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10 March 2014 - 8:39 pm
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Ripple must be such a strong girl to have gone through so much and you are strong too for helping her. Dogs really do adapt to three legs quite well. I wonder if some of her pain may be due to the way she has to use herself by carrying the leg plus worrying about pain ocurring elsewhere. Often it becomes a chain reaction. Jerry's idea of aa rehab ve may help overall even if you do the amputation, but sounds like youhave quite a team of vets working on her. Know that we are here for you for any support you may need.

Take care-
Luanne and Spirit Shooter

Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old. 

Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.

http://shooter......ipawds.com

Member Since:
16 May 2009
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11 March 2014 - 3:59 am
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Sid's pain was definitely due to pain in a TOTALLY different location to where it was being demonstrated.  He was a tripod already and was seeing vets for unexplained pain in his back and hindquarters and no cause could be found. He ended up having a ton of investigations, and being put on the maximum dose of three different painkillers and was getting worse and worse to the point where I thought we were going to lose him, simply because we couldn't control the pain and didn't know where it was coming from.

 

It turned out he had a corn. It was throwing EVERYTHING else out, because he was trying not to put weight on it, but had no choice, being already a three-legger.  It got to the point where he was collapsing on the shortest of walks (even out to pee in the garden) and was sticking his hind leg up in the air and stretching and shivering it pathetically - my own vets still thought it was his spine.  He was referred (at my request) to our local vet school hospital, and he's now recovering nicely from corn surgery.  It may be that he still has other issues, and we'll see once the stitches are out and he's back to exercising properly but he is definitely improved already!

 

This is just my own personal opinion, but I would want to pinpoint the pain before doing anything drastic.  If - for instance - it were coming from the spine, removing a leg would make it worse.   

Having said that, if you've been to specialists and they have looked at everything from the neck down to the back toes and can find nothing, you may well have no choice but a last-ditch attempt to save her this way.  I can't tell you what's right or wrong, and I really don't envy you the decision, bless you.

Perhaps try the rehab vet first?  What do you have to lose?  Hydrotherapy has been great for Sid, and also massage therapy, and we've had success with acupuncture in the past.

Member Since:
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13 March 2014 - 2:45 pm
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Thanks for the responses everyone! I actually feel better today after dropping her off for her surgery. She is in the best possible hands and we are doing the right thing. I so appreciate all your stories and support and encouragement. She is such an angel, a real trooper.

Jerry, we did take her to a rehab center. They worked with her a few times and tried the underwater treadmill but she would just refuse to use that leg. That doctor actually works some with the doctor she is with right now. He travels to many different clinics in western WA.

It is great to hear that Willow is so happy and active after losing a front leg, that's amazing.

Angela, I have had all of those fears! I hear the first 2 weeks are really tough but a lot of people say it's because their dog doesn't necessarily want to stay quiet and be smart about recovery because they are feeling so good.

Thank you Luanne, she has had SO many different doctors and they have all been really good-but baffled! They have conferred together and the thing they agree on is they have no idea what exactly this is or what caused it. But they also agree this is the only thing left to do, aside from nothing. I don't want her in any pain at all so that wasn't an option even though I was seriously considering it yesterday, just calling the whole thing off!

Jay, I know what you mean. I was thinking-if we don't know for sure this is what is the best thing for her than by all means DO NOT DO IT! But she had an MRI last year and 1 in February and she also had back surgery for nerve decompression last year (which helped but not enough) and the vet did swear that if this was his dog this is what he would do. We have decided we have to trust in their expertise and best professional judgement. We tried doing nothing for a while except acupuncture and laser and those help but only temporarily.

thanks again for all the support! This has been a great experience. I will be back tomorrow! :)

Member Since:
16 May 2009
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13 March 2014 - 3:19 pm
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Wishing you and Ripple the very best of luck with the surgery and recovery.  I so hope - with you - that this will stop the pain for her and solve her problems.  Please do keep us informed!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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13 March 2014 - 5:17 pm
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Boy he's so lucky to have you and such a great team of docs on her side! We are thinking of you and sending all our best for an easy, fast recovery. Since she'll be a Tripawd officially, please keep us posted in "Treatment and Recovery" or "Beyond Cancer", we're cheering you on from around the world and waiting for news!

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

Member Since:
20 February 2014
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13 March 2014 - 8:18 pm
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Thinking of you and Ripple today. I hope to hear only great things in her recovery to being a pain free dog. These next few days will make you doubt your decision! I'm only 3 days post amputation and it's been heart wrenching. But my little girl is a trooper and this community has been nothing short of amazing in helping me through this. Ripple is so lucky to have someone care about her happiness and love her the way you do!
---Hugs to you and your sweet girl---

Virginia
Member Since:
26 January 2014
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14 March 2014 - 4:35 am
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Thinking about you guys this morning. I agree, those first few days are rough but hang in there and if you need us, we are here!

Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”  

      

Member Since:
27 January 2014
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14 March 2014 - 12:30 pm
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Thank you all! The doctor said the surgery went well when we spoke last night and that she was resting comfortably and snoring under some warm blankets!

This morning I was told she was getting around well (Already!-does this seem fast?) and eating a lot but that she seemed to have discomfort at the site of the incision. I guess that makes sense but that she also now has a fever. They said it's too early for it be an infection to worry about but now I am very worried as to why she would have a fever. We were so confident she'd be able to come home early afternoon but now we don't know if she'll be able to come back or not.  Did anyone else experience this?

Thank you for the support, I look forward to being one of the supporters after things settle down for us, god willing!

 

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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14 March 2014 - 1:05 pm
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Glad to hear things are good! Don't worry, she's under good care and the clinic sounds very conscientious.

Yes, many people have gone through similar post-op situations and their Tripawds bounced back and came home without a hitch. As for getting around, most dogs and cats do get up the next day and start hopping around to go potty and such. They're not exactly racing around but doing far better than any human would. I think this is mainly because they're high as a kite from the pain meds, since quite often they'll come home and "crash" for a few days. So if you have some ups and downs there don't be surprised, it's normal.

We do hope she gets to come home, I know how much you miss her!

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

Los Angeles, CA
Member Since:
13 June 2013
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14 March 2014 - 1:21 pm
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Sounds like she is doing great!

 

Yup, my girl Shelby was up and walking w/in a couple of hours. She stayed 2 nights at the hospital but I visited with her both nights (my vet has visiting hours). Both times, she walked in to see me - tail wagging, etc. Also Shelby was/is a very healthy eater from the getgo also.

The fever, I would suspect, would just be from the trauma (because it still is major surgery) so perhaps it will continue to go down. I am sure they are giving her anti-biotics (we had those pumped into her IV prior to her coming home). 

Good luck! Keep us posted! 

Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.

October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014

Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife

Member Since:
27 January 2014
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14 March 2014 - 1:37 pm
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I imagine she will be OK hopping around but get tired pretty quickly. Thanks, you are probably right about the fever, it's probably not a huge deal after the MAJOR surgery she just had. I want to call and check on her but am so far resisting that urge!  :)

The clinic is great, the doctors are really caring and I feel she is in great hands. I would love to visit her but it might be too heartbreaking to see her and then leave her there. Plus it's close to an hour from here, without Friday traffic! Maybe a 2nd night there will be OK so they can keep an eye on her and administer more or different meds if needed. I do miss her but would rather she stay under their care until that fever is completely 100% gone!

Thank you for sharing all your experiences, I am probably overly sensitive and reactive but I just worry. what-ever

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