Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Sounds pretty normal so far. Maggie was walking the day of surgery, or hopping I guess. She was a rear amp. She never needed help getting around, but the first couple of weeks she didn't get far before sitting down. She was a pug and a bit on the lazy side so it was hard to tell if she was tired, sore or bored.
For me and my dogs I would never visit them at the vet if they were staying a night or two. It would be hard on them when I left without them, and really hard for me to leave them there. Everyone decides what works best for them.
Don't worry about being over sensitive! I think we have all earned out 'worry' badge 100 times over 
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
ripple said
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.
Thankfully Shelby was always very drugged when she was at the vet for her many surgeries that it was never traumatic when I left her but I did always call and check on her in the a.m. and before bed - you pay them good money! You can call as much as you want, I would think! And they actually told me that visiting hours actually did help the patients so it worked for us.(and Shelby had her own blanket and couple of toys). This place is not like a normal vet so that is why I think it works so well!
I also asked them to keep Shelby for the full 2 days since I wasn't able to be home w/her since I work during the day and it was for peace of mind.:-)
So I say ... call, check on her, it will do wonders for your peace of mind! And get some rest because once she comes home, that is harder to come by!
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
Oh I agree, if you want to call you should call. I am one of those pawrents that calls constantly but they are our babies!!! 
I am sure the vet will understand. Please keep us updated, you guys will be in my thoughts!
{{Hugs}}
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”
Murphy was in the hospital for three weeks prior to his amp. We called them every morning and every night. They were always happy to give us updates and to let us know how he was doing.
Kathi and Murphy
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
RIpple is doing pretty well Came home yesterday. I was actually worried about how i'd feel seeing her but it was not really upsetting at all. She was still the same angel as always. Been sleeping mostly which is nice. When she got up to go out earlier I noticed what seemed like sac of fluid around her belly. I think/hope that is normal? I will call tomorrow if not better. Her area is already looking better!
It must have been so hard to have Murphy at the hospital for 3 whole weeks before surgery. You must be very strong. We have friend who works from home so he is going to work from our home for the next week or 2 or however long we need which is a huge relief. Thanks everyone one and goodnight!
You're so right; the incision isn't nearly as horrific as we tend to think it will be, our love overpowers everything.
The sac of fluid is likely a seroma (click on that link to read more). It's usually a harmless fluid build up that will dissipate in time or possibly need draining by your vet (a quick, painless in-office procedure).
Good luck today! let us know how it goes.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you Jerry! I do think it's normal and that it seems a little smaller today.
Last night was a bit of a rough one. She fell asleep on the bed just fine but woke up about an hour later and was wandering around and panting. I put her out but she came right back in and did the same for a while. Then she went and slept in our computer room on a yoga mat (please do not ask why there is a yoga mat in our computer room!) and I decided that was fine for her to sleep wherever she was comfortable but about 90 minutes later she was up pacing and panting again. It was almost time for pain pills (2am) I gave them and she did well for maybe another hour. Then more of the same but she wanted out. Then my husband (who had been sleeping in the guest room to give her as much space in bed as needed) got up to see her and then he couldn't convince her to go to bed until he got in and then she hopped up and slept until morning and wanted her normal morning walk. I imagine this sort of thing might be what we're in for as she recovers and does it seem normal?
I just read that Murphy had hip surgery on his back leg after being a tripawd. How did that recovery go? That must have been really hard!
Sounds to me like Ripple wants all her ducks in a row! If she doesn't think her Dad should be sleeping in the other room, she will probably object until he is where she thinks he should be. Our Gus is like that. If I don't go to bed at the same time as Garry, Gus will pace and go from one room to the other until I come to bed. Then he is down for the night.
Yes, Murphy's situation is quite different from most here. We were fortunate not to be dealing with the dreaded c, but the recovery was necessarily a lot longer. His whole story is in the Beyond Cancer thread. He also has a You Tube channel called Murphy the Three Legged Dog where we have been posting videos of the various parts of his recovery.
Kathi and Murphy
PS. Do we get to see more pictures?
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
So glad Ripple is home!!! Panting and pacing is normal with the meds they are on. I am sure Sally will chime in about Hannah's lack of rest for almost 20 hours but Shelby was the same. Nights were hard and she would pace and pant and eventually ended up in my bathroom. It's the meds and they made my girl truly psychotic. I didn't sleep for almost the first week she was home (not well anyways). Hang in there and it does get better!!!
And I agree - the amp site wasn't nearly as awful as I had envisioned in my mind!
Hugs!
Alison and Shelby
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
Yup, sure sounds normal to me. Again, if you have any doubts about the effectiveness of the meds, call your vet.
OK so why is the yoga mat in your computer room? 
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
She's just been on these meds for so long I wonder if she's built up a tolerance.
That's funny, I think maybe you're right about her wanting things to be 'normal' and everyone in the same place. I will have to look up Murphy's story. It sounds like a good one! I do need to put up some pix of her. I have a million in my phone
That's interesting that Shelby went in your bathroom, do you think the meds make them hot? Maybe that's why she opted for the cooler mat over the warm blanket and bathroom tile is nice and cool. I hope that eases up soon but I'm glad to hear it's basically normal.
I didn't sleep much last night and she went from snoring to pacing so it wasn't easy for her either.
thanks all-best to all 2,3, and 4 leggeds out there!
Hi there
It sounds like Ripple is having a very typical recovery
I think the meds have a lot to do with some of the panting and pacing but they are truly a godsend during the recovery period.
Every day with likely be a bit better....though sometimes there is a bit of a dip in this roller coaster recovery period....and soon you won't remember what Ripple looked like with four legs.
Hugs
Linda and Tucker
ripple said
That's interesting that Shelby went in your bathroom, do you think the meds make them hot? Maybe that's why she opted for the cooler mat over the warm blanket and bathroom tile is nice and cool. I hope that eases up soon but I'm glad to hear it's basically normal.
I didn't sleep much last night and she went from snoring to pacing so it wasn't easy for her either.
thanks all-best to all 2,3, and 4 leggeds out there!
No, Shelby's a special breed of 'psycho'. She would lay on the bathmat in there and HAD to be on the mat in the bathroom. She still goes in there from time to time when she's mad at me or being passive aggressive. We think what it was is that dogs go off to a quiet place to heal and Shelby made my bathroom her 'safe room'. I wrote a blog post on it - you can find our blog (mom2shelby). Things do get better and sounds like you are coping pretty well! Good luck and 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
I guess RIpple was pretty quiet and sleepy all day but when my husband & I were home w/her this evening lots of pacing and panting. I told him that you all have said that's fairly typical and that reassurance is helping us a lot. I really need to get some sleep tonight, I did not perform at my best at work today, haha.
Thank you all, I never knew there were SO many tripods out there. The stories are fascinating and inspiring, sometimes heartbreaking but all so full of love!
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