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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Here is Shelby's Blog.
My pug Maggie was very much about normal or routine. She took about 6 weeks to come around after her surgery because she didn't deal well with change. No mediacal complications, just a stubborn pug! She didn't deal well with tram either- she would sleep a little, then be agitated for hours. On the other hand, quad-pug Obie took tram for weeks after his knee surgery last year and had no side effects.
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
Thanks Karen!
That's exactly what Ripple does, sleep a little while and then get up and pace and pant. She keeps wanting to go outside but once there just stands and looks around. She has been trying to take me on long walks, dragging me down the street when we are just going down the block. Seems angry about that, her routine is much longer ones!
I wonder if she is taking too much tramadol. Before the surgery she was taking it daily anyway for pain (one main reason we did the amp surgery) but now is taking more and more often. We are only supposed to keep her at this dose for a week so maybe once it's over she will calm down.
Thanks for the blog help too 
Oh you'll definitely see a difference when the tramadol is reduced and then eliminated completely! It's like you get your old dog back, it's great.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Interesting. I never considered that Tramadol could be making her anxious. I thought it would mellow her out and make her sleepy! I am glad to know that this is most likely the culprit though. Thanks!
Maggie would go outside too, then sit on the deck and look around like something was chasing her!
I meant to add also- when searching for a member blog I've had the most luck doing this:
Go to the Blogs Directory in the tripawds pull down menu in the grey or black bar at the top of the page. Once there scroll down to where is says Active Tripawds Blogs . There is a longish list of the most recently updated blogs, and if you are looking for a very active blogger it might be listed there. You can also search in the box just above the list. If you know at least part of the blog name you should find it. In this case I searched on 'Shelby' and got this result.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Glad to hear Ripple is doing so well. Her recovery sounds fairly normal. The drugs that help them, also hinder them. Even though she is still on the meds, do you thinkyou see an improvement in her pain situation? Will be sending pawsitive thoughts your way.
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.
Thank you, yes she does seem to be doing better overall. The panting and pacing is really hard to witness. I took her for acupuncture today and she did well with it. I am cutting back the tramadol slightly and see if that helps but also keeps her pain free. I have read everyone say the first 2 weeks are very hard so I am being patient. Thanks everyone! I would post a pic of her if I knew how
Oh good glad to hear the acupuncture helped!
Check out this link about adding images to your post. If that doesn't help let me know and I'll do it for you, I'd love to see some pix too!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks, it sounds really complicated! I will have to look at it after work.
ripple said
...it sounds really complicated!
Not really, if you already share photos online somewhere, it's simple. Just copy the image location (file URL) and paste that into the Umage URL field when using the Insert Image button in your post editor. On mobile devices you will only have the plain-text editor, so you can paste the Image URL on a line by itself for people to click and view.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
It has been 2 weeks since Ripple's amputation. This morning on our walk I had to run to keep up with her. A friend came by to see her today and said she was sure Ripple was thinking about jumping up to say hello. Sometimes it seems hard when I feel like those other 3 limbs are doing so much over time. I guess that's how it is now.
Anyone have any that are running like they did before? I hope she will be able to swim this summer and play a little ball here and there, hard to know what to expect but very thankful with how things are going right now and for everyone's support through it all!
She sounds like she is doing great! There are a lot of dogs on here that returned to pretty normal activity. You always have to be aware of not overdoing things to hurt the remaining leg, but as time goes by you will be amazed. Shooter could jump into our pickup with no problems a couple months after surgery.
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.
Sounds like everything is good. Two weeks is very, very early, she will need time to adapt and get stronger. Yes, Tripawds can do all of those things they loved before, but within reason. It's up to you to moderate her activity and ensure she doesn't overdo things, that way she'll be around for as long as possible, pain free and without any arthritis.
The Tripawds e-books tell how to get there and what to expect, you'll find Loving Life on Three Legs especially helpful for learning tips about strengthening and avoiding overuse injuries.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Congrats on making it through the first 2 weeks! Tramadol all done now?
I remember, too, wondering if Jackson should be so fast so quickly after surgery. Hopping is easier with momentum. Our walks are MUCH faster than they were with 4 legs. He LOVES to run more now. After he's done all his business, he insists on running back to the house. He's gotta stretch his legs? Whatever the reason, I'm thrilled. I'm thrilled your pup is doing the same! The sparkle is back and it's marvelous, huh? CONGRATS!
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Hi all
Haven't posted in a while but Ripple is absolutely thriving! She seems to have gotten younger and is dissatisfied with walks that are 'only' an hour long! Took her swimming once and it took a few minutes but then she was right back into it and wanted to keep going. The only problem is her energy level is hard to wear out! The warmer weather seems to tire her out so she will often lie down for 2-3 minutes and then pop back up and continue on her merry way. She is so much happier.
As of Sunday she is off ALL drugs! We weaned her off the gabapenten slowly but she doesn't seem to notice the absence.
I hope all my friends in the Tripawd land are doing well. It's such a wonderful and supportive community.
thank you,
Jill & Ripple
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