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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Well tomorrow's the big day! Even more anxious than ever! I know it's the right thing to do for her just gutted that tomorrow her world is going to change! Trying to stay strong and positive but it's tough!
Howdy and welcome!!
I'm sorry to be late to the discussion, but I wanted to add, if you're a visualizer, then start visualizing what you'll be doing this time next month. Pretend the present is a month from now and you're fur-baby is home trampsing around like there's nothing wrong. Pretend you're laughing at all the little things they've adjusted to living life as if there's no tomorrow. Be amazed at her determination and the look in her eye when she "asks" you, "I'm missing something?"
It's not that you're wishing the time away, you're imagining the bad things into extinction.
I'll be thinking about you.
pam
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
Thanks Pam. She's been struggling the past couple of days just pacing in circles so I'm panicking that her hip dysplasia is getting bad and then that makes me think she'll struggle following the operation but I honestly believe I'm just over thinking everything! Breaks my heart to look at her knowing what she is about to go through but she is getting lots of love and kisses as per usual!Â
kirsty85 said
Well tomorrow's the big day! Even more anxious than ever! I know it's the right thing to do for her just gutted that tomorrow her world is going to change! Trying to stay strong and positive but it's tough! Â
Good luck Molly I also have my girl Onyx getting her right front leg removed tomorrow, and I completely understand how you are feeling right now.
Online
Over thinking? Here? On this site? On this journey? Worrying too much?? WELCOME to the "new normal! 
I would be more worried about you if you weren't doing these things!
It's just not "natural" to be put in the position to make these kinds of decisions to get extended.quality pain free time. But we are. And we make these decisions because it's the only way to give them a.chance for more loving and more spoiling, pain free!
Molly is probably experiencing lain from that bum.leg more so than anything else. Sure, she may need extra help with a harness for awhile. No biggie.
Keep staying connected! We are here to help you and Molly through recovery, 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!
Thanks! It's nice to know that others have experienced all the anxiety I'm feeling! Trying to remain strong but know I'll be having a little cry over the next 24 hours!Â
Her new ruffwear harness arrived today so got that all fitted right and ready to help with her recovery!
I'll let you in in a little secret.....I cried every day for 3 months straight when we started this journey 2 years ago (but I tried to never cry in Nitro's presence); so you go ahead and have yourself a little cry later. I'm glad your harness came, we got ours early and had him wear it to get used to it...it literally saved our lives in the beginning. Stay strong, think pawsitive thoughts; it seems bleak right now, but better days are coming. Call the helpline, join in on the live chat - let us help you get through this. We're family.
Paula and Nitro
P.S. My sister has 2 GSH's (one all black); they are beautiful dogs!
Nitro 11 1/2 Â yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Â Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
kirsty85 said
Even more anxious than ever!
Please try to remember to Be More Dog . She will follow your lead, and what she needs right now is a strong balanced pack leader showing her that all is OK. As a rehab tech told us: If you want life to be normal again, you must act as if life is normal.
Best wishes! Get some rest and please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Good luck to Molly and Onyx! Â We will be looking forward to updates.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016.  Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016.  Lung mets August 25, 2016.  Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016.  Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma. Â
Wherever they are, they are together.
kirsty85 said
Thanks! It's nice to know that others have experienced all the anxiety I'm feeling! Trying to remain strong but know I'll be having a little cry over the next 24 hours!ÂHer new ruffwear harness arrived today so got that all fitted right and ready to help with her recovery! Â
Best of luck today! Â I know you are reading my blog, but I promise, the anxiety you are feeling now will be gone once the surgery has been completed. Â At that point you can just focus on Molly's recovery. Â You are even one step ahead of us since you got your harness and were able to fit it prior to surgery!
Tom & SunnyÂ
Thinking of you today! Stay strong, you will be fine!
Donna
Donna, Glenn & MurphyÂ
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17 Â
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Our dog, Chubby Checkers, just had his right, rear leg amputated on Monday, 5/9/16. Â We were able to take him home Wednesday afternoon. Â The one moment I will never forget, and please pay attention to this moment when you first see your pup for the first time again. Â
If they are like Chubby, they will just be looking normal, then they see YOU - their fur parent - and there is a joy in their eyes that will make you cry with joy, but you will know you have done the right thing. Â It's a split second, but a moment you will remember forever.
What you are experiencing - the worry and anxiety is normal. Â It is great that you have the harness and it is fitted. I would also suggest some other things, if you haven't already read about them elsewhere on the forum:Â
- have a firm, not-lumpy bed set up - with lots of towels. Lots of towels on the bed.Â
- There will be tiny drips of blood. Â
- There may be urinary incontinence due to the medication they give your pup. Â This will subside.
I wish you the best of luck. Â It's a tough journey, but just 24 hours after picking Chubby up, I would say over the past 24 hours I see improvement already. I am so thankful for this website!!
Hi Chubby and family, welcome! Your future posts won't need approval so post away.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your story with us, it's sooooo appreciated. Your support, even as you embark on your own journey is so generous, thank you for that. Don't forget to start your own post or a Tripawds blog so you can share CC's journey with us!
Hope you don't mind I reformatted your post so it's easier to read, type-wise. Copying/pasting from something like Word or an email often results in weird characters and formatting. So, when you copy/paste into the forums, be sure to click on that little "T" with the clipboard icon that's located in the top row of your forum post editing toolbar (3rd from right, see it?). Click the icon, paste your text in the box, then unclick the T so you can format the way you want it to appear. Make sense? Holler if you' d like help. Thanks again!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Well I'm pleased to report that Molly's operation went well and she was up and hopping around an hour after surgery. Vets really pleased with her and hopefully she will be coming home tomorrow! She's such an inspiration and doesn't let anything get her down! I'm Definately a proud tripawrent! 😊
Hooray for Molly and for Chubby Checkers!  The time before the staples come out if definitely the hardest, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.  As long as you manage the pain (and make sure to call your vet if at any time you are not sure if the pain is being managed well enough) you will see improvement day after day (OK, a slight dip is possible around day 3 or 4 when the hospital meds wear off, but other than that, you will see improvement). We are all here for you - feel free to reach out with questions or just to share!
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016.  Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016.  Lung mets August 25, 2016.  Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016.  Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma. Â
Wherever they are, they are together.
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