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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Our 10 year old greyhound has osteosarcoma in right shoulder. Yesterday we spent 3 hours at the veterinary cancer doctors for the best way to proceed. They strongly advice to amputate followed by chemo. My main question is how do we move the dog on the first days at home without a lot of discomfort? What is the best way to lift her after surgery? This seems like such a hard choice to make. Thankyou so much for any help that is offered.
Welcome to our group. I hope you won't mind that I moved your post. I didn't want it to get lost in the middle of another already started.
Making the decision to amputate is so very hard. The great news is that most pets adjust within a few days to life on three legs. Within 2 weeks most are successfully recovered.
Lots of folks use a sling those first few days. You can improvise with a towel or a slit canvas shopping bag. Trouble needed help for about 3 days, after that she could get around easier alone than with my help. I had problems using the towel, I was having to bend over too much. I found a mans long sleeve shirt worked really well for me. I rolled the body to make the support area and used the long sleeves to hold and support.
There are many folks here who will answer any questions you have. We all have different experiences to share.
Good thoughts to you and Brindie.
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.
Hello, welcome-so sorry that you need to be here. I also have a greyhound, Lily, who is 10 this month. She was diagnosed with osteo 15 months ago, and we decided to amputate and do chemo (5 rounds of carboplatin)-although I believe the recommended dosage is now 4. Lily spent the night at the vets after the surgery and when I went to pick her up, she hopped out wagging her tail! We did use a sling around the house sometimes, but she really didn't need it very often. The only problem we had was some phantom pain ; Lily would all of the sudden start shrieking and we would come running. Actually, after about 2-3 weeks and when she got off the Tramadol -it stopped. Lily is a front leg amp, so she gets winded sometimes when walking. It's actually easier for her to run than walk! She's doing well, clear chest xrays and happy. The only issue for us has been that she is definitely a "panter" and no one has been able to tell us why. I even took her to Univ of Penn vet hospital last week and they are not able to come up with why.
Just wanted to share with you because we both have greyhounds and and sometimes they have their own little peculiarities
I wish you the very best with your furbaby. This a wonderful community, and they will walk you through everything!! Please stay in touch-we are thinking of you.
Joan and Lily
Our beautiful Lily was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her front leg on 12/14/11 at age 8 and had amp on 12/16/11. She completed 5 rounds of carbo. She was so brave and kicked cancer's butt daily! She lived life fully for 4 years, 3 months, and 15 days after her amp. My angel is a warrior princess. I miss her so much.
Hello,
I feel your pain and all the confusion at this point. I too having been going through all your questions. My 9 yo Golden Retriever has hystiocytic sarcoma (periarticular) of the right front elbow. After much deliberation I have decided and booked amp for next Monday. Now, after making the decision is getting prepared for when Tahoe returns home.
What I did today was to order a Ruff Wear harness ( 'web master') and some booties to prevent slipping ('Skyliner') to assist Tahoe and me in his movement once home.
Best of luck and If I can assist please let me know.
Stirling and Tahoe
"Tahoe" - Our Amazing Superman and Best Friend.
Dec. 01-03 to Aug. 19-14
Diagnosed with Periarticular Hystiocystic Sarcoma Feb 14-13; Amputation March 18-13, and diagnosed with STS April-14. Tahoe touched so many people while visiting us, leaving a massive void in our lives. Always Missed, Never Forgotten!!
Hi Brindie and family, welcome. Yes, it is a very hard decision but it sounds like your veterinary team is a good choice to help you through this. As I'm sure they've told you, most dogs do greyt on three legs, especially greyhounds. We have one senior greyhoud member, TJ, who was diagnosed with osteo over 3 years ago and doing pawesomely!
If you haven't already done so be sure to check out Jerry's Required Reading List , which features lots of helpful tips and suggestions for making Brindie's life (and yours) easier. Our ebook, Three Legs And a Spare, is also a great resource if you want additional reading.
Rest assured that once Brindie recovers from the surgery he will go on with life as usual. Believe it or not, amputation is harder on the humans than it is on the dogs! We'll be here to help however we can no matter what you decide.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Amputation was the hardest decision I've ever made. A lot of tears were shed, but in the end it came down to a short and painful time with Shooter or the chance to have him for at least a couple more years and live a normal life span. I didn't give myself time to dwell and made the decision immediately following certain diadnosis. For us the first week home waswhen we did our second guessing. Now, nearly 2 months later, I'm certain this was the right thing to do. Shooter is pretty much back to normal now.
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.
You will be amazed at how well they can get around, the first night I had my rottie home after his amp he was doing stairs with a towel for support, he didn't want me helping him so he went out side did his business himself. Not even two weeks later he was running up and down the stairs himself. They are very resilient animals with encouragement they will do anything, I tried not to "baby" my guy as I wanted to keep him as independent as possible.
Thanks everyone for the quick response. Tomorrow morning she will go in for amputation hoping they keep her over the weekend. i'm going to try to buy a harness over the weekend to help her thru the first days. She is a 65lb female with all four legs dont know what she will be after amp. I also worry about how sensitive the area will be to pressure. Again thanks everyone
for their concern,please say a prayer for her.
Good luck! We're sending all our pawsitive energy your way.
During her first few days after surgery we recommend using a canvas grocery bag as a sling. Cut open the sides, place the bag under her belly and use the handles to help steady her. When people buy the Ruff Wear Webmaster Harness we recommend waiting to use it until the stitches are out, especially for front leg amputees.
Keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi! Just wanted to add a welcome to you and Brindie! Don't be afraid to keep coming back with any questions you have. We all know what an anxious time this is for you as we've all been through it! And feel free to come to the chat room to if you have time!
Erica
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
Welcome! We are one week post-op today, front leg, large breed dog. Sam is a senior, with significant rear leg "issues".
Sampson stayed overnight and came home on Friday. Honestly, aside from steps, he didn't need the grocery bag sling at all. When he's ready to do ACTUAL stairs in the house, it will be a different thing, and then we'll use the harness (we're not, until at least 2 weeks post op), but for now, he's fine. Feel free to check out our blog for a video of sam at 5 days post-op to see how he gets along.
Every day has been a series of ups and downs, but on the whole? He's still Sam. 
He struggles with some of the loigistics, but the personality is still there.
Be patient, and understanding...but be ready to hand out the tough love. And KNOW you will have moments of sadness, of happiness, and of intense irritation and frustration. All normal, and all common. Hugs and luck to you!
"Let us think the unthinkable, let us do the undoable, let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all."
-Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
"May I recommend serenity to you? A life that is burdened with expectations is a heavy life. Its fruit is sorrow and disappointment. Learn to be one with the joy of the moment."
-Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
Hi everyone, Brindie comes home this afternoon after surgery to remove front right leg. The vet said all went well but she shrieked out when touched. She was up and outside at the hospital this morning, hope that's a good siign. I've read many posts about the first week from good to bad hope we can make it through this with out to much discomfort. Again thanks everyone for hugs and prayers, as an ex racing grey , she is tougher than she looks. I hope I am too.
I've been waiting to hear how she was doing-thanks so much for posting!! So glad she is up and around--my ex-racer is tough too. I know that you're going to do just fine, there's tons of support here. Sending thoughts and prayers your way.
Joan and Lily
Our beautiful Lily was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her front leg on 12/14/11 at age 8 and had amp on 12/16/11. She completed 5 rounds of carbo. She was so brave and kicked cancer's butt daily! She lived life fully for 4 years, 3 months, and 15 days after her amp. My angel is a warrior princess. I miss her so much.
Yay for making it through the surgery! That's the scariest part.
We hope your weekend is relaxing and uneventful, but if it's not, feel free to come here and vent. You CAN get through this, I know it. Hang in there.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yay that is great to hear that she did great in the surgery. We know you will do great. Any questions make sure to post or come to the chat 
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
2 Guest(s)
