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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I am new to this site. I apologize for being so blunt but I am hoping to learn from others about the realities of the post op period as I try to make a decision about amputation or euthanasia. My wonderful, Corky, is an 80 pound 12 year old mixed breed (some Shepherd or Rottie in the mix). She is a member of my family and a great companion. After a few days with a slight limp she was suddenly in immense pain last night, right leg dangling. Luckily we have a great emergency clinic close by and could get pain control within an hour. Diagnosis: right front leg is fractured at the shoulder from primary bone cancer. The treatment would be amputation followed by chemo. She has been in the hospital with pain control and some sedation (maybe from the pain meds) today.
I would like to give her a chance but I am worried about the aftercare. I am often home alone with her. Due to my own physical limitations (knees, shoulder, hands) I don't have the ability to exert a lot of strength to do things like lift her up from the floor, bear a lot of weight holding a harness, and I can't even imagine getting her into the car (SUV). Bottom line: I am scared that I can't "do right by her". The surgeon and family vet both told me that most dogs learn to walk on 3 leg in a few days. In other people's experience what is the reality of physical role of the caregiver? Do most dogs walk on their own so quickly? Do they often need to have lots of help on stairs (2 to get outside)? I am fine with injections, wound care, expense, etc. but worry about the rest of the help she might need. If she has a poor quality of life after the surgery I struggle with the other alternative which is to let her go after a wonderful 12 years.
Sorry for the sob story but I would be grateful for input from those who have been there. I really appreciate finding this site! Thanks, Sarah
Hi Sarah,
Oh my gosh no apologies necessary, we are all about being 100 percent upfront and realistic here and you are not giving a sob story. All of us who went through the awful shock of a cancer diagnosis understand how you feel.
She sounds like a larger dog? What does she weigh? Is she energetic or a couch potato? Does she get around pretty good otherwise? And what does your vet think of her as a candidate for amputation? It sounds like they think she'll be fine on 3?
The vets are correct: most dogs do great and are up and about even the day after surgery. Not 100 percent of course but much better than most folks imagine. We've had many dogs older than 12 do just great. Not all dogs will have this wonderful recovery, some will encounter challenges ranging from infection to mobility challenges but the vast majority will exceed expectations.
As for how much you'll need to assist. It really depends on: does your house have stairs? Are the stairs carpeted or hardwood? If you have slippery floors, you'll need to put down some runners. If stairs are part of her daily routine, there is some adjustment there and you may or may not need to assist her by holding her with a harness (the majority of dogs do not need to be lifted on stairs).
Does she travel with you a lot? If so, you'll need to help her getting in and out of the car. If she's normally a stay-at-home dog then you probably won't have to assist too often other than the occasional trip to the vet.
Did you check out Jerry's Required Reading List ? Our ebook library is another good resourse. This will really put a lot of your fears to rest but the best way to do that is to get the scoop from other members here, who I know will chime in soon. Hang in there. This is a scary situation but we'll do our best to give you a place to lean on.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
You hav really been through emotional turmoil! All of us here understand completely!
Your "pupy" sounds like a real sweetheart. I'm glad she's under god pan management right now.
Somis sje still at the vets? Jave they done testng t see if she's a god candidate...lung xray' blood work, etc.
As far as sme of yor specific questions, I am the nly"human" member of my pack. I'm no spring chicken and remember black and white TV and rotary dial phones. . I am owned by a 118 lb. rear leg amp. Bull Mastiff. a d had many of the conerns you dis.
I can tell you that, as your vet said, most dogs are up and about movng fairly well within the first 24 hrs. I tried tomuse a towel as a sling the first day or two but she wanted none of that!
I am so sorry, my tablet is freezing up and just avout ready to shut down. And yeah, I remember when a tablet was so ethingyoj wrote n with a pencil!!
I will write more tomorrow. As lng as vet feels she's a god candidate, you'll be surprised how wel she'll get around.....first two weeks are hard while she's recovering from major surgery and balancing pain meds. But once her sparkle comes back and she's pain free you'll be amazed
BREATHE....eat chcocolate...will write more tomorrow
Lots of love to you
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Good morning Sarah,
We all understand the tough decision you are faced with!
Tucker, my nine year old chocolate lab, had his right front leg amputated on September 18th. Tucker has done very well....though he does not like stairs he can definitely go up and down three or four steps and he goes for short walks daily.
The first two weeks Corky might need a little additional physical assistance - but my experience (limited though it is) - is that dogs tend to adapt very quickly. One of Tuck's biggest struggles was rolling over from the side of his amputation which he seemed to always lay on 
The first few days Tuck needed some help with a makeshift sling when he went outside to do his "business" but then he was fine on his own. Tuck weighed 94 pounds post amputation and I am not a big person and I was able to care for him
Good luck making your decision - because you love Corky you will make the best choice for him!
Hope this helped a bit.
Hugs
Linda and Tucker
Hi Sarah and Corky-
Just wanted to welcome you and offer support when needed. I'm not much help as far as large dogs go, but can tell you that Shooter was moving about pretty easily by the time we brought him home and he just occasionally required a little support when learning his new center of balance. Dogs are pretty amazing that way.
Take care and keep us updated.
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 all for your kind words and encouragement. Jerry, I am tackling the reading list to become more informed. Much appreciated! Already I have learned many new things from others experience and you have posed some good thoughts for us to think about. Today my family is home and we will tackle this together and we all appreciate the help and support of this online community. We are off to visit Corky at the hospital this morning and for further discussion with the vets. They were nice enough yesterday to let me perch on the side of her bed for a half hour with her. Her "greeting song" was music to my ears and she dozed as long as my hand was on her head. More later.
And yes, Benny55, chocolate is always helpful!
Thanks all, Sarah
Hi Sarah,
I'm late to this thread but wanted to say welcome.
My little pug Maggie was walking the day of surgery and never needed any help- she was a rear amp. She could go up two or three stairs on her own, and she could go down anything.
A couple thoughts on a front amp- if Corky has been able to get into your SUV so far she probably will be able to get in on her own after she heals up. Front amps tend to have more trouble going down- and there are more risks landing on the one front leg. She may need you to slow her decent getting out of the car with a harness- is that something you could do? Also there are ramps available that are not too heavy that you might teach her to use. Maybe her going up and down a ramp while you guide her with a harness?
Mag was so small that she could not get up on the furniture or into my SUV by herself after her surgery. I had my first shoulder surgery two months after Mag's amp. Since I couldn't pick her up for several months I had to get creative (I live alone). I got a firewood basket which was open on one end, attached straps, and taught her to get into it with the command 'load up' (I did this before my surgery). That way I could lift her when I needed to- she was only about 17 lbs.
I commend you for putting so much thought into this decision and thinking of Corky's quality of life. I hope we can help.
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
Hi Sarah,
So sorry that you find yourself here, but you couldn't have found a more wonderful and supportive group of people. My Lily is a 64 pound greyhound, and a front leg amputee. She is 10 years old and a two year osteo survivor (on 12/16). She is able to jump up in the car-jumping out, I just hold her leash tighter to slow her down. She has caught a rabbit and a squirrel this past month (both of which she dropped when my husband told her to She runs easily. She recovered well-some issues with pain, but it's amazing how well most of our furbabies adapt.
It's good that you are doing all this research and I know that you will make the best decision for your beautiful Corky. You are in our thoughts.
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.
You are all so kind that I wanted to update you. With great sadness we sent Corky on to her next journey today. After radiographs showed a large spread of cancer and in thinking about her quality of life in the next few months we decided to give her a peaceful departure now. You are all dog lovers and I know you will understand the hole in our hearts today. She was a fabulous companion, even tempered and smart. She had a great run! Our pack of humans, canines and felines were blessed by her presence in our lives.
Thank you for your considerate messages.
Sarah
Ohhh Sarah. I am heartbroken but understand completely. I'm so sorry. My heart goes out to you, please accept my condolences. If you want to celebrate her amazing life here with us we would love to know more about her. Please know you are in our thoughts.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We are so sorry to hear that your lovely girl crossed the Rainbow Bridge. You have done a very difficult thing, but her comfort and well being were foremost in your minds. Run free sweet Corky.
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!
Yes, yo gave Corky the ulti ate gift lf love when she needed it most. She got to love life to the fullest and had se"good meds" t make sjre she had npakn those last days.
love that yoj'll jave the memoryof her "greetng song" and knowingnhow co forted she was just havngyou next to her. And she will always remain by yor side now. Nothi g can separate the bond you ad.
I onlh got to "ow" her these last 24 hors, but I can tellyou, o o e ere will ever forget her. I hope, when you can, yo d share more wnderful memories with us.
Yor heart is shattered right now, but each joyful, loving emory will glue it back together again. Maybe, just for a second, you could glue one small piece back together right now. Can you think of somethingyoj did that would make her tail wag crazily hapy? Maube the sound of rattling a food wrapper? Or maybe knowng she was gong for a walk? Thinkof that hap moment and know that Corky had the best time here withyou!
Surrodingnyoj with love and with Corky's eternal gracw,
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
So sorry for your loss, but a brave decision you made for Corky.
Take care.
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.
Sarah
So sorry you had to say goodbye to Corky. Sometimes things happen so fast it makes your head spin but sounds like you did what was best for your buddy. Take care.
Penny
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