Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I posted a while ago, about Bree, she has an MST on her right hind leg. The leg has to be amputated at the very top, the vet said he's going to try to leave enough for her to have a butt cheek left, but otherwise the whole leg is going. The tumor is growing quickly, so I finally made the call I was dreading and scheduled her appt. Our family vet will be doing the amputation on Wed. Dec. 30th, I have to have her in at 8:00 am. I'm not quite as scared as I was thanks to everyone here, not only the advice from my last post, but reading the stories and comments of others, and looking at the amp pictures to try and prepare myself for what her amputation will look like....but, if I'm totally honest, I'm still so worried about the unknown, like how my dog specifically will handle this, and how to keep my emotions in check for her sake, I'm already really emotional about it, and it hasn't even happened yet.
I'm wondering, are there any specific questions I should be asking my vet the day I bring her in and when I pick her up? What else can I be doing to prepare for this to make sure I'm ready, and my family is ready, so that she has the best care and as strong a pack leader as possible? Also, should I be planning on a special diet for her when she returns home? I've heard some people say that appetite is a problem, should I have canned food or something specific on hand to encourage her to eat? And any advice in general that you all have from your experiences would be awesome! I love my girl so much, and just want to make this the best case scenario for her that I can. I'm so thankful for all of you, and the support and help I get from this group!
Thank you so much!!
Tanya and Bree
Tanya I am in the Tripawds Chat Room right now if you want to talk.
You ask some great questions, check out Jerry's Required Reading List and the Tripawds e-books , we answer most of them there and they'll help put your mind at ease.
Will your vet have overnight monitoring for her? I would definitely want to make sure that someone will be there to check on her throughout the night (not just someone stopping in at 11 pm and 6 or something like that, but actual 24-hour monitoring). If not, she will be better off recovering at home with you. Find out today before you take her in.
Be strong, Be More Dog and know that you are doing the best thing for Bree under these circumstances. We'll be here for you every step of the way.
Sending lots of pawsitivity your way!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Tanya and Bree, welcome and sorry you find yourselves here....but you're in the best place to help you both travel this journey. Our Dobe Nitro is a front amp and he definetly had appetite problems for the first week. We resorted to shoveling spoonfuls of yougurt down his throat just to get his meds in him; but not all have this problem, some are great eaters right out of the gate. It'll be important to stay up on her pain pills, keep her quiet for the first couple of weeks. I was scared to see the incision too, so we had him wear a t-shirt for the longest time. Make sure if you have slippery floors, you cover them with either runners or even yoga mats. We got a raised feeding station so he didnt have to bend down for water and food - when he finally started eating. We also used a harness to help him when it was needed. Now, we're 18 months past surgery and he's doing great! One day, one step at a time....stay positive and strong, and lean on this community - we're here for you.
Paula and Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 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. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
Hi Tanya ~
I wrote out a medication sheet to keep track of Murphy's meds because there were 3 of us giving them to him. That way we could each just cross off whatever we each gave him and we all could keep track easily. It also made it easier to change the schedule when we started to wean them down. He came home on Tramadol, Rimadyl & Gabapentin.
Murphy was one of the stubborn eaters (still is! lol) I cooked some rice and poured chicken broth over it. As his appetite increased I added chunks of chicken to it. He took his meds with peanut butter with no problems for us, but some people have said that their pets can smell the tramadol in just about anything.
We used t-shirts for Murphy to keep his incision clean, but I've seen people on here that have used boxer shorts for the rear amps and used the fly for their tail 
You'll get through this, and so will Bree. Just take one day at a time. The first couple of weeks are the hardest, and before long you'll be on here giving advice to others!
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
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
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
midnighter94 said
I wrote out a medication sheet to keep track of Murphy's meds...
Great idea!
FYI: Here is the Daily Regimen worksheet that is included with Three Legs And A Spare , in the Tripawds e-books Library. This will help you keep track of diet, medication and supplements, and monitor exercise.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Tanya and Bree,
I'll just respond to the emotional aspect. Everyone is different as every pet is different.
I learned my cat needed an amputation and it was scheduled for the next day. I was stunned and in many ways it was a good thing that I didn't have time to google or think it through. It was absolutely clear she needed the amputation to save her life so I didn't think about it any further than that.
I only cried three times through the ordeal: the night before the surgery when I was holding her and stroking her leg; the next morning when the vet asked how I was doing; and the last time when, a few days after her surgery, she escaped from the house and was gone for 24 hours. When I found her hiding place I left her and quietly went back into the house and just bawled tears of relief. I then recovered and took food out to her.
Most of the time during her recovery I focussed on the practical and nursing her. My other emotions were mostly joy and frustration. Joy, such as the day after the surgery when I picked her from the clinic and while holding her she washed her face with her hind paw (front leg amputated). Frustration, such as when she wouldn't pee in the litter box but chose to use my desk drawer. I learned quickly when I was feeling frustrated, like getting her meds into her, that I was more successful when I'd go to another room, deep breath, calm down and then try again. There are lots of ups and downs during recovery.
Celebrate the tiny successes and be kind to yourself when things don't go so smooth. Sleep and eat when you can and ask others for help. Have people come over for coffee, lunch, to dogsit. It's like bringing home a newborn.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
My advice is to not get discouraged! Simple...right?
I had no idea what to expect when my pug Maggie had her left rear leg amputated for a MCT. I was lucky that she didn't have any medical issues and was able to hop the day of surgery. But man, was she a slug! She really took her time getting used to her new normal and I was sure I had made a big mistake. All the vets told me was that dogs do fine on three (which is true) but not one of them told me how up and down the recovery would be. Mag had her surgery before Tripawds so we went it alone. I was really down about how she was doing, which I'm sure affected her mood. She was a stubborn thing that hated change!
You are where we were- a tumor that needed to go and the only way to do it was with amputation. You are giving Bree a chance at more quality time with your family and that is a HUGE gift!
As far as the vet- I would want to know if the area will be bandaged (rare for rear amps). What meds will she come home with and what are the common side effects. If she stays overnight will she be monitored the whole time? What activities are allowed and when? As her surgery is close to a holiday weekend is there contact info for the vets office or find out where the nearest 24 hour emergency vet is located. You shouldn't need the vet, but it will help your peace of mind to know you can contact someone if needed.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Wishing you much good luck and will be sending pawsitivity healing energy for Bree on the 30th. Others here have given you great tips already so all I'm gonna add is what worked for our Max. We added some low sodium tuna to his food and we had no problem with getting him to eat. I also boiled up chicken to hide his pills in. I think Paula (Dobemom) used liver paste for the pills. Stay strong for Bree and project positivity and strength to her because she will feed off your energy as pack leader. We'll be here for you and walking right with you in this journey. Let us know how we can help you. Hugs to you and Bree
Linda & Max
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! All of your advice really helps! She is supposed to stay the night at the vet, so I will make sure I find out about the monitoring, I definitely don't want her facing the night alone. I really appreciate the idea of a meds sheet, thank you for sharing the info, and for sharing the meds sheet. I hadn't even thought of asking about the side effects of the medication, with all the advice I've been given I'll be writing a list of questions to ask Tyler (our vet) so that I don't forget anything that morning. Thank you all for your tips on food as well, my girl has definitely always had a good appetite, she'd eat the fridge itself if we'd let her
and we haven't had any issues when she had her other surgeries, but this one is definitely more intensive than the other two.
I really appreciate not only the advice on how to handle the emotional side of things, but the people here to help my family and I through this!!! I would be so much more lost and scared if it weren't for the support here! I'm so grateful I found this site and all of you! If I didn't specifically mention something in someone's post to me, please know I'm thankful and found help in every single one of the replies on here! Thank you so much!
Bree's surgery is a week from today, I'll definitely be back on to let everyone know how she does, and probably on several more times in between to reread these posts and keep preparing for the surgery and recovery.
Tanya and Bree
FYI Lilly: Your post has been moved here where more people can respond directly.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Tanya and Bree!
Just want to add my support and love! We're all cheering for your ADORABLE Bree!
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!
Today is surgery day. Sending strong thoughts your way for an easy and successful surgery.
Please update us when you can.
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
I'm so glad I got to this post today since surgery was yesterday morning. I'll be keeping you guys close to my heart. Update us when you can!
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
Bree is home from surgery!!! She walked out of the vets kennel, and right to me! 
She wouldn't take her meds at the vets, but when I got her home this morning, wrapping them in lunch meat did the trick. She was breathing pretty heavily, and shaking after I got her settled at home, but I gave her her pain meds and antibiotic about an hour ago, she's starting to settle to sleep now. She drank a lot of water when we got home, but didn't have a lot of interest in her dog food, but she ate up her jerky dog treats and begged for more, which of course she got. She asked to go outside, so I went with her, we have one step down to get to the patio, and then one step up to actually get out to the yard. She took both of those steps, walked out to the snow (we still have like 8 inches out there) crouched a little to pee, and made it back in without even a stumble! I'm sooooo proud of her!!! I hate seeing her in pain, but she is being so brave! I know we have a lot of recovery ahead, but I'm so pleased to see her sweet fighting spirit shining bright. I'm so grateful for this group, between advice, photos, and videos it prepared me so much more than I could have ever possibly done on my own! Thank you all for all of your pawsitivity and support for both Bree and myself!
Tanya and Bree
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR BREE! YAAAAAAAAAY FOR HOME!!! YAAAAAAAAAY FOR PEE!!! YAAAAAAAAAY FOR DRINKING!!! And YAY FOR MOM
Yep, everything sou ds "normal" for recovering from major surgery and learning how to adapt to three legs!
Not having much of appetite is normal. You want to try and get her enough to coat her tummy for all the meds. Yku want to keep the pain meds on a consistent basis so it doesn't get a head start.
Panting, restlessness, shaking, all signs of pain. The pain meds can also share some of the same "symptoms". For now, complete rest, potty breaks, drinking are the most important thi gs. You may not get much sleep for several days, especially when the hospital meds get out of her system in another two days.
Soooo glad she's home a d doing remarkably well!
Stay connected and don't hesitate to ask us any questions. We also have the TRIPAWDS HELPLINE toll free number.
Love a d hugs and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
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!
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