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
I am so grateful to have found this site....I thought Magic (an 11 year old l/c wolfldog) had injured a leg in a slip in a ditch outside and after treating for three weeks, 2 with exercise the last nothing but rest, I took him in and the xrays discovered a problem, the bone biopsy discovered osteosarcoma. That was Sat. Today I took him in and the surgeons at the vet's office bandaged up his leg to see how his balance was and they believe he is a good candidate. He is having his leg amputated tomorrow and will then undergo chemotherapy. I am so very worried. Times like these I miss the husband I lost two years ago this month. I also have a 17 yr old kitty who did three years of chemo at 13, and now has kidney failure and I do sub-Q fluids daily and shots for blood cell reproduction and various pills so I've done the chemo thing once with another fur kid. But never an amputation and I am here to tell you I am terrified. I am looking for something to assist with helping him move around because complicating our situation is he is 114 pounds and I have an artificial hip, artificial knee and a (for several years) torn rotator cuff. So doing a lot of lifting is pretty much out of the question. I will be coming back here for I hope advice on the journey ahead of us. thank you
I hope you don't mind, I moved your post to a new topic so we can continue to learn about you and your fur child and keep updated on Magic's progress.
It is quite common to feel the terror about amputation, I think most of us did. It is the best choice we made for Trouble. We could tell almost immediately she was a happier dog. Even dealing with the recovery from surgery, we knew she felt better. I am so glad we found the courage to take that step, we almost didn't, and for sure she wouldn't still be with us if we hadn't.
Prepare yourself for Magic's homecoming. You'll want to minimize how far he has to travel to go outside, the number of steps/stairs if there are any, elevating the food bowl helps for front leg amputees. You may need some carpet runners if you have hardwood or tile floors. Get rest when Magic rests those first two weeks, you'll have a tendency to sit and watch him sleep instead of getting sleep yourself.
Magic will amaze you. Most of them adapt very quickly and are back to their old routine within weeks. You've found an excellent source of support for you and for Magic.
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.
Hi there,
Yes, you've found the place to be for support and advice on your dog's amputation journey! I wished I had found it when I was struggling with all that goes with it and was feeling alone...I found this site two months later.
Shanna has given all the suggestions I would. Including the one about having a tendancy for you to watch your dog while he sleeps and you don't!
I didn't have to help my dog too much after surgery...just a bit to help her balance to pee/poop as she's a rear amp dog..helped her with a sling. After a week or so, she could handle that on her own. She's not as big as your guy though..she is 63#.. There are several on here with large dogs.
Good luck!
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
Welcome to Tripawds! We're sorry to hear about Magic, but glad you found us ... you have come to the right place for support.
With such a big dog, be sure to review our selection of recommended harnesses, including the AST Get A Grip – designed especially for heavy dogs. Above all, try to remain strong for Magic. Dogs will sense our emotions – especially a Wolf breed – and follow our lead. What he needs most during recovery is calm balance, rest, and time to rebuild his strength. If you want things to quickly return to "normal", the best thing you can do is try to act normal. If you need to vent your stress, that's what these forums are for! 
Be sure to review Jerry's top ten canine cancer and amputation concerns too. Best wishes for a speedy recover. We look forward to following Magic's progress and seeing a photo.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Poor Magic! I'm so very sorry you are going through this with your giant fur baby and especially after the heartache you've had with losing your husband. Two years is such a short time. But you sound very strong!
. But never an amputation and I am here to tell you I am terrified. I am looking for something to assist with helping him move around because complicating our situation is he is 114 pounds and I have an artificial hip, artificial knee and a (for several years) torn rotator cuff.
Wowsa! Looking at the bright side, at least you aren't going through this PRIOR to have your joints replaced! 
Wishing you and Magic all the best. We are here if you need to talk, cry or scream !!!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Oh thank you ...all of you so much....I am sitting here doing what I've been doing since Saturday (how can it only be since saturday) crying AGAIN...which I CANNOT do when he comes home..as someone pointed out wolfdogs will pick up on stuff incredibly fast (like don't give him sympathy over the thunder.....)I'm waiting to hear how the surgery went. I went and got the throw rugs, moved a plant stand so he has a straight shot to his pad in the kitchen (and of course to the bed in the den...still working on a way to get him to the beds out in the shed) and a non slippery way out the back doggie door which i think may be a problem. Now I need to devise some kind of a small ramp down the one step to the back yard...have a bridge done over the ditch so he can get to the main yard....everything else except the small step to the shed is flat. OMG...thank you for the suggestion about the food bowls...I never even THOUGHT of that...I just have to believe that God was leading my google search last night...I was just looking for a harness of some kind and had no idea what I was doing and here you all are. Just when you think you are alone..you aren't. I am now looking to hook up with Shelby's parents (I believe it is Jack and Cindi?) who I was told live here in Santa Rosa....I am trying to learn to navigate your site still (and I am dealing with my 92 year old mom's major and I mean major plumbing disaster at the same time). I thank you all for the information, but especially especially for the warm feelings I can actually feel surrounding me from all of you who KNOW what I am going through.
Magic is one beautiful baby!
It's interesting that most of find the forums while looking for "something". Talk about ALONE! I did it for 10 years without any support. Not even my vet's office offered up any emotional support for a person with a 3-legged dog. I really thought I was crazy for being so emotional about Comet. Even after finding the site, I brought up how much having the online support meant to me and all my vet said was, "don't believe everything on the internet". I was stunned that he didn't know the heartache a person has to go thru dealing with a 3 legged dog. Obviously, he didn't "get it" and hadn't for 10 years of being her vet. It finally dawned on me, it's not ME, it's him!
The last 6 months on the site have been the best ever for me because of the comradery and understanding. Comet doesn't have cancer, she was born with a deformed leg. So, I don't have to go through the heartache everyone here does but it's has been a long, long journey with her.
But to put your fears to rest about the 1 step you have. How 'bout stairs! Poor Comet has had to have stairs all her life. Hmmmmm.... let's see how she does as a 10 year old (she now over 11 and still does as well even with both back knees having surgery on them)…
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Hi Magic's mom,
Welcome to the club no one wants to join!
I didn't read in the earlier posts- is Magic a front or rear amp?
Once he gets his balance one stair should be no problem for him, front or rear amp. My little pug Maggie is a rear amp and can do a couple of stairs and the dog door without a problem. Her limiting factor on stairs is her small size- she is only 12" at the shoulder.
I have seen video here of front amp dogs using a dog door.
Also read about the first two weeks after surgery. Many of our pups had a rough time dealing with the major surgery, heavy meds, and stitches and/or sutures. But once past the two weeks the pups are amazing!! So don't get discouraged if Magic doesn't bounce back right away.
And once Magic is healed up think about joining us on our monthly meet up!! I am one of the NOR CAL contingent and the monthly meet ups are a really good time.
Karen and the pug girls
Welcome Magic and Mom,
Everyone has given you so much good information I don;t know that I have anything to add! I think you will be surprised at how well Magic will do with three legs. When we picked Emily up from the vet she literally ran my husband out the door, down the steps, and to the car. We weren't expecting to pick her up until the next day so we didn't have the house prepared. While we were making her a bed on the floor she jumped on the love seat. We live in a bilevel so she had to do steps from day one and didn't have any problems until the cancer spread to her spine.
The only thing I can think of is to start Magic on a joint supplement. Bob, Spirit Cherry's dad, is on vacation but he would advise you to find something that Magic loves and use that to feed his spirit.
Remember that Magic is first and foremost a pack animal so he will be looking to the alpha, hopefully you, to see how he should react. Even though it is heart wrenching when your furbaby comes home SHAVED and leg-less but try not to let him see your distress.
Cherish each and every day that you have with Magic. It is way too easy to focus on the cancer and not celebrate your time with him. Remember that dogs do not have a calendar so they don't know about life expectancies. They live for the here and now. Try to learn this lesson from Magic and, oh yeah, spoil him rotten!
Debra & Angel Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Emilysmom said:
The only thing I can think of is to start Magic on a joint supplement.
Check the Tripawds Nutrition blog for lots of links to information about recommended joint supplements.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I suppose all of you know how hard it is to type and cry at the same time....OMG COMET...COMETS UP THE STAIRS...I cannot believe that....and Magic's doc and I had been talking about starting him on the chondrotin/glucosomin (sp) supplement and he was taking rimadyl sporadically and then when I thought it was an injury we increased that to twice a day...thinking to go back because it was just a sprain....I'm used to the shaved look since he had the bone biopsy on Sat, the missing leg will be startling, but he won't be coming home to stay until probably sat night or sunday...the docs won't send him home until he can navigate outside. I will be going to visit tomorrow...today was a day for recovery and my being there would just confuse him as to why he felt like crap and I was leaving him there...he'll probably feel that way tomorrow too. My vets are terrific, one of the nurses has offered to do home visits for the blood work, they are working to be sure I can do chemo on sat so i'll have a neighbor guy to help me get him in truck...it is harder when you are older and have physical problems!! so the two of us shall be a pair. His regular vet has offered to come make a HOME VISIT (a WHAT?????) if i need her to. I have a lot of stuff done that I might not have even thought of if it wasn't for this site and all of you. This would have been easier to deal with (not easy, just a bit easier) if I didn't have a zillion other things going to hell in that handbasket for the last week. And here I thought 2010 would be a better year. So much for that thought!
Thanks again everyone...I shall definitely be reading and taking in as much as I can....when I talked to the nurse a little while ago she said he was doing very very well. It gives me hope to see how well your furkids do.
krispikritter said:
...Magic's doc and I had been talking about starting him on the chondrotin/glucosomin (sp) supplement
Be sure to read Jerry's review of SynFlex liquid glucosamine for dogs ans check the Tripawds Nutrition blog for compliled links to more information about recommended joint supplements.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Diane, I'm so glad we caught up with you in the chat today, and I am just so thrilled that everyone was able to give you such great advice here before we were able to.
We're soooo hoppy that Magic made it through surgery. That's a major, major hurdle. And the fact that you have such a caring vet team is just amazing. I know it probably doesn't feel like it now, but it sure sounds like you are very, very blessed.
Hang in there. Things will get better and this beautiful boy will amaze you with his ability to cope. He knows you can do it too! We'll all be there as much as we are able to online OK?
Thank you again for your kindness and support. We send our love and healing thoughts your way.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Magic & Magic's Mom,
I just read through all the postings from you and others. My heart goes out to you and boy do we understand the tears and fears and loving your fur baby. We are all sending you support and prayers as Magic recovers from the surgery. He is a beautiful boy and I think he will amaze you as he heals.
Take good care,
Ginny & Angel Paris
Grateful for every moment we had with Paris…..no regrets!
Honoring her life by opening our hearts & home to Addy!
Hi Magic and Mom!
Welcome to our Tripawds family!!! I'm so sorry that Magic has osteosarcoma and had to have his leg amputated... but you definitely found the right bunch of folks to help you both get through this!!! Have you purchased a sling yet, to help him get around after surgery? It will definitely help you BOTH out! Once his sutures/staples come out, he will then need a good harness. Just be prepared for the first 2 weeks post op... they will be the worst... but after that, he should do really well.
Dogs are so resilient... it's amazing! Us humans on the other hand... well that's a different story! You will cry some more, lots of sleepless nites, lots of worrying, more crying... don't worry... it's all normal... and we've all been through that! You'll have to prepare your home for when Magic comes home... but I see you're already doing that. He'll probably be pretty loopy from all his pain meds the first week, and might have some problems figuring out how to balance on 3 legs, while on all his drugs. That's where the sling will come in handy. He may loose his balance and fall... If he's a front leg amputee, he'll probably have to wear a T-shirt, to stop him from licking at his incision... or he may have a pressure bandage the first week... He might have to wear a cone for the few minutes you do get to fall asleep... so he doesn't lick and chew out his staples... Oh, this brings back so many memories... but I would do it again in a heartbeat!
So Magic is a wolfdog? He's beautiful on his avatar! Can you post some more pictures of your furbaby? As you can probably tell by now... we are all crazy about our doggies!!!
Good luck with everything... and be sure to keep us posted when you bring your sweetie home!!
Angel Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
1 Guest(s)
