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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GRINNING EAR TO EAR OVER HERE!!!!
The one of them all together sitting so nicely posing for the camera....ADORABLE!!
We need a CUTENESS ALERT when we get this much cuteness all at once!!
Riley and the little white dog in the dirt hole and then the two of them together on the chaise..TREASURED. MEMORIES!!
Thanks for the smiles!!! I LOVE THIS PACK!!!
Hugs to all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
I have no idea how the photographer got that picture of them all together. The only explanation is magic 
Riley and Roxy (white dog) were thick as thieves until her injury. Now Riley just can't keep up 
The four of them get lots of attention wherever we go. A good majority of the attention is 1. how cute they are 2. people being amazed that they act like "real dogs" 
and 3. surprised by the two chihuahua's friendliness
They are crazy girls but we love them!
Hi beesmom,
I'm sorry to hear about Riley. I had a cocker named Riley growing up.
So I'm far from experienced in this, we are on day 2 of post op, and let me tell you, it was absolutely the right decision for Iris, my 5 month APBT.
I didn't want to nose in to another thread I saw, as they were weighing a cancer situation, but I wanted to come on here and share something positive, and I came across your post.
My pups leg was broken before I got her. She's been living with a broken, then "healed" incorrectly right hind leg since at least Dec 9th. I got an xray and wow, I don't know how she could even put weight on it.
So your Riley's situation is a little more like mine than a cancer situation and I just wanted to let you know, it was the right decision. She has already been developing the other 3 legs by favoring the bad one. The only way I can explain it is like when you pull out a huge splinter or ingrown toenail. Ya it's still hurting but that relief is what your ecstatic about. She jumped onto the couch a few hours after we got home, cleared it better than when she had 4 legs. I didn't want her to do it and it freaked me out and I checked her staples, but I'm telling you, if your dog has dealt with this pain for this long, you will know the minute she comes home that it was the right thing to do.
Our biggest obstacle right now is not pain management , wound care, eating/drinking, urinating (although no bowel movement yet, but that is normal) or even helping her move around. It is simply getting her to relax and lay down. She really doesn't want to be alone right now, and 99% of my time is with her, but I do have some things to do like eating and showering right?
It's no picnic right now, but far easier than I thought although we are still early in recovery.
I wish you and Riley the best. Keep us posted! Good luck!
And as benny said, please get her some kind of anti-inflammatory from the vet. It's $20 for a weeks dose while you are weighing your options.
She is in pain and the reason I'd find a new vet is because his job is to care for the dog, not your wallet!
My little Iris didn't know her leg wasn't supposed to hurt, it's all she knew. Us humans are the only animals that feel sorry for ourselves. If she could tell you, she would say it doesn't feel good.
We do have Rimadyl for Riley for pain.
I do think that amputation is going to be her best option. Her three legs are already used to compensating because she's been not using the 4th for some time now.
We have an appointment to go over her options on the 14th. It's so far out because we have to travel to get to it. Until then, we are trying to make her comfortable.
It does sound like Iris is doing amazing. Her story made me feel more at ease.
Riley and your whole pack are just adorable!! It is amazing how photographers can get those perfect pics...you might be on to something with the magic thought...
And I'm so glad that Mike weighed in with his and Iris's story. Their situation is pretty similar to yours and Riley's. I think you will see a big difference in Riley and her behavior once that painful paw/leg is gone and no longer bothering her.
Please keep us updated on your upcoming apts with the vets.
Keeping you and Riley in my thoughts!
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
After our appointment on the 14th, I should hopefully know more about how we are going to proceed. Once we've made that decision the next one would be timing. We have planned a family vacation to Maine/Canada but it's mostly hiking. I do have one of these bags that we've been using to carry Riley in once she gets tired
but it's probably too much movement post-surgery. So we will be deciding if we should cancel or do the surgery after the May vacation.
The girls love to travel. If you even say the word vacation in my house, they will start dancing around.
Ohhh I just got such a kick out of the photos, thanks for sharing them! what an adorable pack.
Waiting is so hard. Till then let us know what questions you have, we're here to help.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
RILEY IN THE BACK PACK....ADORABLE!!!!
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!
Love, love, love the pictures!!! What a bunch of sweet fur-babies!! They are lucky to have you looking out for them and of course loving them.
xoxo
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
Hello ! yes, please allow at least 3 weeks for recovery from the surgery, which is the minimum time for the stitches/staples to be out and for her to be out and about again. However, strenuous exercise will take longer. It is major surgery.
good luck!
Daniela & Johnnie
Our awesome Golden Boy was diagnosed for OSA in April 2014 in the proximal humerus, front-leg amp on 05/20/2014. Finished chemo (Carbo6) on 07/10/2014. Ongoing treatment: acupuncture + K-9 Immunity Plus ( 3chews) and home-cooked no-grain diet. Stopped Apocaps because of liver issues. Liver issues: controlling altered enzymes with SAM-e and Milk Thistle. October 17: started having seizures. Taking fenobarbital for seizures. April 18: started prednisone.
Wonderful pictures of your pack!
I am NOT going to show that backpack to my quad-pug Obie. I've been pushing him around in a stroller for a couple months as he recovers from knee surgery, and he is getting waaaaay to comfortable in that 
.
Good luck with your appointment. And if you do decide on surgery then probably after vacation would be best, in my opinion.
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
Riley had a good day today. She's still not getting up and walking around but she did eat and drink. I carried her outside and she pottied and stood out the for a few minutes. She will walk on the bed now.
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