Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Riley has been dropped off at the vet. I am now waiting for them to call and let me know when she's in recovery.
Riley last night:
Here she is on the way to the vet this morning:
And, they told us to buy her some infant shirts to wear during recovery to cover her incision. Here they are:
We are so anxious to hear from the vet. And also to have our puppy back!
mike&iris said
Fantastic news!Again I'm so sorry for not thoroughly reading the postings and not seeing the measures you are taking, and hurdles you had to jump.
I know your heart and soul are in it for your pooch!
I'm so happy to hear that Riley is getting surgery and will be ready to get back to the good old dog life soon!
Keep the pictures coming Riley is a great looking pooch!
No worries. I just wanted to make it clear that we weren't purposefully delaying Riley relief. She is our monster of love!
A little back story about Riley: She was adopted at about 1-2 years old after being surrendered to the shelter for "allowing herself to get pregnant." Prior to being surrendered, Riley was made to live outside because of house training issues.Riley gave birth to four pups at the shelter and they were all adopted. Riley was pulled by a Chihuahua rescue. A few months later, we adopted her.
Riley came to us afraid of men, all household noises, and most dogs. We have spent 4+ years working with her. She now dog friendly unless she is on-leash. Household noises and such no longer bother her. And she's okay with most men. It took us two years to get her fully house-broken because her previous owners had hit her when she had accidents. Even now, Riley will cower when you reach out to pet her or approach her to pick her up- and we've never laid a hand on her.
So, she's had a little bit of a rough start but now she's living the life as a spoiled little princess and we are super-proud of her! 
I'll be keeping Riley in my thoughts today for a safe procedure. And she will look totally ADORABLE in her new infant t-shirts. I can't wait to see her showing off her new duds!!!
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!
What sweet pics! I'm sure she's getting lots of attention and being spoiled rotten at the vet's today.
You and Riley have been through a lot and come a long way together. The Tripawd experience will bring you even closer together, if you can believe that.
Those shirts are adorable! Very upbeat and happy 
Keep us posted, we're thinking of you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Riley is out of surgery and doing well. She is still a little groggy but I can pick her up around 4.
Riley is adorable!!!! Glad she's out of surgery and homeward bound tonight!
hugs,
alison with spirit shelby furever in her heart (and little jasper too)
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
That's great news! And she is adorable. Good luck this afternoon.
Jack came into my life with very similar issues and kudos to you for working so hard to get her past her fears! I spent three months teaching Jack to go to the bathroom because she had been hit, too, and wouldn't go while on a leash. My neighbors thought I was completely batty, with all the praise and treats she got for peeing.
What strategies did you use to get her not to be afraid of household sounds? I'm moving to a new apartment soon and will spend a couple of weeks at home with her training her to get used to new sounds so she doesn't bark. At my last place, we had a corner apartment and my bedroom was in the far corner, away from hallway noises. I don't have that luxury this time around and would love suggestions!
Thanks for the update! Please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Riley is home and it's awful. Every few minutes she loudly screams out. The drive home was torture. It's hurting my heart.....I'm waiting out the last few minutes to give her another dose of pain meds. Sweet baby.
Here she is:
We definitely made the right choice by choosing amputation. After seeing the foot opened up, the bones were just kind-of hanging there by a string.....like when kids lose a tooth that last little piece to let go. The pinning or the brace would not have been successful.
dcjack said
That's great news! And she is adorable. Good luck this afternoon.Jack came into my life with very similar issues and kudos to you for working so hard to get her past her fears! I spent three months teaching Jack to go to the bathroom because she had been hit, too, and wouldn't go while on a leash. My neighbors thought I was completely batty, with all the praise and treats she got for peeing.
What strategies did you use to get her not to be afraid of household sounds? I'm moving to a new apartment soon and will spend a couple of weeks at home with her training her to get used to new sounds so she doesn't bark. At my last place, we had a corner apartment and my bedroom was in the far corner, away from hallway noises. I don't have that luxury this time around and would love suggestions!
I'm not a trainer or anything.....but what we did was lots of practice, patience, and treats. We would work on one skill at a time. Like my husband would go outside and knock on the door-she'd go wild- I'd go SHHH and when she was quiet- give her a treat. We repeated the same process over and over for different noises that bothered her.
Awesome!
Although it's been a rough ride, Riley is a trooper and will bounce back in no time I'm sure!
I had, ahem I got to sleep with Iris the first night home. She was literally hugging me and just wanted to match heartbeats.
Jerry posted a good link about phantom limb pain, but for the life of me I can't copy the hyperlink. Riley may or may not have it, but it could just be a combination of stress, pain and medication.
Unfortunately for Riley and you, it may just be something you have to deal with for a day or two until she gets a little more comfortable and relaxed.
Useless advice I know...lol...
Glad to hear your pooch is home and back in loving hands!
Well, we made it through the night. She woke us up a few times but we persevered. She woke up clear-eyed (as in not drugged). I took her outside for the first pee. That was challenging and a little scary but she did it. We also go through all of her morning meds. She ate a little bit and had some water. She's doing well- no more random screaming since last night.
Here's my beauty at the midnight wake-up:
I have to say I can't believe that all she gets for pain is tramadol and metacam. I was rx tramadol for me for a small finger infection!
That's great news!
My neighbor who is a nurse thought tramadol was a little weak too, and then we both realized the weight differences between us and our pups.
Riley is cute, and has the bed head and all!
Here's Miss Riley this morning. I can't believe how good she looks for just having surgery!
JUST CATCHING UP!!! So I'm going to give some belated YAYS!!
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR BEING OUT OF SURGERY!!
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR PEEING!!
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR EATING!!!
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR FEELING BETTER!!
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR THE CUTEST LITTLE TEE SHIRTS FOR THE CUTEST LITTLE PUP!!!
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR MOM!!! You are doing great!
.y Happy Hannah cried and whined a d was restless for 18 hours straight! It broke my heart!! I think it was three days before she or I slept for few hours straight. Laying by her side helped her relax so e a d just gently massagine her and reassuring her. And I would get the best slobbering kisses ever!
Sou ds like Riley is well in the road to recovery. You just wait til her sparkle comes back and you see how well she does without that painful leg...OMD!! We want video!!
Stay connected...we are al@ nere for you. You still jave some ups and downs lrobably to deal with for another week or so.
She is soooo CUTE!!!
Love and 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!
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