Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Thank you all! We had a rough night (me sleeping on the couch to be near her). She was in a lot of pain and couldn't get comfortable. As hard as it was dropping her off this morning, I focused on how much better she will feel when she comes back home. I didn't cry until I got to the car (whew!). I am going to download the books from this site today and start preparing the house for her return. I will post when I hear back from the vet later today. Thanks again for the support!
Thanks for keeping us informed. We are all thinking about you and sending positive wishes your way.
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!
Anita... and Bailey!!! Girlie.. you are probably in surgery right now, or have had your surgery and are in la'la'la land.. or getting ready for surgery... but... wherever you are.. the outcome will be the same.. you will be pain free from cancer!!
When you pick her up from the vets.. don't focus on the fact that she is missing a leg.. focus on her eyes and the fact that she will be so gosh darn happy to see you.. it will make you smile through those tears of joy!!
I am not going to lie to you, that the first few weeks may be a bit rough.. getting pain meds balanced, etc.. but then again, it could breeze by with very little complications and she will have an easy recovery hippity hop! But... the outcome will be the same.. pain free, cancer free and the spark will come back in her eyes!!
You will have to keep Bailey confined a bit when she comes home from surgery.. don't let her have the run of the house and just outside for little breaks at a time. There have been many blood vessels and arteries that have been cut and you want these to have time to heal.. so no vigorous exercise! No jumping off the couch or bed!!
Throw rugs are a must for Tripawds... I bought the kind that have the rubber backs that you can wash.. they work awesome!
I even raised up my Franklin's food and water bowls so that he didn't have to reach down and strain himself. He was a front leg amputee.
Yes.. he was... he is not with me now.. I wish terribly that he was... so very much. He was 14 when his leg was amputated due to cancer.. and his lungs were clear at that time... 51/2 months later the cancer hit his lungs and we helped him to run for the Bridge by letting go of that leash one last time. Those were the best 5 1/2 months that we had with him.. the snuggles, belly rubs, and ear scratches were cherished every single day. I would not change that for the world. There is no guarantee... no expiry date, no termination notice given... There are many of our furkids here who have lived for months, years after amputation due to cancer.. and then some have not.
But.. the good thing is that we tried, are trying, and still try.... we try for the best thing for our sweet furkids.. and we love them to bits... and that is what counts...
Keep us posted... let us know how she is doing... we all are here for you... and we understand when you want to vent, or scream, or share those "firsts" with a tripawd... 
Christine..... with Franklin in her heart♥
Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012. Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013. Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack... You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!
Bailey surgery finished about an hour ago. She is doing good. Doctor said when she was under anesthetic her blood pressure and hear rate went up dramatically when he moved her bad leg. He said she must have been in terrible pain. She is starting to come to and has lifted her head and is looking around. If all goes well, I will pick up my husband from the airport and off to the vet we go to get her. I think tonight I might actually get a good night of sleep.
YAAAAAAAY! Bailey isout of surgery!!
YAAAAAAAY! Mom's gonna get some sleep tnight!!
You're ready, Bailey's ready, everybody's ready to get n with living a life jammed pak fullof love, treats, tummty rubs and more loving!!!
CNGRATULATINS BAILEY! Let us know when first poop and pee happen! We celebrate everything around here!
Hugs to all!
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!
Great news! And now that painful leg can't give her any more problems. Sleep well tonight.
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!
Glad to hear she did so well! The first few nights can be rough but I wish you as much peace as possible and a speedy recovery! I look forward to more updates.
Amy & Libby
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Awwww. Give my love to your girl and know that we are all THRILLED she made it through surgery. Keep us posted and ask any questions at all OK? Yes, get some sleep.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome Anita and Bailey-
I'm a little late here, but just wanted to offer my support and thoughts as you start on this journey. So glad to hear Bailey is out of surgery and on the road torecovery.
As Christine said, enjoy each minute with Bailey and we all hope we get to be around for many happy ampuversaries. We also like to celebrate the small victories so let us know as they occur.
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.
Yay 
Glad Bailey is out of surgery and doing well. Keep us updated on your progress or let us know if you have quesitons - good luck!!
-Heather & Barret
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
Glad to hear it...keep us posted!
"Let us think the unthinkable, let us do the undoable, let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all."
-Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
"May I recommend serenity to you? A life that is burdened with expectations is a heavy life. Its fruit is sorrow and disappointment. Learn to be one with the joy of the moment."
-Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
yay for Bailey being out of surgery!!!! Please keep us posted!!
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
Vet update: She is up and walking on her own. She needs assistance to go out to try to use the bathroom (they are using a sling). She hasn't gone yet. They said she most likely will not be able to come home until she goes potty. I am hoping she will go today.
She hasn't ate or drank anything as of yet. Fingers crossed she can come home today!
I ordered the harness and I am off to the local pet store for a special doggie cake and cookies for her return.
PEE Bailey! Pee! Doing the napoy pee pee dance over here!!
Tell the vet to cut on a water faucet.....works for me!!
Good update!
Sally and Hapo 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!
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