Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello! I'm new here. My Kobalt (a 7 year old Alaskan Malamute) just got out of emergency surgery to amputate his left hind leg. He had a break that was previously misdiagnosed as an ACL tear. Due to his misdiagnosis he got a bone infection and the only way to save him was to remove his leg. We found out yesterday that (potentially) tomorrow we would be bringing him home with one less leg. We're both extremely worried and just so terrified. We've never had any major problems with pets until now and it is happening so fast. My husband and I are just incredibly overwhelmed. It seems like the last two days have passed in a daze. I was thankfully home today and able to spend most of my day researching everything I could. But I would really appreciate any advice from anyone here. Thanks so much!!! 🙂
Welcome and best wishes for Kobalt. He is beautiful!
What specific concerns do you have? The vast majority of dogs recover quickly, adapt well to life on three legs, and cope much better than we silly people do. Bookmark Jerry's Required Reading List , read the FAQs, search these forums and the blogs, or download the Tripawds e-books for fast answers to common concerns – or, call the tool-free Tripawds Helpline anytime!
While you wait for comments from others, use the Advanced Search above to refine your forum search results with specific phrases, and you're sure to find lots of helpful feedback. You can also search all blogs here . Please keep us posted. Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
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Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi and welcome!
I agree with admin. Kolbalt is just beautiful! You will see in this site that dogs of all size do fantastic on three! I really think it bothers us more then them. Kolbalt will do everything he did before, he just might find a different way to do things.
If you have hard floors non slip rugs work very well. pain management during recovery is very important, so you may want to discuss it with your vet. Brownie is a Front leg amputee so he has a firm bed. Really soft beds with blankets causes him to loose his balance.
When you pick him up just look into his eyes and let him know how happy you are to see him. What shocked me was all the fur they shaved. But don't worry it will grow back.
I highly recommend reading the book "Be More Dog ". It teaches us how dogs just live in the moment, and you will learn about the incredible Jerry. The reason this site was born.
Sending positve and good thoughts your way....
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
Thank you! He is super sweet too. Despite all the pain he was in he never once tried to lash out and defend himself. He's such a good boy.
Yeah we're looking into getting some cheap rugs that are non-stick and I'm picking up a firm bed for him tomorrow. He has already gone through so much I'm happy to buy him what will keep him comfortable. We called the vet an hour ago and they said he is doing really well. He keeps waking up intermittently and being very happy. All the vet techs got a kick out of his silly tongue. (A few years ago he had half the teeth in his mouth removed due to a genetic abnormality.) They sent me a picture, but I can't quite figure out how to add a picture.
lolamontez21 said
I can't quite figure out how to add a picture...
Now we have to see a picture! 
Here are detailed instructions for adding photos to forum posts
. If you don't already share photos online somewhere, you can start a free Tripawds blog
any time and upload them there. Need further help? Post in the Tech Support forum
and we'll be happy to help!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hopefully this works lol. If it doesn't I'll try again later. "All the drugs are making me loopy mom..."
lolamontez21 said
Hopefully this works...
FYI: Looks like you pasted the link to your blog post, rather than to the image file.
You can get the image URL by right clicking on a photo, or from your Media Library. You should also be able to copy the photo itself from your blog post, and paste it in your forum post.
We fixed this one for you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
He is adorable, and he looks like he is in no pain at all. As some say he is seeing pink elephants....
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
admin said
We fixed this one for you...
We've also approved your first blog posts, your future posts and pages will not require approval.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Wow! What a whirlwind you've been through! At least now you can get that vum leg off and get the infection out of his system.
And that picture....OMD!!! He is soooo cute!!!! Malamutes are stunning...and smart and resilient too!
We are all here to help you as you navigate thru recovery. The important thing ls to keep him quiet for the next two weeks-ish. Short leashed potty breaks and back in for rest. Pain meds can take some tweaking sometimes.
Let us know how we can help, okay
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!
admin said
lolamontez21 said
Hopefully this works...
You can get the image URL by right clicking on a photo, or from your Media Library. You should also be able to copy the photo itself from your blog post, and paste it in your forum post.
We fixed this one for you.
haha I'm sure I'll figure it out eventually. It's a process, plus my brain is a bit fried right now lol. It's been a long long couple of days.
brownie1201 said
He is adorable, and he looks like he is in no pain at all. As some say he is seeing pink elephants....
Ooooh yeah. They've definitely got the good stuff from the looks of him. 
benny55 said
Wow! What a whirlwind you've been through! At least now you can get that vum leg off and get the infection out of his system.And that picture....OMD!!! He is soooo cute!!!! Malamutes are stunning...and smart and resilient too!
We are all here to help you as you navigate thru recovery. The important thing ls to keep him quiet for the next two weeks-ish. Short leashed potty breaks and back in for rest. Pain meds can take some tweaking sometimes.
Let us know how we can help, okay
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Yeah, it's been a bit crazy...Thank you!!! he's incredibly smart and gentle. He's a tough guy. I mean he was walking/limping on his bum leg until it went crazy. I couldn't have done that, that's for sure.
Thank you so much for the advice. That's our plan right now, we're gonna make sure he has a very comfortable quiet place to rest. No more pain or craziness for this sweet boy.
What a sweetheart! I’m so glad he’s on the mend and getting ready to take on the world.
My best advice is to be patient and know that although there may be some ups and downs during recovery, he will soon get his mojo back! We will be here for you every step of the way.
PS Be sure to start a new topic in Treatment and Recovery now that he’s on the mend!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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