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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Hi, I am so sorry you are going thru this. At first I thought like your rescue group. Since Brownie was 10 days before his 12th birthday, I thought he was just too old, and I will treat with medication, and let nature take its course. Why do I want to put him thru all that to gain a couple of months? So after being on medication for about two weeks, including a pain patch, I could tell the meds weren't working as well, and he was living his life doped up. What kind of life is that? So I started researching and found tripawds. I saw so many senior dogs on three doing great. So then I thought, Brownie has never given up on me, why should I give up on him? He at least has the right to fight. He still had so much life in his eyes he just hurt. So we did amputation. All dog are different, but Brownie breezed thru recovery, and hopped around his food bowl for an addition year and eight days, when the vet said with amputation he would have a couple months. So I am so happy we did the amputation and I was able to spoil my boy rotten for an additional year.
Just remember when you amputate you are taking th e pain away, cancer is taking the leg, but it can't take their spirit.
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"
Hi Kazuko!
I'm glad your are seeking a second opinion! It is important to have all your questions answered to make the best possible decision (and to feel at peace with it). I saw Jerry sent you good questions to ask. This is exactly why this group of people is so great. I have seen many greyhound stories in the forum/blogs. I think that would also be a good place to ask questions (with the people who own greyhounds). I understand the rescue response, however I believe this is the first reaction of many people who have not necessarily done their research on amputation.
In many cases, the amputation is good way to give our dogs a quality of life as Connie said (Brownie1201). You are the one who know your dog the best.
And wow you are from Japon, that's very cool.
keep us posted 🙂
Patricia &Arktik
I’m truly happy and appreciate that people here encouraged and educated me. When my vet told me Lani got osteosarcoma and need amputation, I panicked and didn’t even know what I should ask.
Thanks to everyone I am ready to see a new vet! I want to make a best decision for Lani.
Hi Kazuko,
Our 10 year old Greyhound just had her right rear leg amputated on May 22nd. We did not know she had cancer until her leg broke while she was running. We had to make a decision fast.
Our Greyhound group also discouraged it but in the hospital, after they splinted the leg and did pain treatment, Tabitha was already getting up and moving with her 3 good legs. We wanted to give her a chance especially since the cancer is not yet in her lungs.
You can read a bit about her recovery in the forum on recovery.
We were so glad to find this group and are so glad you did too!
JoAnn, Bill and Tabitha the Greyt Tripod
Hi everyone, I finally talked to a new vet. She was a very nice lady and got knowledge of greyhound which made me very relieved. She explained the difference between greyhound and other breeds of blood work and aminocaproic acid effective in preventing massive bleeding. She also checked Lani’s back issue and said it wouldn’t be a problem.
My husband was still worried but I asked to her to do amputation. When I left the hospital, she gave us Amicar to give it to Lani prior to surgery. Lani’s surgery is on Friday. Her condition getting worse. I hope everything is going well!
So glad you found s Vet who understands the needs of Greyhounds and how to best suppprt the during surgery.
We all understand this is scary. Any surgery is. But it sounds like Lani will be in really good hands. Is it a staffed 24/7 clinic. I'm sure she'll be staying at least one right.
Sure, recovery is jo picnic at first. but we are here to help guide you through those times. We'll also be by your side to celebrate all the victories Lani will have with that bum leg gone! Her sparkle will come back bigger and brighter than before!
You've done your research. You've seen Lani get worse. Amputation will take away that pain and let her be Lani again.
STAY CONNECTED! Let us j ow as question s arise, okay? We've all been thro it.
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!
Hi,
I'm so sorry you have to deal with this all, but I also have to voice my amazement with the attitude of your greyhound rescue group! I would have expected a rescue group to be more encouraging. There are always risks involved in major surgeries, of course, but with experienced veterinary team everything should go fine. Greyhounds do very well with three! My boy is a borzoi, so he has the same blood work issues than greyhounds, and he has von willebrand disease, but our vet was convinced he would do great, and so he did! There were no problems whatsoever with the surgery. I just wanted to tell you this in case it helps to hear positive experiences.
Best luck to you all!
Razbeg the rescue borzoi (born in 11.06.2009) became a tripawd in 20.09.2018.
He and his adopted "brother" Myrsky have their own facebook page:Razbeg & Myrsky
Here is Tabitha's link tabitha-the-greyt-tripod-is-home
Here is Razbeg's link razbeg-the-tripawd-borzoi
I am very glad you went to get another opinion. Sending positive vibes your way for an uneventful surgery. Please get your house in order as you await the procedure. You will want to have a quiet space for your Lani to recover. She should rest after surgery, lots of rest. Short walks to pee and poop and more rest. Get her favorite foods as sometimes the pain medications can mess with their appetite. If you have hard floors, try to get some throw rugs or yoga mats so that she will have traction .
Keeping them quiet is very important for good recovery. If she runs around too much she can have complications that will make her recovery take longer.
pain management is also very important. See if you can find out what she will have and come home with to manage her pain through the recovery process.
I wish you and your family the best of luck. The next couple of weeks can be a bit of a rollercoaster ride, so stay in touch and we will help you the best that we can.
Jackie and Huckleberry 
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
Best wishes for a perfect procedure and speedy recovery! Please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
From what I read, I believe the surgery was today. Fingers crossed! I hope all went well and that now it is recovery time. We are thinking about your family
Was thinking of you today also but just finally getting a chance to post.
Fingers, toes, tails, and paws crossed that all went well today 💖
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Thank you for caring about Lani🐶
The vet called me and said her surgery went well. I was totally relieved to know that! Lani will be monitored through the night. I just downloaded Ebook to prepare for her recovery.
Great news, it's good to have the surgery behind you.
Get as much rest as you can while Lani is being cared for at the vet. Let us know when you get her home.
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
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