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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YEA! Dogs do like to hide their pain. They believe showing pain is a sign of weakness.
I visted Brownie 4 hours after the surgery and I really wished I hadn't. We was so drugged up and I heard him wine for the first time. The vet said it was just the Anastasia . The next day was so much better.
So happy things went well! I know you can't wait to see her. Let us know how it goes.
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"
Yay! I agree, I didnt go see Nitro the day of, but did call SEVERAL times to see how he was doing. When we picked him up the next night, I brought a t-shirt for them to put on him, as I was afraid to see the incision. We also had our Ruffwear harness which I had them put on too. I know a lot of people say to wait until the staples come out, but we used it right away, and it was a godsend. It did not interfere with the incision, plus we had the t-shirt on under it. Honestly, I don't know if we would have managed without it. Getting him in the back of my SUV was a little challenge even with it on - he let out a horrible yelp.
When he came hopping down the hall to us that night, I fell to my knees, with tears streaming down my face....I told him he was beautiful, and strong and brave. The journey had begun.....
Paula and Warrior Angel Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
Yay! Surgery is over!
She said almost as soon as the leg came off all her vital signs stabilised and she needed less support so she was obviously in a lot more pain than she was letting on.
That is such an interesting observation, something I can't recall anyone mentioning here but it makes total sense. Pain does such a number on the body. I'm so glad she's feeling better.
I would agree that visiting the day of surgery is not worth the stress on either of you. She's in great hands. Take this time to mentally prepare and get your home ready, you'll be glad you did.
Keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome Ava and YAY FOR SURGERY DONE!!!
You've already gotten great advice so can only ditto everyone!
Paula's greeting of Nitro reminded me of min..dropped to my knees tears of joy and relief, smooches her massive mig snd applauded jer fir veing sich a good girl. Didn't even looked at her incision or draw any attetion to it.
Don't dare drop to my bad knees these days......woild never be able to get up!😎
Got some rest. Ava is enjoying her good drugs. It was fascinating to hear how her vitals improved once her leg was off.
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!
Thank you all for the kind messages. I phoned again for an update and they said she's been great. They said they left her in the recovery area until now because she's been so happy and comfortable there, apparently she's just been watching them all while they've been working and has managed to sit up already. They asked again if I wanted to visit but I said I wouldn't, if she's that settled I don't want to upset her but I can't wait to go and get her now tomorrow.
I thought it was interesting as well what the vet had said about her during the operation. I almost wish she wasn't as stoic because we could have got help for her sooner if she'd have let on.
That's really good to know about the harness Paula, I was already wondering how on earth I'd get her in the car tomorrow without one on and the t-shirt is a good call too.
you can also use a sling if you don't already have a harness...you can even make one with a cloth grocery bag, split at the seams. Then you have handles (just like a harness). We did that and lined it with a fleecy blanket. We never used it tho cuz the harness was amazing.
Paula
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
So glad everything went well! I know you are relieved, and I am also amazed at that statement about her vitals. I have never seen that response in an animal before.
Whew.. this part is behind you. Please try and get some rest, the next couple of weeks are going to be a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. Hopefully they will send you home with good pain management .
Don't worry about getting her into the car, there will be plenty of people around to help you at the hospital. Once she is in, guiding her out at home is easier. Paula gave you great tips for with and without a harness.
Sending you all hugs, so glad this is behind you... now onwards to recovery 
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
Would love to see pictures of Ava. Doberman are so beautiful. They remind me of a solider the way they stand so proud...
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"
She's home!
I'm so happy. I had to wait a while at the vets while they sorted things and went to get her and I was getting more and more nervous expecting to see this pathetic, limping Ava being helped by lots of people but she walked out wagging her tail! She's dopey as anything from the anaesthetic and pain meds but she's so much better than I thought she'd be, I'm so proud of her, she's completely amazing.
I did exactly as you'd suggested Brownie and looked at her eyes not the wound so I just saw my beautiful girl to start with and then when I looked properly even the wound wasn't half as bad as I'd imagined. I think that's the good side of preparing for the worst but hoping for the best.
I'd love to post some photos of her, I'm not sure how to though. I tried finding a tutorial on it but as I only have my phone not a computer I don't know if I get all the options? If someone could point me in the right direction I'd be very grateful 
Try this, adding images
If you have photos on social media, such as Instagram, you can usually add them that way. I have heard that Facebook is not so easy. You can also start a free blog here and use that to store photos, then copy and paste them here.
If that all does not help you let us know.
So glad your girl is home and happy!
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
So happy everything went well. I know others have had to adjust the pain meds as days go by, but you will figure that out.
Can't wait to see pictures!
Senior Dogs are Awesome!
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"
Yay, she is beautiful! Great job on the photos
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Such a beauty! Glad she's home! It can be tricky regulating the pain meds. What did they send home with her? The first week or so she shouldn't do much more than go outside to potty, and then just rest. Nitro wouldn't eat for 7 days post surgery - I was frantic. Try to keep the meds spaced out so you can stay ahead of the pain. I set alarms on my phone to remember. Give her a big smooch from us and keep us posted.
Paula and Warrior Angel Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
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