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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I have to admit I'm a little nervous about picking him up. I know he's going to be the same old Dakota but I'm so scared I'm going to freak out. Is it normal to feel that way? I'm not having regrets about doing it, I just know that it's going to be strange at first.
Thanks
Alice
Dakota's mommie
Hi Alice,
Of course it is normal to have apprehensions about how Dakota will look. This was a major surgery and your pup will not LOOK the same. And there is the incision and maybe bandages, the shaved part around the amp. But the important part is that he is the same Dakota- just maybe a little lighter 
.
But you need to do your freak out in private so Dakota doesn't see you. He will take his ques from you- if you are calm and normal and happy to see him, he will know everything is fine. Yes, it can be hard at first and it is a natural thought process to think 'what did I do?'. But like you said- you have no regrets, you know you did the right thing.
You are over the first hurdle- he made it through the surgery. You are well prepared to handle the next couple of weeks. And we are always here to help.
I'll be watching for the next update.
Karen and the pug girls
Shelby had her surgery last Friday afternoon and stayed at the hospital under 24/7 care until I picked her up on Monday. At that point, I was crawling out of my skin anxious to see her. She was so happy to see me she was doing her little high-pitched-golden-retriever-whiney-thing and tugging on the leash that the vet tech was holding to get to me.
Focus, if you can, on the fact that your dog is out that awful pain.
When do you pick Dakota up?
Thanks again!!! I went by & saw him earlier. He's doing great!!!! It wasn't anything like I expected, all I saw was my sweet boy!!! I'll go back tomorrow to visit & bring him home Friday. Again I can't thank yall enough, if it wasn't for this site I would of been lost
Alice
Dakota's mommie
alice said:
I can't thank yall enough, if it wasn't for this site I would of been lost...
Thanks for the kind words. It's comments like this that make maintaining this site worthwhile, but it is the support of this community that makes it what it is.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm being totally honest when I say that. I was so lost last week when I went to the oncologist. I was so overwhelmed & had so many thoughts running thru my head. The doc was the one that lead me to this site. There was so much info & encouraging words & awesome stories, I made up my mind within hours of finding you!!!! I honestly didn't realize how people were going thru or had been thru what we were experiencing. I talk about this site like yall are my best friends!!!!! (& I'm new here)
Dakota's mommie
HI Alice,
When we brought Jake home just a few hours after his surgery... we were a little shocked! Nothing really prepared us for how we were going to feel when we finally saw him. Jake had pressure bandages around his chest... which made his chest look so small, especially since he was missing his leg...
My husband helped to carry him out of the SUV... Jake was still pretty zonked out on anesthesia and pain meds... Normally, we wouldn't be allowed to bring him home the same day, but I was also a vet tech, so the vet figured I could handle it... plus I demanded that I bring my baby home ASAP (or else I was gonna sleep at the vet clinic!!)! Anyways, Jake was so zonked out... he didn't notice that my hubby and I were crying... But after a little while... he was coming in and out of it... Wolfie was smelling and licking him all over... we were all lying on the floor hugging and kissing him... It looked like Jake was smiling... as if he was happy to be home with his family... I don't know... maybe it was just in our minds...
We all slept with Jake on the floor (me, hubby and Wolfie) until the next morning... Then we helped Jake go outside to do his business... You can see all the pictures on his blog at Jake's Journey. When he did his first pee... then his first poop... It was a total celebration!!!
In the next couple of days, Jake did better and better... Even though my baby didn't make it past 8 weeks post-op... we have no regrets about doing the surgery... We had some wonderful quality time with him before his cancer spread... Many other tripawds live so much longer after their amputation... several months... some over a year or two... This is what kept us going... We don't have a crystal ball... so we just do the best that we can... and love our babies for as long as they are here with us!
You guys are in my thoughts and prayers... Keep us updated and post pictures as soon as you get a chance!! We all wanna see your sweetie-pie!!!
Angel Jake and Wolfie's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
Oh that's great news! Thanks for the update on the surgery!
Comet could come out of surgery with no ears, fur and a tail and I wouldn't care as long as I have her to love! And I'm sure you now feel the same! The nerves get the better of us having to wait!
HUGS TO YOU!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
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