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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Hi we are new to this whole situation
3 weeks ago our beloved Nova a nearly 10 yr old American Bulldog also a very loved and spoiled American Bulldog was brought in to her vet for a lump on her backside only to have it be just fat which is fine the vet said it was nothing to be worried about but he also noticed a lump on her right front arm.
Both my mom and Stepdad play with her every day/night so they knew that wasn't there the day prior. The lump appeared over night. So the vet did xrays wasn't fully sure what exactly it could be so he redirected her to a specialist and after studying it on Xrays and bloodwork they know it's cancer but not being able to take a biopsy they aren't fully sure what kind but give she's older it's most likely osteosarcoma so they went further and did more bloodwork and. CT scans to see if it spread we get those results Tuesday.
We had a meeting with the docs and they feel that the best option is leg removal we are completely devastated by this news. We asked about removing the lump but the docs don't feel that that can be done because of the close proximity to her wrist and the tumour runs alo g the ulnar bone. We did the CT scans and tests on Friday and are having her right leg amputated on Wednesday
sorry writing this I'm in sobs she's our baby. How do we cope? I found your website online and ordered a book on amazon I think by your team called "Three legs and a spare tripawd basics" thank you for letting me share Nova's story.
Hi Nova and furmily, welcome. We are so sorry you are facing a cancer diagnosis. There's no need to apologize for crying, so many of us have been there and understand completely.
It sounds like no matter what kind of cancer it is, the leg is beyond saving because it's either damaged by the tumor, or the tumor is too invasive? Based on your description it sounds like you got this diagnosed very early, which is great. I hope the scans come back clean on Tuesday.
Yes, Three Legs & a Spare is our book, thank you for getting a copy. Let us know what questions you have, we are here to help. In the meantime you can check out the Tripawds Recovery Shopping List to get your house ready. The most important things to do in the next few days are to
- make sure your floors have traction so she doesn't slip
- have a nice recovery area set up for her somewhere in your home, in a place where she can't get into trouble or wander too far
- and try as hard as you can to stay hopeful and upbeat. She will read your emotions like a book so set a good example and she will follow along.
I hope this helps! We are here for you every step of the way.
Thank You Jerry I will check out that list. My mom already moved around furniture to other rooms. We are trying to stay upbeat there are three dogs that we know of in our neighborhood with three legs and we're always impressed with how amazing they run by the house with their owners. I hope we caught it early and that the tests come back clear but osteosarcoma is tricky doc said once the cells start they try to go elsewhere. But we are trying to think positive. My stepdad as already mentioned getting her a set of wheels to help ease the tension off the single leg in the front. I think because of where the tumour is located is the reason for the removal. We are just all scared and worried for her but like I said after the doc left the room that she's still the same Nova. She's gonna get frustrated she's the kind of dog whom loves holding her toys or blankets between both paws so that will be hard watching her go through that.
Nova sounds like such a sweet heart! Ues, Nova will be Nova after surg but without a painful leg! She'll have more quality time for loving and apoiling and yes. she'll figure out how to hold her toys and blanket. It truly is amazing the way dogs adjust and figure out how to do things they like to do! I'll go through some of my videos and post pictures of my front legger chewing on bones with no problem.
And the fact you have three Tripawds in your area and you've seen how well they adapt is such a gift! Heck, they may even be members here on Tripawds!
Of course this is nerve wracking and a scary time. Not for Nova though. Nova isn't worried about a thing. ...the bliss of being dog, right?.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Just know we are all here right by your side to help yiu navigate through recovery. It's no picnic for a couple of weeks. It's major surgery and each dog recovers at their own pace and in their own way. Proper meds and lots of rest and her hoomans having a strong confident attitude will help tremendously.
Once recovered we high recommend getting a cons with a Certified Rehabilitation Specialist. The Tripawds Foundation will pay for the first visit. They will show you ways to keep Nova strong and fit. IF wheels are needed, they will advise and help with proper fittings, etc.
FWIW, we had a member several years ago named "Nova". She was a Great Dane with osteo and, as best I can recall, "Queen Nova" lived large on three for at least five years! So yeah, stat don't mean much around here!
Take so e deep breaths, eat chcoclat6 and know this is a good path forward for Nova👍
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!
Here's a quick clip of front legger Grankie. chewing his bone, then stealing four legger blind Myrtle's bone
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!
You have a great attitude! YES, she will always be Nova no matter what. Even with one less legs, dogs are still go-getters! And she will absolutely show you that she can hang onto bones with one front paw. They figure it out! Just like Sally's Grankie Frankie (above) Jerry sure did:
Tell your Dad not to be in too much of a rush to get wheels for her. It's important to see a canine rehab therapist first, so they can let you know if she even needs one at all. Most Tripawds don't require wheels until later on, much later on. A therapist can tell you if she does, along with show you exercises to keep her strong and injury free. We recommend it for all Tripawds! The best part is the Tripawds Foundation can pay for your first rehab visit so you have nothing to lose!
Nova's not worried but we are our last dog Tango was Nova's aunt same bloodline same family Nova's daddy was Tango's brother. Tango got into something in the backyard in an area we have never seen her go. In the process of snooping around she lapped up pine needles which caused holes in her intestines we lost her on the operating table she was just shy of 3yrs old in April, 2013. After a week my mom was going through papers and found the vet package (same place we are taking Nova) and found Tango's xrays on a disc it threw her in a tailspin and I'd get phone calls of just sobbing. And she'd send pics of pups from the same breeder and I'd say their cute but for some reason I said "don't get the one with the spot on it's back" Then May 13th, 2013 she called I just walked in from work and she said someone wanted to say hi then put the puppy on the phone of course I got right back on a bus and went to go visit and from that moment I fell in love with that "puppy with the spot on it's back" whom I named Nova. So her whole life we were protective because of what happened to Tango and yes Nova has had moments were she's kept mom on her toes, but I know the situations are different between both dogs and their personalities are very different Tango was afraid of her own shadow meanwhile Nova is our fearless girl afraid of nothing lol finding this group has been wonderful. How does the funding work? We're in Canada if that matters. I try to show my mom various things from here but I don't want to overwhelm her it's been a lot to process. I appreciate all the support my mom has been sending positive things for Nova like taking her to her fave places to keep her happy and mobile in time of course.
That video of Frankie sneaking Myrtle's bone lol he figured you moved its mine too lol sooo precious
Aww Nova is such a special girl! What a history she has with you and I love that your mom is onboard with helping Nova live her best life. You are doing a great job advocating for her.
I'm sorry about Tango...pine needles eh? Never would have imagined!
The Rehab Reimbursement program works for Canadians too so be sure to get your first rehab visit scheduled for her soon. Most therapists like to see a new Tripawd within about 10 days of surgery.
Thank You we are trying it's heartbreaking. Her surgery is tomorrow ugh.... I have a question I'm wondering if anyone can answer
Why don't they do Chemo first to try to shrink or attack any cancer cells before right away to amputation surgery? Like they try with humans sometimes their able to do chemo to shrink tumours before removing the tumour and not the whole limb?
I'm still swimming with all this stuff I go in waves were I'm fine good and strong then start to research things like what to expect or what happens day of surgery then I end up in sobs. This morning my mom sent me a Pic of Nova sleeping (she sleeps on her back in bed with her legs up and her tail covers her "dog business" lol) with them and has had stairs on the side of the bed for her for several years their bed is high. But she also has her own bed in the corner a large round bed. Also how can I add pictures in this forum?
My stepdad and mom are handling that and probably will do whatever the vet clinic suggests or requests etc.
I have a huge question since I don't drive my mom usually picks me up for errands or to do a grocery run etc and my stepdad works from his home office from 4am till 6am when he leaves for the office till 430pm. So usually my mom is home everyday with Nova
How do you guys handle if you have to run errands like groceries or other tasks etc? How do the dogs manage or do on their own?
I said to mom that we can rearrange my grocery runs to weekends so Doug can be with her and I can bus up for visits instead of her coming to get me (even tho Nova scores car rides in that deal lol) and she loves hellos but when. It comes to dropping me off she refuses to kiss me goodbye she hates goodbyes with me I love my girl soooo much
My mom sent me videos of a neighbour's dog named Otto he's not a tripawd but we learned that he was hit by 2 cars and now has no use of his front legs but the vet decided not to amputate and this guy runs pretty fast on his bad front legs and his cool set of wheels. The neighbour adopted him with his legs that way and adopted him as he was he's a sweet dog black lab I think. Gave my mom hope even more that Nova is gonna do great
Just want to pop in very quickly and' hopefully adequately address one of your concerns regarding leaving Nova alone.
It was
It was just myself caring for happy Hannah during her recovery etc. If I recall, I arrange things so that I could be with her basically 24/7 the first maybe 5 days. When I had to go to work or did errands I made sure that she was relatively confined in my small den area with her bed and water.
I got a small mattress to sleep on the floor downstairs with her for a long time. Actually enjoyed it as she could continue to snuggle with me like she always did, as well as my other dogs.
In your case, I was just trying to make sure that someone was home with her 24/7 for the first several days. It sounds like that after that, someone will be home most of the time anyway except for maybe doing errands etc. That shouldn't be a problem. By then you will have her pain management routine down fairly well and she probably will be somewhat mobile at that point too.
She's so lucky to have such a caring and loving family to look after her. Made me chuckle how she will get excited when she sees you come in and will pout when it's time for you to leave. Whole lot of personality in that girl!
Oh, and I'll send you a PM right now with my email address so you can send me some pictures. I will be honored to post them for you on here. Jerry's really good at explaining how to add pictures and she'll come along and do that for you. So go ahead and send me some and I'll post . Can't wait to see her photographs.
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!
Awww Thank You I will send Nova pics these are not current but just to give you guys an idea of my. Barking fish ie she loves the beach and the water.
NOVA UPDATE: Sooo from my mom she said that lump on Nova's butt is cancer at first her vet didn't think it was but the clinic rechecked it and it is so my mom said their gonna remove that also and I think she said surgery is Friday she gets confused the doc kept saying Wednesday I really at this point have no clue what's going on stepdad is a very quiet person so her doesn't say much then communicating with her is fun lol
And her lungs and uterus are clear the only thing they saw was a small deposit in her lungs which is NOT cancer but I've been questioning the lump on her butt since around Xmas but it was soft at that time. I'm relieved the lungs and uterus area are clear as far as I'm being told either way she's getting chemo after to help kill any cells ugh
Okay, get ready to fall in love with the beautiful Miss Nova!🥰🥰🥰 Isn't she adorable? And CUTENESS alert when you see that puppy picture!!!
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!
1 Guest(s)
