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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Your boy is a handsome guy!!!! Kids are surprisingly resilient. I have a 6 year old son and I was worried that the amputation would traumatize him. He was scared about it but we explained to him that we needed to do it so Marshall wouldn't be in pain anymore. We explained that it wasn't a time to be sad but instead a time to be happy bc he would be out of pain. The first few days we kept a t-shirt on him and he let us know when he was ready to see his incision. He said I don't care that his leg looks disgusting I only care that he feels better. He also treats him more gentle. I feel like this whole experience really makes kids more compassionate. Now he thinks it's the coolest thing that he has a tripawd! Good luck to you and your family. The recovery period is emotional but everyone here helped me so much!!!!
Jessica and Marshall
Well I got to go and see Rusty today! They brought him in and it was like nothing had happened. He was his usual self. His tail was wagging and his eyes were full of life. He actually acted annoyed that we were not letting him up and about. It was my first experience with seeing the incision etc. Seeing him so happy made me realize that we made the right decision. Rusty was a little annoyed about his cone but you can't beat his upbeat attitude. He really made me happy!
He had been up walking three times today and they said that as the fentanyl wore off, he was much better. He is now only on oral pain meds and seems to be doing well! I just can not believe it!
And before I left, he even gave me some kisses....only a dog could be that loving after going through what he did yesterday!
WAY TO GO RUSTY!!!!! Amazing huh? When I went to visit Jill on the night of her surgery (it was about 8 hours after) she was purrrrrring away and rolling on her back for belly rubs like nothing was wrong (she was pretty drugged up though ;))
Keep us posted!!
xoxo,
Erica & Jill
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
Animals are so amazing!!! Great photo! Shelby was the same ... that night after her surgery and the first few days she was blissfully unaware of what had happened and was a perfect princess. We had some bumps in the road but Shelby is a drama-queen and had had a few surgeries prior so I think she was over it all! -)
Rusty looks great! Thank you for updating us!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Rusty looks terrific! And your own positive attitude will go Sooo far in helping to a great recovery. We look forward to more stories and pictures.
Kathi and Murphy
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Lookin' good rusty!! Praying you get to come home soon and start to really recover with your amazing parents! On the children note: when my eight year old niece found out about Cody she called and wanted to know all about it. I was very honest with her and told her that he was having pain and his leg had cancer so we had to get rid of it. She had some other questions and said she felt bad for him but I made sure to tell her not to because he wasn't in pain anymore and he would be able to play with his brother soon. She was happy about that! Good luck in the days to come.. the first two weeks are the hardest... Come here whenever you're feeling the emotions everyone will be here for you!
Cody and Family
Cody is our 7 year old Australian Heeler mix boy. Diagnosed on 2/20/14 and became a tripawd 2/21/14! We chose a homeopathic approach and he is being treated by Dr. Loops our of NC.
YAY for Rusty! I'm so glad everything went well. Phew! I think his energy, attitude and the fact that he's already up and moving around bodes well for his recovery.
Paw love,
Claudia and Angel Jersey Girl
What a wonderful update....and with pictures too 
Glad to hear that Rusty is doing so well.
Rest well......the next two weeks may be a bit of a roller coaster so get your rest/sleep before he comes home.
Hugs
Linda and Tucker
Ohhhhhh what a sweet dog! Rusty with that kind of attitude you will conquer the world (and our hearts!). Yay!!!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I am finally getting to take rusty home..., I will update as soon as I can. I am SOOOOOOO happy we made this decision! He is such a good boy and so excited to leave the hospital!!!
Yay for Rusty! Coming home is so sweet. Have a wonderful weekend with tons of snuggles and doggie kisses.
Kathi and Murphy
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Sorry I am a bit late to the welcome party for you and sweet boy Rusty....what a completely handsome boy he is! I can't offer anymore advice than you have already received but just want to add my support as you enter this new journey with Rusty. These newly 3-legged loves of ours do extremely well, though, with amps, I CAN tell you that.
Keep us posted on your handsome guy, and best wishes to you ......
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Have a hoppy reunion! I know you'll both be so glad you're together again. Keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Well today has been nothing short of miraculous. We got Rusty home and I carried him into our basement (only area in our home with carpet). While I walked back outside to clear out the car, I see him hop past me out to the yard to go potty. I was blown away by his resolve. He acted like it was no big deal (just four days after amp). We had a great afternoon. My 2 and 5 year old boys were so happy to have him back. They asked a lot of questions and we did our best to answer. Rusty just wags his tail non-stop. He has been going out every 1-2 hours and going about 50 yards out into the yard to potty and then just hops back in. I can tell it takes a lot of out him and he is a little unsure on his only remaining front leg. I can see that as he gets stronger, he will really adapt well. Then about 3pm his girlfriend came over to visit. They had a good visit...she sniffed his bandage for a while and then they just laid together. (this is who he was going to see when his leg fractured).
I can't even begin to express how happy I am to have Rusty home. He is on some pain meds, antibiotics, and NSAIDS but honestly he acts like it is no big deal. We were also blown away by the care he received at the vet's office. They have called twice this afternoon checking on him and to see if we had any questions. I don't know what this surgery costs in other areas of the country, but our amputation surgery and 5 night stay was roughly $500. I would have paid ten times that to have him back. I look forward to watching rusty progress through the next few months....we are truly blessed to have him back home!
Well I can't even begin to express how hoppy this makes us! What a great update! Sounds like the kids are coping really well with it too.
Wow...$500? Are you sure you didn't forget a zero? You can see what I mean when you check out what others paid in this forum topic:
http://tripawds.....you-pay-1/
Here's to Rusty and you for a great recovery!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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