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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Welcome Shelly and Stella! You are right about this site being wonderful! It's what kept me sane through my Great Dane Valentina's recovery. She had her front left leg amputated also. I too was worried that she wouldn't be able to walk afterwards. Mainly because she was so big and I wasn't sure if she would be able to hold herself up. But she really surprised me and she ended up doing great and she could still run laps around the yard. The hardest part was definitely the recovery. Valentina did have some complications which made her recovery longer than usual but most Dogs are getting back to normal in about 2-3 weeks. After Valentina was healed though things were fantastic. I was very satisfied with my decision to amputate and our bond grew stronger than I ever imagined. I savored every moment that we had and we had some really special times together. The memories of those times are what gets me through now. Valentina lived for 7 mos. after her amputation and I wish it had been much longer but the time that we did get was of great quality and that is really what I wanted.
I thought I could get by with putting some area rugs around the house but I soon realized that I needed to by some runners. The kind I got were from Lowes and it came on a roll. We just measured her usual walkways and we purchased pieces in the lengths that we needed. They were not very expensive and they worked great. Valentina knew that she was supposed to walk only on the runners or she would slip and slide. She rarely chose to walk anywhere off of them.
Wishing Stella the best of luck!! I hope her surgery goes perfectly and she heals quickly so she can begin her happy Tripawdhood!!
Stella has never been swimming, and unfortunately, we don't have a place where we could take her. Thank you for the offer of the float coat though-that's very nice of you!
I'm a bit down right now. The vet's office called this morning and said that he's had a family emergency and won't be in town on Friday, so we have to reschedule surgery. I'm waiting for a call back now with a day. I was in the mind set to just get it DONE and over with and start recovery, and now it'll be next week, at the earliest. 
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Aww that's a bummer about getting the surgery rescheduled! Well, at least your vet will be refreshed and won't have that emergency on his mind. Look at it that way. Plus, this gives you more time to prepare, so use this time to double check that your home is Tripawd proof and that you have lots of yummy treats for all of you!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Awww. Sorry that you have to reschedule the surgery. I know how hard all the waiting is. But yes it does give you a little extra time to get things ready. Hang in there. 
Sorry about the delay. Once you have the mindset to do it, you are ready and waiting is yucky.
Heather & Spirit Shadow
Thank you for the offer of the float coat though-that's very nice of you!
You are welcome! The offer still stands if you change your mind at any time. There aren't many here that are in that size range so that's why I still have it.
Try to keep busy and next week will come very fast!
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.
Welcome - sorry you needed to find us, but glad you did. Best of luck with the surgery (hopefully early next week!)
You mentioned she's been a bit shaky and a little weak. It's possible that was due to the pain and you'll find it gets much better after that darn spare leg is gone.
Get lots of rest when you can. Try to relax - easier said than done, I know. Take it a day at a time and you'll get through the recovery time just fine.
Hugs and Slobbers
Judy and Baby
stella looks like a lurcher which is what my girl is. She is also front leg amputee and she cope fine the naughty side of her still surfaces every few days and thats how we know we did the right thing. Sorry you have to have her op delayed but at least you have an extra day or so to get your head around it a bit.Good luck hope all goes well
ps you came to the right place for help and support i am so glad i found tripawds almost a year ago
Dizzy diagnosed with osteosarcoma 24 may 2011 amputated same day doing fine hopping around on three legs giving the neighbourhood cats what for
Thinking about Stella and hoping that she is doing ok and that she can have her surgery this week. Looking forward to hearing more about Stella.
Stella's surgery is on for tomorrow. I've tried to not even think about it over this past week, but now I can't STOP thinking about it! It's going to be a crazy day and weekend for sure.
Awww. We understand. Maybe take yourself a long walk to help your nerves? Or a warm bath to relax? ........OR you can always start drinking! 
Keep us posted on how it goes, okay?
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.
Good luck with the surgery tomorrow. I know it's hard, but try and plan some things to keep you busy during the day. Surgery day can be very looooooong waiting for the 'all is fine' call from the vet.
Let us know how she is doing tomorrow.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Best of luck with the surgery - listen to all the wise folks here, they helped me a lot. I would just add that in terms of Ajax's comfort post-surgery, the most important thing was covering the slippery floor. We don't have a Lowe's in Manhattan but I was able to make a perfect path with yoga mats until I could find something better. Also, we did get the orthopedic bed . During recovery, Ajax went back and forth between his 2 soft and 1 orthopedic bed ( basically no room left in NYC apartment after adding 3 giant dog beds) - I think he was just shifting for comfort. Long term, he has definitely preferred the orthopedic bed .
Hang in there!
Sending pawsitive thoughts and keeping fingers and paws crossed here that all goes well with the surgery tomorrow! Keep us posted.
I know it's hard, but try to get some good sleep tonight!
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
We will be thinking about you guys tomorrow. Please update us when she's out of surgery and let us know if we can help in any way!
Lisa
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
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