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
I agree, you did what you needed to do to help her be out of pain.
I'm not sure why your oncologist would say that. No, amputation doesn't get rid of the fact that she has cancer or increase her odds of beating it, but it does relieve the horrible pain and all good oncos will agree that managing the pain is the #1 priority. If you are not happy with this doc, find another one. It's so important to have a good relationship with your vet team.
Median survival times are numbers, they are best guesses and not guarantees, so don't focus on that. Instead, know that once she recovers she will be feeling SO much better to have that bad leg gone. When it comes down to it, the majority of Tripawd parents agree that whether a dog gets two months or two years or longer, what counts is that time was spent without pain and with a great quality of life. Check out our Tripawds Quality of Life Survey for some insight.
A good majority of members here experience the unsupportive family members and friends situation. Unless someone's been through this, they're clueless so you just have to forgive them and move on. And let them know if they can't say anything nice, then to keep their mouth closed 🙂 Check out Jersey's Story for an example of how to overcome that kind of situation.
Hang in there, we're here for you and you are not alone OK? Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
P.S. We got your voice mail on the Helpline, Martha will be giving you a call later today OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
When we stop and listen we hear what our pet has to say. You listened to your girl and your heart and you're doing what is best for your dog.
My family doesn't live near me and my co-workers and friends rallied around and helped out. I was able to work from home and when my cat escaped from the house (gone over 24 hours) my co-workers were organizing a search party through facebook, radio station. Someone with a Jack Russell Terrier was coming over to sniff her out! There are people out there that will support you. Just let them know what is happening and ask for help if you need it.
That Zeus is doing so well. So determined!!! I'm looking forward to seeing photos of the Prudy's Doberman.
Kerren and Tripawd Mona
Thank you guys so much for rallying around. Her surgery is probably going on right now. I'm trying to work at home and it has not been very successful so far. I'm worried about my baby!
Kate,
I just now saw this. I am thinking of you as this surgery is going on. I know it is hard to concentrate. I am really sorry the oncologist talked about mean survival but like we talked about the other day that is just stats. Each dog is in their own battle. We have had dogs that have survived awhile with mets. What you decided to do is take Prudence's pain away.
We are all here for you.
xoxoxox
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Thank you guys so much. Her surgery didn't start until about 2:45 EST. So she is still in surgery now. I've been trying to work during the day and it has been really hard. I am so distracted right now. Haven't heard back that they are done with the surgery.
Just got word from the vet. They were not able to do surgery today on her, because she may have Von willebrand's. They are running a full panel on her, keeping her hydrated and on IV pain medication. She did break her leg, and are anticipating on doing the surgery tomorrow. Thank you for keeping Pru in your thoughts and prayers.
I'm so sorry that it turned out to be a break. I didn't even think of that. She must have been in such pain. I'm so glad you were able to take her in and get her on pain meds!
We'll be thinking of you and Pru.
Denise, Bill and Angel Ellie.
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
Online
Hmmm...gotta go googlevon bra d...be right back!
BTW, you aro e tough advocate for you girl. You are a very strong voice for her...she's very lucky to have you as her hu.an.
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!
prudy said
Just got word from the vet. They were not able to do surgery today on her, because she may have Von willebrand's.
Oh I'm glad they caught that. We've had other member with this condition, see these search results.
Sorry I keep missing you in the chat. It's a little challenging to do it from an iPad while multi-tasking.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Okay, was familiar with the "non clotting issue"...just didn't realize it had such a fancy lancy name! Dr. Google filled me in.. iIt appears that this is something Dobie owners know they may have ro deal with so they can be prepared to take all the necessary precautions. So that's good that the vet is checking this out thoroughly!
Just know the Pru is feeIig NO pain and probably wo dering exactly what those pink elephants are that she sees eating out of her food bowl. I know this is soooooo stressful for you, but just remember she's "e joyi g the ride" and feeling no pain!
Hang in there! We are right here!
Sending lots of love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
Kerren...great support for you and Mona...and well deserved!
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!
Thanks everyone. I did drop off a t shirt of mine with my smell on it at the vet, and could hear her still whining (though I didn't go back to see her, as I didn't want to confuse her). The house feels so empty without her, but I know that I am doing right by her right now. I'm not planning to take her home from the vet until the weekend, so she's got ample time to recover there.
She is a strong girl. She's been through a lot, and I know that I need to stay positive, no matter the outcome.
Hi Kate,
I spoke to you on the helpline earlier today. Poor Prudy! A broken leg and then she has to wait for her surgery. I took a look at the links on von Willebrand's disease that Jerry posted earlier and was relieved to see that even if she has it she can still have the surgery. You are absolutely doing the right thing and don't let anyone else tell you differently. Hang in there, the rollercoaster ride has begun! And don't forget that we are here for you every step of the way.
All lucky 13 paws crossed here for a smooth surgery and even smoother recovery!
Martha, Codie Rae, and the Oaktown Pack
Woohoo! Tripawds Rule!
Regulator of the Oaktown Pack, Sheriff of the Oaktown Pawsse, Founding member and President of the Tripawd Girldogs With 2 Names ROCK Club, and ... Tripawd Girldog Extraordinaire!
Good move on taking a shirt but holding off with the visit. Generally most dogs are so overcome with anxiety when their humans leave that the visit has the unintended effect of stressing them out. It's definitely not easy to do, you are awesome.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
1 Guest(s)
