Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I got the devastating diagnosis of bone cancer for my 8 year old Great Pyrenees, heart dog, Honor last week.
I’m currently in the frantic research and running around to specialist consultations phase of this.
One of the (many) worries I have about amputation for him is that we have 2 other large dogs. He has always been the boss of the house and the more dominant dog. While he is very close to one of them (and lets her get away with just about anything), his relationship with the other has been strained since the day we brought her home (several scary scuffles where he went after her). I spent a year working on acclimating them to being around each other and it had been going very well. They were even starting to sleep not far from each other but then she tore her CCL and had surgery and months of recovery. During that time, I had to keep them separated and it took their relationship back. I had just started trying to acclimate them again when Honor started limping and that caused her to growl at him so now they are back to being separated.
I guess my question is how did your other dogs react after your one dog had the amputation? I’m worried it will change our whole household dynamic and make the situation even worse. I think the one dog he’s close with would be ok with it but not 100 percent sure and I fear my female Great Pyrenees may regard him as a threat and they would have to be visually separated at all times (in addition to physically like they mostly are now except for when outside).
Hi again Eustacia,
We have 3 as well, plus a very sketchy cat. They will notice, but it seems they do a pretty good job of caring and concern as well. Even for the obnoxious selfish herd of rescue rejects that they are.
But, the moment they think that its all back to normal, its a free for all. At least with mine anyway. Boom has always been the alpha, and some days now there is still zero doubt. Other days, our youngest, the only girl, has seemed to grab the lead and claim "Ladies Day in Charge".
Its all balanced out for the most part. I make sure they come in and out the doors single file to avoid rushes that would knock Boom over, and also during feeding, there is an order of entry to the kitchen. I also do this to TRY...and TRY to instill some sort of discipline around here. 
As things progress, if you notice any behavior that needs corrected, step in and establish the new status quo. They will read whats going on.
Post pics, post vids.....plenty of people here to help.
I've seen many posts here along these lines and it seems that most people report that the 'other' dog or dogs give space for the new Tripawd to heal.
That was not my experience.
My dogs were little so while there were periodic scuffles I could pretty easily break them up. The girls were Pugs that were sisters from different litters. Maggie, who became the Tri-Pug, was older and was always the alpha. They were inseparable for the most part but there were scuffles as Tani, the younger one would sometimes challenge Maggie.
Maggie lost her back leg to cancer and my Parents kept Tani at their house for a couple days so I could focus on Maggie. I wasn't paying attention when we reintroduced them (I was also pretty tired and stressed!) and as soon as Dad brought Tani into the house and took off her leash she ran at Maggie who was in her bed and attacked her. It completely surprised me and I stood there for a second before I moved to break them up. But before I got there Maggie pushed Tani off of her and over on her side and that was the end of it. I am lucky that Maggie didn't suffer any injury as she was just a few days past surgery.
I was also lucky that Maggie beat her prognosis and lived almost 4 years after her surgery. There were several times when Tani knocked her down- not on purpose but Tani was rambunctious and reckless and was usually in pursuit of a toy or food. Once Tani knocked Maggie down a short flight of stairs on her way to her food dish. Mag rolled down the stairs and was not hurt.
I would think you would need to keep them separate at least while Honor is healing.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls and Boy
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
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