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
Hello All,
So happy to have found this forum. Rusty, my 8 year old Golden Retriever has a tumor on his right front knee and his vet suspects osteosarcoma. He is limping badly, not putting weight on the leg and clearly in pain even with the cocktail of drugs they gave him. Surgery is scheduled for March 22nd, and I am pretty nervous about the recovery. His surgeon said they will keep him one or two nights in the hospital and he will come home with a nerve block to help manage pain.
I don't feel like my house is set up well for his recovery. We have a very open floor plan, so there is no way to confine him to one room. Should I buy one of those wire pens to keep him confined? Also, there is no way to get outside to our yard without going up and down steps. Do I need to buy a sling or a harness for him so that I can help him manage the steps? We have all tile and wood floors, no carpet. Our surgeon told me to purchase several rugs with non-slip backing to help him walk through the house without slipping, so I will do that. Is he going to need rugs on a permanent basis now?
Is there anything else I should get to help with his recovery? I am super nervous about this, but I look forward to seeing him get relief from his pain. Thanks so much for this valuable resource!
Brenda and Rusty
Welcome and best wishes for Rusty! Providing good traction for Tripawds is important, especially during recovery. Also check out the Tripawds Recovery Shopping List and many other helpful what to expect posts.
While you wait for comments from others, use the Advanced Search above to refine your forum search results with specific phrases, and you're sure to find lots of helpful feedback. You can also search all blogs here . Or, consider downloading the Tripawds e-books for fast answers to common concerns and feel free to call the toll-free Tripawds Helpline anytime!
Please keep us posted. Your future forum posts will not require moderation. Meanwhile, start here for help finding all the helpful Tripawds resources and assistance programs.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just know you are not alone during this part of the journey, okay? We are here to help you navigate thr recovery and celebrate as Rusty moves on towards a painfree life! We all were panicky at first, sleep deprived and mentally and physically exhausted. And we were all sooooo relieved to see how well oir dogs adapted and got on with loving life!
Your Vet really seems on top of pain management . Kudos that he suggested nonslip scatter rugs for traction . Yeah, you'll want to keep a "path" of carpet throughout the house in areas he regularly visits. One member said she had so many different scatter rugs it looked like a clown throw up kn the floor🤮 You can also use cheap yoga mat.
Raised food bowls are helpful to prevent muscle strain. A good firm bed as opposed to sqquishy soft bed is vetter for support and to get up and I to a standing position.
If Risty is used to a pen, that could help. But otherwise having him confined in a room or area of the house where he is used to and where he is not separated from you (his pack).
Not sure how many stairs you have, but a sling (you can use a towel or shopping canvas bag) can help assist him. Front leggers usually have a harder time going down stairs and rear leggers have more trouble. They usually get the hang of it though in time.
As hard as it is, be patient and let Rusty recover at his own pace in his own way. Retrievers are such sweet pups and I know he will handle three just fine!
The first two weeks are all about rest, rest, rest, short leashed potty breaks and then more rest. He may be off food a bit at first and may not poop for a few days, but drinking and peeing g are important. Keep some yummy food on hand to help him eat while on his meds.
And for you....get some rest!!! Risty is going to feel so mich better with that bum leg gone. Aybe there will be a cancellation and they can do the surfery sooner. Keep the Vet in the loop that his leg still seems cery painful. Maybe the meds can be adjust.
Hang in there. Know we are here to support you any way we can.
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!
So sorry to hear about Rusty. Brownie was a front leg amputee. As Sally said front leg amputees can go up stairs, but going down stairs Brownie needed a little assistance. Brownie was 90 lbs and I am the only human in the house. Once Brownie's stiches came out we used the Flag line harness. I think that is the name? Anyway you should be able to find it in the "Gear Blog ". It is recommended for front leg amps and it was so much help to have it. Since it is light weight, but strong Brownie could wear it all day.
It looks like Sally gave you all the inforamtion, so just want to send positive thoughts for a speedy recovery.
Keep us posted on Rusty and please let us know how he is doing.
Nancy and Angel Brownie
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
1 Guest(s)
