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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Hey Ryan! Skol Vikings, unless you are a Packer fan, then 'Boo!'.
Sorry to hear about Caesar. When I saw how much pain Charlie was in, it totally helped with making the decision to amputate. Are you going somewhere local or to the U?
Best wishes to a speedy recovery for Caesar! Welcome to the site!
"I don't know where I am."
My dog Chloe was diagnosed with spindle cell sarcoma (known to grow slowly) and she had her amputation a mere 12 days ago. However she has come so far already! I know that with your bull dog you have some valid concerns regarding the remaining leg, however it also depends on your dog's personality. My dog loves being active like going outside to sniff around, play, chase random things, all of which have been great incentives for her to be mobile again. Granted these things were reintroduced over a period of a couple weeks and I made sure she got back in her resting area before she got tired, but I am happy to say she can go up/down stairs and can move about the house on her own. I was really worried about all the possible obstacles she would face as a 3 legged dog, but her recovery has truly been inspiring. As long as you surround Caesar with lots of love and positive energy (pretending everything is normal) it will really help them recover. Just be prepared for a large shaved area with a line of staples/sutures so that you aren't in shock of the big change. This way you can welcoming with lots of love. It really helped reading blogs and seeing post-amp pictures of dogs so I was prepared visually for Chloe's pick up.
We wish you a speedy and uneventful recovery!
-Chloe' mom
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
Viking Queen -
yes sorry my wife and i are both from Green Bay - grew up there and went to high school and college there. Moved to Mpls in 1994.
We are having it done at the Inver Grove Animal Hospital - they "specialize" in bulldogs and have done a couple of amputations on bulldogs. They also did his luxating patella surgery 2 years ago. They are really great to work with.
Nbobco - thanks - we have been looking at alot of picture to try and prepare us - we are as ready as we will ever been considering. We are determined to remain strong and get our bully back on the road to playfulness.
Keep us posted tomorrow if you can. I was a wreck the day Charlie went in. The people and dogs on this site helped me through it, pre, during and post.
You have found a great site that can answer any questions or just be a support to you and family during this time. Maybe now we can have a Minnesota Tripawds party! 
Look forward to updates!
VQ & Charlie
"I don't know where I am."
Ryan and Cesar, good luck! You are definitely in our thoughts and we hope all goes great. Sounds like he's getting pawesome care. Please keep us posted OK? We'll be in the chat tomorrow afternoon, drop in if you get a chance.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm just catching up and wanted to wish you the best for Ceasar's surgery tomorrow. It's a very traumatic, emotional time going through with this and you are not alone. I did a lot of 2nd guessing on our decision to amputate and I can very happily say that this was the best decision we could have ever made. My tripawd just celebrated her 9 month ampuversary and continues to do great. No regrets whatsoever - she's running, swimming, climbing hills and doing everything that she used to do on 4 legs.
Sounds like Ceasar is in great hands - and I bet you will be so amazed at how well he does. Keeping our paws crossed that everything goes really well! 
Kami (Mackenzie's Mom)
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
Good luck with the surgery tomorrow Ryan (or is it already today there?).
I will be watching for an update.
Karen
p.s.- Native San Franciscan here- but I won't hold the Packers thing against Ceasar
Dropped Caesar off this morning at 8am - vet checked him over and all looks good. The tumor is the size of a baseball on his right rear.
He is so funny with the vet - gets very stoic when they check his heart, breathing, etc.
My wife had a wave hit her before we left
Its a sad beginning to what we hope will be a better day tomorrow when we pick him up and start with recovery. We have the house set up for him - carpet runners and an elevated food dish. We will be ordering a harness when we get closer to his stitched removal date to help him navigate.
this is one of the hardest days of your life...waiting... but know that you are doing the right thing for caesar, you are doing it out of love, and he knows that. he's just as lucky to have you on his team, as you are to have him. paws crossed for successful surgery and speedy recovery!!
charon & gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Hi Ryan, Sorry I didn't see your post yesterday. I will be keeping Bully Caesar and you in my thoughts today.
FortisDad
CAESAR UPDATE:
Just got the call from the surgeon - his words were "surgery went perfectly". He is coming around now and seems to be comfortable. They didnt run into anything unexpected. Chest xrays and blood work were also clear, so that to is a relief.
They were able to put in alot of local nerve blocks so the next 6-8 hours should be relatively comfortable for him.
So relieved this part is over - now trying to mentally prepare myself for picking him up tomorrow - i have looked at alot of the picture on this site to best prepare me, but when its your own, i dont know if you can completely be prepared.
Will post some pictures and start a blog with him over the next couple of days. I will be working from home so I can be there to help him recover.
Hooray! I have got to get off this site now that I know he's ok- I am becoming obsessed. Don't worry too much about your reaction. What everyone here says is right - you will see your baby, not just his surgery. I think the dread is worse than what actually happens. The not knowing is the hardest part.
Ryan, that is great news. The surgery was the scariest part for me. I'm so glad it went well. It's great you will be able to stay home with Caesar while he recovers. Don't worry to much about what the site of the surgery will look like. Fortis had a big big leg and I don't even notice that it is missing anymore. Oh, he never did by the way.
I'm looking forward to the pictures and the blog. Give Caesar a big hug for Fortis and I. We love Bully dogs.
FortisDad
Glad surgery went well!!!!!!!!!!! Now you can breath better! On the road to recovery...
It's going to be tough seeing him the first time...it was for me.......but I didn't know about this site at the time of my dog's surgery and didn't see any pictures...
Stay strong!!
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
Caesar is home and doing well considering. The surgery site wasnt as bad as i anticipated but I am glad i was prepared.
He is moving around pretty good (considering i had no idea how he would) and is sleeping on his bed.
I will be starting a blog this weekend and will post pictures.
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