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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Hello Tripawd Community,
My name is Rada, I am new here and I am the proud owner of the best dog in the world - Zoko. 
He is 8 years old and he is a mixture of couple of breeds (a little bit of setter, a little bit of retriever, and maybe many more:).
Unfortunately, Zoko suffers from a rare disease called calcinosis circumscripta, it is characterised by the deposition of calcium in soft tissues. He has it in his hind, right leg which from a normal leg is now turned into a massif calcified leg with no muscle whatsoever, swollen and painful. Thus we have come to one of the thoughtest decisions - amputation of the leg.
This is why I am writing to you, because I have never dealt with such a thing before. I am scared out of my mind and my head is filled with questions. I have been reading a lot about this, but still I don't know what to expect post-op. Is he too old for that surgery, will he adapt, how long is the recovery process, what should I do to make his recovery easier? The surgery is this Friday and I am terrified. 
I would be very thankfull if you can share your experinces with me.
All the best,
Rada & Zoko
Rada and Zoko, welcome to the Tripawds community, your future posts won't require moderation.
I'm really sorry to hear that Zoko is dealing with this condition. You're right, it's rare...I don't believe we've ever had a dog or cat diagnosed with that among our membership.
My best advice is to check out Jerry's Required Reading List and our ebook, Three Legs and a Spare , if you haven't already. There you will find answers to most of your immediate questions. I know that many folks here will also be hoppy to share their own experiences from diagnosis to recovery (hope you don't mind that I moved your post here but since you are in the earliest stages of dealing with the news I thought it was more appropriate to start here ).
Eight years old is definitely not too old, we've had dogs here as old as 13 and 14 go through a successful amputation recovery. How does your vet feel about his candidacy as an amputee?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Get ready to see your dog shaved, stitched and all colors or red/purple. That's normal. It will go away, it will get better. Your dog will walk again and should have a pretty normal life.
Make sure your vet is up to the procedure, and that you talk pain meds so your dog is not whining/whimpering in pain. Ask for a fentynal patch for post op pain (its a very strong pain killer).
Look at pictures of other tripawds to get used to it. Most of your apprehension will be in your mind... so get used to seeing dogs with 3 legs by looking at them. You'll notice in the photos most of the dogs are happy/normal dogs.
Keep your dog from running stairs, and be ready for very short walks. I've had to carry TJ (85lbs) home from MANY a walk during the first two weeks.
It is a difficult first two weeks... with plenty of high/low points. Be steady and know that in the long run your dog will be better off without the cancerous limb than with it.
Welcome to Tripawds.
I've never heard of what sounds like a horrible disease. It's not really about age, but how otherwise healthy and young at heart Zoko is. My pug Maggie was 7.5 at the time of her amp, I didn't consider her old at all.
Recovery can be hard- this is a major surgery. But I'm guessing that Zoko will be glad to be rid of that painful leg. Lots of times here people say that their dog looks much happier after surgery because the painful leg is gone (usually from bone cancer, but bone pain is bone pain!). Don't get discouraged right after surgery if Zoko isn't himself, for most of us there were lots of ups and downs the first couple of weeks. I thought I had made a mistake by choosing amputation for Maggie, but she just needed time to adjust.
Maybe it would help you to look at it this way: What you are taking away from Zoko is pain, what you are giving him is more quality, pain free time with you!
Good luck on Friday and keep us posted.
Karen
It is a scarey time and we all understand your sheer terror!! And that's why we're here. I felt like I was stuck in a nightmare and would never wake up. Researched like crazy, four d this site and haven't let go of this lifeline get!
Happy Hannah is ow 8 years and 10 months....had amputation almost five months ago.....is overweight for a tripawd at 115 lbs. had a tough recover for t least three weeks.....I thought Had made the worse decision possible! IT WAS THE BEST DECISION EVER!
Happy Hannah is now pain free and out time together has bee more joyous and playful and loving than I could have ever imagined:-)
Eight years plus is considered "senior" by some standards for a Bull Mastiff. Happy Hannah's attitude is that of a playful chunky puppy! That was a huge deciding factor.....as someone e said, it's not about "age" per se, it's about your individual dog's attitude! I was having to bump up her pain meds more and more for her to cope with the pain of bone cancer. Her time with me would not be much longer at that point. Her zest for life made the decision for me!
My computer's getting ready to crash....
Just know you are NOT alone! We are with you every step of the way! Recovery for some is harder than others....there are risks with any major surgery. I your vet thinks she's a good candidate and her attitude is great, that's all a plus!
The very best to you and check in with us Friday...or before! We are all here for you!
B R E A T H E.....INHALE DEEPLY......EXHALE SLOWLY.....REPEAT! It helps!
Just want to add there's a dog here named Shooter who's leg was amputated at almost thirteen! Hope her mom sees this and chimes in!
Surrou ding you with calm,
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Welcome Rada and Zoko - Sorry to hear about Zoko's condition, but I'm glad you found this site. Like everyone has said, the first couple of weeks are the hardest, but dogs are so tough and adaptable you will be amazed at Zoko's resiliency. If you have hard floors at all make sure you lay down area rugs to make it easier for him to walk. Shooter was 13-1/2 when he had his surgery and had very little problem.
Keep us updated. We'll be sending you pawsitive thoughts.
Luanne and Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
Hi Rada, so sorry to hear about Zoko's diagnosis. Our Daisy was 11 yrs, 9 mis when she had her front leg amputated and she did great! I echo the comments above - the first couple of weeks will be scary but you and Zoko will get through it. Don't be afraid to ask your vet a lot of questions and to advocate strongly for Zoko - especially when it comes to pain management . Sending hugs your way! Alicia
Not much to add here that others haven't already said. I'm so sorry you find yourself here but also so glad you found this place of support!
We're 3 1/2 weeks post op and doing great. Couple of pointers I have:
1. Read 3 legs and a spare
2. If you have hard floors, invest in a few throw rugs
3. Stock up on coffe. Quality sleep will be hard to come by for a few weeks
4. Talk pain management
with your vet. Don't be afraid to be aggressive with it. If you think Zoko is in pain, call the vet to adjust meds. It took about a week for us to find the right combo
5. Try to relax. Zoko can pick up on your anxiety and it makes him anxious. Things got much easier for us once I stopped fretting over Barret's every move.
You asked for pictures... Here are some of our recovery. Get ready for some pretty colors and swelling!
Seriously, by the time week 3 rolls around you'll be wondering what all the fuss was about in the first place! Lots of luck, Heather & Barret
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
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