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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I am new to this site. My daughter and I rescued a 3yr old Rottweiler 8 months ago and the poor boy has been through it all. Two months in we found out he had a torn ACL and had TPLO surgery, two months later his other leg started bothering him. His ankle was very swollen and he was limping. By the time September 28, 2012 came we were told they were pretty sure it was cancer. I was already in 4,500 and wan't sure how I could afford anything else. We found a couple of foundations willing to help but we needed someone to sign off as cancer without doing a biopsy. I found a new Vet who gave me a price for the biopsy that was affordable. My sweet guy had his biopsy and his amputation within a week of each other. The cancer hasn't spread and they feel it's been caught early. We are one week into his amputation and the poor guy seems to be depressed. He is eating fine but when it comes to going potty he will wait till the last minute. I have done some research and am cooking his food. He is also on some cancer fighting supplements. I guess my concern is him being sad. He is such an upbeat dog with the most amazing personality. He can make anyone smile. Has anyone gone through the amputation process and seen their dog go through the sad part? And if so, what did you do to help you dog?
Thank God for this site. 
I am buying the bandanna's and the bumper sticker
Welcome Bronson! Your future forum posts will not require moderation, and we have moved your post here to a new topic so it didn't get buried in Rock's recovery discussion.
The "depression" you are seeing is likely exhaustion and side effects from the pain medication. What is he on? Bronson also needs you to set a pawsitive example so be sure to remain strong and he will follow your lead. He also needs lots of rest and confinement right now. Take things one day at a time and you will likely see a vast improvement once he's off the meds.
Please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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I agree with Admin guy- stay strong and positive around Bronson...that's his name, right?
That being said, my little Tri-pug Maggie was unhappy for at least 4 weeks post surgery, and didn't start playing with me until about 6 weeks out. I convinced myself I had done the wrong thing by choosing amputation for her. Even off all meds and with the sutures out she was a slug. But she came around on her own schedule. She was on the long end of recovery- most around here see great improvement in mood and activity when the sutures come out and the heavy duty pain meds are out of the system- that is usually around 2 weeks. More often than not around here the first two weeks are tough, lots of ups and downs. Don't get discouraged- he will get better!
Bronson is dealing with a lot of changes- be patient and positive and I bet you will see his personality return soon. Can you have a favorite person visit? Not too much physical stimulation yet, but maybe that would perk him up. He sounds like a rear amp- how about a special treat or chew toy- maybe a frozen kong to keep him occupied.
Keep us posted on how he is doing.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Hi and welcome! Is your lil guy still on pain meds? My kitty is one week post amputation op today and it is her first day off pain meds and its like she's a brand new cat! The first week she barely ate and slept soooooooo much. Today her eyes are brighter and she's moving around a lot more. Don't get me wrong, she still wants to sleep, but nothing compared to how she was the last six days.
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
First of all, I have to tell you, your Rottie has the sweetest face. You are going to need to give it some time. If your dog is still on pain medications, it is probably affecting his personality a bit. We went through the same thing with Cadence. There were days when she was like her old self, and other days she wanted to stay in the room by herself. It takes time for the dog to also build up their confidence. I remember the first time Cadence went to pee, she lowered her stump to the ground and right into the pee. I could see the frustration on her face. It took about a week for her to get used to going to the bathroom. She had to balance herself one the one good leg and still not lower her stump. She got the hang of it as will Bronson.
There is something about the two week mark of an amputation that changes everything. One day your dog may be feeling a bit down, two weeks hit, and the dog is back to being themselves. It just takes time, but it will happen. As long as Bronson is eating and drinking, I would just be patient.
Wishing Bronson and you the best during his recovery.
“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.” ― Milan Kundera
Wow! TPLO in one leg and the other one gone. That's quite a challenge! We had a Rottie mix who had 2 TPLO's, and that was challenging enough in itself. I don't have any advice for how to cheer him up (our boxer mix just had a front leg amputation, so I'm all new to this myself), but I wanted to say good luck and offer support.
Best wishes to Bronson! I'm new to this, too, as Jackson is in his 2nd day of recovery. He was scheduled for a TPLO of his right hind and it was in those pre-op xrays that cancer was found. Now, instead of having a hobbling 4-footed pal, he's on three. His second day can largely be summed up as: sleep and quick pee breaks in the frigid outdoors. The brisk air seems to make him happy, but he'll scoot right in afterward and put himself back to bed. This site and all the lovely folks and dogs have prepared me for appetite changes and moodiness. I guess we have to roll with it. I'm sure Bronson loves whatever attention you can give and any little treat. Hang in there! We've all got some bumps ahead. Sounds like Bronson's got quite a loving, supportive family. Now, you and he have an online, supportive family. Welcome. Sorry we both had to be members.
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
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