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-
I came upon this site 2 days after I made the surgery appointment & 4 days before surgery date. I am so glad I did and now wished that my primary vet & osteo vet had mentioned this site before I had 3 weeks of inability to think of anything but trying to make the right decision for my 14 yo Mogul lab/rottie x who has already had a TPLO (R. knee), gastropexy (bloat fix/"tummy tuck") and recent hypothyroid. Reading conversations on this site before surgery allowed me to think of his last few 4 legged days vs 3 legged and who knew there was a support group for this specific issue. He officially became tripod 5/9/19. "Be patient" was what I remember from this site the most. His 3rd time coming back inside from a pee trip, he was hopping back into the one step into the house on his own already while wagging his tail! Day 4 into his tripod life and already getting up on his own and finally pooped today!
Like everyone has said, they really do adapt quickly. Thank you so much for having this site available....
Mogul's mom, Brook
Mogul is such a champ! And you as well, you’ve been through so much but look at how you’ve come out the other side, truly inspawrational!
Did he have the amputation on the same leg as his TPLO?
Thanks for sharing and the kind words. We try hard to let vets know we exist so be sure to request some vet office Tripawds Outreach brochures from Tripawds Foundation Ok?
And we would love to see photos of Mogul! Here’s how adding images to the forums works.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
As you can tell, YIU ARE NOT ALONE and have come to THE best place for support, information and understanding!!
Love that avatar photo of your beloved Mogul. It's ALWAYS uplifiting to hear how well a tripawd is adapting this soon after such a major surgery. And it's twice as uplifting to hear this about our senior citizens! We love frosty mugs around here!❤
Yes, patience and a calm and confident attitude are so important. Your Mogul will pick up on your energy.
And YAY for !! And you are already seeing a wagging tail and being mobile??? This Mogul is a RockStar!!! Sloooow and easy. Rest, potty and back for more resr. Sounds like his pain is being managed well. All the hospital meds are out of his system now, so if he has a bit of a "crash" you can always tweak the meds with the guidance of your Vet.
Yeah, I joined this wonderfu6 community on day six of Happy Hannah's amp surgery. I was so sure I had made a horrible mistake. I was thrown a lifeline and given tons of support and information to help take my stress level down and give me confidence. We got through recovery and on with celebra6 each day together as Happy Hannah got to be Happy Hannah again, but without a bum leg!!!
STAY CONNECTED and let us know how Mogul is doing or if you have any questions. We are now family and we are cheering for you and Mogul❤
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!
Hello and welcome.
I hope Mogul's recovery is continuing to be uneventful!
Let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Thank you so much for everyone's responses & support! I went through the whole book while sitting on the floor right next to him. Loved it! One of my friend's 4 legged Lilly died last month and because of this book, this site and Mogul, while she was here getting her dog fix/ visiting, I encouraged her to adopt a tripod if she happened to come across one. I am ALREADY a tripawd fan for life.....
Mogul's TPLO leg is diagonal from apu.
He does very well during the day, then all through the past 4 nights sits up on his chest in bed awake and panting even after a pee break and some tramadol. Getting to the end of the gabapentin. I am waiting for a response from vets office but any similar experiences?
Thanks.
Brook and Mogul
Glad you jave a .call into the Vet Sounds like tweaking the pain meds may be in order.
Just doing potty break and then back for rest, rigjt? Try lots of gentle massage up and down the spine, shoulders and neck area. Muscles are really right when first adjusting to three.
How long after his Gaba and Tram does he show pain signs...or, ro say it another way, how long before the next dose.
Also, give the Gaba and Tram an hour or two apart and see if that makes a difference...only with Vet approval of course..
BTW My adopted tripawd Frankie has had cruciate repair one one remaining back lelg and then a year later, TPLO on the other...all while he is a tripawd! Making him not do everything full out, crazy and wild is the ja4d part!
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!
Paw shucks I'm so happy you found the book helpful!
I do agree that you should talk to your vet about additional pain management , or modifying what he is on right now. Panting is a huge pain indicator.
Also consider scheduling a visit with a canine rehabilitation therapist. These experts can often pinpoint pain faster than a general practice vet, and show you ways to treat and avoid it in the future. The best part is the Tripawds Foundation may pay for your first rehab visit !
I hope Mogul starts feeling better. Let us know how things go!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Along with his first chemo tx, I asked about the restlessness at night and was able to try trazadone. That worked better than the tramadol. We also left "GamGam's rehab" (my mom's house with a better recovery set up) and went back home. When we are home, he does not need anything for the night time 🙂
Yesterday was Mogs 1 week bloodwork follow-up after his 1st chemo treatment, all is well and the next 3 chemos are set! We are planning to camp the crap out of this summer, no mountain bike rides....will try to post some camping photos!
I was reading some other questions & comments earlier... I am also a vet tech & paramedic and completely understand some of the questions/ concerns, it is so much harder when it is your own baby!
Mogul & Brook
Sooo glad to hear the Traz worked on him! And thanks for letting us know you are a vet tech and paramedic....a true HERO! 
Where do you guys camp? I'm nosy! That's our favorite thing to do as well.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We go camping anywhere in Colorado. Last year started camping by lakes due to a new blow up paddle board purchase and Mogs was only able to go about 4 miles at most then, Wellington Lake is $$ but fun... Next week trying Pearl Lake/ Steamboat Lake for the first time. Used to go to mt. biking locations... up above Buena Vista, Fruita, etc... Activity changes due to doggo condition...
You have any favorite locations to try out?
Oh that sounds sooo lovely! Colorado is one of our favorite places on earth, anywhere in the state really.
We are actually in Fort Collins until next Friday. Headed to Lake City after that.
Are you nearby? PM me if so, let's meet up!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
It has been a while, but there is a BIG update from Mogul: Tomorrow is 1 YEAR since diagnosis/ x-rays! So thankful for this past EXTRA year!!! Keep cherishing every morning he is still with me and every mile stone! Last month had a painful scare headed out the back door. Then this past Tue. night stopped eating/ drinking/ getting up on his own. About 12-16 hrs later, started eating cookies & treats, drinking water again, back to enjoying the snow! Such a faker scaring his mom like that. I will try to add a tripod photo soon! Yay 1 year!!!
Thank for the great update. What a stinker for scaring you like that!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Congratulations on your one year Mogul! As Sally would say time for cake and ice cream!
What a milestone and wishing you many more😁
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"
WOW!!! ONE YEAR HAPPY AMPUVERSARY MOGUL!!! YAY!! And that def calls for ice cream and cake🍨🍰🎂🎂....and maybe Mogul will let you have some too😉😎
Sorry you had a bit of a scare. On.this journey we go over the edge with so much as bug bite! Jist like hoomans, pips have a day off every now and then. Especially if, in Mogul's case, he tweaked a muscle or somethin
We know Mogul has been living life to fullest and has thoroughly enjoyed all the adventures he's been on and going on! Snow??? Brrrr....no thanks, but I bet Mogul liked it!
Mogul is such an inspiration for all of us, but especially for newbies! Way to Inspire and show everyone how to make ecery moment the best moment ever!!!
Thanks for inviting us to the celebration!!
Extra 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!
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