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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That last post was like a flashback for me. It was SO much like our experience with Trouble. She, too, had an awesome tech that fell in love with her and faitfully called me with updates. The morning we brought her home, Angela almost missed Trouble's departure. We were almost to the car when Angela ran out the door, ran past me asking is we were taking her home and jumped into the back of our Tuscon to love on her and tell her goodbye. From that day on, she called Trouble 'my love'. She doesn't work there anymore, but still sends me e-mail checking on Troubs. We miss her a lot, when she was there I always knew Trouble would get special treatment.
I hope Lincoln's early diagnosis and chemo will give you the quality time we've been blessed with. I love that this is the 'summer of Lincoln'. That is just too cool.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Holly is a right rear leg amputee. She's much smaller than Lincoln (about 30 pounds)... but she's done amazingly well since her surgery 2+ months ago. Her vet told us that rear amps usually have it a little easier than front amps since more weight is carried by the front legs. I had no idea how she would go to the bathroom... that's the thought that really undid me while she was undergoing surgery. But she figured it all out on her own, much to my amazement. Amazing is truly the word that comes to mind as I look back on her progress. And I hope that is what you'll find with Lincoln - that he will amaze you with what he can still do once he recovers! 🙂
Some very helpful hints that the wonderful people here gave us when Holly came home included raising her food and water bowls and using runners on hardwood floors so she wouldn't slip and fall. Raising the bowls made a big difference for Holly - she didn't have to work so hard balancing to eat. And the runners helped her to get around more easily to all of her favorite spots.
I rented a bunch of movies for the first few days she was home, and we basically just sat together and she slept while I watched them. I think it helped her to have me right there in the beginning, without too many distractions. After about the second day she didn't seem to need the constant companionship as much - she was happy to be on her various beds around the house resting. But all dogs are different, and you'll know best what Lincoln needs or doesn't need from you.
We'll keep Lincoln in our hearts and prayers these next few weeks as he recovers from surgery. And we'll keep fingers and paws crossed that all goes well, and that this summer is an awesome Summer of Lincoln!
Hugs,
Holly and Holly's mom
Holly joined the world of tripawds on 12/29/2009. She has a big little sister, Zuzu, who idolizes Holly and tries to make all of her toys into tripawds in Holly's honor. And she's enjoying life one hop at a time!
http://anyemery.....ipawds.com
Hello Everyone -
Lincoln is home and doing quite well. He absolutely continues to amaze me. He even tried to run this afternoon! Thank goodness he was leashed. He really tries to hustle, it's crazy. My only concern is no urination. He pooped, but so far hasn't mastered going number 1 yet.
He is chilling on his big bed, and seems pretty comfortable, but I really need to get him outside. He hasn't peed since early this morning.
I have to keep this short, because I had my own incident with an immersion blender and have nine stitches of my own. Typing is difficult. The blender won, by the way.
Thank you again.
Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall – Confucius
http://credocan.....pawds.com/
He hasn't peed since early this morning.
I believe that is normal. I can't find the topic because the site is rather slow right now. But I have read many times others worried about that. and it comes.
YIKES! Sorry for your own hand injury. Does Lincoln know about it? Hopefully he won't get the wrong idea.
Hang in there mom, it's going to get better. And you are doing great! You just had a bad injury, too and your emotions are probably a little out of balance. It's going to take some time, as you well know from all the other surgeries. I'm know this is so hard. We all know it.
But it sounds like he's dong great!
Warmest wishes on his speedy recovery! Keep us posted!
P.S. We have all wanted to hit the booze! 
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Way to go Lincoln!
Sorry to hear about your hand injury, that's the last thing you needed - but glad to hear your big boy is bouncing back, he really is a trooper!
Welcome home, Lincoln! We're so glad to hear you're already up and about so well! Remember to take it easy these first few days to help build your strength. And great job on amazing your mom! Best wishes for a great recovery...
Hugs,
Holly and Holly's mom
Holly joined the world of tripawds on 12/29/2009. She has a big little sister, Zuzu, who idolizes Holly and tries to make all of her toys into tripawds in Holly's honor. And she's enjoying life one hop at a time!
http://anyemery.....ipawds.com
Ouch! The things we will do for a Daquiri. 😉
As far as the pee thing goes ... perfectly normal. As Jerry's vet told us, "When they need to go, they'll go!"
Thanks for the update. Keep up the good work there Lincoln!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome home Lincoln!!
Hope that tail gets up to speed really fast.
Mary and Cemil
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
Hey Lincoln. Glad to hear your home. I hope you continue to get better every day. Don't forget to get your rest! And Mom, I don't want to be a kill-joy but don't forget, the first 2 weeks are filled with 2 steps forward and 1 step back. Keep the faith and remember 2 steps forward and 1 back is still forward movement. 🙂
Good luck and keep us informed how Lincoln is doing! And good luck to you too with your stitches!
Randy, Sharon and Ginger
Hi Everyone - Wow...bad week for me, great week for Lincoln. I am on the east coast for business. Lincoln is home with Dad, and evidently doing FANTASTIC. He seems to have no concerns that he is minus one. The hubs says that he is already using his head to counter-balance when he goes potty. He wants to run, but isn't allowed to, obviously. I will be home tomorrow and really can't wait to see him.
My side note is only that my stupid finger got infected so I had to go back to the ER here in Virginia and have been unwilling to try to type as my finger has been ON FIRE. I can only imagine what Lincoln feels like. Antibiotics have helped, and I can now type with minor pain.
I will update when I get home and have a better sense of our status.
When should chemo start?
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!
Lincoln and his Mom
Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall – Confucius
http://credocan.....pawds.com/
It really sounds like we should be more worried about YOU than Lincoln! Digit injuries are NO JOKE as you found out!
I didn't realize it until (years ago) I was at the vet's to get one of my dog's stitched up from a dog fight and I took a dog tooth cut across my thumb breaking up the fight. I didn't think it any big deal but the vet told me to get to the ER that night because it wasn't something to take lightly. (I guess the blood supply thingy to digits)
Hoping it keeps going well for Lincoln and hoping your infection heals!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Lincoln and Mom, glad to hear things are sort of going well! Sorry about your finger...ouch!
As for when chemo should start....that's one of those "it depends" questions. Do you have an oncologist yet? Have you consulted with your vet?
Some people will start chemo right away, others will wait a bit until they feel their dog is strong enough (and they are mentally prepared). I wish I had an answer for that question but all I can say is it depends on how Lincoln's doing. Obviously sounds like pretty darn great, which is wonderful!
Safe travels! Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I am home and was greeted at my car by a very happy boy. He is AMAZING. He is wagging his tail. Trotting around, totally comfortable. He still has some fluid, but we are keeping hot packs on them (we being my husband for the past four days). No drain tube, which I am selfishly glad about.
His surgeon is also an oncologist, so that sure makes it easy, but we didn't really talk about the specifics prior to the surgery. We still don't have lab results, so maybe that will play a part.
Now that I'm back I can get some answers, I suppose.
One week today. I'm so proud of him. He is just such a trooper and embodies everything I could ever want. He is smiling and happy surgery after surgery, never letting it change his constant and beautiful demeanor. I can't help but realize that despite the fact that I could have paid off my student loans with all the money we've spent on him, I have learned more from him than I ever did in law school.
A bargain at twice the price.
I'll keep everyone posted when I find out about chemo.
🙂
Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall – Confucius
http://credocan.....pawds.com/
credocanis wrote
I can't help but realize that despite the fact that I could have paid off my student loans with all the money we've spent on him, I have learned more from him than I ever did in law school.
Awwwwwww, that's so sweet!
I guess we can't tell any lawyer jokes now! hee-haw hee-haw 
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
It's okay, you can still make lawyer jokes. Just no blonde jokes...Lincoln and I take that very personally!!
Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall – Confucius
http://credocan.....pawds.com/
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