TRIPAWDS: Home to 22974 Members and 2152 Blogs.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG

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.

JUMP TO FORUMS

Join The Tripawds Community

Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:

Instant post approval.

Private messages to members.

Subscribe to favorite topics.

Live Chat and much more!

Please consider registering
Guest
Search
Forum Scope


Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Register Lost password?
sp_Feed sp_PrintTopic sp_TopicIcon-c
And so it begins
sp_NewTopic Add Topic
Member Since:
6 May 2020
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
16
6 May 2020 - 6:39 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I am so glad that the next birthday was so much happier for you! That is wonderful 🙂 That inspires me to celebrate Dexter's year anniversary diagnosis day, provided I'm lucky enough to still have him around (gut feeling says he'll be here). 

Yes, he'll be ten in about a month. Being a rescue I don't know his exact Bday.

And yes, t-shirts and towels are both great ideas and we'll use them to help out. Thank you for the suggestions!

And OMG yes, he's got pain meds. He seems pretty content (surprisingly enough). And reasonably alert. And very interested in food, treats, and chicken broth. I've been cuddling and massaging him as well, which he very much enjoys. He's currently on a mattress, on the floor, covered in blankies, with his sister Bella alongside. Cozy. Hate to bother him with the need to go and "have the evening pee". Gosh. What was so easy, so routine, is now such a THING. 🙁 Our new reality - but he'll be more mobile soon I hope - it'll be less of a thing in the future I suspect.

Member Since:
4 April 2019
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
17
6 May 2020 - 7:49 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

 it will get better. Brownie even started using the doggie door with shocked me. All dogs are different. Some move around right away, some take a little bit. Brownie stayed and the vet for 2 days because the anathesia made him so loopy.  He was a big boy, but such a light  weight. Brownie had no complications during recovery,  but it took about three weeks for him to get his sparkle back. I had thought for sure I made a mistake. The best advise from here that I received was to be patient.

Dexter will get there.. I am sure right now he is on cloud 9.

Nancy and Angel Brownie

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!

Brownie Bubba Bell

04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020

"March Saint"

Member Since:
4 April 2019
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
18
6 May 2020 - 7:53 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Oh I just saw what you wrote about your neighbors. That is Awesome! Dexter is one special boy!  Cute too!

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!

Brownie Bubba Bell

04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020

"March Saint"

Member Since:
6 May 2020
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
19
8 May 2020 - 6:44 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Hahahah, OMG Sally, you were so right, as you'll have seen in the other reply I posted this morning in the other forum (hopping around). The big D made the biggest poo of his life yesterday - and did so totally on his own (no harness). I think he actually didn't want to poop with me holding on to him, and first opportunity he got for some "privacy", he hopped into he side garden and let loose. Yes, many people wouldn't get it but indeed, in times like these, you definitely have to celebrate poopicon!

Thanks for the help and encouragement. I am sure more questions will arise as time passes and it is so wonderful to know i can come here and get the help we need. Have a great weekend!

Member Since:
6 May 2020
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
20
8 May 2020 - 6:54 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Hi Nancy, yes, D is a big boy too and also is such a lightweight re: anesthesia and drugs. I got him just 24 hours post op. In hindsight maybe that was a mistake? The vet did say he would only release him if I had another human to help me haul him around so maybe staying in another night would have been better? Dunno. I guess no point second guessing - it's all water under the bridge now and he's doing great. 

And yes, my neighbor is beyond amazing. She just brought me a latte, sprinkled with cocoa, as I lay here on a mattress on the floor with Dexter, me typing away, him snoozing, and feeling so grateful for all the support, both from you guys on line and all my friends. I could not have done this without all the help. For the first time in weeks I woke up this morning with a feeling of hope, not dread, for what the day would bring. Thanks for helping me get that feeling back!! 🙂

Member Since:
4 April 2019
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
21
8 May 2020 - 9:57 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Oh how I wish I could think like you! It is so awesome that you are not second guessing yourself, and saying it's water under the bridge! I think a lot of us including me just learned something!

The first two weeks Brownie slept most of the time. I do believe some of it was because of the meds. So I'm thinking if Drexter is a light weight as well he may be the same way. And that is fine. Remember, they have a lot of healing to do on the inside as well.

I like you, sat on the floor with Brownie a lot. I would read with him, and when he felt like it he would do his puzzle.

The first two weeks is different for every dog, but it seems Drexter is a lot like Brownie.

Curious, is he stubbrand?

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!

Brownie Bubba Bell

04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020

"March Saint"

Member Since:
6 May 2020
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
22
8 May 2020 - 4:39 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

As you know, the first two weeks are such a journey. The first few days are so difficult. We watch and worry and second guess. Every sigh, every shift, is considered, weighed, worried about, and evaluated. How is he? Am I doing everything I can? Is there something else I should be doing? etc. etc. With so much "down time" - sitting beside and watching a convalescing dog - it's easy for one's mind to wander and perseverate on all the things that could/might happen and if we did the right thing or not. All I know is that he seems to be calm, doing well, maybe even content. Every tail wag, every kiss on the head, every small victory is precious. I had originally slated his euthanasia for this past Tuesday. It's Friday and here he is, with us and seemingly happy. I certainly won't take any time with him for granted, for as long as I have him.

Dexter is a rescue mutt. The shelter told me he was a "lab cross". Heaven only knows what the cross is. Mastiff? Bloodhound? No idea. He's always been an "old soul" and never has been naughty. The sweetest dog one could ever hope for. So glad there's some extra time. 

Liverpool, UK
Member Since:
2 May 2020
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
23
8 May 2020 - 4:41 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I love the pawsitivity over rescues in this thread! sp_hearticon2

Dexter is doing so well! It's lovely to hear they have their appetite back so quickly. My tripawd Hazel had her surgery on Tuesday and has been home for just over a day and she's still yet to show much interest so you're doing everything right so far!

Keep posting, stay connected and ask any questions you may need, everyone here is so helpful 

love to you and Dexter from nyoom and Hazel sp_hearticon2

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
24
8 May 2020 - 4:42 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Wowwwww, what a story. I am so glad he is with you now. You listened to your heart, and your bond will grow even stronger. Give that sweet mutt a smooch from us. 

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
4 April 2019
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
25
8 May 2020 - 5:27 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

You are doing everything you can for him out of love! The reason you are second guessing yourself is because you want the best for him!

You are doing great. Each day will get better and the victories will come. You will see how much he is going to inspire you everyday!

And remember you took away his pain, cancer took his leg.

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!

Brownie Bubba Bell

04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020

"March Saint"

Member Since:
4 April 2019
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
26
8 May 2020 - 5:28 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Cancer never wins, because cancer can not take away their spirit.

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!

Brownie Bubba Bell

04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020

"March Saint"

Member Since:
6 May 2020
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
27
9 May 2020 - 8:17 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Hi Nyoom and thank you for the kind words and sending love right back to you and Hazel 🙂 Just remember, each day will be better than the one before. You both are doing the hardest part now. One trick you might try to entice Hazel to eat more is to make some really rich chicken stock - by rich I mean boiled down till it goes gelatinous when cold (I don't mean rich as in fatty). My friend Faith (where we are still staying) had some really good chicken stock in her freezer and when I returned from the hospital with Dexter, post surgery, she had it waiting for him. I've never seen him consume something with so much relish. The next day, another friend dropped off 20 chicken drumsticks, which I boiled down slowly, for hours and hours, to create more broth. At meal time, I mix some of the cooked chicken and the broth in with the dog food and he LOVES it. I sometimes offer him bowls of broth which he also laps down happily. The broth both keeps hims hydrated as also has protein, which is super easy to digest/absorb form. It also makes me feel good to be able to actually DO something that he enjoys and also helps him. So much of my time is spent sort of watching him and being by him - it's easy to feel helpless when our best friend is going through this and there isn't a lot we can do. 

Please let me know if you tried the broth thing and if it worked. I send sincerest wishes for a strong recovery for Hazel!!sp_hearticon2

Laura and Dexter (and Bella too - who even though she's not sick, gets broth and chicken too)sp_hearticon2

Member Since:
6 May 2020
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
28
9 May 2020 - 8:28 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Oh Nancy and Jerry! You guys are just awesome! Thanks for all your kindness and words of inspiration. You are right! I didn't take his leg - cancer did! And cancer also isn't taking his spirit. I will keep these thoughts in my heart as we move through the next few days. Jerry, just so you know, I just gave Dexter a big kiss on his sleeping head for you 🙂

New York, NY
Member Since:
24 March 2020
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
29
9 May 2020 - 9:31 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Hi Laura!  Thanks for the really clear directions about the chicken stock.  Griffin is back to normal with eating and even though he did not seem to suffer side effects from the first round of chemo, I know that might change with future rounds, so I'll be sure to give this a try.  I'm glad that Dexter continues to do well, which I'm sure is connected with the super positive attitude that you have maintained! ~ Stacy

Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com

Member Since:
4 April 2019
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
30
9 May 2020 - 10:02 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

That is good to hear Laura! The book "Be More Dog " teaches us to live in the moment, and not to count days o. a calendar. It is also th e amazing story on how this community was born. If you get time, I know your hands are full, I would definitely read it.

Hope each day keeps getting better! By the way, How is Bella handling all of this?

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!

Brownie Bubba Bell

04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020

"March Saint"

Forum Timezone: America/Denver
Most Users Ever Online: 946
Currently Online:
Guest(s) 242
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 1268
Members: 17735
Moderators: 6
Admins: 3
Forum Stats:
Groups: 4
Forums: 24
Topics: 18610
Posts: 256809
Administrators: admin, jerry, Tripawds
Tripawds is brought to you by Tripawds.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG