Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi. My name's Mandy & I just took my dog Bailey to the vet & found out he'll be losing his right back leg. They gave us the option of amputation or euthanization (if we didn't want to spend the money for the surgery), which, for me, was no choice at all. I'd rather keep Bailey with us as long as that's the best decision for him. He's a 4lb toy poodle who thinks he's a great dane. He's got more spirit & determination than any dog I've ever had, so I don't think he'll have any problem bouncing back from this. I just hope that I can adjust as well as I'm sure he will. Right now I feel helpless & depressed & can't seem to stop crying. Reading through this website has already given me so much encouragement, though.
Anyway, I just needed somewhere to talk about this while I'm waiting on word about his surgery, so thank you for giving me that opportunity.
~Mandy
Welcome! We're sorry to hear bout Bailey, but glad you found us. Why the amputation?
As a small dog, Bailey should do recover quickly and adapt well to life on three legs. It's true, most dogs manage better than we people do. It's OK to cry, just never in front of Bailey, what he needs most right now is a strong balanced pack leader to se the example that life will be just fine...
Our best advice is to Be More Dog. Many members have also found the book Without Regret helpful in coping with what you are feeling. And you will find the best recovery and care tips with fast answers to the most common concerns in the Tripawds e-books .
Please keep us posted, your future forum posts will not require moderation.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome Mandy and Bailey,
This is a really great site for advice and comfort. More will chime in and help you with this journey. How old is Bailey? Being 4 lbs will be a real advantage for you and him. Good luck and keep us posted.
Penny, Blink and Spirit Maggie
Thanks so much for the warm welcome & the advice. We're still waiting on word about our boy. I'm a nervous wreck & don't have any fingernails left, but I'm feeling much better the more I read the site and know I made the right decision.
About 6 months ago, one of my home health providers left our front door open & Bailey got out. I had my uncles search everywhere for him (we live in a small neighborhood quite a ways out of town), but he never showed up. I'd almost resigned myself to the idea that he was truly gone (although I hoped he'd been picked up and was living a happy life with a new family), when this past weekend he showed up on our doorstep. He was in pretty bad shape -- covered in fleas, missing some fur, some teeth and there was a bone protruding from his back right leg. It must have been broken/injured for some time because he was getting around on 3 legs pretty well already and didn't seem to be in any pain. There wasn't a vet open in our town, or trust me I definitely wouldn't have waited until Monday morning to get him some help. He did hide under the bed a lot this weekend, but he ate well & drank well, and even managed to go to the potty several times under there (he was using one of his front legs to balance himself). Except for the hiding he seemed mostly like his old self. By this morning we were able to coax him out & I actually had to stop him from wanting to use the doggie stairs (he has a sister, Doodle, and he wanted to follow her). He turned 7 while he was missing, but has always had the same energy he had as a puppy & I feel like he's going to be fine. It's just the thought of this happening to my sweet little boy, who I held in my hands (he was SO tiny) from the time he was 10 weeks old.
I'm going to do my best to be strong & will definitely never let him see my reactions. I really can't wait to bring him home, because we've missed him so much!
Thanks again,
Mandy
Mandy,
I'm so glad to hear that you got Bailey back but sorry to hear about his condition. I found out about three weeks ago my 12 year old beagle was diagnosed with a mast cell tumor. Due to the location of it, the only option was amputation. So after many questions, prayer, and much thought I took her in today for the surgery. Believe me, I've cried and questioned my decision but I knew in my heart I was making the right choice. If I can buy her some time and keep her here with me and hopefully be rid of the cancer then so be it. Last night and this morning were hard but when I got the call that surgery went well I felt better. I know tomorrow will be hard but I'm ready to see her. I believe your little one will adjust fine to the amputation. Pulse he has a very loving and caring family to care for him.
Danell
Mandy, welcome! Hang in there, things DO get better. When you said that Bailey is a toy poodle it reminded me of an amazing member we had here a few years ago, James the Poodle. Not only did he lose his leg but he was also blind! He passed away because of cancer but I hope the legacy of his life gives you more hope!
James did agility too!
Keep us posted OK? We know exactly how you feel.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We heard back from the vet this afternoon. Bailey came through the surgery fine & was already sitting up & looking around at everything. He'll be coming home Wednesday or Thursday, which is wonderful news for us. We'll have our Bailey boy back and he'll be even more special now than he was to begin with.
Thank you all for holding my hand (virtually). It really helped me so much just to have somewhere to talk about it with people who understand exactly what it feels like. I'm sure after he comes home I'll be hanging around a bit more, since I'm one of those paranoid pawrents who tend to freak out over every little thing. Everyone laughs because when Bailey was a baby I had him in the vet weekly, pretty much any time he sneezed. He was my first pet ever & it was hard to figure out that not everything was serious. So, I anticipate needing a bit more hand-holding in the days to come.
Danell, I hope things go well for your Beagle. Bailey, Doodle & I will be sending good vibes your way.
And, thanks, Jerry, for telling me about James. Bailey's always loved to hurdle over just about anything even remotely stick-like, so it's so encouraging to know that he might still be able to do that.
Really, just thanks everyone. This is the first time I've been able to smile.
~Mandy 
Awww Mandy you are so welcome, that's why we're here. Post and stop by the chat room whenever you want, we'll do our best to help keep you from worrying.
Yay for Bailey! Glad that the surgery went well!
Breathe, stay strong, you can do it!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Talked to the vet this morning. Bailey's been up, he's eating, and he'll be ready to come home tomorrow!
Great news!!!! That's wonderful! Breathe and remember that things will be fine 
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
WHOA! What? Gone SIX MONTHS and found his way home?? And in that cndition?? OMD! Talk about a miracle!! Talk about an unbreakable bond!
I'm actually glad (froma dog's perspective) that you weren't able to take him to the vet right away and he got to spend the week-end home. Can you even befin to imagine the struggles he has been through? And with his sheer will and determination he found his way back to his lovng home.....only to be put in the car right away and dropped off at the vet's flr major sjrgery? I think that would have almost broken his spirit! Yeah, I'm glad he got to be ho e for a day or so first!
You ought to get this story on the local news and see if anyone pops up who might have seen him or cared forhim during the amount of time he was gone. Unbelievable miracle!
Now, when you go to pick Bailey up, just look right i to his eyes and kiss and hug him and tell him what a good boy he is! Don't even look at his incision site. He will just be so haph to see you!
Recovery is no picnic, that's for sure. But smaller dogs do tend to recover a little quicker...sometimes! You will be amazed at how well he does once recovery takes place! Cannot wait to hear more about this incredible dog!
If you have hardwood floors, make sure you have scatter rugs (non-slip backing) so he'll have better traction . No stair climbing or jumping on beds for awhile. But lots of hugs and belly rubs and treats!
We MUST see pictures of this little miracle dog! There are links on nere to show you how to do it. You'll be taking pictures of him jumping over sticks in no time!
This is such a heartwarming story! And the love only gets deeper when you have a tripawd.
How did Doodle react when he came home? Would love to hear all avout the reunion!
You are not alo e! We are all here for you, okay?
Se ding you lots of hugs! And hugs to Doodle too! And Bailey tmlrrlw!
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!
I'll reply longer later, but just wanted to say that Bailey's home & he's doing great! Couldn't hardly get him to slow down enough to get on his bed and rest. But he is all settled now, resting comfortably with his toys. The vet said that B took it much better than the majority of dogs they've seen. I haven't cried once since he's been home, just laughed because he's just Bailey. He doesn't even act like the leg is gone! He's just amazing.
The vet only sent pain meds as 1/4 tablet daily & no cone or bandages or anything. I'm so paranoid that I won't do something right or he'll need something they didn't give him. I am going to get a cone today, though, I think, because he's licking it and I know we shouldn't let him do that.
Right now I simultaneously want to run 'round screaming & laugh & cry.
But, yes, longer reply later (Hi Sally & Hannah!).
~Mandy
Thanks for the great update! Please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
GREAT! JUST GREAT!!!
SO HAPPY FOR YOU!
Yeah, stay connected to us and kind of take Bailey's lead . Of course, right now he's still high on hospital drugs and thinking he's feeling better than he is!
Yeah, o e of those soft pillow cones may be a good idea. The vet may, or may not, adjust the pain meds later f he seems to be experiencing some pain after the meds wear off. YOU can do nothing wrong, okay!! You just contiinue to enjoy havng Bailey home and spoiling the heck out of him!!
Look forward to your next update! Give him chicken and you get chocolate!!
HUGE HUGS TO ALL! Love and hugs!
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!
Only sitting down long enough to say Bailey's doing great! He ate his first meal at home @ 8PM (only fed him about 1/4 of his usual portion, even though he probably could have eaten 3 or 4 times that -- he's ravenous!) & he also went potty (both ways!) an hour later. He's been drinking water all day & hasn't needed any pain meds. He's in a collar (which he hates) because he wants to lick it so much and he lays down and/or sleeps for a bit after any sort of exertion, but other than that everything's going fabulous! Of course I'm exhausted because I'm up and down any time he makes the tiniest peep. 
By the time we get his stitches out on the 14th, I'm thinking it'll be like it never even happened!
More tomorrow, when I'm not so pooped & can actually be coherent!
~Mandy
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