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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My beautiful girl Blaze had an unfortunate accident last Saturday with the mower. Our vet recommended amputation of her left front leg. Surgery on Monday, came home today. She was ready to get home too! It broke my heart to see her in pain, but after seeing her raring' to go, my sorrow started to ease off. I just hope I can still give her the best life she deserves! It's hard seeing her like this, but I could not bring myself to put her down. She is such a sweetheart! She is laying in the bed beside me right now, (my wife is so understanding). I just can't get that sIckening feeling from the day it happened out of my head! Anyone have any suggestions on post operative care such as supplements, diet, exercise, what to expect in the days to come? My vet is great and gave several suggestions, but I am open to any advice. Thanks for the time.
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The accident sounds awful! I'm sorry you and Blaze had to go through that. What kind of pup is Blaze? How big? How old?
A good place to start here is with Jerry's Required Reading list or with the Three Legs and A Spare ebook. Both are good sources of info from this site on what to expect with amputation and recovery.
Be prepared for a couple of rough weeks. For most of us there were lots of ups and downs after surgery. Depending on how old Blaze is she might bounce right back- the younger pups seem to bounce back faster. Don't get discouraged if Blaze has some down time- she will come around.
There is some great info on Diet and Supplements in the Nutrition Blog. And some good exercise tips and rehab videos to be found in the Gear blog. Also in the gear blog info on harnesses and traction ideas.
Keep us posted on Blaze's recovery.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Oh my goodness, so sorry to hear about Blaze's accident. I wondered the same as Karen - how old and how big, as that might have some affect on her recovery and mobility going forward. Younger pups obviously tend to bounce back quicker.
The first 2 weeks post-op can be rough. You might get sleep deprived. You might have some regrets about the surgery. Blaze might seem depressed and totally not herself. She might crash a few days after the surgery and seem a little worse than when you first brought her home. That's all normal!
Once you get through the recovery, it'll be ok. Usually by the time they get off the pain meds and get their staples out they are back to their old personalities. Then once she builds her stamina back up, she'll be back to her old self.
She will inspire and amaze you with how she just gets on with the job of being a dog. It's an awesome thing to be a Tripawd pawrent, so put that accident out of your head and just enjoy being impressed by your girl!
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Sending lots of positive thoughts and prayers to Blaze for a super speedy recovery. There is a link in my signature of Charley playing in the snow at 12 weeks post amputation so you can see how quickly our Tripawds recover!
Hugs and chocolate labby kisses,
Ellen & Charley
Charley's Blog: CHOCOLATE KISSES
DOB: 3-29-08, male chocolate lab
Dx: OSA L proximal humerus 10-19-10
Amputation: L front leg & scapula 10-28-10
Chemo: 5 rounds of Carboplatin
Video (12 weeks post amp):Tripaw Charley Playing
♥♥♥ Lots of supplements and love!!! ♥♥♥
Thanks for all the well wishes for Blaze and I. I guess I should have mentioned, Blaze is a 3 year old kind of dark fawn and blonde colored Belgian Malnois with a black muzzle, and a white "Blaze" just off center from her nose to between her ears, with the tip of her tail being white. She is about 60 lbs. She showed a little more emotion with the tail wagging, and greeted me at the door when I came home. She went out to do her business, and moved real good. I guess she had to go pretty bad! Tired her out pretty quick though. Didn't want to eat too much, but when my wife made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, she was pretty attentive! She's not wanting to eat any of her dry food, so I snuck her a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, 2 actually, and she perked up for little while. The pain meds seem to help when she has something to eat, so she got half a turkey sandwich too. (I know, I shouldn't spoil her too much!). We have an appointment tomorrow to remove the bandages and check the incision, staples, stitches. I read the required reading material and found several different options with diet and exercise. Thank you again for the support!
Smann, it's nice to see you here sharing Blaze's story! I apologize for messing up your avatar photo; it was appearing black and when I tried to reset it, I accidentally deleted it. Can you please try to upload it again so everyone can see what a gorgeous girl Blaze is?
I'm glad to hear she's home and with her loving family. I'll tell ya, the best way to forget the horrible accident is to look at Blaze, and notice how she's not dwelling on what happened, or why she is a Tripawd now. All she wants is to get back to loving life and feeling good again. Since dogs don't live in the past, or experience regret or anger, neither should humans. So follow her lead and put that accident behind you. Things will get better, I promise!
Can't wait to see more pics of your girl! Thanks again for chatting with us and sharing here, I'm so glad you did.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Blaze had her checkup yesterday and everything looked good. Doctor said to keep her as inactive as possible so she doesn't pull any staples. That is the problem. She goes outside to do her business, and her sister Prissy wants her to play. She is full of energy, but runs out of steam so fast! She is eating well, and the heavy pain meds are done. She doesn't seem to be having any issues, and has been getting around the house alot better! Her appetite is slowing coming back. I come home from work, and her tail is going 90 miles an hour! She has had alot of visitors, and I think she is becoming a diva with all the attention! Her aunt Michelle just dotes on her when she comes over! I thank everyone of you for the well wishes and the encouragment during Blaze's surgery. She is more than an a pet, she is a member of this family!
Awwwww!!! sounds like she is doing amazingly well. what a great recovery!! Its such a relief when they start getting back to their old selves after something like this. Her stamina will build back up over time but it will take a while. Just make sure she doesn't overdo it and injure something else
And not only is Blaze a member of your family but you are both now a member of the Tripawds family, and what a brilliant family it is.
Sarah and Kayla
Blaze is a diva for sure! Who can resist a gorgeous girl like her? Not us!
I'm so hoppy to hear things are going well. Since we've never had multiple dogs we're not the best folks to give you advice about keeping an amputee patient calm around siblings, but I know other folks here have been there done that and can help with suggestions.
What great news, thanks so much for the update!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sounds like she's doing great. We don't call them Tripawd Warrior Princesses for nothing! Of course she's a diva!
Hope she continues to have an uneventful recovery and that she doesn't overdo it!
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
It's been almost a year since Blaze had her accident! She is a handful still! She sometimes forgets she has one leg missing, and gets off the dog couch with a bump! Still chases the squirrels and the rabbits! She has become more of a homebody since, but get her going, takes a while for her to stop! She will still nip at Prissy's leg playing with her when Prissy is getting attention and not her! They get started and it goes on for a while! She is spoiled rotten, and although I can tell a difference since her accident, she is still full of life and ready to go ride in the truck at a moments notice.
The only setback was she started limping on her hind leg, same side as the amputation. Vet sent us to a ortho specialist, who recommended a TPLO be done. After some serious thinking and a second and third opinion, we decided not to do it. She is no longer limping, and is happy to be somewhat of a lap dog! A rather large lap dog at 60 pounds!
Blaze doesn't like thunderstorms now either. She will attach herself to you when thunderstorms are going on. She will actually lay on me until its over. It's okay until it hits at 3 in the morning, and she jumps on the bed and trys to dig under the blankets!
For those out there just going through something like this, IT GETS BETTER! Trust me on this one! Tripawds, I can't thank you enough for the support!
Just read through Blaze's journey! what a wonderful ongoing success story! And a whole lot of "love story" mixed in!
There's nothing better than spoiling any dog...but spoiling a tripawd..that's the best:-)
Others can chime in o. the TPLO challenge. There seems to be a lot of that round here...as well as various options s for treatment, supplements etc. Having Blaze slow it down a notch is big on the list, but it sounds like that's a full time job!
Dogs and thunder storms! I can just picture Laze using you as her security blanket! "Ain't dog love grand?"
An chance of getting a photo of your beautiful Blaze? And Sweet Prissy too? You know ow we love pictures round here!
Blaze is another example---a shining example---of ow well dogs adjust to three legs! CONGRATULATIONS on a year ampuversary:-)
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!
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