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 am new here! We will be picking up our new adopted family member this weekend or next. She is a very recent tri-paw (front leg) on 11/1/2016) We are just waiting for the all clear from the Vet in Miami, Florida The Cocker Spaniel Rescue Organisation rescued her from a kill shelter after she had been hit by a car. She will be joining our two other Cockers. I welcome any and all help and advice to help us on her healing journey!
Thank you!
Patty & Clover
(That's her in my aviator! )
Welcome, and best wishes for your pup! What's her name?
For the best tips and lots of helpful links, bookmark Jerry's Required Reading List or consider downloading the Tripawds e-books for fast answers to common concerns. If you're ever feeling overwhelmed, start here or feel free to call the Tripawds Helpline anytime.
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Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yeah! How great of you to rescue her!
You'll want to get a great harness, there are 2 on the home page of Tripawds under gear. We have the ruffwear harness for Murphy, who's also a front leg tripawd. It sometimes slips since there's only 1 leg to hold it in place lol. The other one looks like it might stay in place better.
Rugs or runners are needed if you have hardwood or tile floors.
Being a smaller dog, you probably don't need to worry about the raised bowls.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Her name is Clover and is about 3 years old.
Thank you for the harness info and the reading material. =)
Welcome to our family Clover! Your avatar picture is ADORABLE!!!
And welcome to a wonderful forever home! Pretty sure you just hit the doggy lottery!
You've a@ready gotten great links and info from ojr Admin Guy and Donna. You'll learn so much fro Clover. And you'll learn that it's k impossible NOT to spoil a tripawd! They are so darn cute! And then to be a Cocker Spaniel tripawd on top of that...double the cuteness!
Would love to see pictures of her when she gets settled in. A great Christmas for everyone!
Love to all the pack!
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!
Welcome!
I'm about 2 months in since adopting my second Tripawd Elly. She was also hit by a car and lost her right rear leg, she is now 11 months old.
How big is Clover? Elly is pretty small, about 14 pounds. I'm using the Ruffwear Webmaster with her, I also had one for my first Tripawd Maggie, and my quad-pug Obie also has one which was very useful during his 2 knee surgery rehab periods.
I would also strongly recommend that you look at the fitness links and videos on this site. I didn't worry too much about fitness with my first Tripawd Maggie, her prognosis was 6 to 9 months. I was lucky that she had almost 4 years and never hurt herself. Of course she was a 7.5 year old pug at the time of her surgery and wasn't ridiculously active. Elly on the other hand is a pretty wild puppy. I spend time everyday working on core exercises, mostly as play or games.
Can't wait to see more pictures when you get her home!
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
We get her in the morning! Horray!!! We need to drive about 3 hours each way to south Florida to get her. She is about 21 pounds.
I have read all the suggested material and watched all the videos. I ordered the Ruff harness as suggested as well. I also purchased her an orthopedic bed .
Thank you the suggestion about the core exercises. I did watch a few videos about that as well. She has a follow up Vet appointment with my vet in 2 weeks. She also has a large surgical site on her opposite rib cage for her accident.
How do I post pictures?
thanks!
Patty
Yay!
I was lucky that Elly was pretty much healed up from her accident when I got her. However she had cherry eye surgery 4 days before she came to me so we had a cone for a few nights.
Here is how you add photos to forum topics.
The photos have to be hosted online somewhere, I use my Tripawds blog.
Safe travels tomorrow!
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Awww she is so sweet! What a lucky girl to find her way into your pack, she has a great life ahead of her! I love how you are conscientious about keeping her strong and injury-free, 3-paws up to you!
Thanks for joining, we can't wait to follow along with your adventures.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh my gosh! Sweet Clover, you are precious! I have a special fondness for golden cocker spaniels although I've never had one.
I wish you a successful recovery so you are ready for lots of playtime and life's adventures with your forever loving family.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
She is here all safe and sound! We are happy.....she is working on it! She is a little grumpy from the trip I think and getting sniffed 4 million times!
I have a question. How soon are dogs usually pain med free after surgery? She had her initial surgery done 11/2/15 and then another done 10 days later to remove infection. Her foster Mom said she was on no meds. She had completed her antibiotics and that she was not sent home with any other meds. She has a bad limp and at times is very grouchy when approached which I am thinking maybe pain related. Please help!
Thank you!!
Oh that's awesome she's home with you!
Pain meds generally about 10 days but remember all dogs are different, some need more some less time.
Check out this post about managing pain signals
& symptoms:
http://tripawds.....utee-pain/
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you for that info. I think I am a worry wart! I am going to bring her to my vet just in case better safe than sorry is my motto with animals and my human kids when they were little (they are 18 and 21 now) 
Other than that she is working on warming up to everyone and making herself at home. She seems very fearful. Of course being a rescue I don't know her background but we are taking it at her pace and letting her come to us. I think she still has some healing to do. What is the average full recovery time?
I am not sure what I would do if I didnt find you'all!! thanks for being so patient with me. I want to do right by her and having knowledge is the best way I know to do that.
Patty
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