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 everyone, I dont know if I am doing this right or not but here goes. Cooper became a tripawd on Tuesday October 26th, 2010.He was diagnosed with bone cancer in his left front leg 3 weeks ago, I took him for a second opinion as the first vet didnt do any xrays, and also more or less stated that Cooper was better off left for dead than to try anything. The second opinion did confirm bone cancer, but the vet offered us some treatment options. Coopers chest xrays came back perfectly clear just before his surgery, and the vet said his bloodwork could not have been more perfect. Coop came through the surgery just fine, but was VERY slow in recovery. He came home Wednesday afternnon, but could not get up at all on his own ( background info - sorry ) Cooper is part lab part newfy so he is pretty good size, he was 119 pounds on the day of surgery. Cooper is also not a ball of fire he is very laid back, never been much of a runner. On the first morning I was able to get Cooper outside with the sling the vet fashioned , but then Cooper laid down and showed no interest in getting backup, I had to call my wife home from work to help me carry him in. I searched and found a 24/7 mergency pet center with rehab for post op dogs about 50 miles from here, I was able to drive there and pick up a rear suuport sling which after getting that home I was able to get Coop in and out about 5 times through the day. Cooper hasnt pottied yet, my vet says he is super concerned yet, that when Coop really has to go he will, but that is my major concern right now, as of this morning Cooper was able to get up on all 3 just by me giving a tug on his collar and he walked outside without me supporting his rear at all, just light support on his collar. His new Ruffwear Harness will be here today too , so hopefully that will be an aid. But have any of you veterans had situations where the pup just would go potty? any tips or ideas? I have been scouring this website since I found it and it is a wealth of info! there are so many carry pet owners here! Thanks for any advice in advance!
Coopsdad
Coopsdad/ Kenneth Blackburn
http://cooper.t.....ipawds.com
the monkeydogs only THINK they have invaded the tripawd state
Perfect, thanks for joining!
The whole potty issue is a common topic of discussion around here. Some dogs take days to go. Pain meds can cause constipation, and many dogs just take more time getting comfortable on three legs. But like Jerry's vet told us ... when they need to go, they'll go. If Coop shows any signs of abdominal discomfort, please do consult with your vet. Otherwise wait and join the many members here who hoot and holler when their pup finally does his doody.
Here are a just a couple tips and links from Chapter 7 of the new Tripawds e-book you may find helpful...
You can often expedite things by adding small amounts of any of the following to his food:
- Bran flakes
- Metamucil
- Canned (not spiced) pumpkin
- Warm milk
- Olive oil
- Steamed sweet potato
- Fish oils (sardines, mackerel, canned salmon or just a liquid supplement)
- Mineral oil (a miniscule amount works quickly)
Ahh the indignity of it
Tripawds Members Discuss Elimination on Three Legs
Constipation and intermittent pain?
Tripawds Treatment and Recovery Discussion Forum Topic
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome Cooper and Coopsdad,
My suggestion would be get the wine out and get ready to celebrate. That's what we did the first time Fortis had a movement!!! Just like the admin said we hooted and hollered. I can only imagine what the neighbors must have thought. Seriously, do keep an eye our for any abdominal discomfort and call your vet if you have concerns. Keep us updated. we are sending lots of positive thoughts your way.
Fortis'Dad
I agree with the with Fortis and Admin on this. Of course Chuy wasn't with us after his amputation, but it took him 5 days to poop after his FHO surgery. Boy did we party after that one! So get the wine, the glasses and maybe a biscuit or two for Cooper to celebrate with, when the moment arrives. 
chuy's mom
Chuy, showing everyone that Tripawds do everything 3 times better than regular dogs!
Thanks for the welcome and the advice. Coopers doctor said the same thing, that when he has to go he will go,but I still worry. He urinated at the hospital but hasnt even done that since he came home, he doesnt stand up long enough to do either - can they go laying down? I will surely celebrate when he finally goes! Also waiting for him to learn to center the remaining front leg in the center when he steps, he cant seem to get the hang of that! I know its only been days , but it feels like months! The level of love and care I see on this forum is amazing! Thanks everyone, I would be in an institution by now I think if I had not found tripawds!!
Coopsdad/ Kenneth Blackburn
http://cooper.t.....ipawds.com
the monkeydogs only THINK they have invaded the tripawd state
Welcome to Tripawds! Hopefully you'll be doing the poop dance before too long. Get plenty of rest and read, read, read all that you can from this site. We are all here to help in any way...sneding lots of pawsitive thoughts your way!
cooper, welcome! gayle is a right front amputee, and she took a couple of days to get the rear processes going..as i remember, (like fortis' dad) we were celebrating with adult beverages at the first poop and pee. it will take a little while, but the remaining front leg does find 'center' to create a perfect triangle. with this 'twist' to the spine, we've found an acupuncturist locally to make sure gayle get's relief from that added tension. massage is also good, there are many good books on the tripawds amazon forum. and good going with the ruff wear harness , we find it very handy with steps, vehicles, etc.
gayle is very prone to 'napping' and doesn't have the need to be spunky like many of our other members. i think she and cooper have alot in common. once the pain meds are out of his system, and he's healed up, he'll be the 'old cooper' only better. trust that he'll find his way...
we need pictures!!
charon & gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
thanks charon and gayle... I did upload coopers picture to my avatar thingy there, not sure how to add more. I will see if I can figur eit out and get a few in here, also started a blog I guess, not sure about all this.
Coopsdad/ Kenneth Blackburn
http://cooper.t.....ipawds.com
the monkeydogs only THINK they have invaded the tripawd state
Your way ahead of me. It took me 6 months to start a blog!
For posting pictures here on the forum follow this tutorial posted by the famous CometDog.
here's a little tutorial since you probably have a Facebook account.
http://tripawds.....38;ret=all
Fortis'Dad
If you already have a blog set up you can upload pictures directly from your computer to it. This makes posting pictures on the forum much easier because your blog acts as the hosting site rather than facebook and the like.
here is Cooper before his surgery.
Coopsdad/ Kenneth Blackburn
http://cooper.t.....ipawds.com
the monkeydogs only THINK they have invaded the tripawd state
Welcome to the family. I can't give you advice about " the movement", Gus stayed pretty normal that way, he did have to learn a new stance for wizzing though. We can all relate to the apprehension after surgery, and you will find Cooper will heal and adjust in his own way, but the advice everyone gives is a great barometer to go by. Those first to weeks will probably be your toughest, hopefully he doesn't get phantom pain . Gabapentin is a good med for that. If he all of a sudden starts yelping at the top of his lungs, then he is probably experiencing that. Gus had it for about 4 weeks, but it got milder as time went on, he had it probably a couple times a day. Don't be afraid to ask anything, experience gives the best answers. It's a journey that sucks but we've all been there and this is the best place to be while on it. Paws up, Spirit Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
Coopsdad/ Kenneth Blackburn
http://cooper.t.....ipawds.com
the monkeydogs only THINK they have invaded the tripawd state
Cooper is a beautiful boy!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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