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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Just wanted to drop a few lines and introduce myself and my dog Ellie. I have been on here nearly non stop since she received her cancer diagnosis. Of course my wife and I are both devastated. This site was/is amazing for me to look through and get answers from someone who has had the unfortunate circumstance we are in. She is now in the cone and one week post op. We were left no choice but to amputate. We were told by our original vet after some x-rays that she had developed arthritis, and were prescribed "puppy-profen" but she continued to decline over the next month or 2. Fast forward to December and after a few days of her limping or then not using it, I saw another vet. Were we then sickened to hear that her leg was actually slightly fractured, and then the news it was caused by cancer. She is doing well and has tons of energy and literally cannot wait to get out of "puppy jail". Honestly I think it has been harder on us than her. I just wanted you all to know how much every comment and idea I have read here has given me hope. You folks truly are an inspiration. Tony
Hello and welcome Tony and Ellie, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I'm sorry you are dealing with cancer but it's great to hear how well your Ellie is doing post op.
And now that you have posted you 'owe' us.... that is more info on Ellie and pictures of your cancer warrior!! What kind of pup? How big, how old? Did she lose a front or rear leg?
Honestly I think it has been harder on us than her
That is usually the case- dogs have a knack for just getting on with life, whatever the hurdles while we are left to fret and worry. That's why we talk about Be More Dog here- live in the moment and be grateful for every day.
BTW- my current Tripawd is a little Pug mix named Elly, she lost a rear leg to a car accident.
Let us know if you have any questions- and keep us posted on Ellie's progress.
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
Welcome to the family Ellie and her devoted hoomans!
It's a hard diagnosis to hear from a hooman perspective, but, as you can see Ellie could care less about any ole' "diagnosis schmognosis". She is free of that bum leg snd clearly eager to get past recovery.
And yes, share more about your sweet Ellie and with pictures!!! Stay connected and update when you can. It's still very, very early in recovery and it only gets better!!
Ellie is clearly cery lpved. Thank you for introducing her to us.
Hugs
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!
Hi Ellie, Tony & Ellie's mom its so nice to meet you all. so sorry your dealing with the nasty "C" word but so glad that you found us and we could offer our support.
Ellie sounds like shes a trooper. Dogs truly do so much better with change than us silly humans. 😉 once the cone comes off and shes out of puppy jail it gets a bit easier for us moms and dads.
We would love to hear more about ellie and her progress. Please keep us updated if you get a moment. Give that lovely girl a belly rub for us.
❤ Bev, Moe cat, autumn angel Roane & angel dog Gypsy
Hugs ❤ Bev, nurse Moe cat, Autumn's Angel Roane & Angel dog Gypsy 🐾
My sweet soulmate Roane was diagnosed with osteo in June of 2019. Had a rear leg amp on July 2nd & crossed the rainbow bridge to be with her sister Gypsy on the first day of Autumn Sept 23 2019.
Few answers first... Ellie is an American Bulldog. We have been blessed to have her 10 years. Born on Thanksgiving day in 2009. She shed some weight and is a lean 68 pounds now. It was her left back leg. They took the whole leg, all the way to the hip. Our vet called during surgery to let us know that her bone above the cancer was also in bad shape. I will post pictures (as soon as I figure out how 🙂 ) of her before any of this and now after as soon as I can. Last day of antibiotics (Cefpodoxime) is today. She loves the homemade pumpkin treats my wife makes to help with upset stomach, so to her its a bonus. Also Tramadol, and Carprofen 2 times a day. The tramadol is wearing on her in the way of anxiety and restlessness at first. Then sleepy and anxious. But I knew it would do that. She has had it before. Still on leashed potty breaks and back to jail... I feel terrible for her, she has such an incredible drive. I am hopeful though, as the scans she got before surgery showed no metastization anywhere else. I have a terrible history with cancer in my life, so her diagnosis was even more heartbreaking. But I do see the glow, and it warms my heart to see some of the old traits returning. I will assuredly keep you guys posted. Thank all of you for the kind words and support. You guys are amazing!
First- Here is how to add photos to forum posts. They have to be hosted somewhere on line first. I can't wait to see her! If you can't figure out how to post you can PM (private message, the little envelope icon on the top right of each of your posts) Jerry or Admin for help. You could also send me a PM and I'll give you my email address and I can post pics for you.
I get the Tramadol issues- my first Tri-Pug Maggie flipped out on tram. There has also been a lot of discussion in vet circles about whether or not tramadol works for pain in dogs. If you think Ellie is showing any pain signs talk with your vet about adding or changing her pain meds. Many here are getting gabapentin.
FWIW I have found (in the last year) that Tramadol has worked just fine in two dogs after very invasive dental surgeries.
My Elly also lost her leg up to her hip as it was her femur that was broken.
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
Adorable! 🙂
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Adorable! 🙂
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
CUTENESS ALERT!!! OMD! Sooooo cute-!!
That glow of hers will soon turn into a full blown bright sparkle! I know it's hard to be patient, but this is still soooo early in recovery and her return to her old traits will happen slowly but surely!!
Sorry you've had such bad experiences with this piece of crap disease. The bliss of being dog is Ellie could care less about a diagnosis and medical reports don't mean squat ro her😎
Thanks for that precious photo of this very special dog,.
Hugs
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!
Quick update. Ellie gets her sutures out on the 27th, as well as an additional scan or two. It is the tramadol that is giving her a ton of anxiety. Trembling, whining and pacing the kennel. We had cut down the prescribed amount by half. She doesn't seem to be in terrible pain and I will call my vet to see about alternatives. Gabapentin seems to be the likely alternate. She is also back to drinking whole bowls of water and eating a ton of food. So things are looking up! I do have a question though. What things have others done to build the remaining legs muscle. I worry about her becoming tired to quick to be able to get some exercise and keep weight down. Not so much now but in the coming weeks after she is paroled from puppy jail. Thanks in advance. Bless all of you and all that you folks do here!
Thrilled to hear how well Ellie is doing! A good appetite is always a good sign!
Yeah, talk to your Vet about a change in pain management as needed.
The best way to get Ellie to be a strong and fit Tripawd is through a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Specialist. The best news is the Tripawd Foundation thru rhe Maggie Moo Fund will pay for the first visit!!
It's about building her core muscles as opposed to trying to build "e furnace with long walks. You'll learn ways to promote a healthy, balanced gait. We also have. lots of tips and video available on the site.
Yoi'll ve amazed as she gets through recovery and gets her coordintion worked out. It "generally" takes a good two weeks to recover fro. the surgery itself. and about one month to adjust to the new fait.
Oh, we need another picture to make us smile😊
Hugd
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!
The best option if you are able is to take Ellie to a certified rehab vet to get her going on a rehab and strengthening program. We have a program here that might also pay for your first visit! There are links at the bottom of that post to help search for a qualified practice.
Here is a post on Starter Exercises for Tripawds.
I work with my Elly nearly every day on strength and balance through trick and obedience training, balance exercises, and food puzzles and games. Also working her in deep grass or on hills on our walks helps. I keep it all fun and there tends to be lots of treats involved so you have to account for that in her overall diet.
You are very smart for thinking about her rehab after parole!
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
Another update. And all good news! She is now cone-less, stitch-less, and on parole, and happy as could be. She has even jumped onto the couch and our bed. Of course she did this as we both yelled no, but go her. She really does seem like she could care less. I also stopped all her pain medication. After tapering of course. Even the original carprophen she was on. My vet is speaking with an oncologist for further tests if needed in the coming weeks. We are also looking forward to our vets recommendations on herbal treatments. No sign of anything including arthritis in the other legs.
Side stories. It snowed ten inches here the day before her surgery. I was trying to avoid her sutures from getting wet. So I went out and shoveled a big path around our back yard. In the grass of course. I spotted my elderly neighbor posted in her garage window taking pictures of me shoveling snow, chuckling and what not. And I do admit in hindsight, I am sure it was pretty comical.
A day after her surgery I broke a toe. badly. Normally my wife and I come home at the same time and she can take her out for her walk. Except she had a work event to attend. So I, with broken and swollen foot, took the dog on her walk. Same neighbor from before was outside, as the dog still learning to run again and with a cone on her head, followed by her owner with a broken foot go limping in tandem around the shoveled yard. I heard the neighbor yell, "You two make quite a pair!" as I went by, her laughing, and me hobbling and telling the dog to slow down and hold on. Dog 1, human 0. I still can't put weight on it all the way, and she is running around like she was born this way... Anyways. Ill update with a list of the herbal medications the vet comes up with. Have a great new year! Tony
YAY for the pawesome pupdate! Sorry about your broken toe though, ouuuuch! I can't imagine trying to walk my post-amputation dog, in the snow! You and Ellie both get badges of honor for tackling that hurdle.
She has bounced back so well. It makes our hearts happy to know that a Bulldog is rockin' life on three legs. You wouldn't believe how many old-school vets will say that a Bulldog is not a good candidate for amputation surgery because they are barrel-chested. So YAY AGAIN FOR ELLIE!
Yes do let us know what you and your vet come up with for a treatment. I didn't catch it, but are you dealing with osteosarcoma? Whatever it is, remember there are no right or wrong choices when it comes to cancer. You did the most important thing by getting rid of her painful leg.
Happy New Year to you and Ellie! Cheers to a long, hoppy life ahead! 
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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