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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Maybe it's been a long 2 months but I'm feeling overwhelmed with this new normal. Our 10 year old half Weimaraner half Chesapeake Bay Retriever just had a rear leg amputation this week. He started his journey 2 months ago when he went for an ACL repair. It was his second as his other leg had been repaired last summer so we knew what to expect and thought it was going to be an easy go. after 4 weeks he still was not placing weight on his leg and had some redness and discharge we were told he had an infection and he was put on antibiotics. 3 weeks of antibiotics and they decided the plate needed to come out to control the infection and when they did this they found he had MRSP. We started Amikacin and SQ fluids and then he needed to board at the vets as we had to go out of the country. While out of country the vet called and said he still was not putting weight down and the lump I had pointed out seemed to be larger so the did an Xray and saw he had a tumor on his tarsus, the bone was fractured and they were sure it was cancer. Amputation was suggested since they had done another xray of lungs and they did not see any spread. So after talking my husband and I decided to proceed. Although he is 10 he is very active and in good health and we are hoping this gives him a few more years of fun. I have read many posts and I try to keep positive (yea he didn't fall over while going to the bathroom) I find that I worry he will not regain his "self" and be happy. he seems almost depressed I'm not sure if it's the pain medications or what. Did anyone else feel confused and sad wondering if their furbaby would be bak to "normal" or new "normal"???
Any words of wisdom will be greatly appreciated! Thank you
RENO'S MOM
Welcome Reno and Mom.
Did anyone else feel confused and sad wondering if their furbaby would be bak to "normal" or new "normal"???
This describes my first 6 weeks after my little pug Maggie lost her left rear leg to a mast cell tumor. Nearly all new Tripawd moms and dads go though this phase during recovery. How many days out is he?
The three vets I had talked to all said 'dogs do fine on three', but none of them told me how hard the recovery period might be. Add to that a stubborn little pug who hated change to her routine and I was SURE I had made a mistake (Mag had her surgery before Tripawds was here). Most pups start to get their sparkle back around 2 to 3 weeks post op, when the stitches or staples are out and they are off the meds. Maggie was an extreme case- but looking back it made sense for her. Once she figured things out she hopped happily through life for almost 4 years.
You have already had a tough, emotional two months leading up to this point. I'm guessing you are pretty drained and tired of all this! If the vet has checked him to make sure there are no medical issues, then you just have to be patient a little longer. Reno has been through a lot too, and he needs some time to recover. He will get there!
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
Oh gosh! So sorry you have had to go through this!!!
From this point forward though, you are not alone! No o e understands what you are going through better than everyone here!
Overwhelmed...stuck in a nightmare...constant worrying...little sleep...second guessing...regretting....nauseous....confused....did I miss anything???
As Karen said, Reno as been through a lot to just get to this point. And now he is dealing with recovering from major surgery and adjusting to three legs.
One week out is very, very early in recovery. All he should be doing is resting and going for potty breaks. He is somewhat of a "mature" fella' and sounds like a large pup. It does take longer for recovery in those instances sometimes. But again...one week out is very early! This is MAJOR surgery. Humans would probably still be in the hospital on morphine drips!!
Pain meds do make them "seem down" and not feeling very spunky. But it's very important to keep their pain managed and for them to just rest.
And hey...not falling over while peeing is gtreat news!!! The improvements the first couple of weeks are seemingly small. During recovery though, ANY improvement is HUGE!!!!
Stay connected, okay? Grab lots of chocolate and eat it all at once! It helps! Try ice cream too...lots of it!
Sending lots of love and hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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 Reno's Mom, welcome. You've pretty much described what every one of us feels during the first few weeks, you are totally normal and we get it. It's understandable to feel the way you do, this is a big change and not at all what you expected, the shock is a lot to cope with for us humans....but for dogs, all they want is to feel good again, and for the pack to be happy.
So on that note, the most important thing to remember is: 1) your dog seems depressed but usually that's just the pain medications kicking in. What's he on? 2) your dog absorbs your energy. The more optimistic, strong and pawsitive you are, the more he will be to. Remember they look to us for leadership, so you will set the tone of his recovery.
You say he's young and active, well heck, that's a MAJOR plus. Once he's over the hardest first couple of weeks, he'll likely be unstoppable (although again, this new normal means you need to make sure he doesn't overdo things). Do check out Jerry's Required Reading List and the Tripawds e-books library for good tips and helps, also found in our Tripawds Nutrition blog , Tripawds Gear blog and elsewhere throughout the community.
It sounds like you're dealing with osteosarcoma? Do you know for sure yet?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
YES yes & yes! I don't think there was a day in the first two weeks where I didn't find something to cry about! I didn't do it in front of Max but everyday there were tears. This is an emotional journey like no other. First the diagnosis, then the amputation then the recovery. You don't have time to process one issue before you are dealing with the next. So when you lose it it's because everything processes at one time and it's overwhelming. The biggest thing I learned is to be a strong pack leader and think more like dog. Dogs don't worry about tomorrow they are in the here and now. So that's what I had to do to get the full value of all Max's daily progress. And there is progress! He's peeing that's progress! He isn't falling over while peeing that's progress! The drugs do such a number on our furfaces. While we see it as depression they're just trying to cope with their new lives and the drugs are a necessary evil to help them with that. Things will get better. Our Max is a 110# big boy that took a while to figure out that we didn't take both back legs and he still had one left back there. He's now 7 weeks post surgery, has two uneventful chemos behind him and is one happy camper. Yes his new normal is different than his old normal. He can't chase a frisbee exactly the same way or pivot on a dime. But he can run, boy can he run. And when he does run you can't even tell his leg is missing. And he has the very same happy smile face as he had before. Reno will get there too. You've had a very tough two months you've made it through. Now you've got us to lean on for support and help. It's early in Renos recovery. Each day will see new improvements. Sending lots of hugs and healing support your way. Keep us posted we all care about you and Reno!
Linda, Bob & Max
Oh my gosh! Those first few weeks were such a roller coaster of emotions! I was so sure that we did the wrong thing! Murphy wouldn't eat, he needed (wanted? lol) to be hand-fed, he slept a lot, he whined, he hopped about...a few months later he was walking so stiffly I thought he hurt his back or his back legs had something wrong with them. We're 2 1/2 years out and still the worries don't end. He sees something he wants to chase after and he falls - what if he's hurt? He has a day that he doesn't eat (although he probably ate Cassie & Max's food because we free-feed them), so then we worry that he's not eating, what if he's not feeling good? Or does his breathing seem too heavy? It's a constant, but really, those first couple of weeks were by far the worst! You'll get through this and things will be better soon!
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
Hi Reno's mom. This strange behaviour is most probably due to the pain meds. Johnnie would turn his back to us and stare at the wall for hours while he was on Tramadol. After weaning him off his meds he started to make a comeback. In this first part of the recovery the #1 priority is to keep them as pain-free as possible, so this weird behaviour is the trade-off. Everything gets better once the stitches/staples are out and the incision is healing well.
Hang in there, and it will soon get better.
Daniela & Johnnie
Our awesome Golden Boy was diagnosed for OSA in April 2014 in the proximal humerus, front-leg amp on 05/20/2014. Finished chemo (Carbo6) on 07/10/2014. Ongoing treatment: acupuncture + K-9 Immunity Plus ( 3chews) and home-cooked no-grain diet. Stopped Apocaps because of liver issues. Liver issues: controlling altered enzymes with SAM-e and Milk Thistle. October 17: started having seizures. Taking fenobarbital for seizures. April 18: started prednisone.
Howdy and welcome!!!
Good-gravy, yeah! I thought I was going to lose my everloving mind during those first few days! It's very overwhelming and emotional. So make sure you take good care of yourself all the while trying to take care of your precious furry ward. And stay connected, someone's always here with the light on for you.
pam
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
Welcome Reno's Mom...and welcome to Reno too.
It took about 2 weeks before I saw the light really start to come back into my Sketchie's eyes...now 5 weeks post amp surgery he is his old happy self...just minus one leg and not yet with a lot of physical endurance. The pain meds are hard hitting and mood altering...also an amputation is a lot of trauma for a body to go through...time and being off the meds will bring your Reno back to you. Those first weeks are a roller coaster ride and everything always looks darker when you are exhausted both emotionally and physically and you had an extended traumatic lead-up time even before the final choice to amputate. I think there is also a grieving process we all go through as we remember our beloved companion when he/she was "whole" in body and healthy...something precious has been lost that we treasured and we have to now accept a new normal that would never have been our choice had it not been forced on us. Give yourself permission to grieve, but also know that there are brighter days ahead for both you and Reno.
Sketch's Mom
Thank you for all the kind replies, brought me to tears again just thinking how kind perfect strangers are for reaching out. I had my husband come to this site as he is having a hard time with this new change in his "baby" (found my tough husband laying in the pen his first night home from a business trip crying with Reno) It's been good for both of us to see the positivity of others who have walked this path with their animals and realization that we did make the right decision. And it will be OK, might take a bit but it will be good.
My sweet boy had a good day yesterday LOTS of tail wags and wanted to walk quite a bit farther than usual even though it was raining like crazy here in Texas. I took the e-collar and leash off in the house and let him explore which seemed to really perk him up. So last night we put him up on the bed with us. It was the first night he seemed to sleep great and today he is snuggling with his Daddy on the couch watching Nascar. I have been keeping him in his pen because the vet gave us those instructions until he gets stiches out, but I have been looking at the videos of pups post amp walking around in the house and decided to allow him some freedom with me next to him. I think this is a good change for his attitude and hopefully will increase his stamina. The only thing that worries us is he pants so hard (he is still getting tramadol for pain although today is the last day). Hoping that will be an easy answer. Looking forward to stitches out on Thursday, and getting the green light for getting back to normal.
Thank you again kind Tripawds moms and dads, I am glad I found this site (thanks to a button from my vet when we picked him up) The information and advice and videos have made the difference of a lifetime in a few short days!
Reno's Mom
RENO'S MOM
Most dogs stay on pain pills for the two weeks post surgery. Sometimes panting is a sign of pain. You said today is his last dose of pain pills? Is he only on tramodol for pain management ? And his surgery was this week? I'm no vet but if this is the case seems a bit soon to not have any pain management after today if I'm reading when he had his surgery right. Maybe I'm just getting the whole timing on his surgery wrong? Our Max was on rimadyl, gabapentin, tramodol and an antibiotic for two weeks post surgery. Glad to hear he's more himself now though. This whole journey seems like it's trial and error until you get to that "happy place" where your dog is comfortable. Sounds like Reno's found it on the couch with hubby 😀
Linda & Max
It does seem a bit soon to stop the medications. Murphy also took his meds for about 2 weeks, also tramadol, gabapentin and rimadyl. Then we weaned off.
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
sketch said
. . . I think there is also a grieving process we all go through as we remember our beloved companion when he/she was "whole" in body and healthy...
This is such a true statement and a fact that doesn't hit you until you see your fur-baby for the first time minus parts. For me, I actually grieved those missing parts. It is normal and important.
pam
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
Reno had his stitches removed today all looks well. He did a PT evaluation so we can do some work at home. The big stuff of the day is his pathology report came back and he has synovial cell sarcoma stage 2.. The lymph node they took was negative and there was no spread to his lungs at this time. We go to speak with the oncologist the first week in November just to find out about this disease and his prognosis as the surgeon had no real answers for us. He is happier every day and I am feeling better with him. We still have one issue NO ONE seems to have an answer for. Every night starting around 8 he starts panting and acting restless and agitated. The surgeon can't think of anything that would cause this the PT said although there is no documentation of phantom pain in animals (hard to get this info 😉 ) she thinks they have some feeling of maybe spasm or cramping. He looks so distressed for hours so hopefully this will subside. If anyone else has a fur baby with Synovial Cell Sarcoma and can give any insight I would appreciate it.
Thank you,
Reno's Mom
RENO'S MOM
Glad to hear that Reno is doing so well!
Not sure what the evening thing is all about, though. Did you used to have an evening routine that has changed maybe? Or maybe it is pain related. Is it getting dark about that time? I wonder if maybe it's like a sun-downer's thing? Older adults sometimes get confused at night when it's dark, especially when they're hospitalized, it's called sun-downer's. Usually turning on some lights and re-orienting them helps. Hard to say.
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
1 Guest(s)
