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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Ferris our beautiful three year old Newfoundland was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in his front left leg whilst undergoing a Ct scan. The vet called us straightaway as the leg was severely infected with the Cancer, even though we all thought that it would be a muscle or ligament sprain as he did not show any evidence of pain.
We were advised to consider euthanasia the shock was unbearable our hearts were shattered. We decided to bring him home for three days and have him put to sleep at home, this was so we could say goodbye to him.
Luckily though I came across your site and the experiences of the giant breed owners and their dogs who had gone through amputation. Today we called his specialist who agreed to perform the removal of the damaged leg. We did however, request that his lungs are checked for any secondary infections and that we would let him go across the bridge if this proves to be the case.
Tomorrow morning he will hopefully have his operation and will be kept for three days for post op care, can anyone recommend what we need to purchase or do if we are lucky to get him home.
thank you
Hi Ferris and family, welcome to the club nopawdy wants to join! We are glad you found us and hope to help make your journey easier. Ferris is so fortunate to have you for his humans.
As you can see, giant breed dogs can do really well on three legs! And while osteosarcoma doesn't have a great prognosis, many dogs will beat the odds and go on to live way past expectations. Some won't, but in almost every case the pet parent was glad they made the decision to amputate (see our Tripawds Quality of Life surveys) because it gave the dog extra quality time with their people. Osteosarcoma pain is horrific and even though most dogs don't appear to give pain signals , they will do whatever it takes to hide the pain. But the reality is that a degraded bone is terribly painful and any human would have a much harder time tolerating it. So by giving a dog a chance to live a pain-free life on three, it's a gift in so many ways.
Giant breed dogs do have more of a challenge, especially during recovery. Our Size and Age Matters Forum Topic shares many of them. You can prepare yourself with our What to Expect articles , Jerry's Required Reading List , and the Tripawds e-books library, all of which answer the most common questions about preparing for life on three. Oh and our Tripawds Recovery Shopping List is a good place to find out the kinds of things you might need.
Also, some questions for you:
What's your house like? Do you have stairs or slippery floors? Tripawds need traction so now is the time to prepare with non-slip rugs, baby gates to block off stairs, etc.
Do you have help caring for him? Most Tripawds are on their own feet within a day or two but they still need to be watched while going outside to do their business and making sure they don't do anything crazy inside.
Did you talk to your vet about pain management ? A good pain control program will make recovery so much easier! It might still need fine-tuning but the best recoveries start with great pain control.
I hope this helps! Stay tuned for feedback from others!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We have three Newfoundland’s one a ten year old, one a puppy at eight months and of course the star of the show ferris. The dogs all live on the ground floor,the flooring requires attention as we need non slip rugs.
Both my husband a disabled army veteran and myself will be monitoring and caring for Ferris, we have put safety gates up on the place he likes to sleep and lay and will be fencing part of the garden off for him to use as his toilet area.
Just fussing him as much as we can at the moment because we don’t know what tomorrow will bring as that in it’s self is torture. He is booked in for 0900hrs in the morning UK time, first for his lungs and hopefully his full operation. We have everything crossed 🤞🤞🤞
Oh my gosh what an amazing pack you have! Sounds like you have your hand full, and good job getting your home ready for the new hero!
Paws crossed here too that everything turns out great tomorrow. Keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm so sorry to hear about Ferris. Wishing you good thoughts that tomorrow's exam and (hopefully) surgery go well.
If the surgery happens, you mentioned needing non-slip rugs. In case it helps. We used yoga mat material all over the place. Compared to rugs, they are inexpensive and you can cut them to the length you need. They are also much easier to clean. We got a bulk roll of them so we could cut them to length.
Thanks for all the advice and support guys I truly believe if we hadn’t found this site Ferris would be over the bridge by now. Anyhow Ferris was admitted to the specialist this morning and we’ve just received the first two results in, there is no markers in his blood work or mets in any of the organs scanned. Now waiting for the call to confirm that he has had the leg removed and if all is well.
Online
Oh gosh! Jist catching up!! Thank goD you found this site!!! To think euthanasia was the only option offered just akes my head spin!!
So glad you've already gotten great input and links.
We have lots pf recovery tips a d to s of first hand knowledge on what recov looks like, how to get through the rough parts and how to celebrate when Ferris is done with recovery and his sparkle is back!!!
Try and get some rest while he's at the clinic. He''ll be on so e good drugs and enjoying the pink elephants.
Update when you can. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!!
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!
Aww well we are always happy to help however we can. Amputation isn't right for every situation but when it is, the rewards are huge. It's such a big day for you and Ferris, I'm sure your nerves are a mess! Good news so far though. Stay strong and keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I’ve never seen a clock go so slowly but eventually we got the news, The operation went extremely smoothly and Ferris is in the recovery ward and is awake,will be receiving update first thing in the morning. I hope he forgives us for what we have put him through currently ordering the non slip flooring and preparing for his home coming in three days.
YAY!! SURGERY. IS DONE!!!
And you can rest assured that Ferris THANKS you for not listening to that other Vet!!! While recovery is no picnic for a couple pf weeks, you will soon recognize, just as Ferriss does, that you did this FOR him and not to him!!
Stay connected AND get some good sleep tonight!
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!
Best wishes for a speedy recovery! Please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I couldn’t wait for 24 hrs to go by without checking on him and called to check on him; he has eaten his food / water and has tried to stand up but couldn’t manage it. Today’s report is that he is wagging his tail and the vet is amazed with him, I will check on him later to keep you updated.
Just had a chat with Ferris’s nurse who watches over him, unfortunately the wound had to be drained due to excess fluid but I guess this is normal. He is getting up himself and can stand but needs a lot of assistance in walking, again I take this as a positive sign as it must be difficult for him.
Will keep you guys updated.
Everything sou ds great!!!!👍👍
And yes, excess fluid happens. There are a variety ways to treat that if it continues to accumulate. No worries!
Eating, drinking, getting hi self up...HUGE REASONS TO CELEBRATE!!!👏👏👏
Thanks for the update. Everything sounds really good👍
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!
Hey thanks for letting us know! All signs point to a classic recovery, especially for a giant breed dog. Big dogs tend to be a little slower than smaller ones when it comes to the recovery timeline. Do your best not to compare, keep reminding yourself that Ferris is his own dog and he will back on his feet in no time.
Also, don't ever feel guilty for calling the vet and asking for an update. As pet parents we tend to be shy about inquiring, but the more you know about his condition, the easier recovery will be. Stay pawsitive!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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