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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Hi! Fox is an approximately 2 year old mixed breed who wandered up to our house, injured and very underweight. We took him to the vet, and the vet said he had most likely been hit by a car a few days before and had been wandering since. He had a dislocated hip and a broken knee on the same leg. He was so skinny and was infested with 3 different kinds of worms, so we've been getting him healthy and worm-free for the last month or so, and have fallen completely in love with him. He is the sweetest, most good natured dog! He finally had his amputation surgery March 3rd. We had no idea it was TriDay until afterwards!
The first day was really hard. He couldn't get comfortable, wouldn't eat or drink, and was so miserable it made me cry. But first thing the next morning he was so much better, and today (3 days later) he already seems to be pretty much back to normal! I'm having to really make sure he is taking it easy, he wants to run and play! It amazes me how resilient dogs are.
Awwww I see why you fell in love with him! What a sweetheart. He knew EXACTLY who's door to knock on when he needed help. Thank you for taking him in and helping him live a great life. You guys are wonderful!
What a good sign that he joined the community on TriDay! I mean nopawdy wants to lose a leg but if it has to happen, 3/3 is a very pawsitive sign!
He looks quite young, sweet boy. I would take advantage of the Tripawds Foundation
Rehab Reimbursement grant, which can pay for your first visit. That's because even though he's spunky and ready to tackle life again, an evaluation with an expert can let you know how to help him stay injury free, and what kind of exercise is best for him. It can be challenging managing a young Tripawd's activity needs since they're so active, but I have a feeling you guys are up to the challenge! So happy for you 
Thanks for joining! Your future posts won't need to wait for approval. We look forward to following along with his adventures.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Great job, Fox!! So happy he is doing well. They just get on with it, don't they? Best wishes for a continued smooth recovery. He is very handsome and a Very Good Boy.
- Jessica and Yum Yum kitty (Tripawd since 2/19/21)
OMD!!! I'm in lpve❤ Fox is a real sweetheart. While I'm sorry that someone may (or may not) be missing him, I'm sooo glad he found you!!! Not many would take in a dog with so many "issues".
This mo ile and this playful on day three....WOW!!!. I think it just shows how much pain he had been in prior to the amputation and goodness knows for how long!!
And tell this Mr Fox he still needs to take it slow!! Short leashed potty breaks and back in for rest.and good luck trying to ,keep him chill for the next week or two! Ne truly is doing exceptionally well soooo early on!
Thanks so much for saving him and giving him clearly one of the most loving homes on the Planet!! I sooo enjoyed his Happy photos and videos.
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!
We did look for his owners, but did not find anyone. We checked all of the local lost and found facebook groups and put up signs, and we checked for a microchip and he did not have one. We weren't going to let him suffer just because we couldn't find his family! Judging from the shape he was found in, he hadn't been well taken care of for a while though.
I will keep adding photos and videos to the album as we continue through our recovery! I'm so glad I found this community!
Oh my goodness!! Absolutely so glad Fox found you and that you have given him the care and love he so desperately needed! Without question you saved his life!! He clearly was meant to be with you.
I'm still in awe at how well he has already become so mobile and with such a flawless gait. A Tripawd RockStar for sure!!!
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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 we are glad you found us too. It will be so fun watching him grow up! Let us know if you'd like help adding images or anything.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I just made an imgur and uploaded some pics, so I'll try it out:
How do I make it smaller?
Edit: never mind, it resized itself 😋
He seems fine today, although I think his muscles might be a little knotted up from the new gait. He is kind of restless. I've been rubbing on his leg and hip and back muscles, he seems to like it. He's back to normal eating, he might even have MORE of an appetite now. He got a new bacon flavored Benebone (his favorite chew toy) and he got VERY excited, and chewed on it for a good hour. His stitches seem a little red today, but more like scabbing than infection I think. This is day 5 post amp.
Oh that sweet pup! Great job figuring out photos. The incision looks good, I don't see anything that would point to irregular healing.
Sounds like his healing is on track and yep it's normal for a new Tripawd to be sore. The restlessness can mean he needs his pain meds adjusted, so keep any eye on that and if it continues let your vet know.
Cheers to more recovery!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi all! We have been doing pretty well, Fox seems to be adjusting very quickly. He doesn't seem to be in any pain, and his appetite and attitude are pretty normal.
I do have a question though... His stitches look really good. it's been 8 days since his surgery and we haven't seen any kind of discharge or bleeding until today. He climbed up in my lap for some mommy cuddles, and I noticed a reddish clear fluid coming out of one side. It doesn't have any kind of smell or anything, and it's too clear to be blood. Is this a normal part of the healing process?
Thanks for all your help!
-Korinne and Fox
Glad to hear Fox is doing well!👍
BTW, you did a great job of capturing the issue in a photo. Pinkish color, no smell, not warm to the touch around the area and the incision looks good. All good signs.
All that said....I would still send the photo to your Vet just to be extra, extra cautious since this is eight days out👌
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!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Spending the day cuddling with Mom, we have an appointment at the vet tomorrow to get stitches out!
AWWWWWW.........so sweet♥️. Stitch removal day requires a drive thru cheeseburger on the way home! Photo please!!😎
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!
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