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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Welcome to the family, this site is a godsend. Hold on for the ride, those first 2 weeks are the most trying, not much sleep, etc. Don't be afraid to ask, this is the best place in the world for support. Hope all goes well for Harley. We found Tramadol wasn't our best friend, restless nights, not much appetite, gabapentin seemed to be a better drug for Gus as we had the privilage of having phantom pain . Don't be surprised if Harley doesn't seem himself for awhile, you'll be amazed at how much better he will be after those first 2 weeks. Keep us posted, Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
hockeymom said:
. . . I am overcome with the feeling . . . what have I done to my sweet Harley?
What you have done is to save his life, remove his pain, and give him an opportunity to regain a good quality of life!! During one of Miss Cherry's visits to her breeder, I told the breeder that I had a hard time admitting the I chose to remove her leg. Boy did I get a loving ear full. She told me in no uncertain terms that not only was Miss Cherry still alive because of that decision and our efforts, but that she had a very good quality of life - better than most dogs. So if I sounds like I am scolding you it is only because while such feeling are natural, they are totally without basis. Harley will make you proud with a quick recovery. I was very proud of my little girl and while walking, I would tell people that we met of her journey. Their feelings quickly went from pitty to admiration at her bravery. You should be popping buttons because you made the hard choice - for Harley and for that we tip our collective hat.
Spirit Cherry's Dad
Cherry's Dad said it perfectly.... I took pictures of my dog before, during and after the whole ordeal. I came across a picture last nite of her left rear knee before surgery(it was shaved due to biopsy)....it brought back all the awful memories of how much pain she was in...she had so much muscle loss already due to being so lame and not using it. Then fast forward to TODAY and 6+ months later...WOW....my girl is out of pain and still here having FUN with me!
Harley will too 🙂
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
maggie said:
I wonder how do we get the word out about Tripawds.com?
Here's the link for downloading Tripawds fliers and cards. Everyone could help spread the word by printing these out and posting them at your local vet's offices, pet stores and dog boutiques/bakeries, etc. Leave a stack of the small cards so vets and store owners can pass them along to clients and customers. Always carry some cards to give to those people who stop and ask about your "poor" three legged dog.
Or, how 'bout hosting a Tripawds Party for three legged dogs in your area and inviting the local press? Here is a party poster template for spreading the word about that too. Thanks for asking!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
keepsmiln1818 said:
I got this for my car and I keep it in the trunk…They have a tripple stair one too.
And don't miss our review of the Pet Loader folding car steps for helping big dogs into vehicles...
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Wow, those are cool steps. I like that they fold up. My problem with other steps/stairs has been how to transport them - obviously they would work to get your dog in, but what about getting out and back in at the vet/groomer/whatever. I currently use this http://ottostep.com/ for my older golden. Harley has always been so springy that he just jumps into and out of the back of my SUV. I've been forcing him to use the step on the way out so he wouldn't put too much pressure on his leg with the tumor. I'm not sure if the Otto Step will work for him as a Tripawd. Maybe in combination with the harness, he will feel comfortable using it. If not, I will definitely consider these steps, thanks for mentioning them!
hockeymom said:
I currently use this http://ottostep.com/ ...
If anyone orders an Otto Step, please tell them you heard about it from Tripawds and provide us with your feedback. We may be adding this product to the Tripawds Gear blog soon.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hola! Jack was a jumper as well, and well…he still is. He jumps up everything (including 4' walls!) and likes to jump into the car. I don't use steps for him. He has the ruffwear harness so when it's time to get out of the car (or jump down from a wall), I grab the handle and "float" him to the ground. It works well, he still gets to jump up, and jumping down doesn't hurt his remaining shoulder/leg. Just another option! Hope recovery is going well, and we are sending you hugs!
<3 Laura and NappingJack
Welcome welcome!!!! This place saved my sanity (what little was left) and all I was looking for was some type of harness thingee!!!!!!!
The Ruffwear harness absolustely was the best thing for us. Magic was 114 pounds going in and I'm not able to do a lot physically (and my body has been screaming at me now for exactly two months!!) and is now down to 95. That harness has saved our life.
He also got hincky about getting in the truck and I ordered the petloader steps that are posted above. I got the larger one for the larger steps and it is a titch heavy, but I'm not very strong. I can move it around just fine. Trouble is, Magic didn't want to use it and kept stepping off it. He solved the problem by deciding to ride in the small area behind my seats in my ford ranger! But those are knock out steps, very well made and I shall find a use for them I'm sure.
Non-skid runners are a must and it seems like you have that in the works.
Like everyone said, those first two weeks are generally the worst. They recover much much faster and more completely than we do! Come back and keep us posted. You have found your second family.
Hi Harley's mom,
So sorry to hear about Harley's diagnosis... I know it sucks.
Be prepared (emotionally and physically) for those dreaded first 2 weeks post-op. There will be lots of ups and downs... we've all been through it.
But it will get better afterwards! Sounds like you're doing all the right preparations for when Harely comes home. When my Jake first came home, my hubby and I were shocked.
No matter how much we thought we were emotionally prepared... seeing Jake missing his front leg really freaked us out... but that shock quickly passed and we were just so happy that he was home again. He had a great appetite the very next day after his surgery. We were so excited when he did his first pee... and then the first poop! Whoo! Hoo!! You'll see that you'll be celebrating every little thing he does afterwards.
Two weeks post op, when Jake got his staples out, his vet gave him the go-ahead to swim in the pool. He was so happy as that was his favorite thing to do with his brother Wolfie...
Wishing Harley all the best for a quick recovery... Keep us posted on his progress... and keep posting pictures. Both Harley and Gordie are adorable!!!
Angel Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
Harley is having a pretty good second day home. See more details here: http://harleypu.....pawds.com/
Hey there and welcome to this site!!!
I have a Rhodesian Ridgeback and I also have an SUV tahoe. The first two weeks are TOUGH. Jack was very stressed big time. After about two weeks everything sort of calmed down. I have hard woods and also concrete floors. I also have stairs out of hard wood. Jack has learned with time how to adjust to the slippery surfaces and also can blow up and down the stairs. Every now and then there is a slip but they will learn ...these little guys are resilliant big time. Hang in there and keep us posted
Erin and Jack
Hi Harley & mom. My welcome is a little late, but WELCOME!!! I can't add much to what all the others have said, but please try to rest and stay positive. You did the right thing for Harley. As for the raised feeders and the waterbowl, we too use the Petmate waterer so we got two milk crates, turned them upside down and put a piece of plywood on top of it. (You can paint the plywood and crates to match anything) The plywood catches Chuy's slobber mess when he drinks and there is enough room to put his food dish next to it. We do have 3 large dogs and bought single feeders from Dr.'s Foster & Smith. Not cheap, but they did wonders for the dogs.
Keep us posted on how Harley is doing.
Licks & Wags from Chuy
Hugs from mom Eleanor
Chuy, showing everyone that Tripawds do everything 3 times better than regular dogs!
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