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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Hello everyone,
I don't know any of you yet, but I just wanted to thank you all for the stories I have been reading the past few weeks preparing myself for my baby's surgery. I have had reservations about the whole tripawd thing for way too long. My 5 year old cane corso Ava had been diagnosed with osteosarcoma back in July. Being the worrier that I am, I decided that with the poor prognosis, her size and the fact that she has had cruciate ligament issues in the past that she wasn't a candidate for an amp. Wow, was I wrong. 🙂
She was doing so well up until the past few weeks I couldn't put it off any longer. She had the chance to enjoy her summer doing what she loved to do! Playing in the river, fly fishing( ok, maybe just watched) running like the wind, and just being her goofy self. She showed little signs of pain other than the nasty and rapidly growing tumor on her right rear leg. Maybe I was in denial about the outcome of this but I couldn't watch her drag that thing around anymore.
We decided to have all vitals checked and re-xrayed her to see if there were any obvious metastasis. Much to our surprise the bloodwork came back " pristine" ( in the words of her vet) and chest and abdominal rads appeared to be clear. So we took the plunge on Nov 17/11 and had her leg amputated.
I am now, kicking myself for not doing anything sooner. She is doing fantastic! She didn't need that other leg anyway! After the second day she was attempting to go to bed with daddy upstairs and " running" after day 5. My two daughters have been telling all their friends at school to "come and see my dog Ava! She has three legs!" Her sutures come out in two days and to be honest, I didn't think I would see that tail wag as much as it is now. Every day we have with her is an absolute blessing.
I wish I would have found this site earlier. Dogs are amazing how they can bounce back from something so easily.
Much love,
Stacey and Ava
Welcome Stacy and Ava,
Your future posts will not require moderation.
Sorry you are dealing with OSA, but it sounds like Ava is doing great!
Did you happen to see Spirit Fortis the Cane Corso in the rotating pictures at the top of the page? You might want to check out his blog HERE. Fortis was also a rear amp. He had some trouble with his remaining back leg, but lived life to the fullest for 11 months after his surgery.
Thanks for sharing your story here. I look forward to learning more about Ava and following her new adventures as a Tripawd.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Hi Stacy and Ava. Glad you are here and welcome. Also so happy to hear that Ava is doing well. Dogs don't dwell or think about the life they will have after their amputation. They just adjust and move on much easier than we do as human beings. I also was a lurker too before I joined but I got Cadence's amputation done right away, a week after we found the lump, even though she was doing barely more than taking a little weight off the leg. Dogs are instinctively conditioned not to show pain until the pain is really almost unbearable. This protects them in the wild. Everyone has apprehension about what the dog's life will be like after the surgery. This is normal. But I have not heard anyone say after that they ever wish they had not done the amputation. If you need any help or have any questions or concerns we are here to help. It's a great group here. Can't wait to see more pictures! Hopefully one day I can find some time to make a blog too so others can see our story. It seems like in our pack there is always something going on.
Cadence's Mom
Cadence Faye: Born 10/30/04, stepped into our hearts 12/23/2004. Rear leg tumor found 7/24/11 by mom and dad, Xray on 7/25/11, Osteosarcoma suspected 7/26/11, amputation 7/29/11, Carboplatin started 8/23. Met free so far!
Welcome Stacy and Ava to the site nobody wants to join but everybody is glad they did. So glad to hear your girl is doing well and that the blood work and xrays were good!
Enjoy every day with her. That's cute that your daughters want their friends to come see their tripawd. They know what we all know on this site - Tripawds are AWESOME. It's great to be a tripawd mama (or papa or sis or brother)!
The OSA part sucks - our Abby has it to, but we are at 13 months plus 1 day post-amp. There can still be lots of good times ahead with your girl.
Be sure to come here with questions or just when you need some support. I'm pretty sure you won't find a better group of folks anywhere on the 'net!
All the best to you and your girl,
Jackie, Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Welcome to the family Ava! You sure are a pretty gal.
We're so glad you're doing great. You Corsos are stoic, incredible dawgs. I'm so hoppy to hear that surgery went well and your x-rays were pawfect. Yay! Cancer sucks, but now that you're feeling good again you can show your pack how to make the most of every single day, every single minute! I know you'll be a great teacher that way.
Don't kick yourself Mom, there isn't a Tripawd pawrent on earth who didn't doubt their decision to amputate. It's not an easy thing, that's for sure. What matters now is to get rid of those regrets and look ahead to the incredible journey you will all have together as a Tripawd pack. It really changes your life in so many great ways. And we will be here, every hop of the way, to help whenever you need it OK?
Yay for Ava! We can't wait to get to know her better and follow along with your adventures.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Wow! This is wonderful news! I'm so happy for your girl Ava!
Another Cane Corso! This is terrific. Maybe Spirit Fortis' dad, a previous Cane Corso will jump in and tell you all about his experience. He for sure lived a long life! He was 10 years old! He brought us lots of laughs and joy, as I know Ava will too!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
So happy to hear how well Ava is doing!! What a beauty! My Bailey just had her surgery a week ago and she is doing wonderful also. I was also very worried about how she would do but she is doing great and I felt so much better when I got her home and seen her doing so well. I hope your Ava has a speedy recovery and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask...everyone here was very helpful for me! Wishing Ava a speedy recovery!!
Rachel and Bailey!
Welcome Stacy and Ava!!! I am happy to hear that Ava recovered so well from the surgery!! She is a pretty baby!! I have never heard of a Cane Corso. How tall is she and how much does she weigh? I have a Great Dane named Valentina and she is a little over 5mos. post op and she is doing great also. She did have some complications at the beginning but she learned to walk as a tripawd very well and now she does just about everything that she used to. I was worried also that she wouldn't be able to get around as a tripawd because of her size but boy was I wrong!!! She seems stronger now than she did before! I think she built up extra muscles from having to hold herself up on three legs and that made her stronger. She was diagnosed with OS about 6 1/2 months ago in her left front leg. It took me 6 weeks to decide about the amputation. I thought I would have much more time before the tumor progressed but it grew fast and she was in so much pain I knew what I had to do. It was either try the amputation or put her to sleep the vet said. It was so scary. But after Valentina's initial complications cleared up everything became wonderful and she was back to her old self!! She is such a blessing in my life and I am so glad that I chose the surgery even though it was scary and hard. I am really glad that you found this site!! It will be so helpful to you and you will love it!! I am looking forward to hearing more about Ava and all of her accomplishments!! I love her name too by the way. We are so glad to have you!! And we love pictures here too if you can figure out how to put them on here!! 
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