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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My son & his wife got "Puppy"(they call her Fiona but I started calling her Puppy right away & it just fits her) a few months ago when she was about 6 or 8 weeks old. She is about 4 months old now & just a few days ago she got hit by a car. Well they are a low income family and instead of putting her to sleep they chose to apply for Care Credit & were aproved & decided to have her leg amputated. I am so upset just looking at her even though she still loves seeing me as she always has, but they feel they made the right choice. She was always so excited to see me she would pee everytime. It breaks my heart to see her missing her leg & I have already loaded them up with special treats for her. She already is moving very well & I am surprised at how well she does this but I can't help but wonder if this is the right thing to do. I went to see her yesterday & bring her some left over pork chops from our dinner & she looked so much better. Any advice on how to deal with this would be greatly appreciated & advice on any special requirements she will need. She is the sweetest puppy & just wants to please. Thank you.
Gramma, thank you for joining us here. You are so sweet to be concerned, and your honesty in how you feel about Puppy's amputation is to be commended. Your son and daughter in law obviously love their puppy so much.
Many of us have had our doubts as to whether or not amputation is the right thing to do, especially right after surgery. It can definitely be heartbreaking to see them during the recovery phase, but at the same time, you've already seen how quickly she is bouncing back, right?
Isn't it amazing to observe their resiliency and determination despite their sudden change in their bodies? In so many ways, our three legged dogs are teaching us these lessons that will only make our lives richer, and better, if we open our eyes and our hearts to what they are trying to tell us. They do not mourn or grieve the loss of their limb, they move on and make the best of things. All that matters to our dogs is to enjoy every second and live it to the fullest, despite any hardhships thety encounter. We think it's a great way to live life, don't you?
Puppy has a huge advantage over other new tripawds because of her young age, and also that she isn't battling cancer like so many of us. In no time at all, life will return to normal. There really isn't a whole lot to deal with, you'll see. Be sure to watch our Videos and see how our three legged pals get along just great.
Here's some information that can also help you out, our Top Five Questions about Amputation, and More Top Five Questions about Amputation.
Tell your son and daughter in law to join us here, we would love to see photos of Puppy, and answer any questions they may have. Good luck, keep us posted OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Gramma! We literally JUST got back from our second chemo treatment and let me tell you...EVERYONE at the hospital can't believe how well Jack is doing on 3 legs. He is 6 weeks out of surgery and runs faster than he did before, plays more (although I think that is mostly due to the fact that he doesn't have any cancer pain anymore) and is just as sweet as ever. People always ask me how he's doing on 3 legs, and I tell them that he doesn't even notice he is missing one. All our dogs care about are where is their love, where is their food, where are their toys and where is their bed...you will probably notice that missing a leg will turn out to be no problem whatsoever. Although the dogs do take a couple weeks to recover, some will be feeling better sooner, and for others they may need an extra couple weeks to get the hang of things. Of course it can be scary or you may have some aprehension when you see Puppy with 3 legs, but just remember that her soul and personality weren't removed...just a little old leg! We as people tend to project human emotions onto our little snuggles and sometimes forget that they don't worry about things like how many legs they have. Just as dogs are different, people are too...it's OK to be wary, but I'm sure over time you won't even notice Puppy is differently abled. Keep us posted and thanks for joining us!
Please try to remember that dogs do not feel shame. But they will follow your emotional lead. So if you are uncomfortable with Puppy's condition, she will be too. Just try to Be More Dog
! 
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I know where you are coming from. At first it was hard to see Emily missing her leg but I had to remind myself that it was my problem, not hers. She doesn't know she is an amputee. Dogs just don't have all the baggage we do about it. She is happy not to be in pain and runs (hops) and plays and enjoys life. In time you will see Puppy as a beautiful baby again without the" cloud" of amputation hanging over you. I really believe they did the right thing...and I bet Puppy does, too.
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Hi! Our dog Chuy was hit by a car and lost his front left leg when he was 4 months old also. You would never even know it by the way he acts now. He's just like any other dog out there. Running, jumping and playing his little heart out. Treat puppy as you did before the amputation, sure a little extra love is always good! She'll be fine, it will take a little while for the recovery period but once that is over.....Look out world, here she comes!!!!! She won't miss that leg and neither should you.
Eleanor & Chuy
Chuy, showing everyone that Tripawds do everything 3 times better than regular dogs!
ldillon81 said:
Hi Gramma! We literally JUST got back from our second chemo treatment and let me tell you…EVERYONE at the hospital can't believe how well Jack is doing on 3 legs.
Yahoooo! That is wonderful. Thank you for taking the time when you just got home to post here and share your great news and support!!! I love this community!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I just want to say THANK YOU to everyone for all the words of encouragement. I watched a lot of videos today of tons of tripawds & several of Jerry! I am very grateful we did not have to deal with cancer as I am sure that is much more difficult to handle. I babysat the grandkids today & Puppy because I did not want her left alone at her house. She is amazing & running all over the yard & playing with my dog Gingy & she does not seem to be in any pain. I of course kept insisting she take breaks and would put her in our dogs crate. But then she would just stare at me with such sad eyes because she wanted out. I am just a nervous wreck about making sure her " parents" give her her medications, make sure she's not climbing stairs or chewing her stitches which will come out next week. I am planning on making her own video to post on Jerry's YouTube site. Thank you again for all the support!
Oooo! videos would be awesome! I've posted a couple on this site and now I'm addicted 🙂 can't wait to see them!
Hello Gramma
Welcome I agree with all the replies that have been made, I too was very worried about quality of life for my dog Rage but its been 7months now since Rage operation that was a vehicle accident too. It may have been a very expensive surgery but well worth every penny. Rage is always amazing me with how well he gets on with life...just live and wag that tail.. I have to admit that the missing leg first troubled me greatly but with time and alot of advice and support I realized I was the one that had the problem not Rage..so I take a lesson from my dog and live everyday wagging that tail of happiness. He has found now that he sure can do things a little better with the leg out of the way (so to speak) he now can itch that spot above his tail because of the increased mobility....he can bend in half now..look out them fleas cuz he can bite ya where ever they may be.. he can curl up into a tighter ball to keep warm... sneaks up and jumps on his paw friends with that strong front leg and bowls them over..loves the attention that everyone gives him for being a tripawd ( the children have the best attituted towards him...a lesson of acceptance for all..I still laugh at there comments on what if he lost all his legs... I said honestly that he would not be ok they looked shocked and said 'he could just slither around' so enlightning.)
Just sit back and watch the 'puppy' go, she will amaze you... keep watching those clips of other tripawds, they really helped me watching the tripaws living life and loving it.......
cheers Rage and Lee
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