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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Here's my story... about 3 months ago my loving husband of 25 years accidendely ran over one of my old Pyrenees dogs. It was her right front leg. The break was REAL bad,and the new vet of mine gave me real hope to save her life. We went the route of surgery with large screws and pins. (she was around 128#) This attemp failed because she was so big and the brake so fragmented. But the good news was, we spent a LOT of quality time together with me changing her bandages every day for (2 months). You may think I'm being sarcastic now, but I'm not. We really did form a different kind of bond that we never would have had otherwise. You see, "Xena" was a working dog. She helped guard the baby camel and zebra as well as all the other livestock on our farm. But she has a loving nature that is too remarkable for other species you won't believe! Next we splinted her. We gave that 2 months, not a good improvment. So, after the encouragement from my vet, we will be doing amputation on Tuesday the 14 of September, 2010. I have ordered the vest from this site (in red of coarse:) and want to tell all of you how much I have regained my faith since reading over this website all day. (really:)
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Welcome to Tripawds and thanks for joining! We're starting to have quite a zoo around here – Dawn (dsimas) is into big cats. We also have quite a few other memebrs with Great Pyrenees.
Thnaks for the kind comments and best wishes to Xena. Be sure to bookmark Jerry's Required Reading List for lots of answers to common questions, advice and recovery tips.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Since your dog doesn't have cancer, she most likely will have a good post recovery! The first 2 weeks are critical regardless with the whole "relearning how to walk", making sure they don't lick their stitches, relearning how to go to the bathroom… But you don't have to worry about whether the cancer has spread or not, so once those 2 weeks are over, it should be all downhill from there!
Chloe was diagnosed with a spindle cell sarcoma (soft tissue) which was confined to the area, so luckily with amputation she is now cancer free. Here is a video of her running! This is from week 5 post amputation but she was doing this around the end of week 2!! Trust me, they surprise you more than you think! Just keep giving them love and positive energy and they will think the world is fine and will work to do the things they used to love in a new way!!!
http://www.yout.....rpG-4SBxb4
-Chloe's mom
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
We hope the surgery goes well for you, and at least you don't need to be concerned about the cancer. When a pet needs additional care, you do create a certain bond that is special to them alone. Please post some pictures when you can, and keep us updated!
We have our paws crossed for you and send pawsitive thoughts/hugs your way!
Cathy/Jane/Spirit Skyler/Chloe
I too am glad you found this site. It was so comforting for me and such a help in my journey with JD.
All the suggestions for post op ideas are here for the taking. Just follow Jerry's suggestions and bookmark the Required Reading List, and the get some great suggestions from the posts and Blogs you will find here.
Please keep us updated as you proceed, I guarantee you will continue to bond, as the first two weeks post-op will offer you plenty of opportunity!
Spirit Angel JD's mom
JD
One Tough Girl
(1999-2010)
-Diagnosed with osteosarcoma of her left front leg –
-Amputation July 23 2010 –
-The cancer didn't get her, but she is gone-
-She fought the cancer and loved life till bloat brought her down August 29th, 2010-
Now she watches over her mom and two new sisters, the Quad-Paws Serena and Maya
Oh that is so sad. But you have come to the right place and it will only get better! We promise!
Here's wishing you the best and speediest recovery for Xena!
You may also want to start a blog. Just go back to the home page and you'll see the blog sign up.
Best wishes and keep us updated on the surgery and how it went, okay?
Comet's mom
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.
I have a golden retriever Bailey who was diagnoised with osteosarcoma August 5th last year and had her amputation on the 14th. It was a really hard recovery because she was having trouble adjusting to the life with three legs and she did get a few infections with the area so it was hard, however, we kept pawsitive and I slept with her every night and while it was hard not to cry everytime I saw her thinking about what might come down the road later on, this website saved my life and hers. I met so many amazing people who had been through exactly what I was feeling and going through. The support, the answers I got for everything, all helped me make tough decisions and now one year later Bailey is happy and still healthy as of her August 25th appointment no signs of cancer coming back! Bailey was only 2 1/2 when she was diagnosed and I had heard that statistically dogs who are diagnosed at a younger age do not live very long, I want everyone to know EVERY DOG IS DIFFERENT. If there is anything I have learned from this it is to never listen to statistics, do not get stuck on the what ifs and what "they say" because you know your dog and we all know they do not give up without a strong fight, they love us too much 🙂 There will be plenty of time for grief when the time comes so to any of you going through this at the beginning of the diagnosis to the months into checkups, love and enjoy your doggie, they are our best friends and they need us as much as we need them. I just wanted to thank every one of you for your support, your stories, and your questions, it helps us all learn more about the disease and how to cope. Thank You all!
Ashley and Bailey girl 🙂
Welcome to the family my dear, you are the envy of 99% of the us here in the fact that you aren't dealing with cancer, yea it sucks what happened but after your first 2 weeks after the surgery, you will be amazed at how your buddy gets along, I hope. Sometimes it takes longer but for the most part it seems like after 2 weeks the progress is amazing. One thing you( actually the dog) might experience is phantom pain ,(someone there just isn't going to get alot of sleep the next 2 weeks!!!) when it first hit Gus I thought he was hit by a car, it only happened a couple times a day but it will tear your heart out. That started about day 5, and lasted for about 4 weeks, getting milder as time went on, but I just would be with him and help him through those spells, so hang on for the ride if you get to that point, but Gabapentin helped alot with that. You found a great place, don't be afraid to ask questions, experience gives the best answers. Paws up, Spirit Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
Welcome to tripawds! Xena sounds like an amazing friend - we'll keep all fingers and paws crossed that all goes well on the 14th, and that she's up and about in no time! We love pictures around here, so if you get a chance please post one of your girl.
Hugs,
Holly, Zuzu and Susan
Holly joined the world of tripawds on 12/29/2009. She has a big little sister, Zuzu, who idolizes Holly and tries to make all of her toys into tripawds in Holly's honor. And she's enjoying life one hop at a time!
http://anyemery.....ipawds.com
To Bailey's Mom-
BIG shout out to your post because you are right every dog is different. Young dogs do have it tougher because OS is more aggressive but you've made it to a year! Woo Hoo!!
I remember when we made it to a year. I was so stinkin' happy.. I still am so happy! I still have my boy & we are at 19 months. Just like you said – EVERY dog is different! Every dog deserves a shot IMO (in my opinion). I wouldn't change this time with Zak for anything in the world.
Big hugs out to your girl Bailey~
Jenna & Zak
PS: to the Pyrenees Mom.. you will be in great shape so don't worry. An amputation is really nothing (of course I was worried at the start too tho) Dogs adapt and do really well with 3 legs. Most of us are fighting cancer too so the amputation is just the start of a battle for us. I know you guys will do great!
Wait until you see the bond that develops now!!! You will be amazed at the depth of the bond after this new journey. Just when you don't think it could ever get deeper or stronger with our fur kids.....
We are so glad you found this site too and even more happy for you that you don't have the cancer aspect to worry about and deal with. Phew!
Best wishes for tomorrow's SUCCESSFUL surgery and we hope that your 2 week recovery period is a boring one 
.
Stay pawsitive and keep the faith. It will be ok. Promise.
Keep us posted and as you live the next two weeks of recovery - don't heistate to ask questions that will help you cope, deal, understand and stay strong.
Much love and all our prayers tomorrow,
Heather and Spirit Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
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