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 I would like to introduce myself. My name is Donna and I am Cassie's mom. Cassie was a year old in April and she is a Alaskan Husky. Both her Momma and her Pappa have competed in the iditarod.
As of a week ago I had no idea that I would be in need of this wonderful forum. Cassie's path to becoming a tripawd is a little different than most. While out playing with our other dog Bogart last Thursday, in a freak accident she drove a stick into her groin area. Severing most of her main arteries. So after the vets battle to save her life from all that blood loss, it was decided that her right rear leg would have to be amputated.
It was such a shock for me. I truly believed that all I had to do was to get to the vet's with her and they would stitch her up and send her home. Naive I know.
She has been such a trooper. Up and peeing the very next morning. Our first priority was to get her blood count back up, and I'm very happy to say that she is very close to being back in the normal zone. Second was infection, there was no time to spare in the initial surgery to stop the bleeding. So although everything in the clinic was sterile, Cassie wasn't. In response to this risk she has been on antibiotics and I'm sure has cleared that hurdle now, as we have seen no real temperature spikes. So that bring me to now, learning as much as I can so I am able to help her live her life as a tripawd to the fullest.
Welcome and thanks for joining! Be sure to read about Calpurnia, our resident three-legged sled dog. You will also find lots of amputation recovery advice and tips in Jerry's Required Reading List.
We're happy to hear Cassie has pulled through what sounds like a tragic ordeal. We look forward to following her progress.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome to our little family. That was one freakly accident - poor Cassie. She must be one tough girl! Hopefully she will have a speedy and uneventful recovery. The first couple of weeks are not easy, but the two of you will make it.
I've been to the iditerod start three times, and just love it. One year we even did the mushers banquet. A great experience. Cassie will have a special place in my heart. We need pics!
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Donna and Cassie, welcome! After reading about you on Sarah's MySmartPuppy Forums, I was hoping you'd come here. Trust me, catch up with Calpurnia, she will inspire you both! Thanks for joining us.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Donna,
I'm so sorry to hear about Cassie's accident... Poor baby!
But she has made it through the surgery and the infection... Now it's time to start healing. The first two weeks are usually the most difficult... and you'll read all about it in Jerry's Required Reading List.
Looking forward to reading all about Cassie's progress... Hope you post some pictures of her soon!! We all wanna see your cutie-pie!!
Angel Jake and Wolfie'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!
Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. I took this quick video of her yesterday. Sorry about the poor quality, I took it with my phone.
As you can see she is just rearing to go. So that brings me to the first of what will most likely be many questions. How much is too much for her?
Also just wanted to share one of my favorite photo's of her.
In response to "how much is too much for her?".
Hi Cassie's mom,
My dog Chloe had her amputation 8 days ago (spindle cell sarcoma, no trace of cancer left now) and she too loves being active despite the recent amputation (watched your video). If you are really concerned you should talk to your vet, but its always good to caution on the conservative side and get plenty of bed rest! My experience with Chloe has been to walk a little, tiny bit more every day on bathroom breaks to get her more comfortable using the remaining legs (plus she is getting bored inside and just paces around wanting to go out and do stuff). I have to use the sling with her until the staples come out next Thursday (per the vets orders), but she's a pro standing up, sitting down and walking along on our bathroom breaks already. I only "spot" her with the sling at this point. I know that with Chloe I have to use my discretion because the first day we went on a potty break, we only got about two houses down when she decided that was enough. My neighbors were kind enough to drive her back, so ever since I have made sure we get back inside before she gets tired. Chloe just sleeps the rest of the day between bathroom breaks when she isn't pacing around wanting to go out. Wishing Cassie a speedy recovery!
-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
Cassie looks fantastic! (Love that Landscape effect in the movie! 😉
As for "how much is too much," Chloe's advice is spot on:
ever since I have made sure we get back inside before she gets tired.
Allow plenty of time for rest and don't push it, it hasn't been that long since surgery. Walks that used to take you 15 minutes may take 30 now.Play it by ear and don't count on going for the same distance of walks as you did before.
Our Required Reading List has some exercise tips about Walking, and you can also check out our interviews with canine rehabilitation specialists at CARE for some more exercise and recovery tips. Hope this helps!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for the quick responses. We have been keeping her walks to minimum, she just really seems to want more. In the house she just sleeps. Almost seems depressed. Take her outside and she is a different dog. I usually only take her out for 10 - 15 minute walks. So far she has shown no symptoms of fatigue. Will stick with what we are doing for now. Better to error on the safe side.
A little worried today as she is not showing any interest in her breakfast. Up until yesterday she has been eating with gusto. She's on a super high calorie canned mixed with her kibble. So maybe she just doesn't need as many calories now as she did when her blood count was so low.
Rear leg is better than front. We have a shepherd at our local dog park that outruns many 4 leggers. Its main disadvantage is turns though. They just tumble off though and start back up running again.
Foxy | Golden Ret./Corgi Mix | Born on Date ~1999 | Tripawd mode – 10/02/2009 | RIP - 03/05/2012
Rear leg is better than front. We have a shepherd at our local dog park that outruns many 4 leggers. Its main disadvantage is turns though. They just tumble off though and start back up running again.
Foxy | Golden Ret./Corgi Mix | Born on Date ~1999 | Tripawd mode – 10/02/2009 | RIP - 03/05/2012
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