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 all!
I am the owner of a new tripawd. Colt is approximately 10 years old and of unknown origin mixed breed. The rescue facility called him a chow/sheltie mix, but I don't really know how true it is. But, I've had him for 8 years and he's my best buddy.
We discovered a sarcoma that grew to bout 8cm before it was found in the groin area of his left limb. At this point, it was affecting the muscle of his leg and starting to push his lower intestine and urethra to the side. The best coarse of action was to remove the leg to save the dog.
The surgeon is confident that she removed the whole mass, and I'm still waiting for the biopsy results before we can determine if this can be considered curative.
We are on day 5 of recovery, and Colt is already starting to feel like normal. He is moving like he's never had four legs and he makes strides every day relearning how to do things. He knows what he has to do if he wants to get back to the dog park after he's healed!
I'm happy to have found this community and I can't wait to search around to see what I can do to get our lives back on track!
Yay Colt! What a great name for you, with that kind of energy you're going to go very far as a Tripawd!
Thanks for joining us here. It's the place nobody expects to find themselves but if it has to happen, we are here to help. Something tells me though that Colt is already teaching you that animals are soooo resilient and stronger than we ever imagine.
Now that he's on the road to recovery please check out the Tripawds Gear blog exercise tips, and we hope you'll consider taking advantage of the Tripawds Foundation Rehabilitation Therapy Reimbursement grant. Anyone can qualify. You'll get your first rehab visit reimbursed if you follow the application instructions on the link. It is soooooo helpful to know what kinds of activities Colt should and shouldn't do. Rehab can be life changing for everyone!
Well thanks again for joining. Please share some photos, I can already tell by your avatar that he is adorable. Here is a post that explains adding images to the Forums. Let me know if you'd like some help.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
COLT!! Love your avatar picture handsome!
You made a hard, but wonderful decision to get rid of all Colt's pain. And it sounds like, based on his behavior this early on, that he is showing you that it was a great decision. Colt still needs to take it slow and easy though and not overdo it. The first two weeks it's all about rest, rest, rest, short potty breaks and more rest. But yeah, it sounds like he does know exactly what he has to do to get back to that dog park and we can't wait for video!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah And Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Hello and welcome.
How big is colt? Just curious.
I've had two small rear amp pups and they have both done fine. My Pug Maggie lost a rear leg to cancer and lived almost 4 years. My current Tripawd Elly is a little Pug mix who lost a rear leg to a car accident. We spend time every day on core strength and balance though exercises, food puzzles and games and trick and obedience training. We do something different every day and as far as Elly is concerned it's all fun and games!
Be sure Colt gets lots of rest until the sutures come out! It's hard when they start feeling good but you don't want to over do. Our surgeon told us Maggie was only allowed short, leashed potty breaks for the first two weeks. Elly was about 2.5 months post op when I adopted her so I didn't do recovery with her, she was healed but not very strong.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Jerry - Thank you for some insight! I am definitely surprised at how well he's adapting. It was such a hard decision, because at the time... his leg was really still functional. My husband hoped to spare the leg, but I think we made the better choice. I actually wonder if he was using his left leg a little less than we thought. It is amazing watching him learn and think about how to do activities differently. Even watching him figure out how to lay down again was pretty remarkable.
I've already picked up a Ruffgear webmaster harness , but of course he's a border size. The company said to go smaller, but it seems just a tad too tight, which might also mean I'm just not good at using measuring tape. So, I'll get the size up and see if it's any better. I imagine it should be snug, but not restrictive. I am interested in looking into that rehab offer, so thank you for letting me know!
Benny - Colt has been resting. In fact, I think he's tired of me telling him to go lay down. Today is the first day since the surgery last week that's he's been home alone for an extended period of time. But, I confined him in a small room with no jumping opportunities and secured the ecollar. Hopefully, he just lays around like a bum today! We don't usually go for walks, so most of his movement has been just into our small backyard area and then back to bed!
Krun - Colt is 40 lbs (or was, I'm sure he's a little lighter now!) So, a medium size dog. But, he's in good shape, not overweight. So, I'm sure that helps him adjust.
And for those that wanted to see him:
https://www.ins.....vQ1qzFAkj/
COLT!! OMD!! YOU ARE SOOOOOO HANDSOME !! And let me add cute adorable and so very smoochavle!
You'll be going to the dog park before you know it. Hang in there. And keep these pictures coming!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
WOW what a great lookin' boy! Oh my dog I am in love. Thanks for sharing!
Let us know if we can do anything to help with the Webmaster harness sizing. Have you seen this blog post about letting out the Webmaster straps? Message me with any questions.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you for the compliment! He is very handsome. Whatever breeds he is, they make a good looking mutt!
I have let the straps out on the harness as far as they can go. I probably didn't do a great job in measuring his girth. So, I'll just order the next size up and return the one that won't work out. He kind of has a shape like a GSD when he stands, so I may not have had the tape measure at the widest part of his chest.
OMD he is sooo handsome! Whatever mix he is, it is a gorgeous blend, what a handsome boy! I bet he is as smart as he is handsome 
Good for you for making the choice that you did even though it was a hard one.
I can only agree with the others in the "rest" department. Right now is so crucial for rest and recovery, but I have a feeling you already have that under control. Usually after suture/staple removal they start slowly getting back into routines, and just like people, some recover quicker than others.
I just wanted to welcome you and wish you luck in your recovery. You have a great group of people here for support and advice so stay tuned in. Recovery can be a little bumpy here and there, and sometimes scary and stressful.
Looking forward to following Colt's progress!
Jackie and Huckleberry 
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
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