Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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It's been almost six weeks since Rocky's amp, and he tackled the stairs for the first time last night. Going up was no problem (he's a front legger) but going down was an adventure. He's always thought the stairs are meant for racing when going down, so he charged ahead of me. He made it down OK, but he wasn't really in control. I'm going to insist on taking him taking the elevator (my arms) for awhile longer when going down.
I wouldn't push the stairs. And I'd definitely wait until the stitches are out.
David and Rocky (and Baxter now too!)
Rocky had his right front leg amputated on Valentine's Day 2017 after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma.
He joined the September Saints on September 3, 2017.
He is the toughest, bravest, sweetest and best friend I'll ever know.
Yeah I am definitely not letting him on the stairs yet, was going to wait until his staples come out. He keeps running to them and got halfway down before I could catch him a couple days ago. He handled that fine, probably because he's a rear amp, but he doesn't ever try to go up so I am sure going up will be the more difficult part for him when I do let him try.
His incision site is finally looking less bruised. He DID wind up getting an infection in the same spot that his previous surgery was but they gave him an extra antibiotic and it's already cleared up in one day. Glad we nipped it in the bud before it could get as bad.
Thank you all for the kind words and wisdom. Trying to be patient so he could get used to his new muscles. My family was all really alarmed with how lethargic he is on pain meds, they called me at work freaking out that he wasn't willing to get up and move around (as I said he is normally very active and excitable). The call scared me but when I got home he was excited to see me and acting normal (as normal as he can). Phew. Just pain med tiredness.
Sounds like he's doing just fine, especially considering he's had MAJOR surgery and adjusting tomlife on three legs, while in pain meds!! 🙂
Rest is such a good thing right now. He's doing exactly what he needs to do to heal. Such a smart boy!
Cantw wait to see more pictures. He's just so darn cute!!
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!
Yeah it does come as quite a surprise to see our normally active doggies so mellow when they're doped up. Just remind everyone in the family that rest is medicinal, and soon enough he'll have plenty of time to romp and roll again. Great update!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Lookin' good Levi! Take it easy for a while and please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
SOOOOO CUTE!!!!! A D O R A B L E!!!!
From what I can see of the incision, it REALLY looks good!!
Thanks for sharing the CUTENESS OF LEVY today with us! 🙂
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!
One of the things I've learned in my short time here: We absolutely have the best looking pups. And Levi fits right in. Glad to see he's doing well.
David and Rocky (and Baxter now too!)
Rocky had his right front leg amputated on Valentine's Day 2017 after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma.
He joined the September Saints on September 3, 2017.
He is the toughest, bravest, sweetest and best friend I'll ever know.
One of the things I've learned in my short time here: We absolutely have the best looking pups. And Levi fits right in. Glad to see he's doing well.
Agreed. On both counts. Levi is just adorable!
So pleased you nipped that infection in the bud. That must have been a scary moment, after what you went through before. It sounds like he, and you, are doing just great!
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Heyyyy Levi we are thinking of you. How's life my friend? Drop us a line when you can, you cutie patootie you!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Ditto Jerry!!!! Can't get enough of this little lovely. How is he doing? How are you? 
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
jerry said
Heyyyy Levi we are thinking of you. How's life my friend? Drop us a line when you can, you cutie patootie you!
megstamum said
Ditto Jerry!!!! Can't get enough of this little lovely. How is he doing? How are you?
Hello guys! He is doing so amazingly well. It seems like his personality is back and better than ever! Friends who have known him for years noticed he has more pep in his step. He actually seems to want more attention from our friends than ever before. He used to be a lot more reserved and shy, more of a "mama's boy" now he goes running up for pets from everyone he meets! He must be feeling great.
We are all doing very well with his recovery and he has been going on longer and longer walks every day. He is heading to the vet this week for a checkup 🙂
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR THE ADORABLE LEVI!!!! 🙂 Cannot tell you how delightful we are ro get this wonderful update!! Inlove that his personality has come back bigger and brighter than ever before! 🙂 🙂
Can't wait to see more pictures of this cutie -pa -tootie!:-)
Have a huge grin on my face!! 🙂 Thanks for giving us such a great reason to smile! 🙂
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!
That is great news! YAY LEVI! Thank you for coming back and updating. Everyone here is celebrating!
Let us know what the vet says OK? And remember that the Tripawds Foundation will pay for his first rehab visit if you'd like to go. With a longer-bodied dog like Levi, rehab therapy would be very beneficial so you can learn what his unique needs are and how to keep him fit for a long, long timie.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
ADORABLE!!! I'm so thrilled he's doing so well !
Regarding the stairs, if you have a portable gate, you might try gating off one stair at a time to get him time to train himself on his new gait. Move the gate one step at a time, once he's (and you're) confident. Before you know it, he'll have the entire flight conquered. If you happen to have stairs that don't butt up to a wall (that's what I have), go to Walmart and get a bungee net in the auto section. You can easily use the net to partition the steps as he improves going up-and-down.
WOO-HOO LEVI !!!
pam
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
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