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,
Let me introduce myself and my best friend in a few words;) My name is Ana, I live in Poland, so far away from You, but I'm facing the same problem now, so I hope You don't mind if I will read You forum. My 3,5 years old flat coated retriever had his back leg amputated 2 days ago, not because of a cancer, but as an effect of 3 years battle with luxating patella…:( We tried with 3 surgeries and it helped, but the pain in this leg was so heavy he couldn't stand it:(
I have a small question to You: what do You think – how long there's a pain connected with the amputation (after it). I'm giving him tramadol (painkiller) 100 g per day and I'm wondering if it's a good dose (not too small or not to high). he's sleeping 23 hours a day. Is it normal?
Hi again:)
Ana
please excuse me my English and language mistakes, I know it should be better:)
Hi Ana - we are soooo glad that you found our wonderful family in Poland!!! Welcome ~
I'm not a doctor, so I can't tell you if the dose is correct, hopefully our resident vet can chime in when she gets a chance. But to answer your question, yes...sleeping is very normal. Your boy just had major surgery and the pain medicine he is on will make him sleepy. The recovery period is about 2 weeks, give or take a few days. Zeus took the tramadol the entire two weeks and he panted a lot while he was on it too...dogs react differently to tramadol as I'm learning from reading everyone's experience with it.
Our recovery period was relatively uneventful...Zeus did sleep a lot, he didn't have any problems with eating, drinking or going outside, but we made sure that he took it easy and didn't take any stairs (except to go out) until the stitches came out. Once those stitches came out and he was off the pain medicine...POOF, he was pretty much back to his old self. The only major difference that we had after amputation was that he could not take hour long walks anymore...he would just get too tired from hopping. So we just adjusted, we went to parks and fields where he could run around until he got tired and then lay down and chew a stick.
How are you doing??? that's important too 🙂 Make sure you get some rest too. I'm really happy to hear that you don't have the cancer factor to deal with. You guys should be just fine!!
Let us know if you have any more questions ok?
xooxo
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
Hi Ana. I'm glad you found our little group to help you through the recovery period. Recovery is not an easy time, but once it is over you will have a happy, healthy best friend.
All dogs recover at a different rate, but basically the worst is over in about 2 weeks. For us, recovery was not too difficult. Trouble was on pain meds about 7 days, and didn't do too well when she was taken off, so after a couple of days without, we starting giving them to her again for another 7 days. After that she was good without them. During the recovery, they do sleep a LOT. My advise is for you to get rest while he rests. You are probably exhausted from the stress and care.
I love your avatar, what a beauty! Good luck to both of you for an easy recovery and many happy days ahead.
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.
Ana,
Let us join the welcome and tell you that you have come to a community that will provide advice and wonderful support. While this is a very warm and welcoming community, every one here would have prefered that no one ever needed this kind of help. I too can not comment of the precise dose of the pain killers you are using, since he is resting well, I would say that they are doing fine. Cherry did not tolerate the pain killers well and Tramadol was the worst. We had her off it after three days and off all pain meds within a week. However, many who do tolerate these meds continue for two weeks. One of our major difficulties is that each responds slightly differently, which is why the diversity of our experiences is so very important.
I will echo the get some rest and take good care of yourself you have heard above. You will need to be strong and remain as up beat as possible. Now that you guy is painfree, he should be on the road to a wonderful life. Thanks for joining and keep us posted.
Paws Crossed and Nothing But Pawsitive Thoughts From California,
Bob & Cherry
Hi Ana,
Jak sie masz? I'm also polish... Well my parents are from Poland but I was born in Canada. I live in Florida now.
Welcome to this incredible support group for 3-legged dogs! Everyone here is wonderful and very supportive... I'm sorry that your poor doggie had to have his leg amputated, but I am happy for him that he doesn't have to deal with cancer on top of that.
My dog Jake was on Tramadol (150mg twice a day) for about 2 weeks after his surgery. We weighs around 82 pounds (37.3Kg). He was also on antibiotics most of that time. He is now 24 days after his surgery, and is doing pretty well. He does seem to get tired alot more than before... but other than that, he seems pretty happy. He has even been able to swim in our pool for the past 2 weekends, and he really loves that! So we are glad that we had the surgery...
Everyone says that the first 2 weeks after surgery is the hardest... (it's a big surgery) but most dogs seem to recover well after that. Keep posting questions to us and let us know how your doggie is doing...
Jake's Mom (Malgosia)
P.S. Your english is very good...
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 for such a nice and quick welcome!:) We do not have such tripawds forum in Poland, so I'm delighted:) OK, so I will drop here some more questions until You'll get tired with me:)
Malgosia, You wrote 150 mg twice a day, God, I'm giving him 50 mg twice a day and my Docent weight is the same that Yours Jake...
Tomorrow I'm having a control visit so I'll ask a vet about it.
So I've heard about 2 weeks – I can't wait till taking stitches off. Tell me Guys how about dosing food. Did You make it smaller? He won't have so much fresh air anymore... Second and more important thing that is killing me – He doesn't have any bandage etc. on this amputated leg and I know that probably from now on he will be "taking care" of the stitches. This is a back leg and he's a boy - don't know how to protect the stump?
So one more:) - how about going out after recovery, let's say after 6 months. How long are You outside with Your three legged friends? Can they swim if the loved it before? (flat coated is a water lover:)))
You are so right about getting some rest while he's sleeping... But You know what? It's hard. I prefer to watch him if everything is OK with the stitches etc., if he doesn't need anything... I haven't slept for 3 night now. Love him as a child...
We had 2 possibilities from the very long time (put Him to sleep or amputate his leg). He suffered all his life (for 3 years had many surgeries with complications) and after many vet consultations and first of all listening to our hearts we have chosen the second option. I just hope that he will manage, that soon he won't feel this pain because of stupid leg
Must tell You that luxating patella was as strong enemy as cancer is.
THANKS in advance for answering my questions:) Have a lovely morning? It's 5 pm in Poland:)
Hello Ana,
I am glad you found our little community, as you know already you will find much suport and care from others. It is important that he eats and drink, how is his appetite? Our dog, Paris never lost her appetite. We fed her a grain free food and vegetables that she loves. If he won't drink water, maybe he will take ice cubes.
The sleeping thing is very normal, he is healing and just like people after surgery he needs the rest. You need to take better care of yourself though. Try not to worry so much. It is amazing how strong and resilient our dogs can be, he will be running around before you know it!! I also know many of the Tripawd pups swim after surgery. Paris was outside in 20 inches of snow 2 days after surgery!
By the way, his picture is beautiful. Hang in there, we will be cheering you both on from afar.
Gineej & Paris
Grateful for every moment we had with Paris…..no regrets!
Honoring her life by opening our hearts & home to Addy!
and one more:) (havin round thousands of his photos on comp)
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He is a beauty! I can tell how much you love him and he knows that, that love will help him heal!
Gineej & Paris
Grateful for every moment we had with Paris…..no regrets!
Honoring her life by opening our hearts & home to Addy!
he didn't loose his appetite at all and he drinks fine so that;s the good news! He didn't use his leg almost at all for the last 2 years so I hope in the future he won't miss it - now it looks like he's checking the other 3 from time to time, licking them and asking: are You going to take them away too?
🙂
Best!
AN
Ana...he is a handsome boy! Welcome to our community. My Cemil is a front-leg amputee, but in our little Northern California group, there is Cody Rae who is a back-leg amputee, also for another reason than cancer, and she gets around fine--just like before. Swimming might be a little more difficult because of the unequal sides, so a float vest would be a good idea. And if he's had pain in his leg before, he probably already knows how to run around on three legs. After you get through the healing, you'll have your dog back.
Keep the pictures and stories coming!
Mary and Cemil (and his buddy Radzi, a 4-legged Chart Polski)
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
Welcome Ana, thanks for joining the Tripawds community! It's always great to hear from new members all around the world. 
What beautiful furry friend you have there. Once his stitches are removed and he is healed from surgery, there should be no need to protect his stump. You will also find that tripawds can definitely swim, though a dog life jacket can help greatly! But all he needs right now is lots of rest and plenty of water. We look forward to following his progress.
PS: Your English is fine!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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