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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I wanted to introduce my Loki, Loki is a 6 year old German Shepherd, Loki has been with me since 8 weeks of age, he truly has a beautiful soul.
On Thursday of this week Loki will have his right rear leg amputated. Loki developed an infection in his leg/hip area, the result of 2 failed hip operations (Total Hip Replacement and FHO).
Loki has some remaining hardware in the femur (partial stem) and the Acetabulum (cup). Both of these items need to be removed (infection), unfortunately his femur would not survive an attempted removal, so this is the only way to move forward and give Loki a pain/infection free life.
I am devastated over this, Loki has an amazing ball drive, he absolutely lives to go to the field to chase Chuck-It Balls. If he doesn't chase, he is not without one. He loves long hikes, so something else that I know will be severely modified (at least in distance).
I work at a veterinary clinic as an assistant, so I have access to doctors to ask questions. I will though have surgery performed by specialist outside the office (that I work).
Thank you and have a nice evening.
Jack
Welcome to Tripawds, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I'm sorry you have had to find us, but you will see that this is a great community full of information and support.
I'll send a message to the Oak Town pack- they have 3 rear leg Tripawd GSDs! And our current spokes dawg is also a rear leg Tripawd GSD.
Good luck on Thursday, and keep us posted on Loki.
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
Hi Loki and Jack!
I know this is a stressful time for you and not a decision you want to make. Unfortunately, we do see amputations here after infections, etc. And Loki will be soooooo much better off without that bum leg and no more surgeries!! I know it's hard to wrap your head around, but Loki WILL be able to to go after those balls and he will be able to takehikes.....and enjoy every singke second!!
We have videos of a wonderful dog who ran top speed after frisbees and jumped off the ground to get them! It's driving me nuts because I can t remember his blog name. He has crossed over as a result of the piece of cra l disw that brings most ofnus here. And he chased frisbees right up to the day before he transitioned too!
We also nave a dog here by the name of Tanner who goes on hikes all the time!! He takes reets only because his humans make him!
A d k f course, our JERRY is the master athlete on three legs...hiking, swimming, carry logs...he did it all!
As you already know, recovery is no picnic. But k nce that two or three week period is over and he is getti g his sparkle back you will be so relieved and so glad you gave him this chance at a pain free life!!
Be sure and check out Jerry's reading list and all the tripawd videos. You'll get a lot of reassurance from them!
Keep us posted and let us know how we can help. We understand this journey like no others can!
Est wishes!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Jack and Loki, welcome. I'm sorry you're both in this tough spot, what an ordeal for you both. I know it's hard to picture him as a Tripawd, but I will tell you with all the confidence in the world that GSDs recover like champs. They move on and never look back. Their tenacity and courage is what makes them amazing Tripawds. Of course I'm biased; I've had two and they are just so so resilient. Hop on over to check out the blog of Tripawds Spokespup Wyatt Ray Dawg, he'll show you what life is like as a right rear legger, along with his buddies the Oaktown Pack!
Where are you a vet tech? Loki is so lucky to have you for a pawrent! By the way we have these fantastic new brochures about amputation for cats and dogs that we're trying to distribute to vet clinics, we'd be happy to send you some. Holler when you can.
Keep us posted OK? And be sure to post a photo! Here's how to add images to forum posts.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yeah! We want photos!!
Welcome Loki and Jack, to the club nobody wants to join. But now that you are here, this is an awesome place for tripawd love and support! We have 3 tripawd GSDs in our pack, all rear leg amps, all from an early age. None due to cancer, just stupid human tricks. All our dogs were already amputees when they came to us but two were recent and they adjusted just fine.
Our first, Codie Rae, had wire wrapped around her leg. She was dumped in the shelter night box with a necrotic leg (she's now 10 yo and still going strong, she's like the energizer bunny 
). Our second, Travis Ray was found as a stray missing a rear foot (he's 6 yo and in his prime, what a big strong GSD he is!)). We don't know the story on Austin Ray (@5 yo), he had been a tripawd for awhile when he was picked up as a stray. He has a ton of health issues but he is such a sweet, happy boy you would never know it.
We agree with Jerry that life on three ain't no big thang to a GSD, HELL no! Loki won't have quite the stamina you are used to but he will still be able to enjoy life to the fullest, 'cause thats what GSDs do! He will just pick right up where he left off and say "Three legs? No problem. Throw that ball dad!"
If you have any doubts take a look at this video of Codie Rae and Codie Rae's You Tube videos. And take a look at this great inspawrational music video that Codie Rae got to star in.
Wishing you guys all the best, we'll be thinking of you on Thursday <3 <3 <3
xoxo,
Martha, Codie Rae, and the Oaktown Pack
Woohoo! Tripawds Rule!
Regulator of the Oaktown Pack, Sheriff of the Oaktown Pawsse, Founding member and President of the Tripawd Girldogs With 2 Names ROCK Club, and ... Tripawd Girldog Extraordinaire!
Thank you so much everyone, such great info you all provided, along with the words of encouragement and the hope.
Yesterday and today was busy for us, I have 3 German Shepherds however the last two days I spent doing Loki's favorite things. Yesterday I took him for a short hike, threw some short ball throws and took him to a stream. Yesterday I also took him to a local church I use to go to and had him blessed. I myself don't go to church anymore, but I do believe in the power of prayer, so I hope all goes well for us.
Today I took him for a nice ride in the Jeep, back to the field, a hike and the stream, he had a blast.
I will leave tomorrow morning about 430 a.m. and make the trip to Columbus. He will have the surgery tomorrow, then will recover and I will pick him up on Saturday.
I will see how to post pictures so I can share with you, Loki.
Thanks again.
Jack
What beautiful pictures of a magnificent dog! Actually, your whole pack is gorgeous, what are your other dogs' names? Loved the video too!
It must be hard to imagine him without all four legs but I know that you know you are doing the right thing for Loki.
We'll be sending you guys alot of Oaktown Pack tripawd strength tomorrow!
Martha, Codie Rae, and the OP
Woohoo! Tripawds Rule!
Regulator of the Oaktown Pack, Sheriff of the Oaktown Pawsse, Founding member and President of the Tripawd Girldogs With 2 Names ROCK Club, and ... Tripawd Girldog Extraordinaire!
Wowwweee! We are TOTALLY head over heals and paws in love with Loki and your pack! Can you come play with us in Colorado when Loki is better? Love love love these GSDs! They look like such fun doggies.
Jack, we will be thinking about you and Loki tomorrow. Post when you can OK?
P.S. You need to upload a different type of avatar photo so it will show up OK? Do you get any error message when uploading an image? Are you able to upload, crop and save the avatar at all? Are you uploading a .jpg or .png file? Is it at least 200x200 but less than 600KB? Have you tried the "Alternative Upload" if the default method fails? Please feel free to send us a photo and we can update it for you if it doesn't work.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh my, that first picture....he is gorgeous! And the rest of your pack are lookers too.
Again- keep us posted tomorrow- I'll be sending strong, positive thoughts your way.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Oh gosh! I agree! Your pack is magnificent!
But that first picture of Loki took my breath away! Henis absolutely stunning!! Movie star stunning! And I love his big ole chunky feet!!
What a great pre-op day henhas had!! You are a wonderful dad fornyour Loki...for al l your pups!
Look flrward to your next update! Stay connected! This is a stressful time! But remember, Loki isn't worried about a thing!
Hugs to all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Stunning, absolutely stunning.
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
My Loki is definitely one very HANDSOME fella!!! And the strength he posses to carry that big tree limb in a river...amazing!! And the entire pack is simply gorgeous!!!
My Leland underwent his amputation due to a failed TPLO procedure to fix his knee and an infection the clinic couldn't get under control. It's sad that Loki is needing an amputation due to an infection but it does happen from time to time.
Anyway, welcome to you and your pack and I look forward to following Loki's progress after amputation and all the adventures I'm sure he will have.
Sahana and her Angel Leland and Lucian too
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
Thank you EVERYONE for the most welcoming responses and caring thoughts
Today was a rough day, but we made it through. I received a call from the surgeon around 7 p.m. tonight. Loki had his right rear leg amputated and the acetabular cup removed. The doctor made a small attempt to see if the stem was loose, but it wasn't so the decision to amputate wasn't a difficult one. He said there was some infection in there, from what he could see, and that the leg also wouldn't have lasted to long, plus atrophy had set it pretty good. I had mentioned to him how bad I felt about my decision, but he reinforced that my decision was spot on. He also took some samples for send off if I choose to do so.
He also placed a infusion type catheter to help, he said I can remove it at the clinic I work at (I am a Veterinary Assistant).
I called just a few minutes ago, the vet tech said that they sedated him a bit more because he already tried to get up
, he is such a strong boy.
The tech along with the doctor said he is so loved there, so that made me feel better.
I will get another update when I wake up in the morning, it's awfully quiet without him.
Thanks again for everything.
A few pictures of my other guys
This is Loki's brother (same sire, different dam), his name is Finn. They are a few years apart, Finn is 3 years old.
Jasper, he is 10, lots of ortho issues, just too big for a GSD
Loki and Jasper playing together a few years ago
One of Loki
Codie Rae said
What beautiful pictures of a magnificent dog! Actually, your whole pack is gorgeous, what are your other dogs' names? Loved the video too!It must be hard to imagine him without all four legs but I know that you know you are doing the right thing for Loki.
We'll be sending you guys alot of Oaktown Pack tripawd strength tomorrow!
Martha, Codie Rae, and the OP
Thank you Codie Rae,
Loki's brother is Finn, he is the sable coated GSD, Jasper is the bigger one, Black and Red.
It is very difficult to think what has just happened, but I know in time it will soften and he will be happy and pain free, and thats what matters, right
Thank you again, I really appreciate it.
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