Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Yesterday was Mercy's amputation surgery. It was a rough day, and I wore a track in the floor pacing at work. It was an even worse night, but we made it through, and the morning brings some relief with it. Just a heads up to those that sent their well-wishes, thank you for your kind thoughts! We had no complications, and Mercy and I drew upon a bit of everyones kindness and strength to get through this major event.
Welcome home Mercy! Glad all went well, best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Mercy & Mom,
Glad to hear you are home and settling in. I just read your blogs, I have been a little less diligent about checking the site since losing my Lulu. I wanted to share with you a few of my experiences and your concerns about Mercy's abilities as a tripawd (the little things).
My Lulu also had her leg amputated due to mast cell cancer and she did amazing in her recovery post surgery. She still was able to get herself up and perch herself of the back of the couch, wash her face (granted she now good only do one side, I helped with the other) and maintained the same attitude she had before the surgery. I think you will be surprised in the next few weeks as you see Mercy recover (I know I was watching Lulu). Amputating the leg in a strange way can be a very positive experience for Mercy; everyone commented on how happy Lulu seemed as a tripawd, more content than with the massive swollen leg. For Lulu, it was pretty much "Okay, three-legs, just give me a bit to figure it all out," but never "poor me, I only have three legs."
Right now is an incredibly stressful time for both of you, but now that you found this fabulous and amazing group of dogs and their humans, you have a wonderful support network to help you get through the rough patches (and even the worst of times). Try to get some rest, these first two weeks are generally the hardest for both of you and as Cherry's dad always says, try to keep a positive attitude around Mercy, as dog's seem to pick up & react to how we are feeling too. Take care both of you.
All the best,
Stacy & Angel Lulu
Mercy looks so cute in her little e-collar! What kid of dog is she? She sure has the coloring of a Doberman or Rott. I am so sorry to hear about her amputation. Forgive me if I missed it but did Mercy have an accident or was it cancer? The next couple of weeks might be difficult but remember "This to shall pass". Keep us posted. Mercy will be in my prayers.
Debra & Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
admin said:
Welcome home Mercy! Glad all went well, best wishes for a speedy recovery!
We all want to second the sentiment. Hope that you will be able to get some sleep this second night home. I do not have to tell you that Mercy needs you now and at some point the lack of sleep will get to the two of you. Keep us posted.
Paws Crossed and Sending Pawsitive Thoughts,
Bob & Cherry
Oh, Mercy! Great update for the first day. Just keep holding on to all the good wiishes and encouragement that come from this great group of survivors. That is right, we are all survivors. Even the ones who have lost the battle , survived to be an active and loved part of our tripawd community. I cherrish each and every human and fur child who come here. Welcome to our elite group. You and Mercy will be blessed many times over.
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.
Stacy- Mercy seems to be similar to how your Lulu handled everything. Once we got up this morning, she is bound and determined to still be independent, approaching everything with a "let's see how this works..." attitude, instead of self pity. I think she thought I was trying to help and protect her too much. She started walking away just to do it on her own. Now she's passed out in my lap. I'm content with today. Even the vets at work are surprised to see her pictures and videos and how well she's doing less than 24 hours postop.
Debra- Mercy is a miniature pinscher (although a bit bigger than standard. She's recently lost 3 lbs on her diet pre-amputation). She had her leg amputated as a result of 2 different types of cancer in it. She had something called fibrosarcoma and mast cell tumor. Hopefully the amputation will fully take care of her cancer.
Bob- Thank you for your concern, Mercy and I got some time to nap together today finally. I look forward to sleep tonight. I'm sure I'll still be up a bit to check on her, but any sleep is better than what I've gotten lately.
Thank you all!
Oh so wonderful to hear! It's always such a relief when a new Tripawd makes it out of surgery without any problems.
She looks good, and we know she will continue to amaze you with her ability to get on with life. We send our best wishes for a speedy recovery and no more cancer!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
The next few weeks are hard to get thru, for our girl, Tahsa, day 4 & 5 were every bad for her and on day 6 things started to improve. Today is 5 weeks post amp and she is happy and pain free and so very spoiled from all the attention. She rolls over on her back, she looks so cute when she lays upside down and she knows it, whoofs so I will come give her tummy pets, she never gets enough. It won't be to long and Mercy will be up and running again, it still surprises me at how good they do on three legs. Good thoughts and prayers for you Mercy for a speedy recovery 
Tasha 8 years old, First cancer diagnosis 6/26/09, Last cancer diagnosis 9/26/09, Amputation 10/01/09, Loving our girl moment by moment.
Tasha lost her battle and became my Angel on May 4 2011. Forever in my heart….
You have a pretty cute dog!!! Best wishes for a speedy, event-less recovery 🙂
<3 Laura and Jackers
I saw your posts earlier and wanted to respond, but for some reason that I can't figure out I couldn't get back on this web site. I am glad to hear you made it through the surgery. I have a pug who lost her left back leg over 3 years ago to a MCT. What I've seen from this site and learned from other tri pawd owners is that every dog is different. Maggie took longer to adapt than a lot of dogs I've read about- but she got there. So let Mercy go at her pace, she will figure things out.
Karen and Maggie the Tri-pug.
What a cutie pie!! So glad to hear that your first day at home went so well.. That is great!!
Shilo diagnosed with osteosarcoma 9/4/2009, amputation 9/9/2009. ShiloAnne lost her battle 11/23/2009 where she regained her fourth leg and is patiently waiting for her parents to join her. We will always love you baby girl.
I'm so glad to hear that Mercy got through her surgery with flying colors!!! You must be so happy to have her back home with you! She is an adorable little dog with a loving mommy!!! Hope that she has a good and quick recovery without any complications... and if for any reason there are some... then you have all of us Tripawd parents to help you through it!!!
Jake'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!
Mom asked me to say a few extra prayers - you know...being close to the big Man up here and everything...that you have a super speedy and uneventful recovery.
Be well...rest up and make sure that your mommy doesn't worry to much (yeah right - good luck, my mommy was a super duper nut job over ever single movement I made those couple weeks!!!)
Keep us all posted ok???!!!
Your new pal, Spirit Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
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