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!
Our dog Milkshake is 7 days into her tripawd existence and I can't tell you how much this site has helped us out!! She shattered her arm in December and after several surgeries, pins, plates, infections, and new fractures, it was time to lose the spare 😉
After the surgery, Milkshake started making these screaming yelps that kept getting longer and longer - she looked miserable. A fentanyl patch got her through the past few days in a purple haze and today she took her first hop down to the stop sign and back.
Reading everyone's stories, tips, and ideas have been a huge relief and a great source of information. We are happy to be here and now we are ready to read about her fitness and mobility in the days/weeks/months to come.
Great to meet all of you!
Angelina & Milkshake
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Hi Milkshake and Mom!
Welcome aboard! She's a doll! It sounds like she is doing great! Keep us updated!
We are normally a perky group, but we are all just a bit sad today since we lost 2 of our tripawd friends today, Zoe and Tehya.
Comet's mom
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly  January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Welcome, Milkshake. I'm glad this web site has helped you in your journey into being a tripawd. If you continue to yelp out in pain have your Mom or Dad talk to your vet about phantom pain
. Because your amputation was due to a fall and not cancer you can go on to live a long life full of adventure! If you haven't started taking a good joint supplement yet now would be a good time. Even though tripawds can do anything a four legged dog can do there is additional strain on the remaining legs so take good care of yourself.
Debra & Angel 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.
Welcome Milkshake,
You have such a sweet face and I love your name! I am so glad you found Tripawds. This place is full of all sorts of good info & help for your pawrents.
You take good care, the first couple weeks can be tough, but hang in there and be careful!
Ginny & Angel Paris
Grateful for every moment we had with Paris…..no regrets!
Honoring her life by opening our hearts & home to Addy!
Welcome, Milkshake! Glad to hear you are hopping along so well. Best of luck ... the first couple weeks can be rough ones!
-Gwen & Harley
Amputation on 11/10/09, due to Histiocytic Sarcoma in left elbow. Angel Harley earned his wings on 06/24/10.
Mika is two weeks today past her surgery. Each day gets better and better!
Hang in there!
Mari & Mika the Wonder Dog
As you can see, this is a very welcoming community! 🙂 Welcome!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Milkshake, thank you for being here today to introduce yourself, and helping us to smile. Welcome to a very great place.
We love your name too. How did you shatter your leg? Ouch!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi, Milkshake! Sorry to hear your dog is in so much pain. I have heard that the week or two post amp is the worst, so it should start to get better very soon.
Sid wasn't with me when he lost his leg, but his trainer said she'd never heard a dog in so much pain as he was that night. However, he recovered so well, and is now one of the happiest dogs I've met. He was in a home before ours (sent back for defending himself against a neighbours JRT who came onto Sid's property to attack him. Gee ... !) so it's two years now, but my problem is slowing him down! And he's in the process of becoming a PAT (therapy) dog. There IS life after amputation - but you'll know that already from this great forum!
Welcome Milkshake & mom! I, too, love that name...it makes me smile 🙂
This is an excellent source of info. There are the stories here where everything went well, and stories where there were significant setbacks, and everything in between. I'm sending lots of heling vibes to Milkshake, so happy to hear you won't be on the cancer journey!
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.
Welcome Milkshake, I to love that name, is there a story about how that name was chosen? Glad to hear you are up hopping some, the first 2 weeks can be hard but then things just start getting better each day and soon you will be back to normal maybe even better in someways than before. 
Jo Ann & Tasha
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….
Welcome Milkshake, glad to have you aboard! Sorry you are going thru that awful amp. surgery, but you'll feel fine in no time!
Keep us posted on your recovery and the fun stuff too.
Chuy & Eleanor
Chuy, showing everyone that Tripawds do everything 3 times better than regular dogs!
Hi Milkshake! What a cute name for an adorable dog!! Sorry to hear about all the pain you're having from your amputation surgery. Has your vet mentioned trying any other pain meds instead/or in addition to the fentanyl patch? Many dogs take tramadol with good success. And if you're having phantom pains, then gabapentin is a good drug for that.
Looking forward to reading all about your progress and hopefully seeing some more pictures of you! How did you get the name Milkshake??
Angel 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!
Hi Milkshake! We love your name! It's pawsome! We're sorry you shattered your leg, and that you're having such pain post-op. We'll keep our fingers and paws crossed that your vet can help figure out something to ease the pain, and that you'll be back to all your old tricks before you know it!
It helped Holly when someone suggested raising her water and food bowls after her surgery... just thought I'd mention that in case you haven't already read it elsewhere on tripawds.
Welcome!
Holly and Holly's mom
Holly joined the world of tripawds on 12/29/2009. She has a big little sister, Zuzu, who idolizes Holly and tries to make all of her toys into tripawds in Holly's honor. And she's enjoying life one hop at a time!
http://anyemery.....ipawds.com
Hello back everyone!
To answer your questions - we don't know how she shattered her front leg. We left her in our flat, fenced in back yard for about 15 minutes and when we got back from the post office she was yelping in pain. Her leg was shattered from a high impact injury, but we have no idea how that could have happened. The high school we live beside was letting out, but we don't want to assume. We did turn it in to the police...
Milkshake got her name from one of my husbands students. He was a chubby little middle schooler who wanted everyone to call him Milkshake. He was Adam's favorite kid, so we named our dog after him...
As for the "screaming" yelps, they've gone away, BUT now she yelps if we try to put a collar on her or near her incision... At what point does that insecurity/mistrust go away???
Your thoughts and well wishes make us all feel very welcome - I hope we can return the favor!! 😉 Everyone enjoy the weekend!
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