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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So it's 6 a.m and my Bo is off for amputation of his left front leg. I am a hot mess! So many emotions going on right now I don't know where to start.
So here goes my story and pardon if I ramble a bit.
Bo was diagnosed 2 weeks ago with osteosarcoma. They say he is a perfect candidate for this surgery. Noticed as everyone else does with a limp that didn't seem to get better with the anti-inflammatory drug the vet gave us. He just wasn't acting right so we brought him back for a second look to have the vest say it was osteosarcoma. So as I sit here typing this blog with tears streaming down my face, am I doing the right thing?
Let me tell you about my family. I have no children, these are my children and I love them dearly. I have another dog, a boxer, Ty who is almost 11 and has DM, degenerative myeopathology and is paralyzed in his back legs. He uses a doggie wheelchair and seems to do fine in it. Bo and Ty are best friends. Been together since we brought Bo home at 6 months of age. Now I ponder at the site of my household, 2 special needs dogs. My family giggles at the thought of this. My husband trying to be strong.
Will tell how he does when he comes home tomorrow and his new journey. Darn this cancer, why?
Hi Kylesue, welcome to the club nopawdy wants to join, your future posts won't require approval.
You are in great company. Everyone here who has dealt with the shock of a diagnosis and recommended treatment understands exactly what you are going through. It's not easy and it really throws your world upside down for a time, but we are here for you to lean on and won't let you fall down 
What kind of dog is Bo? How old/young is he? If your vets think he's a good candidate, that's awesome! I think you will be very very surprised at how well he does on three legs. Yes there will be ups and downs during recovery and at first you'll likely question your decision, but when it's all done and he's back to a new normal you won't see him as "special needs," and you'll just be so glad he's still here, pain free and loving life.
Have you checked out Jerry's Required Reading List or the Tripawds e-books yet? Start there, they will answer many of your questions and help put your mind at ease. Also, when you have an hour or so, watch this PBS show, Why We Love Cats and Dogs...I mention this because you say that your dogs are your kids. Well, we are the exact same way. When our Jerry was diagnosed, it really hit us like a ton of bricks but as you can see, things turned out to be life changing, in a pawsitive way.
Lots of love and get well wishes coming your way, keep us posted on how Bo is doing, we'll be thinking of you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Kylesue,
So sorry you have to deal with this situation, but you have found the right place for sure.
Wow, you do have a couple of special fur babies, but have no fear, having a Tripawd definitely won't be a special needs pup after he is healed. They get around amazingly well, and there are many, many success stories here after amputation for many types of the ugly "c", including osteosarcoma. You will have to make a few changes to your home to accommodate Bo, but you may already have changes in place to accommodate your sweet Ty. The important thing is making Bo pain-free and enabling him to enjoy his life.
Jerry gave great advice, especially with the reading list, and e-books, and there are many of us here that think of our pups and kitties as our kids......and yes, we have all asked that question.....crappy cancer, why my fur baby? This is a very difficult, unwanted journey for sure, but one all of us have been through, you are in great company here for everything. You have all of us to lean on, as Jerry says, we will not let you fall.
Keep us updated for sure, and keeping you, Bo, and the rest of your family in my thoughts,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Welcome to Tripawds Kylesue and Bo.
I'm sorry cancer has forced you here, but here is the very best place to be as you start this journey with Bo.
You will have your hands full for a couple of weeks as Bo recovers, but soon he will be amazing you as he gets his sparkle back without that painful leg.
We have been there and we can help!
Let us know when he is out of surgery.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Hello Kylesue,
Thanks for coming here as you will find great support and hopefully many answers. First off, know that you are doing your best for your buddy Bo. He will do just great. The first day and some weeks to come will be tough but you know what, things do get better and easier. You will be amazed at how well Bo will adjust s to his new normal.
Wishing Bo a speedy recovery and you the strength to provide care for two special fur buddies.
Hang in there and please reach out if you need any support or advice.
Stirling and Tahoe
"Tahoe" - Our Amazing Superman and Best Friend.
Dec. 01-03 to Aug. 19-14
Diagnosed with Periarticular Hystiocystic Sarcoma Feb 14-13; Amputation March 18-13, and diagnosed with STS April-14. Tahoe touched so many people while visiting us, leaving a massive void in our lives. Always Missed, Never Forgotten!!
Welcome KyleSue,
I'm so sorry that Bo and you are having to deal with this cancer diagnosis. Since the vet is optimistic about Bo and the amputation I take that as a definite positive sign. As others have stated there will be ups and downs during recovery. The first few weeks tend to be the most difficult while you and the vets figure out the pain management regimen and Bo comes down off the medication provided at the clinic and he figures out how best to get around.
During these times you just hang in there and definitely come here for advice/support. Trust in your decision to give Bo a better quality of life that is free of pain and hopefully free of this nasty cancer.
Sending Bo positive thoughts for a safe procedure and speedy recovery!
Sending you a BIG HUG for what you are doing for Bo!
Sahana and her Angel Leland
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!
Hi Kylesue, I hope by now that Bo is out of surgery. After he gets through the first 2 weeks, you will notice that his pain is gone. My Lab Ty ( yep, you read that right:) slept without whimpering and waking up at night. He was in more pain than I knew. This diagnosis brings so many emotions and second guessing along with it. Just know that you are making the best decisions for him out of the info you have and love for your precious boy. We would love to see some pictures of them. Love from Lori and Ty
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Hi Kylesue. Welcome to the family; I say family because in my short time here it is very apparent to me that this is a community of people who are willing to help support each other and help one another learn. This community just seems to be so full of positive energy that will no doubt help lift you during the most difficult times. The love just exudes from the text that people write here.
I hope you keep us updated with Bo's healing process. We'd love to see a photo of him and his brother Ty. 
Here's to hoping for a speedy and easy recovery for Bo.
Hugs from Tina and Smore
Tina and Smore
(with the spirit of Pebbles watching from the Rainbow Bridge)
Smore is my tripawd kitty who adopted me one summer evening. She had an injury to her front left leg and had to have her leg removed July 17th. She was only 3 or 4 months old at the time. Now she moves faster than some four legged cats!
Online
Ohhhhhh yeah....a "hot mess".....the nausea...the not sleeping...the pit in your stomach...the fright...the second guessing, lots of thst...yep, welcome to the family who understands like no others can!!!
You stay connected to us, eat lots of chocolate and know that Bo is high as a kite right now and seeing pink and purple elephants!
Recovery for many is tought for about two weeks...some, a much easier time. But once recovery takes place and the sparkle comes back bigger and brighter than before, you wil l be sooooo thrilled that you gave Bo a chance at a pain free life! A life filled with more loving and spoiling than you could ever imagine!
You wil l learn to Be More Dog ...to live just like Bo...j n the moment, in the present, not worrying about ANYTHING! Diagnosis, statistics don't mean swuat to Bo! Just stay in the present with him and let nothing rob you of this sacred time together!!!
We're here for you and you are definitely not alone, okay!!!
Looking forward to updates, pictures and Bo's first poop at home! Yeah, really! We celebrate anything here!
HUGS AND LOVE!!!
Sally and 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!
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