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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Hi....My dog Cooper just had his left front leg amputated today. He is a very handsome 6 1/2 year old retriever mix. He is still at the vets. I just spent the evening visiting with him. I decided to find out as much as I could about the care he will need when he comes home....maybe tomorrow. I found this forum and it looks like a great place. I am sure I will have many questions.
We are sorry to hear of Cooper's diagnosis but you have found a community of great contributors who will share their experiences, knowlege, and provide excellent support. Cherry is also a left front amputee is rapidly approaching her one year anniversary. (We call it an Ampuversary!) Cherry and I have a set of suggestions that may help you prepare for Cooper's comming home. Stealing from a recent Jerry posting, I would suggest:
What to Expect Part 1:
http://tinyurl......tToExpect1
What to Expect Part 2:
http://tinyurl......tToExpect2
Also, there are my usual suggestions:
1) Remain as positive as possible around Cooper. They will pick up on your feelings and if you are down, it will only make it harder. I have often left Cherry, left the house, and then totally lost it before regaining composure and returning with a smile. It will make a difference.
2) Remember to treat the spirit as well as the body. Find something that they love and can still do during recovery. Then exploit that love to give them purpose. For Cherry, it was/is her trips in the truck/car. It was the first and for a long time, the only place that she would willingly take food when offered. To this day, as the time when she thinks that she is going for a ride approaches, you can see the excitement grow. Jake's mom would probably tell you that for Jake it was the swimming pool. Once Jake saw the pool and was allowed back in, the improvement appears to have been remarkable. View the Fun! Doug and Heidi will tell you that for Molly it continues to be canoe trips. Watch her celebrate her one year anpuversary! Help Cooper find a purpose to fight.
3) Consider keeping a journal. I kept a journal and posted it on-line. It allowed me to go back days/weeks/months and make a good comparison. This really helped to make honest assessments of Cherry's progress during the ups and downs of recovery. Our oncologist actually used these journal postings to keep up to speed on Cherry's condition. I have a page of thumbnail photos (with links to larger versions) covering from just after the diagnosis, first days home, chemotherapy treatment, through recent days. View Cherry’s TriPawd photos.
Soon there will be many wonderful people posting here to help you with the recover. It may not be an easy journey but remain positive that Cooper will be able to return to the quality of life you have known.
Please post a photo and tell us more about the reason for the amputation. It will help us reply.
Paws Crossed and Sending Pawsitive Thoughts,
Bob & Cherry
Hi. Welcome. You didn't say why Cooper had to have surgery, but in any case, you've come to the right place for support and answers to questions. I'll try to give you a quick overview.
Cemil had his left front leg amputated last January. When he first came home, he needed a t-shirt with paper toweling underneath to catch the drips, plenty of rest and bribes to get him to eat. He was on pain pills and had a fentanyl patch which made him really "out of it". I had a sling to help him get around, but he wanted nothing to do with that. He hopped around on his own.
I guess it would be better to wait until you post questions and stop trying to anticipate what you might want to know. I'm sorry that Cooper had to have the surgery--it's a huge decision and a very life-changing thing, but not all bad. You'll get to see the heart of your dog and he will probably amaze you. Cemil certainly amazes me. You'd think this kind of hardship would make him have a bad attitude, but it appears that he doesn't even notice that he looks different. He does everything he did before except stairs and the dog door.
We're looking forward to hearing about how Cooper progresses. Ask all your questions--this is a great group for sharing experience and advice.
Mary and Cemil
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
Many thanks to Bob for his excellent answer. I would only add that you will find most questions have alreay been answered. Be sure to use the forum search button and look for topics addressing specific concerns before starting a new one. Above all, Welcome! We are sorry to hear about your pup, but glad you found us.
PS: We created the Tripawds Blogs community as an easy way for members to journal and upload photos about their dogs treatment and progress. You can start a blog for Cooper at anytime by visiting the signup page.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you guys so much. Cooper had a growth on his left elbow, it seemed to show up suddenly .....when we took him to the vet she examined him and felt it was not good. Did x-rays and determined it was a tumor......she tried to remove it but it was all entwined through the elbow joint. Sent it away and it came back a soft tissue sarcoma. We then did chest and liver x-rays and test and when they were all clear it was determined that amputation was our best course of action. Cooper is a great dog. He LOVES life and everyone in it. He goes to work everyday with his dad. He is such a great dog that how could we not do everything and anything it took to save this boy. Yesterday was rough.....and I am sure the next two weeks will be challenging. My husband, who is a carpenter, put a ramp of our back door. I bought some long non slip runners yesterday to cover our laminate floor. We live in a one level home so that will make things a bit easier. I am very anxious to get our boy home. I am reading over all the information on this site and I am so glad to have found you guys.
Thanks for the information about the diagnosis. Above all - Hang in there. Cooper will amaze you with his adaptability and will be "back on the job" soon.
You may like to add a photo to your profile. This LINK will explain how.
Bob & Cherry
On my way to pick up Cooper....Vet said he is doing great. Standing....jumping around. Acting like his silly self. I can't wait to see him. Last night he was so out of it. it was very hard to see him like that.
Glad to hear cooper is recuperating well. Please consider registering and/or make sure you are logged in to take full advantage of the forums – your posts with then appear immediately without requiring moderation.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I am so pleased. Cooper seems to be doing great. He is up and walking around. He can get up and down easily by himself. He hopped right into the van before we could assist him. I just gave him some supper and he ate it right up. He is now sleeping on his bed...with my husband sitting beside him. We are very happy our boy is home.
Welcome home Cooper! Sounds like you're off to a great start, keep up the good work.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
It sounds like Cooper is off to a great start. Don't let him over extend himself. He's had major surgery, and needs to rest and build her strength. Lots of healing thoughts headed your way.
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 to tripawds. I'm sorry to hear about Cooper's problems. I wish you all the luck i the world with her recovery. It sounds like he is off to a nice start but don't be surprised if there are some set backs. Emily did not handle the tramadol well so she ended up getting off her pain meds a little early. There is so much good information here. Search the forums but also please post when you jave questions or worries or celebrations...or even if you need to vent. Someone has probably had the same thing happen and will share with you.
My big suggestion since Emiy now is sufferening from hip dysplasia is to start glucosamine chondroitin right away to help cushion the remaining joints.
Keep us posted. I will add Cooper to my prayers.
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.
We won't let him do to much. He has been asleep pretty much since we got home. He was out once and went right back to sleep. We will make sure he gets lots of rest. He looks so content to be home...and I know we sure our a lot happier.
Hi there and welcome to Tripawds! Glad to hear that Cooper made it through his surgery with flying colors and is now home! Just remember to take it easy with him the first 2 weeks... We also have laminate and ceramic floors in most of the house, except for the bedrooms... We put some runners and towels on the floor for Jake. He was sliding all over the place! If you don't have a harness for him yet, hurry up and get one. Best investment we ever made.
Hope that Cooper has a speedy recovery and is back to his old self real soon!!! Keep posting updates on his progress, and think about also starting a blog for him... where you can post pictures and videos of your baby!!
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!
Great News!! We are sooooo hoppy that Cooper is doing wonderfully. As Emily's Mom said, Emily did not handle the Tramadol well which was the same for Cherry. This is more of a "heads-up" that adverse reactions to the chemicals are not uncommon. Often our companions are so glad to be home, they jump around only to crash-out in their bed later. Cherry literaly pulled the tech across the room to get to us, was far more active than I would have expected the rest of the day, then checked out for the next couple of days for needed rest. Just hang in there and allow Cooper to let you know when its rest time.
Paws Crossed and Sending Pawsitive Thoughts,
Bob & Cherry
1 Guest(s)
