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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My surgery went well yesterday. Still woozy from the major doggy tonic they gave me. Doc says that I did very well and can come home on Saturday. Mommy and daddy said that they will visit today. Wish I could go home with them too!
The doc says that my pawrents need to help teach me to walk as a tripawd since we caught this nasty cancer in the early stages and I was still walking a bit on all 4's. Does anybody have an idea as to how my pawrents should go about doing this? My right rear leg was the one amputated.
Also, I don't like eating here at the hospital. Is this normal or am I just being picky since the food isn't coming from mommy?
Thanks guys for your support too during this difficult time in my life. You have been alot off help to my mommy and daddy.
Talk to you soon!
--Bandit and Mommy
Hey there Bandit...glad to hear that your surgery went well...I'm a front tripawd, but I was also walking on all fours before the surgery and honestly, I got the hang of it pretty quickly. It took about 2-3 days and mom used a harness to help me around when I needed it the first week, but she hasn't had to use once since (knock on wood). I adjusted fairly quickly and odds are that you will too. Have your pawrents look into getting a harness to help you along...if you have hardwood floors, make sure mom and dad put some rugs down for you. You need to stay away from stairs as much as possible the first couple weeks and no jumping on the bed or couch if you're used to that. Mom slept on an air matress with me in the living room. I panted A LOT while on the pain medicine and it wasn't until I got my stitches out and the bandage off and completely off the pain meds that I stopped the panting.
As for not eating in the hospital...yeah, that's normal and pretty standard. I didn't have trouble with that though, but the doctor was extremely surprised and shocked that I ate as soon as I did.
We hope this helps out a bit...stay in touch here ok? We want to hear how you're doing.
Love ya pal...
Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
Hey Zeus!
Thanks for the advice. Do you know where my pawrents can get a harness? The pet store maybe? I already have a nice special bed set up for when I get home, if only I can keep my siblings off of it. We don't have stairs which is a good thing. It sounds like I'll have to stay out of the living room for a bit as the tile in there can be a bit slippery. As a puppy I liked running down the hallway to jump on a rug and go sailing across the floor. Great fun!
Take care Buddy!
--Bandit and Mommy
Hi Bandit, Glad to hear your surgery went well. I know you will learn to adjust in no time to being a tripawd. My Mom used a sling that the veterinary hospital gave her for the first week but a lot of times I wanted to just try on my own and I get better every day at it. It's been 14 days for me so far. Good luck and please let us know how you're doing. The first week is always the hardest. Keep positive, there are new challenges and tricks to learn and if your Pawrents are anything like mine...the pets, hugs, praise and treats have been better than ever!!
Bandit said:
Do you know where my pawrents can get a harness?
Thanks for asking Bandit. You can purchase a ruff Wear Web Master support harness right here! Our price includes shipping, and we do not recommend using it until the surgery wound has completely healed, and the stitches are out. So there is no huge rush. (If you do need rush shipping for some reason, however, be sure to contact us first with you address for an estimate.)
Until then, your people can use a soft towel slung under your belly to provide additional support when needed or going up and down stairs.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hey all ... it is me Bandit. I got to see my mommy and daddy last night 
-- 1st visit since surgery --- mean old doctor said no visits on Thursday 
. They were so nice ... I had not wanted to eat anything, but they got down on the floor and came into my kennel and hand fed me the yucky tasting chicken slop --- I miss my protein milk shakes and fire station left overs, I get at home. Did I tell you all, that my pawdad is a fireman and I got to the station alot and even had a ride on the fire truck 
--- plus, those guys always seemed to be cooking yummy stuff just for me.
As you can tell, I am feeling better --- it made my day to see my family last night -- they were only supposed to be able to visit for 15 minutes. But, since they were getting me to eat and interact -- they got to stay for a whole hour --- guess it was the right time to play the innocent and cute card 
Plus, dad even picked me up and plopped me down on the blanket -- so, I can keep my bare end warm ... strange not having all my hair. And, the best news is...
... is it now Saturday monring (about 9 am) and I get to go home in a few hours. If I hear everybody correctly last night --- I get to go home about 2 pm -- just a few hours away 
!!!
I know it is going to be an adjustment and I do appreciate everyone's words and thoughts of encouragment --- so thank you all !!! Talk to you all very soon...woof Bandit
ps -- anyone tell me how to add my picture to this forum ???
Bandit’s pawdad said:
ps — anyone tell me how to add my picture to this forum ???
Certainly ... detailed instructions for adding images to forum posts can be found in the Tech Support forum .
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Bandit and welcome to the family. I am so happy that you get to go home today. By reading your note you may even be home by now enjoying the familiar surroundings and the company of your family. It is all uphill now. The first few days may be a little bit hard but with lots of love (which I can see your pawdad gives you already - hum that fire station sounds like a great place to visit) and patience and in no time you will be your old self. You have join a great family in this site and you will see that you will get lots of love and support from all of us. Feel better and keep us posted on your recovery. Lots of licks, Kellie
Kellie
Bandit so glad you were able to come home. The first few days will be hard. Make sure you don't over do it. My mom helped me a little on my right side(where I was amputated) to help me balance until I got use to it. Now when I roll over I think that 4th leg was just in the way . Hope you feel better soon. My mom just kept encouragingf me everyday that I could do this and guess what she was right. Aren't pawrents great? We are so lucky we have pawrents that care and love us so much. Hang in there buddy!
Titan and Heidi
Hi everyone!
I have never been so excited to be home again with my family. Mommy slept on the floor with me all night. Sort of slept. She kept waking up everytime I would move. The bad news is that I have to wear this stupid radar dish when mommy or daddy are not watching me. It is so uncomfortable and it makes me look like I'm from outer space.
Mommy and daddy helped me walk around with a towel out to the grass to pee. They were very disappointed that I did not. I could tell from the lack of sleep that mommy was feeling overwhelmed. But I surprised her today. When she went to take me outside to see if I would pee, I got up on my own and walked out with her! Mommy was very very happy! And later when she was talking to a neighbor I came walking around the corner on my own to see what she was doing and peed right in front of her and the neighbor. TEE-HEE! I just wasn't ready earlier to do so that is all.
Everyone is amazed at how I am walking around on my own. It is a bit difficult at first trying to get your balance, but I'm getting the hang of it. I did fall once on my surgical sight. Boy did that hurt. Mommy was right there to help me out and make sure I was OK. I cried for a little bit, but calmed down once mommy started holding me and petting me.
Meals have got better. Especially when I did not eat breakfast this morning and held out for mommy to put yummy gravy on my doggie food. 
Yep, I am going to try to milk this for all I can get.
Anyway, Mommy is feeling much better now that I can move on my own, eat and pee. You guys have been really supportive here for my pawrents getting through the first 2 days of being at home. Mommy kept refering back to info here so that she would know what to expect.
Talk to you all again soon!
Bandit and Mommy
Kudos, Bandit!!!! So glad that you are feeling so good and that you are walking and peeing on your own. Don't feel too bad, I was kind of under the weather myself lately and could not walk so needless to say when I went outside and tried to poo....TIMBER!!! I just fell square down on my own poo. Boy thank goodness my pawrents are not picky. They cleaned me up really good and on our merry way we went. That was sneaky of you to come around and pee in front of your mom and the neighbor....glad she didn't have her legs close to you..hee hee. Just kidding. I am just so happy that you are doing so well. Lots of lickies your way! Keep the good work....
Kellie
Yippie Bandit...glad to hear you're doing well and mommy too. Hope you both can get some good rest in the next few days. Keep it up and keep us posted!!!
Lots of licks and love,
Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
Bandit, it is so great to hear you are pulling through this like a trooper! I'll bet eating all that food at the fire station must good. Once you recover, you'll be right back to your old routine. Keep up the good work, my friend. My paws are crossed for you.
Love, Blazer & Mom (Vicki)
Yaay Bandit - sounds like you really have things in paw, including wrangling the extra goodies from your pawrents. Radar fell a couple of times too when he was first getting a handle on the balance thing - but now I can't slow him down LOL. Tripawds are simply amazing.
Hugs
Connie & Radar
Bandit - Smokey and I are so happy to hear you're doing so well 🙂 Smokey spent about 5 months limping around on 4 legs....and seeing him on 3 is amazing!!!! Lately I've wondered if he's noticed he's missing anything, but he doesn't seem to be :).
As for the food part, somehow if it's stinky, Smokey will eat it 🙂
Keep us posted! Lots of slobbery thoughts heading your way 😉
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