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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I have a large male lab that is I have no lcue what i am in forbecomming a 3 legged friend today. I would love anything to help him. He weighs about 110 pounds back left leg is going today. I need help advice and anything else!! Prayers too!!
hi amanda, bless your heart, you are in the right place. everyone of us has worn your shoes, and walked this path. there are many great resources here. i recommend the required reading list, it will answer many of your questions. the first two weeks after amputation are the hardest, you will not sleep much, you will worry a bunch, and you will get through it! once the amputation site is healed, get yourself a ruff wear harness to use to help your buddy get around. what's his name? sounds like he's a big boy at 110 LBs...gayle is only 60 lbs, and she can be a handful when she gets stubborn. your post didn't say, are you dealing with an accident, cancer, not that it matters this moment, but going forward your path will be different. anyway, know that you are in a family of helpful, supportive folks. welcome to tripawds, albeit under unhappy circumstances, and let us know how your guy is progressing. you are not alone.
charon & gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
We're so sorry to hear about your boy. I think what got us the most were of course the 1st two weeks, but even more so...that first night home from the hospital was pretty rough. Comfort him as best you can and be there for him. I sat on the floor all night, leaning against the couch, with Skyler's head in my lap. She cried a lot that first night and it scared me something awful, but by morning she wasn't crying any more and started slowly becoming more like her old self. It's pretty scary, but you will get through it. I can't really speak for help for his size. I have no idea how to help a dog that big, but I'm sure lots of people on here do!! Check back here often as I'm sure you'll get lots of good advice. Keep us posted!
Jane, Cathy, and Angel Skyler
Skyler – 10 year old Golden Retriever. Diagnosed with Mast Cell Tumor on 2-26-10. Right rear leg amputated on 3-4-10. Crossed Rainbow Bridge on 6-11-10. Chloe – Joined her sister on 4-4-11, due to hemangiosarcoma. The beloved Golden Girls are now back together.
Thanks for joining Amanda. Please be sure to review Jerry's Tripawds Required Reading List for lots of links to helpful recovery tips and advice.
This forum is really intended for specific requests. Please note that anyone willing to help must need to know what size harness – or boots, life jacket, coat, etc. – that your dog requires. Please review the Ruff Wear harness sizing instructions, and let us know wat you're looking for. Complete details about other harnesses and products available can be found in the Tripawds Gear Shop.
Best wishes for a complete, speedy recovery. Consider starting a new forum topic or a blog to share your story.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Amanda,
Welcome to the tripawds family! What is your sweetie's name?
I hope everything went well with his surgery today. You will need a sling to help him get around when he first comes home... Either buy one or use a large towel... If he is a rear leg amputee, then I think you're able to use the ruffware harness right away. You'll need to follow the instructions and measure the width of his girth (chest) so that you know exactly what size you will need.
Let us know how he's doing after he gets home. The first 2 weeks are pretty stressful, for both the dog and the pawrents! You will probably not get much sleep (worrying about every single thing). Be sure to call your vet if you have any concerns... and of course, you can vent and ask questions here too!
Sending you a big hug!
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!
We're so sorry to hear about your boy, but are glad you found tripawds. This community can help you through - the first 2 weeks are usually the roughest. We'll keep fingers and paws crossed for your boy that all goes well. Please keep us posted.
Hugs,
Holly and Zuzu and Susan
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
Hi Amanda
You'll get through this. My Cemil is about 145#--way too big for me to help him much. Fortunately, he was able to do a lot more by himself than I thought he could. Your baby probably can too, so try not to worry. Just give him a chance to show you. The first couple weeks are tough because he'll have to figure out how to do everything in a different way. Let him, encourage him and love him. You'll be amazed. Also know that he just had major surgery, and it takes a little while to recover.
Let us know how it's going, and send pictures when you get a chance.
Sending prayers for healing and confidence.
Mary and Cemil
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
Take care of yourself - especially now while he's with the vet! I know it's hard not to worry, but sleeping and eating right yourself is really important! Keep it up when your boy is back too. Might sound silly, but setting a good example is a great way to help him!
The pain meds might do weird things to him, cause him to whine/vocalize alot. It isn't necessarily pain at all. It's a little tricky - reactions to meds and to pain can be pretty similar. But stay in touch with your vet with your concerns - don't ever feel silly about it! You're paying quite a lot for his/her help and how else are you supposed to know what's normal? (Besides talking to people here 
)
Constipation and/or trouble figuring out how to balance to go potty on three legs is normal. Could take a few days even for a bowel movement. Again, check with your vet, if you're worried. Usually it's fine unless there are other causes for concern.
Some dogs slip more than others on smooth floors. If you find he has trouble when you get him home, you might want to invest in some rugs that won't slup (rubber underneath). But for my first tripawd, Yoda, my mom was so sweet and bought a bunch of extra rugs and he had zero trouble on smooth floors.
Results vary alot. You might see a whole list of different challenges. Feel free to bring your worries here! Not instead of to your vet, but maybe while you're waiting to hear back 
More thoughts and prayers coming your way!
Gerry has been a tripawd since 12/16/2009.
He was a shelter dog with a mysterious past and an irrepairable knee injury.
Videos and pics of Gerry's pawesomeness can be found at: http://gerry.tripawds.com
Welcome to the family. As stated, hold on for the ride. Gus had a his left front off and he was so strong he didn't need any help . He came home the next morning and was using the steps that night. He had trouble with phantom pain , when it hits them you'll think he was hit by a car, it loud and will tear your heart out, but by four weeks it wasn't much more than a loud whimper. Gus didn't get along well with Tramadol, so he was on Gabapentin and Rimidyl. I would think adjusting to one back leg might take more than a front, I can't offer any help with that, but it will probably be harder on you than him. As they say, if you get a chance to sleep, take it, cause nights aren't much fun for awhile. Each dog is different, so you have to roll with the punches, but this is a great place to be. Don't be afraid to ask anything, experience gives the best answers, and this place hasn't let me down yet!!! Good luck, Paws up, Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
Hi Amanda;
I'm sorry you had to find us – but if you need Tripawds – this is THE best place. The people here have answers to questions you don't even know to ask !! 
It will be, as everyone here has said, scary at first for you – and for your dog. Remember that your dog will look to you for a reaction, for strength, for a "read" of the situation. Be strong – for him. Treat him as you always have. Let him learn to do things for himself – you will have to help him with the initial adjustment. But it will be harder for YOU than for him.
Sophie, my 12 year old Golden Retriever, had her front left leg amputated on Feb 25th this year – due to cancer. It took her about 3 days to get her balance – and about a week until she was confident enough to climb the stairs "independently" – i.e., with me going up beside her – wearing her Ruff Wear Harness – and me holding onto the handle. Once the initial shock – for me – wore off I realized that this 3 legged animal was still my beautiful dog – still the same beautiful soul with the love of life that she always had. It was definitely harder for me to adjust than for her.
Advice? Get a Ruff Wear Harness. This will help both of you. You will not sleep well for the first couple of weeks – so figure out where you are going to sleep (many people here spent the first two weeks on air mattresses on the floor) and how you are going to keep your boy from wandering during the night. I got Sophie into my bedroom, and shut the door so that she couldn't move around without waking me up. The pain meds did not agree with Sophie either – one night she was so knocked out – I thought she was in a coma. It scared me to death. The meds do weird things to them, and affects their appetite, their balance (because they're stoned ! as well as missing a limb), and their sleepiness. As mentioned – stay in close contact with your vet – and don't be afraid to ask questions.
Sending you many Golden (retriever) hugs – and wishes for a speedy recovery !
Sophie and Tana
Sophie (1998 – 2010)
"Going Dog" def: living every day in the moment
"It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are."
–Unknown
Amanda:
We're all sorry to hear your baby has to go through this, but as someone else said, we've all been through it before. Most important is to take care of yourself, because your dog needs you at 100% to help get him through this. And don't hesitate to post even the slightest question, no matter how silly you think it might be. It isn't. You've found the one place on the internet that's full of people who probably have the answers to your questions.
One thing I didn't see in your post - why is your dog becoming a Tripawd? Cancer? Accident? The reasons for the amputation might be important when it's time to answer some of your questions.
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