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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What I did for Gus was buy a nylon rope and put a snap on the end of it, it's lightweight but strong enough to hold them. I could tie him outside for awhile and know he wouldn't be out doing something he shouldn't have , plus it keeps them from running.
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
My little guy also had amputation not due to cancer. From what I have read, Kawis recovery seems a lot different than ones of older dogs and dogs with cancer. The only time he was ever in a ton of pain was BEFORE the surgery due to his back left knee being fractured so bad. It has been 7 days and he will once and a while cry at night because he wants to be on the bed!! He finished all his medication that was sent home, he seems to be a little more play full but tires out quickly. The first 2 nights he was terrified of his crate, which he normally loves. We kind of think it is because we put him in a crate at the vets before the surgery. But we were consistent about getting him in (with lots of treats too) 🙂 and now he loves it again!! He uses his stump a ton, the first day we picked him up he was laying on it and I called the vet to make sure that was ok. You can tell he uses what is left of his stump to balance, roll over, stand up etc. He had very little bruising, no discharge, very little swelling (ice the first 2 days and moist heat after that helped) The only problem we have had is a few stitches came un knotted and fell out i believe when he was rolling on the couch or bed... just have to make it to thursday when we go back for a check up!! kawimoto.tripawds.com
Yall have made me cry every time I check in to see what's been updated. My husband isn't quite "there" yet, but I'm glad I found y'all and can at least be better prepared. I'm a "worst case scenario" kinda gal so I like to make sure I know what I'm faced with.
Zoe is our camping dog so whenever anybody comes out this way camping, let us know! We'll be there in a heartbeat and Zoe will be going at her usual speed.... ON! Last Fall we took her for the first time so that she could get some swimming therapy for her "then" new metal plate.
Feartheear: That gives me SO much comfort if they do a mid femur amputation. That means that $3K metal plate will still be in PLACE and not removed...LOL Hey, it's the little things! That might also help with her balance. I'm really glad to go in with that knowledge tomorrow morning!
We'll take Zoe in first thing tomorrow morning to our regular vet. I'll let you know as soon as we do what our next step is going to be. I don't know how much more my husband wants to fight, but I think once I tell him that there is the option of the plate remaining, he might be more open.
We love Zoe, and you're right, she gives us a completely different kind of love than our other furkids do. They love us, but they've never known anything like Zoe has and they never will but they love us in their own spoiled little puppy ways 🙂
Thanks guys. Amazing! I can't wait to meet a few of you once this road moves forward 🙂
Kimberly,
Forgot about this video of Wyatt at 3 weeks and Codie Rae at 3 years after their amputations:
http://tripawds.....raydawg/22
Ralph
I was a camping dog too but life on three legs didn't stop me! So don't worry K? Good luck this week, please keep us updated.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Good Luck tomorrow! Hope Zoe has an uneventful procedure (no bad unexpected things) and that you will be able to take her home in a couple days!!!
-Chloe's mom
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
So todays update is... uneventful! We went into the vet this morning and an hour later she said it looked fine. Actually, she thought the foot looked better than it had in awhile! We're back on antibiotics but for now, she's still 4 legged and going strong. I'm still remaining cautious in my feelings. I feel that at some point, we're going to end up here but for now, it's just seeing if it will get better. She's not in pain, she uses her foot on most occassions and it is what it is I guess. I'm not really sure how I feel right now.
Again, thanks for all your kind words and support. I feel so much more prepared now if and when the day comes that we are taking her leg. I still expect to see everyone this summer camping! Zoe's a good hopper too!
Thanks for the update! Please do keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome Zoe and mom,
Oh gosh. I "almost" couldn't read your entry post because it was too horrible. It is a blessing the two of you found each other. Cruel, cruel, cruel humans will get their come-uppence in time. I have to believe that.
I just want to say since I, too couldn't bring myself to amputate my Comet's leg - I understand. There is that "connection" with it. She couldn't use it though. Comet, too came from a bad situation. I don't want to know exactly but I do know that child protective services stepped in and had to get animal control because the people were hoarding 22 dogs. She was supposedly born with a deformed front leg. We fell in love with it. We would have had it removed but she got pneumonia and it took a long time to heal. We just couldn't do it after that.
However, I will tell - there were many days throughout her 12 years of life, I wished i had of amputated it. I loved it but it was almost too much mentally to take. It was a constant struggle to keep it from getting caught on the smallest of things. Her just jumping with her front good leg on my lap made me have to watch out for the the bad leg because she had no control or feeling in it. I was always worried about it.
The only advice I can give, is ask youself is the worry and money worth it long term?
Comet blew out her back knees when she was 6 and 8 years old (I forget). And it was almost impossible to keep her down for 12 weeks. We built a rolling crib/crate that had heavy duty casters so we could take her everywhere in the house and even outside with us. We put a bungi type netting over the top so she didn't feel cooped up. She lived there until her knee was healed - 12 weeks! But it worked and she didn't feel like she was stuck in a crate.
Wishing you all the best with Zoe. Thank you for saving her!
Angel Comet's mom
Thanks again everyone!
It appears we're back and I have to believe that the vets have done everything they can. I know Zoe will be fine, I know she will, but I'm having a hard time coming to terms with everything. It's just so defeating after all we've done for her over the past 10 months.
Zoe had a surgery on her good leg today due to a torn tendon that went well. The doctor also looked at her bad foot and basically she has a flesh eating type bacteria that is slowly going to work its way up her leg. He has a call in with the CDC in Boulder but he doesn't think there's going to be anything realistic that we're going to be able to do to save it. A prosthetic is also not an option due to the severity of the infection.
I'm just exhausted, defeated and want to find her previous owner and wish bad things upon him. I know she'll be fine. I know she will. How do I get me to have the same kind of confidence?
kimberly001 said:
How do I get me to have the same kind of confidence?
Consider reading Without Regret. It has helped many members here cope with the human emotions related to your decision to amputate. It sure helped us after Jerry's amputaiton.
PS: We just missed you in the chat. Next time be sure to post a comment to notify any online users.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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