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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Hi all, my name is Laura and in2 weeks my dog rocky will go into surgery and lose his leg. He has cancer tumor on his hind left leg. He is 12 years old this june and i hope i am making the right decision. Any suggestions would be helpful 
Thanks!
Welcome, your future forum posts will not require moderation. We're sorry to hear about Rocky, but glad you found us. Many here who have questioned their decisions, have found the book Without Regret helpful for coping with such human emotions. Our Recommendation: Be More Dog.
You'll find lots of recovery and care tips in Jerry's Required Reading List, and for immediate answers to the most common dog amputation questions download the new Tripawds e-book Three Legs and A Spare.
Best wishes, please keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome Rocky & Laura. You've come to the right place for lots of good info. Our Libby is a senior tripawd and continues to amaze us every day! Good luck Rocky! Please keep us posted.
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Welcome Laura & Rocky- So glad you found this wonderful site. Words cannot express just how much everyone on here helps us get through this kind of unexpected news.
Dogs are absolutely amazing and adaptable animals. They just know they have to do things differently and figure it out. It seems to be much harder for us to watch them than it is for them to do it.
Shooter is also 12 and had no problems. At not quite four months our from the amp he is actually more active than he was before.
You will find all sorts of helpful information and advice that will lead you on the pathway through the cancer diagnosis. Remember someone is always here to listen to you, give you a shoulder to cry on and cheer you up.
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
Hi laura and Rocky! You have just joined your extended family and we are here to support you in any way we can!,
This can be a very scarey time and clearly you are committed to doing the best for Rocky. Which one is Rocky in the photo? Big guy or little guy? Bet the little GU rules the roost!
Would like to suggest "The Dog Cancer Book". By Dr. Dressler and Dr. Stronger....you can click onto amazon fro this site and order. For me, that book and this site were now I made my decision. I cried day and night before finally going ahead and very glad I did! Happy Hannah is almost eight weeks out of surgery and is doing really well!! It was NOY an easy recovery and at times I questioned my decision...and as city....but this site was m lifeline and trully helped pull me through when I didn't think I could do it on my own. We are here for you!
You will be so pleased at now well Rocky will do with three legs. I'm sure the vet thinks he's a good candidate and all tests are go. No one k ow how much time our tripawds have but everyone will tell you the extended gift of time they have been given with us is a treasure too precious for words.
Would love to hear more about Rocky. My Happy Hannah at time of surgery 123 lb. chunk, 8 12 yrs. so very concerned about her ability to walk well! She' adjusted beautifully and doesn't seem to even remember she ever had another leg!
Please let us know now we can help you further....any questions, fears, etc.
Looking forward to hearing from you and sending you strength and serenity, Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Laura and Rocky, thank you for joining us. This is a scary time for sure but we'll be here to help make it as easy as pawsible. What kind of cancer does Rocky have?
You'll find lots of help from all of the great people here, many who also have senior dogs who've undergone amputation and done really well post-surgery. Be sure to check out all of the great stories in "Size and Age Matters."
We look forward to hearing more about your pack! Looks like a fun bunch you have there.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome Rocky & Laura! Please feel free to come to the chat room ! There's usually at least one of us in there. So sorry you had to find yourself in this situation, but you will see, Rocky will do GREAT on three legs!!!
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
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