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 everybody - my 8-year-old lurcher cross Bonnie has had her front leg amputated today. Two weeks ago, she sustained a bad cut during walkies, severing a tendon; it was stitched and the tendon reattached the same day, but got infected after a few days. She's been in hospital for the past 8 days, but got worse over the weekend just gone, and today she's become a three-leg. We're all in bits, but your stories give me hope that she'll cope.
We're getting her back tomorrow or the day after and I'd welcome any advice for how to start her off. I'm very worried about stairs, for example, especially as we have three other dogs (greyhounds) who like to barge into everyone and everything on the stairs.
Anyanka said:
I’d welcome any advice...
Hi Anyanka, thanks for joining the discussion!
You will find plenty of support and advice here. In the Tips and Resources Forum, we posted answers to the top ten questions from people faced with amputation for their dogs. Read part one and part two, then browse the other forums or search for other specific concerns.
Best wishes to you and Bonnie for a full speedy recovery!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi there Anyanka - welcome to our family - we are sorry to hear about all of Bonnie's ruff waters lately, but you have found the right place for answers and lots and lots of support.
The first couple weeks are difficult - but it gets easier - promise.
You'll need to keep her as relaxed and low key as possible...I know - tough to do with the other guys you have running around. Baby gates help alot and you may have to keep her separate for a little while. She should avoid the stairs if at all possible until your Vet says otherwise. We kept Zeus on the main level for the 2 weeks after surgery and helped him up and down the stairs to go potty for the first 3 or 4 days and then he was able to take the stairs outside (there were only 4 of them) on his own, but that was all the stairs he did until he got the stitches out.
Keep us posted on how Bonnie (and you) are doing!
Best wishes to you
Heather and Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
Thanks very much for the welcome and the advice. Jerry, I have read through parts 1 & 2, and found them very helpful. Heather, a baby gate sounds like the perfect solution to the stair problem.
Bringing Bonnie home this afternoon, no doubt I'll be back with more questions then!
Welcome home Bonnie! Can't wait to hear how you are progressing. Remember...get LOTS OF REST!!!
xo
Mom and Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
I'm so pleased I found this forum! Just been reading posts by people who've adopted ready-made tripawds, which is just so excellent.
Anyway, after much bawling-our-eyes-out, we finally got our Bonnie back yesterday, and found that she is still the same old girl in essence. After her week in animal hospital, she welcomed us in a way that made it clear that she thought we'd gone for good. Then she more or less climbed onto me so I could not leave without her (as if...)
So far she has spent most of her time day asleep in her favourite armchair, which is low enough that she can walk out of it without any jump. She barked at the postman, wolfed down her breakfast but managed to leave the painkillers in the bowl, and told the greyhounds in no uncertain terms when they get too close. But best of all, when I took her across the road for a wee, she spotted a cat and actually dragged me halfway up a driveway by her lead - so now I know that she may have lost one leg, but none of her spirit. 
Reading your update makes my heart SING!!! It makes it all worthwhile doesn't it?
SOOOOO happy that everyone is doing well.
Lots of love to you all,
Mom and Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
Yaaahooo! Welcome home Bonnie, glad to hear that you made it home and are doing so great. Those kitties better watch out! Just take it easy though, there will be plenty of time for chase when you are all healed.
Ready-made Tripawds....that's cute 
Thanks for the update, keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Wow, what an encouraging story. It sounds like once the vet's got her over the rough spots and decided on amputation, Bonnie started improving by leaps and bounds. It's really great to have you here and we hope you will continue to share your updates with us.
Wags & Hugs, Blazer, Kitty Kimber & Mom (Vicki)
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