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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2 weeks ago my APBT Harley was hit by a car. He was taken to the local vet & they diagnosed him as having a broken pelvis. His best option would be an FHO. Friday I took him to another vet clinic where they perform FHO’s. We had everything set & ready for operation until his dr noticed he was curling his foot & dragging his hind left leg.
The dr pinched his feet & leg for movement but nothing.
She suggested we wait on the FHO in hopes that through medication & steroids he will gain feeling.
A week later, Harley never regained feeling into his leg. March 31, 2014
Harley had his leg amputated. It was very hard to cope with because being Native American, it is against tradition to have disabled animals.
I always strayed away from cultural beliefs so having a tripawd dog wasn’t a big deal. I could never have put Harley to sleep, he is my world. Yesterday I picked him up from the vet & took him home. Just as I expected, my family made it so obvious that they were uncomfortable around him. I know he picked up on their negative energy because he got very sad. I got into a conflict with my sister because she threw out the phrase “he’s gotten so skinny, he’s just suffering!” And I of course replied with “why are you being so negative?!” And she said “you didn’t even ask us if we wanted the surgery! It’s uncomfortable now & I’m not the only one who feels this way!” At That moment, I packed Harley & I a bag and we left my moms house. Yesterday was a tough day, I had hoped that my family would accept him because he is still the same dog, just minus one leg.
We are now at my exboyfriends house because after all he’s always been there for Harley. Harley’s wound isn’t covered & there’s no drainage. He is on Tramadol, cephalexin and caprophen. I noticed he hasn’t had a bowel movement since we’ve been home. He also doesn’t really have an appetite either but I’m thinking it’s because of the pills. I do encourage food & water though. He can walk out side to go potty which is good. He is restless & lastnight we both didn’t get any sleep. He does appear to be dazed & sleepy die to the medication. I’m so thankful for this site because I don’t think I could’ve handled all this without knowing others have been in our situation. I’m praying for better days & I do have faith in my 7 month old pit that’s why I chose to amputate despite the negativity of others.
Oh my DOG, wow wow wow.
Thank you for joining us. We are here to help you get through the recovery, and hopefully help to show your family and others in your community that Tripawds are by no means disabled. This is the first time I've ever heard about the Native American beliefs, thank you so much for the education, I had no idea.
First of all, you are an AMAZING human being and dog mom. Bless you for your courageous stance on helping Harley to be the best dog he can be. That took a LOT of guts to stand up for your heart and Harley.
You will notice that when he is fully recovered, he wont' even notice that he's missing a leg. Pitties are especially resilient and pay no mind to what other people think. What we often consider as "depression" after surgery is just them feeling loopy because they're on pain meds.
Did you see Jerry's Required Reading List ? This will answer many of your questions about coping with recovery and life afterward. It sounds like his recovery is pretty typical, and his pain meds are all good. Be sure to follow the doctor's orders, staying on top of the pain over the next 10 days is critical for him to be comfy. Yes, the lack of appetite is because of the pills.
Trust me, you WILL Have better days ahead, the recovery is very short in comparison to the amazing life you will give him. If you are in communication with your family in the coming weeks and they are open to it, try to show them the videos here, and how happy dogs are on three legs. If they don't want to watch, that's OK. Once they see how amazing Harley is doing, they will change their minds. Right now all they see is the sadness of losing the leg; that will change, it always does.
Be strong. We are here to help. Join us in the chat room during the evenings (scroll down when you arrive and you'll see it load on your screen) when most people are around, you can talk to us, we'll listen. And once Harley is all recovered, I can totally see him becoming one very special, important ambassador for Tripawds in the Native American community. He will change so many lives!
{{{{hugs}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Ugh. First, welcome to the group. I am sorry you and Harley have had such a hard week. And more, I'm mad at your family for you. You are a strong soul for standing up for what you believe in your heart and for seeking a place of support, even if it is an ex-boyfriend. (I can't think of one ex that would be good support for me 
) You are at the hardest point, and it will get better. I had an older pittie mix that lost a front leg due to cancer and she go around very well, even with age and chemotherapy. I also have a young husky that lost a leg due to injury when she was only 5 months old. Let me tell you, she's a rock star when it comes to agility and never knowing anything is missing. (If you want to see videos of a tripawd running around happy and care free with no physical issues, check out her blog at http://adelaide.....ipawds.com) This next week is a marathon, not a sprint. Harley is on some groggy meds and he's going to hunker down to heal. But you will see him get his sparkle back soon. And before you know it, he will be getting into trouble like he used to.
Hang in there. If you ever need to talk, vent, or ask questions, there are usually folks in the chat room in the evenings.
Karma, Adelaide and the crew, and our forever angel Brendol
Adelaide is a young tripawd Husky, from an injury. Her amp was on 10/1/12. She has 4 sisters, Aissa (a senior border collie/chow), Maggie May (a puppy Great Pyrenees), Mathilde and Morrigan and 1 baby brother, Bagheera. We are all watched over by our angel Brendol, who was dx with OSA 1/30/13, amp on 2/6/13, and left us on 8/20/13.
You can read their stories at http://adelaide.tripawds.com and http://brendol.tripawds.com
Oh gosh! I'm so glad your found us!! Can't add much to what Karma and Jerrymhave already said so well!
I love that....even though you and your boyfriend broke up...his love and devotion for Harley hasn'r changed!
And BRAVO to you for being such a strong advocate for Harley!!! You are dong everything ot of love for Harley!! He doesn't now a thing about any "tradition"...he just knows he's a soul called "dog" who needed surgery to give him a great quality life!! Harley deserved that chance and you gve it to him!!
Stay connected to us, okay? You are not alone!! We are all family here...the undeniable value we all share is our love for our dogs and cats. We understand each other like no others can!!
Harley needs calm supportive energy right now...he needs rest...he needs stability...and it sounds like you and your boyfriend can come together to give him that right now. He needs a team totally focused on his well-being. Thank you for being there formhim!
Recovery is no picnic. This is major surgery. You'll see a lot of whining, restlessness.....it's hard on the humans to watch...but it does get better! Harely will i spire you and everyone he meets for years to come!!
He should poop in aother day or so.....the meds can really mess up his system. Fix him boiled chicken, hamburger...anything to get him to eat and drink. I would put a scoop of ice cream in my Happy Hannah's wster snd stir itup to get her to drink.
Please post often...daily if you can...and let us know how Harley...and you...are doing!! And let us know about his first poop!! We celebrate everything around here!!
Sending calm, peace snd healing energy .
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!
I don't have much more to add either other than to say welcome and we are ALL here for you! Kudos to you for being such a great parent to your baby!!! And for standing up to your family. That takes serious courage and I do hope they will come around. But know that we are ALL proud of you!
We would love to see photos of your baby when you can. And know that we support you and are pulling for you. The recovery is different for each dog but check in with us, and often and there is lots of great advice to be had.
My dog lost her rear leg due to cancer, sadly, but she's thriving!!! She has no clue. She is happy, pain-free and blissfully unaware! As a dog should be!
Take care!
Alison & Shelby
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Welcome to both you and Harley. You will soon be amazed at how well he does.
Our Murphy was also hit by a car and had so much damage to his femoral nerve that the leg had to be amputated. He had that same lack of response and lack of withdrawal in the left rear leg. We tried for three weeks to save it, but after that long in the hospital, it was obvious what had to be done. The last four legged picture of Murphy looks just like how you described Harley. In addition to the torn up left leg, Murphy had a dislocated right hip. Multiple dislocations later led to a total hip replacement in his remaining leg. He is now almost 17 months post amp and he acts like he never had that fourth leg. He can run like the wind and swim forever.
Harley will soon be back to the happy pup you remember. Keep loving n him and telling him he is wonderful. By the way, it sounds like that ex-boyfriend is pretty wonderful, too.
Kathi and Murphy
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Welcome,
Sorry your here but you sound like a very strong and remarkable woman. Harley is a lucky boy to have you and your X's support. Our Snoops is part put, his amputation was due to osteosarcoma. He has done well, they are a tough breed with big hearts. He just needs a good quiet recoup. It seems for most that's a good month, but it sounds that he has a loving supportive Mom, he'll do well.
Keep us posted on how you all are doing.
Wishing you both, and your X the best!
Esther and her Snoop
Welcome to the family, I know this isn't the one that anyone wants to join but we are here for you anyway. I know what its like to have to go against your family for what you believe is right and trust me when I say things will get better. You may not be able to change their minds but in time hopefully Harley will give them a reason to reconsider. You are a strong person and Harley will help you be strong when you feel as though you may weaken. Right after amputation is the hardest, figuring out the pain medication levels is the worst part. You do not want him to be in pain yet you need him to eat and get around. The tramadol is generally the medication that creates the most sedation so discuss with your vet backing off a little to see if this helps. Any support, any advice you need... you can always come here.
With love and licks,
Mandy and Maverick
Maverick is a wonderful miniature australian shepard born with a malformation of the front right radius/ulna, amputation performed on 11/4/13 at 6 months old. Follow his story at mavericksjourney.tripawds.com.
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