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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Well Ive been reading that some unforunate owners have friends with cancer and therfore have to remove a limb. Im sorry to hear those storys.
I just became a tripawd daddy because my sweet 6 year old FancyPants got hit by a car. It ran over her foot and just destroyed it. Fancy is a 6 yearold blk Lab that has a pedigree like no other. I know thats what we all say. lol. She aires from Barkleys Yankee thunder and mustang Sally some great hunters. I spend alot of time with her at home and in the field. There is nothing more she loves than retrieving and running and playing it breaks my heart that she lost her left rear leg. What is even worse is the vet that did her leg did a horrible job. It was an emergency so I had no time to shop for the best at night....I asked him to remove it smooth with the hip. we discussed how the remaining femur and thigh would be useless so when i left her my understanding was it was all coming off.Well when I picked her up he left the femur complete and wraped all the remaining muscle around the tip to as he said protect the bone..It looks like a human amp and its so big. Im not even a Vet and i can see so many potential problems for her in the future with this type of amputation, balance, damage to the tip, etc. I asked him about why? and he got upset and kinda smart with me when i asked him to remove it all. He said "shes just a pet now and she will be fine". I asked again why? and he would not answer me directly he just said she will be fine like that.. I all but insisted that he remove it flush and smooth and he got upset with me again and said" I can remove her ears, her teeth what ever you want because shes not my dog obviously but im telling you she will be fine"! well that was the last straw. Im screwed on what I paid for which was less than agreed. But Fancy is not going to live her life like that. I have an appointment with a well qualified Orthoped tuesday next week and he understands that it was done less than par and not with the current methods. It will be done right for Fancy. I will give her the chance to hunt again but only if she wants to. She will be fine and her quality of life will be great when we all heal up.Thanks for your ears folks..
Fancys Dad.
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Thanks for joining Hoss! We're sorry to hear about Fancy, but glad you found us.
"Just a pet..." !?!?!? Seriously, time for a new vet.
One of the earliest success stories Jerry wrote about was Gretchen, a three legged Yellow Lab with osteosarcoma that went on to enjoy hunting.
It's unfortunate that you feel you must put Fancy through another surgery, to preserve he pedigree. But we wish you the best for a complete speedy recovery and hope she returns to field for many successful hunts. Watch our canine amputation rehab videos for important advice regarding strength training after recovery. We look forward to following Fancy's progress and seeing some photos in her blog you started.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome Fancypants and dad! (Phew! I'm glad you weren't smartypants, legalpants, monkeypants or prettypants - those names are taken already!)
I'm so sorry to hear about the accident! How is she doing after the amputation? How long has it been? I'm sorry that the vet has terrible bed side manners. I'm sure you will feel more confident when you see an ortho. We all totally understand what it feels like to want only what is best for our furbabies!
Try not to feel bad about her only having 3 legs now. It's hard not to we understand. Us humans have the harder time adjusting. Our pups just want to do what they do, love and be with us! I don't have a cancer dog, I have a dog with a birth defect. I know it's hard when you've had a normal 4 legged dog and now they aren't but as one that has been doing this for 12 years with Comet, I can promise you that Fancy won't care about missing that leg! Sure, it will take some adjustment on her part but she'll adjust just fine! The great news is once she heals, she is cured! No cancer to worry about!
This video of Lincoln might make you feel a little better. He's a rear amp and a golden who loves to swim! Not only does Lincoln have bone cancer BUT prior to that he had a brain tumor surgically removed and two knee surgeries! Now look at him!
Best of luck and again WELCOME!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
While I'm sorry to hear about Fancy's accident, I'm sure you'll see that her life can still be active and happy. As Cometdog pointed out, Lincoln is still incredibly active. He runs, he swims, he plays...all with abandon. I'm sure her quality of life can still be amazing. If you watched the video Cometdog made for Lincoln, you'll see just how active they can be.
And, awwwww, Comet...I knew you loved Lincoln, you just have a funny way of showing it sometimes, but posting his video just proves it to me.
Welcome Fancy, and get well soon!
Lincoln's Mom
Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall – Confucius
http://credocan.....pawds.com/
Sorry about FancyPants' accident, that bites.
I lost my leg and got a partial amputation too. But it doesn't stop me one bit! And I still get all of the rowdy playing, love, affection and attention that any dawg could want.
I think that once you see that we dawgs don't care about our different physique, it won't matter to you either. As hard as going through the amputation experience is, humans come out of it as even better people than they were before.
Amputation surgery was really ruff the first time around, I sure know i wouldn't want to go through something like that again. It made me craaaaaaaaazy!
Wyatt Ray Dawg . . . The Tripawds Leg-A-Cy Continues!
Read all about my adventures at my Tripawds Blog
Yes definetly time for a new vet… anyway, Chloe had her left rear leg amped about 3 months ago. Though she was never really been hunting officially, but she has caught her fair share of opossums and birds. She still chases things and after 3 months post amp, can go up/down a flight of 30 stairs, run on the soft sand on the beach, and walk all over the treacherous bluffs. Her amputation "cured" her cancer, so I am sure you will have a similar type of recovery with your Fancy since she won't be battling cancer.
To see my blog post about Chloe's accomplishments click here! (I call her Queen of the Beach!)
Keep us updated on your Fancy!!
-Chloe's mom
P.S. Cometdog, Craftypants was also a taken name...by me!
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
Thanks for the welcomes and for the Love sent her way...
I failed to mention that Fancy was hit last tuesday. Shes doing ok she gets up and goes outside to do her buisness but she is still struggling with the balance issue which im sure will take a little time. I know she will be fine as soon as we get past this. As she was walking through the dineing room she picked up a toy off the floor and carried it outside with her..Her spirit is still intact.
ADMIN mentioned and I quote—->It's unfortunate that you feel you must put Fancy through another surgery, to preserve he pedigree.
I dont know why you or how you got that from my post. I never said that or even eluded to that in anyway. I was just mentioning—-> Fancy is a 6 yearold blk Lab that has a pedigree like no other. I know thats what we all say. lol. She aires from Barkleys Yankee thunder and mustang Sally some great hunters. I spend alot of time with her at home and in the field. There is nothing more she loves than retrieving and running and playing it breaks my heart that she lost her left rear leg.—-Again I mentioned that to try to descriibe what she was into and how Hunting and Retrieving next to running and playing was very important to her and yes me. I loved getting up early loading the truck and hearing her go crazy knowing its time to go to the field with me.
I dont understand how "another surgery" would preserve a pedigree. Would you care to explain your comment?
The ONLY purpose of the second surgery is to get it right. If you were here to see the results of the first you would like everyone else who has seen it say OH MY! what was that vet thinking. Ive consulted with the orthoped about this second surgery. Ive not reveled the First Drs identity, I wont. The Orthoped knowing she is a sporting dog said that the way she is now was detramental to her. I agree. I will give her the chance to hunt again. If she wants to. IF SHE WANTS TO! I love her the same and the pedigree has no wieght in my decision at this point in anything. That HUGE chunk of muscle pulled over the tip of her femur is just an accident waiting to happen. It a useless blob of wieght that will do nothing but pull her balance. While being active and running with her 2 other friends (Labs Too) If she ever falls which will happen on the tip it could result in many types of injurys that I am trying to forsee and illiminate from happening. If she decides to hunt again and I will decide if its safe for her, that chunk of meat hanging on her would do nothing but get damaged. My agenda is pure my heart is spot on. Nobody loves thier dogs as much as i do. I just want the best for her, complete, healthy, and quality of life is my main goal for her—-NOT ME or her pedigree.
Hoss,
I'm sorry that Fancy is having to go through this. Once you get the leg done correctly I bet she is back to hunting in no time. Do you ever hunt waterfowl? Swimming is great for them and has been a life saver for Fortis. Don't laugh but Fortis did most of his training at a place called Triple Crown Dog Academy which is know for training bird dogs. We took a training class with a bunch of labs and German Shorthairs and Fortis loved it. It was funny watching a 150lb CC lock up on a covey of quail 
. He had the leg lift and tail point and all. Hilarious! To bad his dad couldn't hit the side of a barn 
. Anyhow, I pray your Fancy gets her leg situation corrected and gets back to doing what she loves most, retrieving. Do you have any photos of your girl?
Fortis'Dad
Welcome FancyPants and family,
I am so sorry to hear about the accident and surgery, but glad you will be seeing someone else soon. As you have seen, there is such a wide variety of amputees here and each one has a special and unique story. All heroes.
I look forward to hearing of your progress and seeing pictures of you!
Spirti JD's mom
JD
One Tough Girl
(1999-2010)
-Diagnosed with osteosarcoma of her left front leg –
-Amputation July 23 2010 –
-The cancer didn't get her, but she is gone-
-She fought the cancer and loved life till bloat brought her down August 29th, 2010-
Now she watches over her mom and two new sisters, the Quad-Paws Serena and Maya
hoss said:
Ive not reveled the First Drs identity, I wont.
I certainly understand how you feel, but have to throw this out there. If he/she did such a terrible job, I wouldn't be afraid to say so and possibly spare someone else having an equally bad job. I'm not talking about in a public knd of way, more along the lines of if someone local asks about the surgery or why the second surgery.
Trouble's diagnosing vet did not give her much hope and did not think she was a good candidate for amputation. Almost two years later, I always encourage someone else in our situation to get a second opinion. I don't judge the first vet, after all the osteosarcoma diagnosis was right on.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
I feel the same way hugapitbull I just feel somewhat responsable for taking her there for such a serious surgery. given it was an emergency I had not much choice. I will say the local hunting buddys and dog friends will know who not to take thier friend to.
1st pic--Fancys spot..In the middle of the bed..she sleeps with me when we camp. Shes a good hot water bottle.
2nd pic---Just last season in the duck blind at fort supply Oklahoma.
3rd pic---Fancy on a long retrieve at fort supply…she got it
4th pic---In her prime 18mths old.Playing after a training session
last pic---TODAY---Now you be the judge. My baby Tripawed Fancy. I love her so much we have done way more than hunt together she goes with me everywhere. Im glad she is going in tomorrow. It seems her meat cluster is swelling some and its holding some fluid. It was huge when i picked her up. the vet told me he wrapped the remaining muscle around the femur tip to protect it..GEEZ 
I would have expcected a drain tube and Im not even a Vet. Oh well be done right tomorrow and I will post some pics.
Awww, what a precious and beautiful girl!
Wait! Are you an Okie? I'm almost a native Nevadan BUT my roots began in OK. (there are too many Texans here!)
Don't feel bad about the vet! Mine thinks I have Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Yes born and raised In Oklahoma. Spent 4 years in The USMC. Other than that I am an Original Oklahoma Redneck and Proud of it. Anything that has anything to with the outdoors me and my Family Love..
WoooooooooHOOOOOOOOOOO! We got the Texans on the ropes for sure! We're still outnumbered by the Washington Staters but we'll get there! (Got any other Okie friends with a Tripawd? 
)
Raised in Ardmore, myself!
'Pants and an Okie! Kismet I say! Kismet!
P.S. now upload an profile pic of Fancy - (avatar pic)
Go to the top of the forum page and on the right, click "profile" button and then then hit the link (tiny print) that says
NOTE: Upload your member avatar picture by visiting your Tripawds User Dashboard. New window ---> Upload 'new avatar'. Browse a pic on your computer. When you upload, use the "alternative upload" button - it seems to work better.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Great photos! Your Fancy sure is a beautiful girl. I have always admired the drive of a true hunting dog. Your pictures answered my question above............she is definitely at home in the water. Thanks for posting the pictures. I hope your visit with your new vet goes well. Please keep us updated.
Fortis'Dad
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