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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Mac had his left forleg amputated one week ago today after suffering 6 months of pain from a non-healing elbow wound. He walked out of the hospital next day and jumped into the back of my SUV unassisted. What a boy! He had already learned to walk on three legs. He handles stairs and short walks. But in the past few days, has started to lift his back legs higher when he walks and seems unsure about where to put his feet. Anyone know what this is?
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Welcome, and thanks for sharing Mac's story. Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
You might want to control that jumping now that Mac doesn't have his spare leg anymore. The issue you mention is Mac just developing his proprioception. It sounds like Mac is just learning his new gait. Check out our three legged dog rehab videos for more explanation and exercise tips.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome Mac and family,
You sure are a cutie! We will definitely need a few more pictures!
Sorry you are finding yourself here, in the club that nobody wants to join, but since you HAVE to be a member, well, this is the best group of folks you'll find.
We're happy that Mac's pain is gone, and that he's on his way to healing. Don't let him go too fast -- they come out of the hospital all feeling good on pain meds only to have some setbacks along the way. This is major surgery, so tell that boy to take it easy for a few days.
Can't wait to hear more about Mac and see a few more pictures. I'm sure all us Tripawd Grrls are gonna love him.
Micki and Rio
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
Thanks for the good advice. Still learning how to help Mac get better - and how to use this blog!
Howdy, and welcome! Since Mac didn't lose his leg to cancer, he's in the Bonus Club--you don't have that hanging over your heads!
Those Border Collies love to show off their athletic skills, but Admin is right. Try to curb Mac's enthusiasm so he doesn't injure anything else. He lost his spare; the rest are pretty necessary at this point. Good for Mac that he's adjusting, learning to find his new normal and how to feel so much better. Encourage Mac to write a blog so we can hear more about him. And it's a great place to post the pictures we love so much.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Hi Mac and family, we're glad you found us! Welcome!
Your size will be a great asset when it comes to living life on three legs, but remember to take it easy as far as jumping from high places and things like that. We want your joints to last a good long time!
Can't wait to follow along with your adventures.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Will add pics just as soon as I figure out how.. Meanwhile, Mac was a rescue we got 6 years ago. He was thin and most of his canines were broken. But he soon responded to love and care and living with our other border collie. Then we found that he had sight in only one eye. And he is crazy when he runs and so has had multiple punctures and rips. Even the vet called him accident prone. He got the hole in his elbow from an incompetent and stupid emergency vetenarian who should have known better. It got infected and despite 5 surgeries including a skin graft, never healed. So now our baby has one good tooth, one eye and three legs, but the biggest heart in the world. Ill take it slow now.
Poor Mac, that's a sad tale, to be sure. But now it's all about looking forward to the next adventure!
As for adding pictures, as long as you have them uploaded someplace on the internet (Facebook, Tripawds blog, PhotoBucket, etc.) then you just have to copy the URL for where they reside, then click the button above (mine says IMG, but some other folks say it's a tree or something) to add images, and paste that URL into the box that pops up.
Hope to see some pictures soon!
Micki and Rio
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
Hi Mac and pack,
Welcome to Tripawds. He sounds like an awesome pup!! I'm sorry he had to lose a leg, but sounds like he will get along just fine. Even though he wasn't really using his bad leg, it was still there. He needs to learn his balance and gait without the dead weight of the bad leg along for the ride (my unscientific take on Admin guys big words!).
A big heart is what it is all about!
The easiest way to post pictures is to have a blog here to load them up. But you can also post them in the forums by following these instructions. Note that the pictures have to be posted on line somewhere.
I hope his healling continues smoothly, and I look forward to seeing more pictures.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Welcome to our Tripawd family. My pups are already in love with him (they are fickle). I look forward to hearing more about Mac.
Sending you many golden hugs,
Cathy
Mac said:
Will add pics just as soon as I figure out how..
Here are detailed instructions for embedding photos in forum posts. You can upload them to the Media Library in your blog and get the file location to paste in the Image URL field when writing your forum posts, or just share them in your blog and reply here with links to your posts. View the Help videos if you need help getting started with your blog or post in the Tech Support forum.
Hope this helps!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Mac - not much to add to what others have said, but wanted to welcome you to the family. Being a tripawd pawrent is awesome!
Hope Mac breezes through his recovery. Be sure to post questions here - lots of super supportive and knowledgeable folks here who are always ready to help.
Abby sends kisses to Mac,
Jackie, Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Hi Mac. Welcome from myself and tripawd Daisy. We're new to this, too. Daisy is only four weeks post-amp so it was not that long ago we were where you are. Daisy's first week was a breeze. However, the 2nd week she crashed and all she wanted to do was sleep. That was good though since she needed to heal.
Best of luck and keep us updated.
Marla and Daisy
My Two Tripawds...Biscuit 
and Spirit Daisy 
Welcome Mac!! Imperfect dogs are "perfect" dogs to us!! So, welcome and congrats on such a great recovery! Can't wait to hear more!!!
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.
Wow, Mac sounds like quite a dog! We're looking forward to learning more about him.
I don't have much to add to all the good advice you've gotten here so far, except maybe not to worry too much these first two or three weeks. You didn't mention pain meds, but if he's on Tramadol, he might get a little flaky. I'm sure Mac will figure out his new gait, and like Marla said, naps are good.
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
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