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 everyone My name is Missy and My Bocephus is having surgery today to amputate his front leg... I have read many stories here and I am Praying for everyone... My Bocephus does not have cancer however he has to have his leg amputated as he got tangled up and the Doc did everything he could to save it... Bocephus is about 9 month old Black Lab. I am trying to find some information as to what I need to do and prepare for as well. any information will be helpful. Thank you all very much and God Bless you all
Welcome and best wishes for Bo's speedy recovery. Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
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.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome Missy. Sorry to hear you are facing amputation but glad to hear you don't have to deal with cancer as well. My Bocephus is a very handsome boy. Wishing him well for his surgery and recovery.
We are here for you anytime.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Welcome Missy and Bocephus! Sorry about the amputation, but you have found a great support group!
My Bo was short for Bocephus...we have a special place in our hearts for Bo's. 
Good luck and keep us posted!
Meghan & Angel Bo
Welcome to Tripawds.
I had a Bo years ago- a black Nefwie mix. But my Bo was just Bo!!
I bet Bo will bounce back quickly- the young pups seem to be so resilient. You should read through the featured blogs- lots of good info on Diet and Supplements, Gear, traction and exercise, and more.
Let us know when Bo gets home- and ask any specific questions you might have. Lots of support and experience here.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Welcome to you and Bo. At 9 months, he ought to bounce back quickly. Once he's off the pain meds and has his staples out, he'll be back to his old personality. He'll need to build his stamina back up, but he should be able to do all the things he did before. Our Abby was young (15 mo) and a front leg amp, and she did everything she had before - running like crazy, digging (!), "shake", go through the doggy door, etc.
The only thing was that she couldn't walk as long on leash anymore. It can be tiring for a front leg amp to walk on leash as they need to go at a pretty good pace, so walking is tiring. Abby could only walk about 20 min on leash in our neighborhood, but could run for an hour off-leash at the beach, because she could go her own pace
Let us know when he's home from surgery and if you have any specific questions. Rest up before he gets home! The first few days home are very tiring!
Jackie, Angel 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!
Thank you all soo very Much! I just talked to the Doc and he says Bocephus might get to come home tommorow as they are doing pain management today.. I am so thankful I have found this site to be a part of.. You all are great God Bless you all
Welcome to our little group here at Tripawds! Bocephus is a handsome boy! It sounds like he made it through the amp good and it's probable best that they have him at the hospital to deal with the pain that day after. Rest up for when he comes home, hopefully his recovery will be smooth and bumpless! It is exhausting that first week or so as you both are learning your new normals. Please come on here anytime with questions or concerns and usually someone gets back real quick.
Best of luck to you and Bocephus!
Suzie and Rizzo
Jack Russell born in 2001. Mast cell cancer found Dec 2009 and right rear amputation. Five rounds of chemo done before all treatment stopped. Living life to the fullest!! Read my story at http://rizzo.tripawds.com
Good Morning everyone! I hope everyone has a Blessed day! I just talked to the Doc about Bocephus and the Doc says he is doing great and come home today. (YAY). I am so happy my guy will be home but I have to admit I am nervous. I hope I can get a video or at least a picture to show you all how good he is doing.. I will be back later on today to let everyone know! God Bless you all..... xoxo Bocephus and Missy..
That's great news that your Bo is coming home. The first few days are extremely trying but once he gets the hang of things you'd be amazed at how well he will be doing. Focus on the positive and look him in the eyes. Let him rest to sleep off the nasty meds. If you need to vent, you've found an amazing support network, wouldn't have made it through diagnosis, surgery and recovery without the people (and dogs) here.
Take care,
Kori & Angel Lupe
Diagnosed with possible synovial cell sarcoma of right front elbow 5/31/12. Amputation surgery performed 6/7/12. Final diagnosis of histiocytic cell sarcoma 6/11/12. Her soul and spirit were strong, her body was not...my little girl earned her wings 6/14/12. "If there are labradoodles and goldendoodles, why can't I be a cockadoodle?"-Angel Lupe (June 28, 1997-June14, 2012) http://lupepod......pawds.com/
Well that is terrific news! I know how hoppy you'll all be to have him home. Keep us posted and yes, we would love to see photos/video!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Bocephus is home and doing really good. I am so proud of him.. Thank you all very much for all of the support 
I want too add a photo but I am not sure how to do that yet but as soon as I figure it out I will post one..
Home is the best place to be! Good to hear he is doing well. Remember to be prepared for a crash- it often happens after they get home. Bo is so young though- hopefully your biggest problem is keeping him quiet while the incision heals!
Here are instructions for adding images to posts. The images have to be hosted on line somewhere like Photobucket or Facebook, or in a Tripawds blog you can start here.
Looking forward to pictures.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Most of what you need to know can be found in the links admin posted above. The only thing I'd add would be to keep him calm and make sure his natural playfulness doesn't get out of hand. Once the meds wear off, it'll be his inclination to go crazy a lot of the time, as puppies tend to do. All that rolling around and bashing into things is bound to aggravate the sutures, and he could easily hurt himself. So keep him calm, or at least as calm as it's possible to keep a puppy. Good luck!
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