Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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We went on a camping trip last week and our little Charlie jumped off the bed and broke her right foreleg. At first I thought it might be dislocated but the X-ray showed it was a break…a bad one! We drove 2.5 hours from where we were to the Ontario Veterinary College to have the break further assessed. Once there we were told that repairing it would only provide us with a 50/50 success rate. After much debating, crying and talking with our own veterinarian we decided to have Charlie’s leg amputated.
She stayed there for 3 days and we received daily updates on how she was doing. I suppose with her only being one year old she bounced back quickly because when we picked her up today she ran to us! She was so excited to see us and we smothered her with kisses!
She is still wrapped up in a thoracic bandage and on Tramadol, Metacam and an antibiotic but she seems comfortable and sets her own limits. She’s sleeping in her crate as I type and I don’t think she can reach the bandage to bite it off and she hasn’t tried to so I have left the “collar” off her.
I’m just so glad to have her back 
Welcome, and best wishes for Charlie's speedy recovery! Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome Charlie!
I just read your blog. Hang in there as we all have bad days. Since you still have the bandage on that could be affecting you. Shooter was incredibly depressed and wouldn't move, but the minute they took the bandage off he was a new dog. I think it was just so uncomfortable and was causing some pain so he just wasn't happy.
Glad you found the site!
Luanne and Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
Hi and welcome. I was just reading your blog and came over here to the forums to see if you were here.
My little pug Maggie lost her left rear leg to a mast cell tumor. She was quite a slug for weeks after her surgery...what a stubborn pug she was! Most pups bounce back much faster, two or three weeks seems to be the norm. Maggie had me second guessing my decision to amputate, but she came around in her own time. She lived almost 4 years as the same happy, obstinate pug girl I had always known (she was 7.5 at the time of her amp).
Charlie is very young, and I bet you will see her bounce back soon. I think Shooter's mom might be on to something with the bandage- Maggie hated anything around her chest or stomach- she wouldn't walk if I put a float coat
on her!
Keep us posted on Charlie's progress.
Karen
I'm so sorry Charlie had an accident, but I'm happy you found us here. Charlie has not just age but circumstances in her favor. She isn't fighting cancer. She's small, too, which helps. I'm sure she's happy to be home and will adjust nicely. Of course she won't feel great for a bit, but once her stitches/staples are out and she's off pain medication, you will see her personality reemerge and she'll start her new, amazing life! (And you can always call the vet and tell them you want to ditch the bandage or have them redo it to make it looser. My guy had no bandage.)
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/
Little Charlie, you sure do own a lot of "cuteness genes"! You are adorable!
So glad you were all over your pawparents with smoochie kisses when they came to pick you up! Those humans, they love that kinda' thing!
Now the first week or so can be full of ups and downs as I'm sure you are aware. Take it slowlh Charlie girl! It is a major surgery ya' know!
And stay odd that bed for awhile! Have them lift you up as a Queen should be:-) 
More pictures please!!
(((((((((HUGS)))))))))))
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!
Sorry to hear about your Charlie's accident. Being that he's small and young he should do very well. They are remarkable how they adjust and move on living life.wishes for a speedy recovery from surgery.
Hey Charlie how are you doing today? I hope you're getting along better and better with each new day.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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