Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello all.
I'm Sarah and Rebel's Texas Ranger II (aka Tex) is my sweet baby girl black lab. I got her as a gift for graduating the police academy in 2010. Back in September she was attacked by a feral hog while wondering on our property one night. I found her the next morning with a large open wound and not being able to use her right front leg at all. I scooped her up and immediately took her to the vet where they repaired her wounds and cared for her for the next two days as she had large contusions on her lungs. The vet determined that the damage to her leg was nerve damage and only time would tell if it would heal. We brought her home and she stumbled around for days while healing the other injuries. We bought her boots to protect her foot as she dragged her leg around. We were attempting to give her 5-6 months of recovery before making the decision to amputate. Unfortunately Tex did not like her boots and destroyed all of them. We then attempted to use vet wrap and she took that off to and while she was unsupervised in her crate at night she started chewing.... And chewing...and chewing. She chewed her dew claw off and constantly chews if left alone. Due to risk of serious infection the vet recommended and we agreed to go ahead and amputate 
. Her surgery is scheduled for Dec. 10th.
We were very sad but seeing as she is not letting it get her down we know it will be best for her in the long run!
Welcome Sarah and Tex! Best wishes for a speedy recovery, please keep us posted.
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Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome Sarah and Tex! Sorry to hear about the injury but sounds like she will do great as a tripawd and is already not letting it get her down. You've come to the right place!
Mica, Zeus and Angel Roxy
Welcome Sarah and Tex.
I'm sorry you had to find us here- I think Tex is our first feral hog injury. Believe it or not we had a pup that survived a bear encounter!
I know it is not the outcome you were hoping for, but I bet Tex will be much happier once that bum leg is removed. The recovery period can be full of ups and downs, but you will be amazed how well Tex adapts. And maybe she will be one of the lucky ones that sail right through surgery and recovery- we see that sometimes with the younger pups who have been 'virtual' tripawds for awhile.
And definitely take your cues from Tex! She is not worried about things, and you will need to be a strong pack leader and show her everything is going to be fine.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Hi Sarah
Tucker, a nine year old lab, had his right front leg amputated two months ago and he has done extremely well.
I'm sure Tex will adjust to her new reality very quickly - and because she is a lab she may not have any of the issues with poor appetite that others have experienced after the surgery.
Even though Tex's amputation is not due to cancer, all of the great tips on this site will be very helpful.
Try not to stress too much (I know this is not an easy thing to suggest) as Tex knows you love her and will only do what is best for her.
Linda and Tucker 
Welcome Sarah and Tex-
Nasty old pigs! We will be thinking good thoughts for you as Tex starts her journey to a new normal. I think you will be surprised at how much better she will feel without the bad leg. Right now it is just in her way and obviously annoying her. I bet she will make a super tripawd.
Keep us updated.
Luanne and Spirit 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 Sarah & Tex. Your devotion & commitment to her well being is admirable. The decision to go ahead with the amputation was not an easy one we know. All of us here support & understand the emotions involved in such an important decision. Know that we are here to lean on. Please keep us posted on Tex's progress and reach out when you need to. Know there are others who have walked that scary road you are finding yourself on & we also needed answers to all of the questions that come.
Keep your chin up. Tex knows how much you love her. Love can conquer all.
- Brian and Pesto
Wow, two new members in the same post!
Welcome Brian and Pesto, we're so glad you joined us (sorry you had to though) and with such pawesome, upbeat advice too! And Sarah and Tex, welcome to you too too. I have to say that this is the first time in Tripawd history that we've had a member lose a leg to a feral hog. Yikes! Tex must have fought really hard, way to go kiddo! With that kind of attitude, she will do fine.
Be sure to check out Jerry's Required Reading List if you haven't already, there's lots of great information there for you. Of course we're also here to help calm your fears. Hang in there, it's only a temporary situation and after recovery, every day is going to be better than ever before.
Nice to meet y'all!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Sarah and Tex! AND Brian and Pesto too! Mighty cute avatar pics all the way around!
Ditto to whar everyone else has said!
Cleary the leg is bothering the heck out of him. He seems to be trying to "remove" it himself! So I guess he's makinghis wishes known!
Lurk around the site, read Jerry's Required Reading List , and you'll be prepared as possible. Recovery can be a little rough sometimes. But once it takes place, you will be thrilled at how well Tex does! Hogs, you better run ifyou see a ticked off gripawd comingnyour way!! Dogs love pig ears!!
Just a suggestion, if you have hardwoods, get scatter rugs for traction . Depending on number of steps in and out, you may need a ramp. You'll fnd all this and more as you search the site though. AND, when you pick him up after surgery, just ignore the incisin site and look into his hapy loving, drugged up eyes and tell him how much you love hin!!
We're here for you! You're not alne!
Keep us posted AND...more pictures pease!!
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!
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