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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Pawsitive thoughts, pawsitive thoughts, pawsitive thoughts!
And put all what happened prior to surgery out of your head! He's not going to bleed out, he's not going to break another limb, he's not going to be in severe pain! (just normal surgery pain).
I've done this 3-legged business for almost 12 years so don't fall victim to the "3-legged jitters". You won't even notice there is leg missing after 1/2 an hour! As a matter of fact, when his hair grows back and he's all better, you'll have forgotten all about the 4th one.
Bestest of luck on your new career as dog nurse!
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.
Elizabeth,
Nothing to add except to say I'm so glad Sammy is starting to pep up and will be coming home shortly. Your going to make a great "dog nurse"! It's good to be concerned but remember most of our fears are pointless. Most stuff just has a way of working itself out. We are sending lots of positive thoughts your way. I bet Sammy is up and around in no time.
Fortis'Dad
I am late coming to your post. It is very stressful but most of our dogs recover nicely. Some quicker, some slower but on average the first couple of weeks are hard. I like your idea of leaving your scent to reassure Sammy. You and Sammy are in my prayers.
Debra & Angel Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
elizabeth, great news that sammy is coming about, and will be home with you tonight. you'll get through these two 'hell weeks', and sammy will be back to being 'sammy' once all the drugs are out of his system and the incision is all healed up. we too kept a t-shirt on gayle, and there was no need for cleaning, etc. get ready - sammy has a whole lot to teach you, you will be amazed at what your tripawd brother can do!!! paws crossed for a peaceful night tonight, and quick healing in the days to come.
charon & gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
So glad to hear that Sammy's walking now...when our pups go through this kind of major surgery, it's always difficult for them after the first day or so. We ended up keeping Mackenzie at the vets for 3 nights - it gave me more peace of mind just in case something did happen. You've gotten some great advice here and I just wanted to reiterate about the t-shirt (which really helped a lot) and taking it one day at a time. Every day of Sammy's recovery will bring on new challenges (and joys) so just be ready and know that you are not alone on this journey - it can be very tough. And then at the end of his recovery period, you'll be so amazed at how quickly and well-adjusted Sammy has become. He won't even know he's missing a leg and you won't either. 
Here's keeping our paws crossed for a very speedy and smooth recovery! Good luck with everything!
Kami (Mackenzie's Mom)
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
My only advice is to let him take his time healing and YOU have to be the one to regulate what is too much activity. On the first day home, Chloe was so excited to go outside on a "walk" (bathroom break) and so she kept going from adjacent lawn to adjacent lawn... We only ended up 2 houses down before she plopped down because she was exhausted. Even sitting with her for 15 min, she didn't want to move. Luckily our neighbors drove us the 2 houses back, but it was a big eye opening experience for me because I realized I had to be the one to decide what was too much for her.
I learned that once they start getting used to three legs, YOU need to make sure they get back inside before they get tired. Chloe always wanted to go, go, go, so it was hard for me to hold back and give her tough love, but I did. And because I did, I now have a fully recovered tripawd.
This is not meant to scare you, but to let you know that you will encounter unforseen obstacles. You can prepare for everything and then encounter something you missed. We all know you are doing great with Sammy and we are all here if you need advice (as apparent from all these posts!)
-Chloe's mom
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
I'm late chiming in, but just want to say we'll keep all fingers and paws crossed for an uneventful recovery for Sammy. Try to stay calm, since he'll key in on your emotions. Your love for him and his for you will get you through this! Sending lots of pawsitive, healing thoughts, and plenty of hugs.
Holly, Zuzu and Susan
Holly joined the world of tripawds on 12/29/2009. She has a big little sister, Zuzu, who idolizes Holly and tries to make all of her toys into tripawds in Holly's honor. And she's enjoying life one hop at a time!
http://anyemery.....ipawds.com
Well Sammy's mom, you have prepared for everything so well....or so you think!
There will be surprises you can't possibly anticipate 
, but that is OK cause then you can share your experiences with all the new pre-amp parents. Thats what is so wonderful about this place. We all learn from each other in such a warm supportive way.
Have a great night with Sammy, although if turns out to be anything like JD's first night home, I was like a parent with a newborn. I dragged a featherbed into the living room to sleep next to her on her new pad. I listened for every breath, watched each change of position and tried to anticipate any possible need...Exausting!!! But so wonderful to have that furry body home again.
Smooches to Sammy
Angel 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
Our vet said put warm compresses (towels with warm water) on the incision site to keep it from closing up too much. Expect it to leak for awhile–Cemil leaked for about 3 weeks, so I kept paper towels inside the t-shirt to catch the drips. It's normal. There's a system for sending fluid down into the leg, and when the leg is gone, some of the fluid just comes out instead. It heals, and then it stops. Cemil's looked like water with a small amount of blood. Sort of pink. That's normal. Other than that, I don't think the incision site needs any special care.
Hope he's doing well!
Mary
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
Thanks for the encouraging words and advice. Sammy's first night was amazing. I couldn't be doing what he is doing in the speed he is doing it. He has lots of tail wags and love. We spent the night on the floor together which I have never done before and he cried once in a while and slept on top of me. He ate immediately and drank a gallon of water. I am concerned because he never urinated. He didn't at the hospital either.
I can't say enough good things about the place Sammy went for surgery. They are kind, well informed, and wonderful. Once at home Sammy was up a few times getting water and I woke up with him with my heart in my throat. I tried getting out of the sleeping bag but he was already underway both times so I just sat up and watched. Good hop along puppy. Wonderful boy.
It was pouring rain last night and Sammy couldn't make it down the slope to go potty. He tried again this morning. He has never gone in the house. I know he needs to go. I took him out front and he didn't go there either.
I am so glad my boy is happy to be home, happy to be with me, and living in the moment.
Elizabeth
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
so glad to hear sammy got through the first night at home (and you did too!!). the first pee and the first poop after amputation are indeed milestones. the rain really makes it hard (gayle hates going out in the rain too), but patience will prevail. don't forget to take some pictures of sammy now, as he recovers. the time really does pass quickly, and your mind will not remember all of the great moments. paws crossed for an ocean of urine!!!
charon & gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
fightingforsammy said:
I am concerned because he never urinated. He didn't at the hospital either.
I can't say enough good things about the place Sammy went for surgery.
He tried again this morning. He has never gone in the house. I know he needs to go. I took him out front and he didn't go there either.
Elizabeth, rest assured that he will go potty (I'll bet by the time you read this!). Some dogs take days. Really! The medications really slow things down, plus they aren't burning up as much energy (their bodies save it all for healing) so their metabolism is slower right now. If you're at all concerned you can try adding a bit of pumpkin pulp (not sweetened), bran flakes or metamucil to his food.
As for your vet's place, that's awesome. Be sure to add a review in our Vet Referral Forum when you can so others know about them!
Good luck today, keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
He also could be dehydrated and drank all that just to replenish himself. Chloe drank alot of water too when she came home and didn't pee a whole lot... Her vet said this was normal.
It also took about 3 days before she went poop. The meds plug them up, so don't worry too much if Sammy doesn't go #2 for a few more days... Remember, lots of rest, encourage drinking water and eating food (you can indulge him a bit more than usual because they need their strength) and just stay pawsitive! In a couple days I am sure he will just keep surprising you at how well he can bounce back!
-Chloe's mom
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
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