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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First of all I want to say what an AWESOME site this is! I found it last weekend on an internet search on canine amputation after we learned that Sammy's leg pain was due to an osteosarcoma rather than a torn ligament and we needed information and advice fast! We've been lurking ever since, and downloaded the ebooks.Thank you all sooooooooo much! I don't know what we would have done without you the last few days...even though you didn't know we were here.
Sammy is an 8 year old Ayrdale - bright, active, independent, loving and opinionated. She's already a cancer survivor having had two operations within 2 weeks when she was 4 for a mast cell tumor on her right rear end. On January 2nd she apparently injured her knee leaping from the bed and the next day we took her to the Vet for an examination and a basic x-ray. The xray didn't show any problems so he prescribed pain meds and suggested we bring her in the next week for a full panel under anesthetic. But during the second week of February she appeared to have got over the injury so we cancelled that appointment. However, at the end of the week she again began to favour her leg so we took her to the vet for the xrays. This time there was a clear lesion on her left rear leg knee which he suspected could be cancerous. He recommended us to a specialist animal hospital so on the 20th we went to see the oncologist who scheduled her for a biopsy. After waiting a week we learned it was indeed the worst possible news. Then we found Tripawds and through reading the site, and the ebook, we decided that the best thing we could do for Sammy would be to have the leg amputated. The operation was on Wednesday. She spent two nights in hospital and we brought her home again Friday afternoon. When we picked her up she was such a miserable wee thing - she has always hated being separated from her mom (she howls miserably whenever her Pawrent leaves) she was unable to balance and panting with a "get me out of her fast!" look in her eyes despite the sympathetic and excellent care she had been given. Within 10 minutes in the car she lay down, stopped panting and fell asleep.
It feels like that was days ago instead of a mere 36 hours! It's been a roller-coaster since then. Yesterday she relaxed beautifully, ate voraciously and drank lots of water (she hadn't eaten well at the hospital despite tempting her with boiled chicken!), and even made a poo! We were so relieved and happy that she was obviously making an great, speedy recovery. Then, in the afternoon, she starting being a little restless and even though still eating well and going potties she was obviously uncomfortable. She even had a small episode of panting. Tonight as I type she is resting but can't find a comfortable position. We worry that her pain meds may need adjusting and if she isn't improved by tomorrow we'll ring the hospital.
From what we've read here we realise that the first week/weeks after surgery can be difficult but we're being brave and supportive around our precious wee lassie...and worrying ourselves sick all the rest of the time.
It's such a relief to be able to talk to people who have gone through this - thank you all so much for being here for us. OH! And thank you for the suggestion of the RuffWear Harness! We got one in time to bring her home from the hospital and it's been a God-send!
Welcome to Tripawds.
Thanks for introducing your Sammy girl. Eating, drinking, peeing and pooping? Sammy is a star patient!
I know you have your hands full right now, but some pictures when you get a chance would be great!
Karen and Spirit Maggie
p.s. I didn't approve your post, but just wanted to let you know that your posts will no longer have to wait for approval.
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Sammy and family, welcome. We are so glad you found us and appreciate your kind comments about this community. Thanks to folks like yourself who take the time to share your stories and journeys on 3 legs, it's a place of hope and inspawration. So THANK YOU! 
Your future posts won't need approval so post away, we want to hear more and see lots of pictures of your gorgeous pup.
I'm so sorry you got the diagnosis, we understand how difficult that is and hope that we can make the ups and downs a little easier. Best of all we want to CELEBRATE the milestones and good times with you though, because you will have them and Sammy will get her sparkle back!
Good idea to talk to the vet about adjusting her meds, I'm sure that will do the trick and help her be more comfortable in the coming week. You keep up the great attitude and before you know it, you'll look back again and wonder why you were so worried.
Keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yes, the first 2 weeks are the hardest. Another thing is that sometimes, the pain meds themselves can cause them to act restless. Vocal, panting etc. yet again, panting can signal pain ,so great idea to check with your vet. Hang in there, it does get easier! She sounds like a trooper! Lori, Ty and the canine 3
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Thank you all for the kind words. I've managed to work out how to upload my pics and there's our Sammy with her Jolly ball on her throne...otherwise known as Mum's bed.
The doctor prescribed more painkillers last night as Sammy continued to be in some visible distress and she was a wee bit better today with only a little panting and restless moving. But she is quite lethargic. I've read here about not allowing them to do too much when they're recouperating, but Sammy doesn't want to do anything, although she does enjoy her trips out to do her business. Is there anything we should be doing to encourage her to get up and investigate her world more or is it better for her to stay resting until the stitches are out?
We were told that Maggie was only to hop on leash for potty breaks for the first two weeks, otherwise she should rest.
It may be the pain meds making Sammy lethargic. Also new tripawds tire very easily as they are using new muscles to get around.
And it is not uncommon to appear to have a 'setback' a few days after coming home. There might be some adrenalin and some of those good hospital meds still in the system, then when that clears they get lethargic.
Always keep your vet in the loop but as long as she is still eating and eliminating she is probably fine. Also- keep an eye on the incision area to make sure there is no infection (rare, but it can happen). It's a good thing that she is resting and letting her body heal.
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
Just catching up.....and Sammy is ADORABLE!! I lpve the avztar picture in her "throne" and her "jolly bzll" she sounds like a delightfully fun and smart dog!!
Okay....first step...B R E A T H E ......B R E A T H E.....seriously, take deep breaths in and exhale slowly! I always like to follow my breathing exercises with a chocolate candy bar...or two or three! It hells!!
My Happy Hannah, a 125 lb. "fluffy" Bull Mastiff (rear leg amp.osteo) did NOT have an easy recovery!! I didn't join here until Day 6 and I feared I had made a HORRIBLE mistake. She whined, she cried, she paced, she was restless, she was in pain. I could not believe I had done this TO her! I hung onto this site like it was my oxygen. The support and knowledge were incredible. Slowly but surely, my Happy Hannah started getting her sparkle back!! Once recovery took place she was pain free and soaking up the joy of getting more loving and more spoiling than anyone could ever imagine!! I was thrilled that I had done this FOR my Happy Hannah!!
Yes, rest is good right now for Sammy. Many dogs are lethargic. Major surgery hurts! Just going out to do her business now is fine. And as Lori said, the pain meds can basic do weird things!. The symptons of lain and the symptoms from pain meds can look very similar. But spells of panting, ears pinned back, etc. generally means pain.
What pain meds is Sammy on...the dose....how often? Most dogs here are on Tramadol, Gabapentin, Rimadyl, an antibiotic. Incision look okay? No smeely fkuids, not huge amount of swelling? Doesn't seem to nave a fever?
And a big YAAAAAAAAAY for pooping, peeing, drinking, eating!!! That's really good news!! You will see her slarkle come back slowly but surely, bit by bit. Heck, humans would still be in the hospital on a morphine drip!!
Keep your energy upbeat and confident. It will transfer to Sammy in a positive way that everything is okay. You are doing a GREAT job and Sammy is a remarkable pup! Hang in there! We are all with you!!!
Se ding hugs, healing energy and chocolate!!!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
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 I'm a little late to the forum but I wanted to chime in and say Welcome to the community and see how Sammy is doing now? Is she still lethargic and restless?
I don't think I saw where you mentioned the pain meds Sammy is on. The usual ones prescribed are Tramadol, Gabapentin, Rimadyl, or Fentanyl patches. Vets may prescribe one or a combination however if they only med prescribed is Rimadyl (NSAID like Ibuprofen) then another pain med needs to be added. Like other members have mentioned previously it would be like a human going through an amputation and only getting Ibuprofen to manage the pain....ouch....
Also, in case you weren't aware Gabapentin is usually prescribed for "phantom limb pain". My Leland was only on Gabapentin because he didn't do well with the Tramadol. Not all meds work for all dogs so just stay in contact with your vet till you find a combination that works for Sammy.
And the first couple weeks should strictly be resting and going on leash to potty. Sammy will bounce back just give her a bit of time. She'll need to adjust to her new normal and figure out how best to maneuver her body on 3 legs. As long as she's eating, drinking, and going potty she's doing great!!! After my Leland's surgery it was a fight to get him to eat as he had no appetite. I was cooking him steak, chicken, and pork chops trying to get him to eat something as his body needed the nourishment to help heal.
Keep us posted on Sammy's progress and I'll be keeping her in my thoughts that she has a speedy recovery!
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
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