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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My cocker spaniel, Sugar, is five years old and has two tumors in her left rear paw and hip. Luckily the tumors are not cancer but will ultimately impact her ability to utilize her leg and the specialist feels that she is in great discomfort. I feel very fortunate that I have been able to go The Ohio State Veterinary Hospital for the best care. The recommendation is removal of her leg. I have struggled greatly with this decision but have finally scheduled the surgery. I have cried, worry constantly about her ongoing quality of life, and so forth. Finding this website has been a great source of information and some relief for me. I am very worried about the recovery but now know what to expect and to be prepared for due to this website and the great amount of advice for all that have gone through this with their animals. Thank you. Wish Sugar luck – her surgery is on Tuesday!!
Welcome to Tripawds. Sorry your girl needs amputation, but its nice not to have to worry about cancer. What kind of tumors does she have?
Since you have already looked around you have probably seen Jerry's Required Reading List. This is a compilation of good information on amputation and recovery.
Good luck with the surgery next week, and keep us posted on her progress. And come back with any questions you have- you have found a great community with lots of experience and support to share.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Medical Veterinary technology is so advanced nowadays. I'm sure that your Sugar will come through a little sore but with the love and care you give her over the next week will certainly help her overcome and hop around as strong as ever. It will take a few weeks but I'm sure she will adapt very well. DannyBoy was running and hopping at 14 days post amp for cancer.
Have faith but be prepared for a few sleepless nights…
Tom, DannyBoy's Dad
DannyBoy turned 8 on May 25th 2010
DannyBoy was diagnosed with osteosarcoma of the front left leg August 10, 2010
DannyBoy's amputation was August 20, 2010
Yes you are fortunate to not have to battle cancer on top of the amputation (not that any amputation is fortunate…). Chloe had a soft tissue cancer confined to the area so when her leg was taken, she became cancer free. She recovered remarkably well within the critical 2 week period and I am sure that Sugar will bounce back just fine!
Get some rest now before next Tuesday because when you take Sugar home post amp, you will be up all night worrying about everything (we have all been there) and caring for her every need.
Do keep us updated!
-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
We'll keep all fingers and paws crossed for Sugar next Tuesday! The first few weeks can be a roller coaster, but once she's through that things should get easier. I think if you asked Holly, she'd say "Who needed that ole leg anyway?" 
Please keep us posted!
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
Welcome to our group! The hard part is over - making that decision is just about the worst thing ever. Keep reading and asking questions about recovery - or recovery hell as we so fondly call it.
Fingers and paws crossed for you on Tuesday.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
We are happy you found us here at Tripawds, and sorry that you have to go through an amputation. Sugar will do just fine, you'll be amazed. You'll need plenty of rest for the next few weeks. Try to keep your emotions in check when you are around Sugar, as pups can sense things very well. Also, make sure you look at pictures of pups that recently had surgery - it helps to be prepared. We're glad we did! When we picked Skyler up from surgery, I just focused on her sweet face and eyes, and didn't look at her incision until later in the day. Sending pawsitive thoughts and hugs your way. Please keep us posted!
Cathy/Jane/Spirit Skyler/Chloe
Zip says "howdy" being an Aggie dog that is down here in Texas. Sugar sounds like she will not look back but will leap/hop into her future w/o any fear. keep your game face on!
Hey Sugar, you're in some of the best hands in the world, you'll do fine. Your size and the fact that you don't have cancerous tumors will give you a huge paws up when it comes to living a good life.
All the humans here know what it's like to agonize over that decision, but once they see how well we get along, they tend to relax. If there's anything we can do for your pack, just let us know OK? Good luck next week, keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome and thanks for joining the community no one wants to join! You have our best wishes for a speedy recovery, please keep us posted.
be sure to bookmark Jerry's Required Reading List for the best advice and tips from the past few years of the Tripawds News blog and discussion forums. Many members have also found the book Without Regret helpful for coping with the difficult decisions you're struggling with.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
No cancer for Sugar is the best news ever (other than no need to be on this site at all, of course)! For posts from a doubting Thomas (I totally didn't believe everyone who said Ajax would be fine) who was so pleasantly surprised with the results post-op, search my posts entitled Ajax - I think they will make you feel better. Good luck and don't worry - also you may want to follow all the "tips" here, especially the ones about covering up slippery floors. Sugar will do great!
Welcome Sugar and mom!
We all know you wished you were joining another website but you will welcomed here with open arms and lots of love (as you can see). Feel very blessed you don't have any cancer. I feel that way since I have a deformed front leg dog.
Don't be afraid to ask any questions! We have a lot of collective experience! We can surely point you in the right direction.
Best of luck!
Comet's mom
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.
Thanks for all the kind words. Sugar gets admitted tomorrow and has the surgery on Tuesday morning. After reading your posts, I am taking some vacation days to stay home with her until I feel she is ready to be alone again when I go to work. Looking forward to getting the next two weeks behind me!!! THANKS.
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