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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Our wonderful 2 1/2 year old American Staffordshire will be having his rear right leg amputated tomorrow. He was born with a luxating patella. After 3 surgeries that failed we have decided to amputate his leg due to the pain it causes him. We are extremely nervous for tomorrow. Will he be the same? He has many dog friends and I fear that playing with them will be difficult. So if anyone has any comments to a soon to be tripaw owner that would be great. Wish us luck!
Cassie & Shorty, welcome!
I'm sorry that you're dealing with amputation, it's not an easy decision to make that's for sure. Rest easy though, his age and breed type will help him tremendously in his recovery and living life on three legs. For most dogs, they simply move on and keep on living life to the fullest. Although recovery might have its ups and downs, it doesn't typically last more than a few weeks. And as far as playing with other dogs, most dogs are just as confident as they ever were once they're healed and get their strength back. The trick is to ease him in carefully, and make sure he's well-recovered before he gets back into his 'new normal.'
Have you read our Required Reading List or "Three Legs & a Spare"? We highly recommend it, both of these sources will put your mind at ease.
Hang in there, we're cheering you on and want to hear how he's doing. Good luck tomorrow.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Our Max had his left front leg amputated in 2008 due to bone cancer. Nothing changed for him at all! Max was alwyas a runner, and he continued to run like the wind after the surgery. He couldn't corner as well as he used to, but that didn't make any difference to him! Max's leg was amputated the Sunday before Thanksgiving in 2008. We brought him home the day before Thanksgiving. By the day after Thanksgiving, I was freaking out that I did the wrong thing and "maimed" my dog. I went online to search for vidoes of dogs running with three legs, to help ease my fears and to know I did the right thing for him. That's when I found Tripawds. I did a complete 180 on how I felt that very same day. It felt like a ton of weight coming off my shoulders. You will find plenty of stories and videos here that will show you how well dogs adapt to this surgery. I know you are nervous for tomorrow; try to stay positive. Everyone here will be sending positive thoughts for your boy. What is his name? We'd love to see some photos when you have time to post! Keep us updated on his surgery when you can!
Welcome to you and Shorty. Sorry you had to find us here. Our pup was also young and full of energy when she had her amp (unfortunately for her, it was due to cancer though). Once she got through the amputation and got her stamina back, she was back playing with her dog friends and running at the beach like old times.
One thing she didn't seem to like, post-amp, was to wrestle with bigger dogs. She would still wrestle with smaller dogs and with her best friends, but she didn't like to wrestle with random big dogs at the beach anymore. I think she didn't like it when they would pin her on the ground, as she felt a bit at a disadvantage for trying to push them off. Other than that, she was her old maniac, running, jumping, playing self.
Sending good thoughts for a successful surgery and an easy recovery!
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Welcome to Tripawds- sorry to hear about your boy's knee problems.
Today is surgery day, I hope everything went well. Most pups seem to take a couple weeks to start showing their own personality so don't get discouraged. Like maximutt I had convinced myself that choosing amputation for my pug Maggie was the wrong thing to do. Maggie really took her time to adapt- closer to 6 weeks before she was starting to act like herself. But then she was one obstinate pug who hated change. What we often see here is that the young pups seem to bounce back pretty quickly, hopefully your pup will be one of those.
After her rear amp Maggie could do almost everything she did before, but going up more than a few stairs was really hard for her. But that was due mostly to her size I think, she was only 12" at the shoulder.
Let us know how things are going.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Hello everyone and thank you for your support,
Shorty came home today he's learning to walk pretty well, but he was basically a three legged dog before the amputation. He's very doped up so it's hard to tell how he's feeling. I am just glad he got to come home today. It was all very scary at first but my husband and myself are starting to adapt ourselves. Time heals all. We have hopeful thoughts of his recovery and will keep you posted. Thanks again for the support.
Shorty, Cassie and Jeff
Time heals all, indeed! Keep up the great attitude. The next few days might have their ups and downs, but with an outlook like that, you'll all do fine. Glad to hear he's home.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hooray for successful surgery! He should do great, since he's used to getting around on 3 legs.
We're here if you have questions during his recovery!
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Hi everyone,
Well today is the 2 week mark since Shorty's amputation. His stitches were removed yesterday and he seems quite happy to have those itchy stitches out!
Just a quick question, can we start going for little walks now? He is doing pretty good, has the stairs all figured out and can get on the couch.
He seems like he is doing really great, but sometimes when it just me and him, he seems sad, doesn't want to do much and all my hugs and love doesn't seem to help. Is this normal?
Thanks!
Yea for stitches out!!
Did your vet give you any input on exercise levels? Ours didn't except to say she could sort of do what she wanted after her stitches were out. Maggie was a bit of a slug so I didn't have to worry about her overdoing it. Does Shorty over do? You might want to pace him a little if he does. I could tell Maggie was getting tired by the rear end sag or her one back leg would tremble. I let Maggie set her activity level, and we slowly increased. You also want to work on both strength and endurance. Here are some good videos on rehab. Many tripawds don't fully recover the endurance they had before surgery. Mag got back to about half the distance she could previously walk.
Maggie was not very happy for weeks after her surgery. She was an obstinate thing and not good with change. It was at least 6 weeks before she would play with me again. But she did come around. How long has Shorty been off pain meds? That can affect mood too. Some dogs seem a little down when they stop meds. Also- he is probably more tired than normal- he needs to build up his strength. If he is getting around OK, no problem with the incision, eating, drinking, etc. normally then he might just need a little more time to adjust to things. Lots of people here have said that soon after the stitches were out and the pain meds were done that their pups really perked up. I bet he will become happier over the next week or so.
Keep us posted.
Karen and the pugapalooza
My Australian Shepherd had her front left leg amputated last week and is doing amazingly well. She goes in to have stitches removed tomorrow. Now, I'm worried about the chemo treatments that she has to have. She has bone cancer and the doctor thinks some of it may have gotten into her blood stream. No results back from the biopsy yet. Is Shorty still on pain meds? Rosie doesn't seem to be in pain but I'm still giving them to her.
Mawash and Rosie
mawash said
My Australian Shepherd had her front left leg amputated last week...
Welcome Mawash, your future forum posts will not require moderation. Please consider starting a new topic to share Rosie's story where in won't get buried here.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
cassietiessen said
Just a quick question, can we start going for little walks now? He is doing pretty good, has the stairs all figured out and can get on the couch.He seems like he is doing really great, but sometimes when it just me and him, he seems sad, doesn't want to do much and all my hugs and love doesn't seem to help. Is this normal?
Thanks!
Well, it's all dependent on each dog and what their stamina was like before the surgery. When we went on first walks after amputation, we did about 1/8th the walks we used to do then gradually built up our walks from there. Don't expect too much, and if he sits down at all on the ground, that's a sign you've gone too far. If that happens, cut your walks back again and start over.
As far as him seeming sad, it's probably just that he's a little tired from the day's activities. Two weeks isn't a long time, he still has a lot of adjusting to do. When does this behavior happen? Does he show other signs like whining or panting? I'll bet in a couple of weeks you'll see more improvement.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
mawash said
My Australian Shepherd had her front left leg amputated last week and is doing amazingly well.
Welcome Mawash! Yes, do start a new topic so we can hear all about your pup. Aussie dogs are indeed amazing!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
With Trouble, we always let her dictate how much she was willing to try. As long as it wasn't something that would hurt her, we let her try. She never developed much stamina for walking, but she was 12 years old when she had her amputation. Shorty is so much younger and already somewhat adjusted to life on three legs. I would think he will get back to his old normal pretty soon.
Start with short walks. Don't walk him until he's tired and then have to make the trip home, increase his walking time gradually as he builds strength. Good luck to you. Shorty sounds like a pretty awesome dog.
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.
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