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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I just wanted to join to let you all know that this site is quite simply wonderful. We have two Great Pyrenean Mountain dogs, Toby 8.5 and Ella 11.5. Toby was diagnosed with an osteosarcoma one week ago. We felt a lump when we were stroking him. He was in no pain at all, no limp. When we were told we were devastated. I saw this site and it helped my husband and I to make the very difficult decisions that were required. Toby had his left fore leg amputated this morning. He is in recovery at the moment.
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Welcome anjo, Toby and Ella. We're very sorry about Toby's diagnosis, it's such a scary thing. We're just glad we can make it a little easier and hopeful for you all.
Please let us know whatever we can do to help make Toby's recovery easier OK? It's not terrible for all dogs, but the first two weeks are usually filled with ups and downs. We'll ride them right along with you.
Are you overseas by any chance? Just curious.
Keep us posted on his recovery, we'll be waiting!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yes, we are in the UK. We rescue PYRs. I lived in the US for 17 years, hubby is US. We rescued Toby from VA and when we came back to the UK, he came with us. I have just called the hospital and Toby is in a great deal of pain. They had to up the morphine. His operation took a great deal longer than hoped. Is this degree of pain normal? How long does this usually last? Toby is a large dog, 117lbs and the abuse he endured was severe. This was our concern, he had some weakness in his hips. They did a number of xrays before hand to ensure that there was no visible probelms with his joints and spine that could hinder his ability to walk again and thus make amputation impossible. He was given the all clear, but I am still very worried.
I will keep in touch when I know more.
We are going through this with our St. Bernard, Sasha. Two days after surgery she is already walking by herself! She weighs 180+lbs so I know your dog will do great!!!!
scary times, but have faith in the love you share with toby. the first days and weeks will be trying, but you can do it. paws crossed for success with the surgery and no complications ahead. we're sending our best thoughts and 'juju' your way.
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
Welcome to the club you never wanted to join! But it's a good place to be when you need it, for sure.
It seems that dogs are just as variable with their pain as people are. When you think about what he just went through, it's hard to imagine it not being awfully painful. It makes me happy to know his doctor will increase the medication to help Toby out. Sometimes people act as if dogs don't really feel pain, but of course we know otherwise.
Maybe part of Toby's pain is from being separated from the people who've saved him. He knows you are his angels and very likely will be thrilled to see you again. My dog was also rescued from abuse, and when I picked him up after his surgery (not even 2 weeks ago), he was so overcome that he made noises I've never heard him make in over 8 years! He wiggled and shimmied and was just overwhelmed. Your reunion will be full of delight, I'm sure.
Keep us posted on recovery. Best wishes to you and Toby and Ella.
--Shari, Dakota's wrangler
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
I, too, am glad to see that your doctor is willing to up Toby's pain meds. I imagine that amputation is very painful. When a person has an amputation they stay on morphine for some time yet some doctor's don't prescribe pain medication at all. How long are they going to keep Toby in?
Most of our dogs do quite well on three legs once they get through the first couple of weeks while they are recovering from surgery, on strong medications, and learning to balance. Also, the pain meds can make them constipated so you most likely surprise yourself by celebrating the first post-op BM! What can I say? We celebrate everything!
Good luck with Toby. Keep posting.
Debra
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.
Our dog is a big one too..115 before amputation, and he is doing great almost a year later. We were worried, just like you are, but in the end, he managed better than we could have expected.
Lincoln had some significant pain at first too, but amazingly, within a week, he was back to his normal self. The first few days at home can be tough, though, so be prepared.
Good luck. We'll keep all fingers and remaining paws crossed for you all.
Lincoln's Mom
Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall – Confucius
http://credocan.....pawds.com/
Toby is doing well. The vet wants to keep him in tonight. They have been slowly dropping the morphine level and monitoring his pain as the morphine decreases. By 5:00pm UK time Toby had been off the morphine for two hours, but they wanted to be sure that his comfort level is maintained over night. The nurses are monotoring his heart rate etc., every 30 mins to one hour and will continue over night. The vet will then phone me in the morning to give me the OK to pick him up. All in all, a good start, now the real work begins.
Thank you for your words of encouragement. I will keep you updated.
Thanks for the update, glad to hear Toby is off to a great start. Please keep us posted on his progress and best wishes for a complete speedy recovery!
FYI: You'll find lots of recovery and care tips in Jerry's Required Reading List, and for immediate answers to the most common dog amputation questions download the new Tripawds e-book Three Legs and A Spare.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Toby is home, at last. He seems to be doing very well. He is on two different pain killers and one antibiotic. He is able to walk about 10 steps unaided. He doesn't seem to take kindly to being helped much, stubbourn as a mule, which I am sure will see him through. He is a very powerful and wilful dog. We love him! I am trying to figure out how to dowload pics. I am techinally challenged, but I will try.
Thanks for your support. I will keep you updated.
Welcome to the board. Homer just had his 4 month ampuversary and is continuing to do well. The first 2 weeks were really tough but it got much better after that. Glad that your boy continues to make progress, Homer is also very stuborn (Alaskan Malamute) and likes to everything by himself, it is tough to get his harness on sometimes. Homer is also a big boy, 140 pounds before surgery, I almost did not consider amputation because of his size (until I discovered this site and read of some other big dogs and how well they were doing), but am very happy I went ahead and took a chance. Best of luck with continuing progress.
Toby will suprise you at how fast he recovers, stubborness is an asset for sure! Glad to hear he is doing well. I am challenged technically too but if you need help, go to photobucket, you can download them to that, and then get them on here.
Good luck and I look forward to more pictures,
Elizabeth and Sammy
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.
Wecome to our family at Tripawds. Great to read that Toby is home and is doing well. These next couple of weeks can be brutal, so get lots of rest when you can! Sending you golden hugs & pawsitive thoughts!
Cathy/Jane/Spirit Skyler/Chloe
Wooo hooo for Toby! That's fantastic news. If you need anything we'll be here!
As for the pics, try this link "Adding Images to Your Post." Let me know if you have any challenges after reading it.
Paws up for a great recovery!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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