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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
WOOHOO! 
This was so worth the wait, what a handsome pup! Thank you!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Everyone!
Just a little update on Tucker. We went to the University of Minnesota yesterday for a second opinion. They gave us some other options however, they stressed amputation would be the best way to go. They talked about doing radiation first in order to shrink the tumor but they weren't sure there would be enough margins to close the wound. He would end up losing two toes in the process because the mass has spread as well. We thought about the quality of Tucker's life and not wanting him to suffer with surgery after surgery, then there is no guarantee, the cancer may come back. This is why we have decided to amputate.
I'm glad that we got a second opinion just to ensure that we looked at every possible outcome and option. He is set to have surgery this Thursday, it will be a hard day for us but especially for him. I'm thankful that it has not spread, our vet checked his lymph nodes in his chest-closet to his leg. They found nothing.
While talking to the U of M about amputation, they suggested that I get more information on tripawds.com. They said this website is awesome and they recommend it all the time. 
I started to smile because I've already been on the site and gathered so much great information.
Thank you so much for all the support! I will keep everyone posted.
Melissa
I'm so glad to hear that Tucker's cancer has not spread further into his body. He looks to be a strong boy from the pics and I'm sure he'll come through the surgery just fine. It will be tiring the first week or so for mom/dad when he comes home but he will definitely get things figured out on how to get around on 3 legs.
Sending positive thoughts your and Tucker's way for the upcoming surgery!!
Keep us posted on how he's progressing.
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!
Wow Melissa, what a visit you guys had. Yes, second opinions make a huge difference. Many times they save lives and the Tripawd gets far more time than anyone ever imagined. I'm so glad you went there. And thank you for telling about how they referred you to us, that is such an honor! If you'd care to pass along the vet's name I'd love to send them a note.
You can't go wrong at a university. The next few days will be a whirlwind but whatever we can do to make this time easier just holler OK? Give Tucker a big smooch from us! We're thinking of you all.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
The doctors name is Sara Fritz
Email is sefritz@umn.edu
Her assistant was the primary one that talked about and referred us to your website.
I'm also going to tell my vet about this website. Thanks so much for developing this site. It's so much great information and I've learned that you don't have to be afraid about amputation.
Thank you,
Melissa
Paw shucks Melissa, thank YOU. I'll drop Dr. Fritz a line. Meanwhile you can share our info with your vet with these downloadable Tripawds fliers and cards.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Second opinions can be really important and I'm glad you got one! Tucker is going to be in good hands and will have a strong recovery! He's gonna rock the Tripawd life!!! I know it. He's one handsome guy, by the way.
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Hi Everyone:
The above pictures are of Tucker swimming. We took him to the lake last night and then to Dairy Queen, he loves vanilla ice cream.
Tucker will be having surgery this morning. We will pick him up on Saturday. I just wonder, when we pick him up if we should take the car or the truck. We have a ramp for the truck but he may still be a little unsteady for him to get in. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Mel
Hi Mel,
I love all these pics of your sweet guy Tucker, and what a wonderful thing to do together before his surgery !! Don't tell anyone but my sweet girl Polly loved chocolate ice cream.......!!
About picking Tucker up on Saturday, when we went through this, we picked Polly up in our large truck....it was really much easier to get her in since we have a crew cab truck with a large back seat area where we could fold the seats up so Polly had plenty of room......and vet techs from the surgical hospital actually got her into our truck for us. I rode all the way home on the back floor with her since it was close to an hours drive for us. She was very comfortable back there, however, I don't know what kind of truck you have, I think a pickup truck with a cap would be fine as well, as long as you sit back there with him and as long as it isn't too hot.....any SUV would be fine as well as long as you can make the space for him.
Best wishes for his surgery, I will keep you and Tucker in my thoughts, and update us when you can.....
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Thanks Bonnie and Angel Polly!
We have always folded up the seats when Tucker was riding with us. So, he is use to the SUV. I think we will bring both vehicles just in case. I just don't know how we would get him in the SUV-he's a big boy 
Did you have to pick Polly up?
Thanks!
Mel
Hi Mel,
Love those pics! Minnesota is so pretty, it's one of our favorite places.
I'm sure by now you figured out how to get him in the car. Most people gently pick up their dogs and place them inside, it's what we did for Jerry.
I hope everything goes well with his homecoming, let us know if we can help.
P.S. I heard back from Dr. Fritz, she is pawesome! Thank you for passing her info along.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Mel,
Yes, we did pick Polly up often once she became a Tripawd, but she only weighed 60 lbs. she had ridden in my car VERY often during her lifetime and enjoyed it, but when she lost her front leg, she became very unsure of herself to a point of being terrified to get in my car, so we tried to take her everywhere in our truck to make her less stressed and not so afraid. That was the only time being 3-legged made her way less sure of herself, oh, and going up and down steps at first.
Good luck with everything, and continuing to keep you in my thoughts,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
1 Guest(s)
