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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Hi, I would like to introduce myself and my gorgeous boy Winston. Winston is a 2 year old labrador, he started with a limp in February which got progressively worse. He was referred to the small animal hospital who x rayed him and diagnosed him with a tumour in his bone. At that point my world fell apart, he is my dog in a million. A biopsy revealed it was osteosarcoma. He had his right front paw amputated yesterday and came home today. I am amazed at how well he has adapted already and he is clearly in far less pain then he was with tumour. He starts chemo next Thursday.
I would just like to say that this website is fantastic and has provided me with a wealth of information. I have already started him on high protein food and am trying the cottage cheese and flax seed oil too.
Any tips for making his life easier would be great.
Rachel & Winston x
Winston started limping in Feb 11, diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his right front paw in March 11, amputation April 11. Six rounds of carboplatin. Diagnosed with HO and lung mets September 11.We sadly said goodbye on 24 May 12, sleep tight Winston dog xx
Welcome Rachel and Winston!
Daisy earned her wings on Oct 22, 2011 at 14 years old
She is now the official greeter at the rainbow bridge
Everyone is guaranteed a welcome sniff and Dalmatian smile
Hi Rachel,
Welcome to Tripawds.
I'm glad to hear that Winston did fine with the surgery and is home. Since you have been investigating the site you may have already read through Jerry's Required Reading List, a compilation of info from this site on what to expect with amputation, recovery, and treatment.
Maybe you have read about the two weeks recovery time as well. Many pups come home and are fine for a day or two then seem to have setbacks or down time. It seems to happen more often than not and is pretty normal from what we read here. Hopefully Winston sails through recovery- there are some that do- but be prepared for some down time. My pug Maggie had her amp before Tripawds was here so we went it alone. The only advice I got from the vet is that most dogs do fine on three legs, so when Maggie seemed to struggle for a few weeks I though I had done the wrong thing. She took her time, but came around. All the pups seem to heal and deal with three legs on their own schedule.
One other thing I would mention- I would be careful doing too many diet changes now. As he recovers from the surgery, then starts chemo you want to have as many things as normal as possible. That way if he doesn't act like himself or gets sick during recovery or chemo you know it is not from a diet change.
As far as tips- the basics are using raised food dishes, getting a harness to help him get around- many here use the RuffWear, and covering any slippery surface in your house with rugs or other non-skid material to help him keep his balance.
Good luck with the healing process.
Karen and the pugapalooza
p.s. your future posts will not have to wait for moderation as long as you log in, only the very first post from a new member has to wait.
Welcome to our family! He sure is a cutie. Glad to read that you have checked out this site, which has lots of great info. We are all here to support you and Winston as you start this journey.
Skyler had a mast cell tumor, as a few others here have had also. It seems as though osteosarcoma is the most prevalent reason why most are here. You will really be amazed as to how well they can adapt to 3 legs.
Please keep us posted, and watch out for monkeybutts, monkeydogs or ANYTHING referenced as a monkey. They have been trying to infiltrate us here, but Sooper Cooper will protect all! LOL.
Wishing you all the best, and sending you lots of golden hugs.
Cathy/Jane/Spirits Skyler & Chloe
Hi Winston!
Glad your surgery went well and that you are back home. Let the healing begin! 
~Gunner
Welcome and thanks for joining the club nobody ever wants to join! Karen has provided links to some of the best advice Tripawds has to offer (Jerry's Required Reading List). For more direct links to the best forum topics and blog posts, consider downloading the Tripawds e-book Three Legs and A Spare.
Winston is gorgeous indeed, please keep us posted on his progress. If you have any questions, try searching the forums (above) or search all blogs here.
winstonsmum & gunner: your future forum posts will not require moderation.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Winston is a handsome young boy! Sounds like he is getting around great. You have some excellent advice already, but I will add one thing to consider. Winston is really young, and will likely be on three legs for a while. I would research and choose a joint supplement and get him started on it. You can never be too careful with their mobility.
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.
WELCOME WELCOME Winston and Rachael!
And Gunner too! (Two new members! And I might add, we got some mighty handsome ones!)
I am sorry about the diagnosis but Winston should do great, he's only 2 years old! My Comet was a deformed front leg dog from birth ( we got her as a puppy from the shelter). I don't even remember her being three legged at two years old because her mobility was amazing!
But hugapitbull is right, it's never too early to start thinking about the wear and tear on their joints. Hugapitbull's "Trouble" and my "Comet", our baby girls died this year and they were both 12 1/2-ish years old and the mobility issues really took a toll on them from hopping.
Okay, not going to end on a downer note.....
The monkeydogs are the infamous 4 legged dogs that live with Tripawds! They don't get the attention a tripawd does from their pawrents so they come over here and are menaces! DON'T ENGAGE THEM! You've been warned!
Sending lots of healing wishes!
Angel 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.
Welcome Winston (and family) to this community. The support and understanding that you'll find here is amazing, the information is plentiful, and the dogs are inspirational! Don't get discouraged when you have those down days, because you will have them. Fortunately, the good days will outweigh the bad, and you'll find that you will be making tons more happy memories in the days ahead.
 |
~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
Hey Rachel and Winston,
We're so glad you found us! Sorry that you had to go through osteo, it's no fun at all. But we are here to make it easier and do what we can to help you with your recovery. You'll soon find out that life on three legs ain't no big deal to us Tripawds, and we are so much more resilient than people give us credit for.
Keep on keepin' on, sounds like you're doing great. Whatever we can do to help, just drop us a line, we're here for ya!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for the warm welcome and all the advice. I have started him on Glucosamine and fish oils so he is getting plenty of omega 3. After a great start we had the inevitable dip you all warned of and it was back to the vets yesterday for reassurance. Everything was fine and today he has been great again. We even had a little stroll at the park, and his tailed wagged the whole time.
Chemo starts on Thursday and the staples are due to come out then as well, so then it will be onto the next stage of our journey. I have ordered him a ruffwear harness for once his wound is healed.
Thanks again. Rachel & Winston
Winston started limping in Feb 11, diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his right front paw in March 11, amputation April 11. Six rounds of carboplatin. Diagnosed with HO and lung mets September 11.We sadly said goodbye on 24 May 12, sleep tight Winston dog xx
Glad to hear he's wagging his tail again!
Just be sure to keep the walks to a bare minimum right now, he'll have plenty of time for that soon 🙂
You're going to love the harness, it's really a lifesaver at times. Be sure to check out our Gear Blog if you haven't already, for other handy Tripawd items.
Keep up the great recovery Winston!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Winston is gorgeous! And tail wagging already, gotta like that!
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
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