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 Everyone,
My beautiful black lab, Zack, became a member of the Tripawd association on Friday, May 1, 2009. He is nine years old and still acts like a puppy. I am amazed at how well he is doing. I don't think he realizes he lost a leg.....and I'm not going to tell him. The one thing that bothers him is his confinement for the next couple of weeks. He was diagnosed with spindle cell sarcoma and had his right hind leg amputated. I was wondering if anyone could tell me what I can expect for the next month or so. Also, any helpful hints would be greatly appreciated.
Once I figure out how to get his picture posted, I will do so....help on that would be appreciated, also.
Hi Ginni
I don't think my experience is too much like yours is going to be because Cemil wanted to rest quietly for the first month or so. Actually, now, after 3 months, he still likes to rest a lot. The biggest trouble I had in the beginning was getting him to eat. I had to tempt him with cheese, sardines, eggs, cottage cheese, salmon...anything. Now he eats fine. He had to build up some strength in his legs to compensate for the missing one (his is the left front) and he doesn't have enough endurance for walks, but he plays in the yard with the other dogs now. It took about 2 months before he was ready for playing. Getting in and out of the truck took some practice--he's about 140# so he has to do it on his own. I had a little mini-deck made so he has a step up to the back of the truck, and he's learned how to use it so it's not a problem taking him somewhere. At first he was afraid, but we practiced with no pressure and he conquored his fear of falling. It seems that the first 2 weeks are the hardest because they're recovering from major surgery, dealing with pain medication and learning how to manage on 3 legs. After that, things go back to something like normal. And every day you'll be amazed at something Zack figures out on his own.
Another thing you'll notice occasionally is a look of horror or extreme pity on other peoples' faces when they see him. I haven't had any bad experiences with someone thinking I've done a cruel thing, but others have. It could happen.
I hope your journey goes well, and be sure to share your worries here. There are lots of very helpful people.
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
Thanks for joining the discussion Ginni! Sounds like Zack is doing well and you have the right attitude, which is most important right now. Check out our top ten amputation questions and answers post and use the search function in both these forums and the blog for specific concerns. You will find most questions have already been answered.
We look forward to hearing more about Zack and wish you both the best of luck for a complete speedy recovery!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hey there Zack - we are so glad that you found us. Hope you're still doing well pal. My first month was pretty uneventful - I was 10 when we amputated and now over a year later, mom says I'm still doing fabulous! I wasn't quite as ready to go as you seem to be, but I wasn't super lazy either. The pains meds that I was on really made me pant - the entire two weeks that I was on them. I didn't have any trouble eating or doing my thing outside...I did love all the extra spoiling I got - though I have to say, I'm pretty spoiled as it is. Just take it easy - you still had major surgery and listen to your doctors. Don't go running up and down the stairs until you get your stitches/staples out.
My mommy does get the, "oh, I feel so sorry for him" thing occasionally and wow - does that upset her! She just looks at them and says, "why? He runs, he jumps, he chases the ball and does everything that any other dog can do...he's a cancer survivor and we're pretty damn proud of that!" So....THERE! (well, she doesn't add that last part - I do)
Good luck with your recovery and keep us posted - we're family now!!!
Your new pal, 
Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
Ginni,
I am glad to hear that Zack is doing well and very glad you have found our little community. I feel a special bond with you as I am a Ginny and I have a black Lab, named Paris! Keep up the good work and give him lots of love.
Gineej & Paris
Grateful for every moment we had with Paris…..no regrets!
Honoring her life by opening our hearts & home to Addy!
Hi Ginni -
You have come to the right place to get answers to your questions. Jerry's Top Ten will be a great help to you. Our Barney is a yellow lab and he's been a tripawd since Valentine's Day 2008. Our biggest hurdle during the first month was the fentanyl patch that he had for pain management . The side affects were panting, pacing, crying - no sleep for him or me. It was not good. But, once that patch was off, things started to become normal again. We wish you the best for a speedy recovery for your Zack, and welcome you to this wonderful community of love and support.
Linda & Barney B - Houston, TX
Welcome Zack,
Sounds like everything went great- hope you are still showing your mom this tripawd thing is a piece of cake. The first 2 weeks of recovery were the hardest for us- but the most important. Wrigley was ready to get back to action, she didn't really like the having to stay so settled for 2 weeks, but it was very necesssary to avoid complications and let her heal properly. After that, you would never know she lost a leg. She was a front leg tripawd, and other than taking things a little slower we did things just as we always did.
We wish you the best of luck in your recovery and will keep you in our prayers that all continues to go well. Keep us posted, and bark if you need anything- that's what we're here for.
Seanne and Angel Wrigley
Hi Ginni!
Welcome to the family!! I too have a Black Lab named Max who turned 2 years old today! He had his left hind leg amputated in Dec of last year. As everyone else has said…the first 2 weeks are the worst with reaction to meds and eating. Being Labs they have so much energy and the drive to please their humans that its easy for them to fool you into thinking that they can go, go, go. We had to keep reminding Max that he needed to stay somewhat quiet for the first few weeks…but today he runs, jumps and plays just like he used to! Tonight we will be celebrating his birthday with new tennis balls, some Biljac liver treats (his FAV!) and a new bandana…oh..and dont forget the burger off the grill..with a little cheese! 🙂 Best of luck to you guys with recovery and like everyone has said…bark, yip or woof if you need anything!
Keep up the good work Zack!!
Paula and Spirit Max
Maxs Mom said:
Hi Ginni!
I too have a Black Lab named Max who turned 2 years old today!
Hey Max, Hoppy Birthday buddy!!!!!! May you get lots of yummy bones and treats on your big day!
Great advice Paula, thank you. Give Max a big ol smooch from us.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you all so much for your helpful emails. I couldn't figure out why Zack was panting so much last evening. At first I thought he was thirsty, but that wasn't it; then I thought he was overheated and that wasn't it, either. Now I realize it was the meds. Other than that, he is doing wonderfully. His appetite and drinking water routine are back to normal. He also thinks he can pick up right where he left off before his surgery. Today he nearly took me for a walk. Yesterday he went right past me while I was getting something out of the car and before I knew it, he was socializing with one of the neighbor's dogs. He's not real happy with his Elizabethan collar...although, he looks very regal with it on. He gets his stitches/staples taken out the end of next week and we are excited about that. Zack is amazing and I'm convinced his motto is now "C'mon world....bring it on!" Is there anything else I need to expect in the next couple of months of Zack's recovery?
Sounds like Zack has the right spirit and all is going as well as can be expected. The meds can certainly cause panting, especially Tramadol. As Zack's dosage decreases, though, so will the panting. But heavier meds like the Fentanyl patch can cause much worse side effects like howling and pacing. In the coming months Zack will just need time and patience to rebuild his strength in the remaining leg. Thanks for the update!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yep, sure sounds like it was those crazy meds, they'll do that. How great to hear he's getting back to normal and has his spunk back. Yipee!
As far as what to expect, I'd say the biggest thing is just don't let him overdo it. What tends to happen is a Tripawd (and often their pawrents) will think they're all healed up and ready to take on the world, and will go crazy one day and just play play play. But they often pay for it for a few days after that, with pure exhaustion. So take it easy, and be a good judge of how far he can walk and how long he can play. Remember, those muscles take time to build up strength.
Oh what great news, thank you for letting us know!
Good going Zack, and you too Mom!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
To Everyone,
Again, thank you all so much for your well wishes and prayers. Zack will have his stitches removed this Thursday, May 14th. His post-op results came back negative......yea!!!!! But he will have to be checked in a month, 3 months, 6 months and a year. Cancer is a sneaky disease but we are keeping a positive outlook. We will keep you posted with his "getting back to normal" life.
Yeeeeeeeay!!!! So glad to hear this news. Yep, cancer is tricky, but it sounds like you have a great plan for staying on top of any changes. Good luck, and let us know how things are going OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Ginni and Zack!
So glad to hear Zack is doing so well... my Smokey turned 12 this month and we're going on his 9 month ampuversary on Wednesday! Smokey's also a black lab - I don't know what it is but he's hyper as ever too :). I feel very lucky as we have had minimal issues since his surgery. Over the last few months there have been some times where he's had some difficulty standing up or keeping his balance, but we think he may have just turned one of his legs wrong on a walk and we're desperately trying to get his weight down to help him out a bit, but other than that he's absolutely perfect. And on Friday we learned that his cancer is gone (he had skin cancer - malignant melanoma). However in the x-rays it showed signs of somewhat severe arthritis in his front elbow (his front right leg was the one amputated) but I think that's to be expected, given his age and what he's been through. But he never shows he's in any pain so he's a sneaky one 🙂 But with him, he just kept getting better and better as the weeks went by. He can run better than he can walk. With the expection of those couple of times where one of his other legs bothered him, you could never tell he was a tripawd! But I never let him overdo it and I think that helped lots...
Yay to Zack! So glad to hear he's doing so awesome!
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