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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If you're not sure how your dog or cat will cope with amputation surgery, Millie, Marbles, and Moto's Tripawd Tuesday love story will put your fears to rest.
Millie, Marbles, and Moto Show That Three is the Magic Number!
Registered veterinary technician Jody from Naples, Florida, has lots of experience helping Tripawd dogs and cats before, during, and after amputation surgery. She wrote to us to share what she's learned, and how the animals she's helped through recovery cope with life on three legs.
How old are your Tripawds?
- 12, 7, and 6
When and Why did your Tripawd lose a leg?
- 11weeks old congenital limb difference, 1.5yrs fracture prior to adoption, 1yr septic elbow prior to adoption.
- All 3 were adopted, Millie first after she was brought to our clinic by the shelter for evaluation, she went home with me that night. The cats were adopted at the same time from a local rescue who would only adopt them out as a bonded pair as they had both had their surgeries on the same day and recovered together.
How did your Tripawd adapt to life on three?
- All three have done excellent. Millie - the dog - has additional challenges with decreased range of motion in her one elbow and bilateral cruciate disease
What are your Tripawd's favorite things to do?
- All three love to lounge around and enjoy cuddles with their humans
Is there any special gear that helped or helps your Tripawd?
- When Millie had knee surgery we bought her a harness that had front and rear handles
If you went through amputation surgery recovery with your animal, what did you think would happen after surgery? Did your worst fears happen? How did you cope?
- They all did great - being an RVT (registered veterinary technician) I knew what to expect
What is the biggest lesson you learned from your Tripawd?
- The third leg was a spare!
What is your best advice to someone who is about to go through amputation with their pet, or someone who is thinking of adopting a Tripawd?
- The pet doesn't notice the missing limb, they may have some additional challenges from it, but overall they adapt and don't feel sorry for themselves the way we do
See More Tripawd Tuesday Stories, and contact us to share your own too!
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