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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To everyone who posts on this forum with such kind words and wisdom. I'm so glad I found Tripawds; it's really helped me through making the decision for my amazing chy-chy! Who at the feisty age of 12 will start her journey on three legs after her surgery on Monday.
It's been wonderful reading through all of your experiences, learning what tools and therapies have worked for your tripawd, and what to expect/watch out for during post-op. I sincerely thank each and every one of you; this site has eased my worries about this process, and how she might adapt to the situation at her age.
On to new adventures!
Hello and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I'm glad you have found this place so helpful- the best place ever when dealing with amputation in pets!
Please tell us more about Chy! Why the amp? Front or rear leg?
And we LOVE to see pictures! Here is how you post them in the forums.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Awesome, I look forward to participating and being a part of such a wonderful community!
Chyenne (chy (shy) for short) is my beautiful 12 year old mutt (we think she's husky and lab, but who knows!) who has been my best friend for the last 10 years. She's been there for all of my adventures (graduating high school, college, moving away for my first big girl job), and now I get to be there for her during her next big adventure. She enjoys being close to her favorite people, being anti-social at the dog park, going for car rides, being a picky eater, and wading up to her belly in the lake. Some days you may even find her in cahoots with the cats to get something off the counter, or laying in her favorite dirt hole in the back yard.
About a year and a half ago I noticed she had a large mass growing on her left rear hock. I took her to the vet where they did a needle aspirate and determined that it was just a lipoma, and nothing to worry about. So, we went on with our lives and monitored to make sure it wasn't going out of control. Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago, when I decided to have it re-evaluated as it had grown a little bigger and it seemed to be bothering her. To my surprise the biopsy results came back with a Grade 1 Sarcoma, and its position on her leg would make it extremely difficult to remove and get good clean margins (let alone leave enough skin to close).
I never thought I would move forward with the amputation, but the last few weeks have proven that it's the best decision for her to have the best quality of life in her golden years. Unfortunately, she had some pretty bad complications with her biopsy site which have been very painful for her. I'm very much looking forward to her getting some relief after the leg is removed, and she has healed from the surgery.
Again, thank you everyone for your inspiring posts and wonderful advice. It's put my mind more at ease through this situation.
Edit: photos didn't work, but here is a link to view some of my baby girl -
You are awesome!!! This is why I love this site. It's folks like you who inspire me. Good luck to you and Chy-Chy.
Lots of hugs from Bubba
And thank YOU for sharing those beautiful pictures of yiur sweet Chy and some krf her delightful little personality traits. Such a sweetheart! 🙂
Making decisions to amputate are not anything any ogf us want to do. As you already know though, it is THE best way to eliminate pain and give our cats and dogs a QUALITY life for more spoiling and loving. And in CHY's case, more time for wading, for annoying all the dogs in the dog park and counter surfing with the cats! 🙂
We are with you the whole way. As you already know, you are not alone. Recovery is no picnic for a week or two. So don't hesitate to ask any questions Many say the biopsy can sometimes be more painful than the amputation surgery. It make take some tweaking kf the pain meds as far as frequency and dose amounts. Just keep your Vet in the loop if you feel like her pain isn't being managed.
Once recovery is over and Shy's sparkle comes back bigger and brighter than before, you will be so glad you proceeded!
Give thst sweet girl an extra belly rub for us. And give yourself a big hug.....you're stronger than you realize!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Oh my dog what a pretty girl! The link works and she is GORGEOUS!
We're sorry that you're both going through this but we are so glad you're here. Every story helps someone else later down the road as you discovered, so thank YOU for joining us! Let us know whatever questions you have and keep us posted on how she's doing. We're cheering you on! 
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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