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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As far as panting with Tramadol goes, we found that different dogs react differently. It made Gus pace and pant, but it just sent Murphy into la-la land. I think it's just trial and error until something clicks. I deginitely agree with spacing the meds out a bit as Christine said. Complete coverage is always the best way to go.
Kathi and the Turbotail April Angel...and the Labradork
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Just catching up on your story! Big whoop whoop for the gorgeous courageous Forrest. First request - more pics please (we love pics around here 
) So pleased to hear you guys are doing so well. A very quick list of things I found useful for Zuki were:
- Cover slippy floors
- Stager meds and don't be scared to call your vet to tweek them if Forrest isn't responding well - every dog is different
- A harness, just to assist, even for in and out of the car when you start going on adventures
- entertaining toys to keep him occupied while playing and walks are limited
- A cone - he'll hate it but its just 10days! It will be so worth it
Wishing you all the luck in the world, keep positive and keep loving on that boy of yours
Karis and Zuki with wings
xxxx
Zuki Wuggafer 30/09/06 - 11/11/16. Right hind tripawd due to Osteosarcoma. He had a strong 5 and half months as a tripawd but unfortunately a secondary issue with his spine ended our battle. He loved life, loved our family and was the best dog I could ever ask for. Truly my first love, forever in my thoughts and heart.
Read our story: http://zuki.tripawds.com/
Thank you everyone for all your tips and well wishes. Means a lot!! Forrest slept through the entire night last night, which I take as a good sign. How long before you guys started letting your pups move around as they want? He really wants to be up and about but I don't wan't to make any fluid build up worse (he had a little in this certain spot right after the surgery). He also has a bit of a runny nose, anyone else experience that? Wondering if its something I should contact the vet about...seems to have just started this morning.
Hugs to you all. <3
I can't express enough how much your encouragement and kind words have helped me through this process. Without all of you this would have been much more difficult than it already was.
He still probably thinks he is capable of more than he needs to be doing yet. The general rule of thumb is just short leashed potty breaks at least until the stitches/staples come out. He still will have some of the hospital meds in his system this early, and overdoing it will not be good for him. A lot of dogs have a "crash" at about five days post-amp, where they are finally rid of the "good" drugs. The crash can be worse if they are allowed to do too much too early.
Our own case was a lot different, though, as Murphy had additional surgeries and was actually not allowed outside on his own without a leash for seven months post-amp.
Kathi and the Turbotail April Angel...and the Labradork
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Ditto Kathi. It's frustrating for both of you, I know, but keeping him as restful as possible with just leashed potty breaks will help him recover more quickly. If he seems fed up, you could try some mental activation games (stuffed kongs, food puzzles) etc., which can be surprisingly tiring. It seems like forever at this point, but rest now and before you know it he'll be back out there, hopping around and loving his life on three.
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
I do remember Max's nose running a bit too. Maybe the benedryl causes the secretions to thin a bit so it drips? Just a guess? It is hard to know how much activity to let them have. We kept activity way low until stitches were out and then built up slowly.
Yep, ditto everybody again!
My Happy Hannah enjoyed being a couch potato. Getting up and down on the sofa was her form of an athletic workout! So I never really had to deal with keeping her "restricted" like many here. She did enjoy going outside and su bathing or sitting next to me under a shade tree.
So if Forrest likes being outside and will just chill as opposed to trying to run a marathon, that may make him happy.....for now anyway!
You're doi g a great job! This recovery part is NOT easy, but it doesn't last forever!!
Hugs and a belated Thanksgiving!
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!
Hi again everyone!
Day 8 of Forrest's recovery! He is doing really well, still extremely bored, but I can imagine I'd be pretty bored laying on a bed all day too. Today is the first day he seems "depressed" but I know its not actually that. Going to go get him a Kong like you guys have suggested to give him something to do while hes laying down! Here are some pics for you guys!!
My handsome son :):)
Great photos! He looks like he's doing well.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Awwwww! I want to reach out and smooch him! Glad he's doing great!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Melting my heart over here Forrest!! You just look sooooo loving and cuddly and sweet! And you are a very, very handsome boy too!!
Yep, being a bit bored can actually be a sign that Forrest may be feeling better! Getting him some good toys will help.
You're doing great! And so is handsome Forrest!
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!
He's gorgeous! I have a real soft spot for those big black Labs...have had several. I don't see the Newf in him. He just looks like an English Lab.
He will love having the Kong. We smear smooth peanut butter on the inside and then freeze them. Make sure that you get a peanut butter WITHOUT xylitol, as it is toxic to dogs.
Kathi and the Turbotail April Angel...and the Labradork
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Forrest is blushing from all your sweet comments! He's giving everyone lots of kisses.
Kathi -
Yeah he looks all lab to me too! At adoption that's just what the vet said so I rolled with it for 8 years lol! 😂
Oh he's so lovely. What an absolute poppet! Delighted he's doing so well.
Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
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