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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Oh I am so glad that Tesa is home!! Yes, one day at a time is all you can do. It may seem hard right now but after she is all healed up you won't think it was so bad. Hoping so much that Tesa heals super quick so the two of you can get back to spending fun special times together. 
And how are you doing? Hope you are getting through this ok so far.
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I'm glad that surgery went well and Tesa is home recovering! The pain from amputation is different from the pain of bone cancer. The first 2 weeks are tough, but your new tripawd girl will amaze you! Hang in there and take it one day at a time!
We used an x-pen to keep Charley a bit contained for the first 3 days or so, and then we used it to block off a bigger area in the great room.
Sending Tesa lots of positive thoughts and prayers for a super speedy recovery!!!
Hugs and chocolate labby kisses,
Ellen & Charley
Charley's Blog: CHOCOLATE KISSES
DOB: 3-29-08, male chocolate lab
Dx: OSA L proximal humerus 10-19-10
Amputation: L front leg & scapula 10-28-10
Chemo: 5 rounds of Carboplatin
Video (12 weeks post amp):Tripaw Charley Playing
♥♥♥ Lots of supplements and love!!! ♥♥♥
So you have her crated at home? Did the vet recommend this? I think it can be good to prevent them from moving around too much. I think they can develop seromas easier if they are too active afterwards or their incision can get opened or something. I didn't crate Valentina after she came home. She was already crated for 5 days at the vet before she came home. I blocked off my living room so she couldn't go anywhere else.But she really didn't want to. She was so tired and lazy it was a real struggle to get her up to even go potty. The meds do seem to make them depressed but I think most Dogs start weaning off of them after a couple of weeks. Tesa is just going to need lots and lots and lots of rest. So just let her lay around as much as she wants besides taking her to go potty. She will get a little better each day and once she is off the meds she will perk right up. Does Tesa have a compression bandage on? Wish I could be there with you while you are going through this. (((Hugs)))
No Tesa has never been crated. I really didn't expect her to move much but she has already went from her bed to the couch and back by herself. Needless to say, she is trying to give me a heart attack. Tesa has no bandages on, just her staples and her drain port yet.
Our pup didn't have a bandage either. We just put tshirts on her to keep her drain from oozing on the carpets and furniture.
Tessa will likely looked depressed for a while - recovery can be tough for the first 10-14 days, but when she is off the pain meds and gets her staples out, you'll start to see her looking like her old self.
Hang in there! The first few days are very tiring. Don't be surprised if you start to have regrets and doubts - it can be pretty common. You just both need to get through the recovery period! We're here for questions and support!
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Oh sorry I misunderstood. You meant she was crated at the vet not at home. I put large comforters all over my living room to catch all of the drainage. Valentina had an extreme amount of drainage and it was getting everywhere so I had to do that so it didn't get all over my carpet. It is very scary when they start to move around by themselves at first but if she can move from her bed to the couch and back that is a good sign. Are you able to get her out to go potty ok? Is she able to balance to squat ? Valentina had alot of trouble with this at first. She fell down in the grass many times. It was very discouraging but she did eventually get the hang of it.
I didn't have a bandage either. Seems like about half the dawgs here do, and half don't. It's all a matter of the vet's preference.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Charley didn't have a bandage either (or a drain). I put one of my small tiny tees on him to catch any drainage (he didn't have any), to keep him from licking (we did not use the e-collar), and to keep his staples from getting caught on the carpet.
Charley didn't hardly get up at all after his amp (he was a 2 year old lab!), but I think he knew he needed his rest to heal. He did not have any swelling and very minimal if any bruising. No seroma either (that was the main reason we used the x-pen was to keep him contained to a smaller area in the room). Hugs to Tesa please!
Hugs and chocolate labby kisses,
Ellen & Charley
Charley's Blog: CHOCOLATE KISSES
DOB: 3-29-08, male chocolate lab
Dx: OSA L proximal humerus 10-19-10
Amputation: L front leg & scapula 10-28-10
Chemo: 5 rounds of Carboplatin
Video (12 weeks post amp):Tripaw Charley Playing
♥♥♥ Lots of supplements and love!!! ♥♥♥
Baby drained all over the family room! I used towels and puppy pads all over to catch it. We did a lot of laundry the first couple weeks! It felt so good when we could clear away all the floor coverings... a real sign of healing.
T-shirts don't really work on a rear amp. She'll be fine.
She's a really beautiful dog! MB Giant Toby is in love.
I hope you're able to get some rest. Worry is exhausting, isn't it?
Sounds like she's doing great! 
Let her take her time. Try to keep her quiet and calm.
Hugs and Slobbers
Judy and Baby
Thank you all. It has been hard and after today I have no help so it is going to be really tiring for a few weeks. As for draining Tesa has had none, just her drain port. I just feel so bad for her because when she gets up she just walks and paces the house and I don't know how to help her. When she does finally lie down she is down for a while at least. One hop at a time, lol
Jill and Tesa =)
I think you'll find over the next few days that you won't be as worried, things will get better!
If she's pacing, keep an eye on her meds and talk to your vet if you believe they need to be increased or decrease. Unfortunately it's hard to tell if a dog is pacing because they're in pain, or too anxious and dopey from the meds.
You might be alone at home but you've got us here to help you too! And of course if anything seems weird, call your vet.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
That is great that Tesa has no drainage!! That was Valentina's biggest problem. She has severe drainage for 5 weeks and got an infection. Sounds like Tesa is doing great so far. Sorry you won't have any help after today. That is rough. My husband was at work alot while I was here with Valentina during her recovery so I had to do alot myself. You're in my thoughts and prayers everyday.
The sort of confused, bored pacing does sound like meds to me. She'll do better as you are able to get them out of her system. You might want to ask your vet for an alternative pain med.
Remember - Recovery is temporary.... it will get easier.
Hang in there.
Wags and Slobbers
Judy and Baby
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