Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Sparky, my 12yr old Jack Russell Terrier underwent a front leg amp on 3/16. Since the surgery, he has done remarkably well. He is eating, drinking and walking (hopping) a little bit. My heart melted when he wagged his tail earlier today. He even tried to jump up on the couch (I caught him before he fell). The tips left on this site have been a tremendous help. Especially helpful was putting a t-shirt on him. It was also very helpful to cover all floors with rugs. My only concern is that while he has peep several times, he hasn't yet pooped.
Give the poop another day or so. Many dogs don't go right away. I think mixing a little plain pumpkin (no sugar or spices) into food might help. Sounds like he is doing great overall!
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.
Sounds like he is doing great!
My pug Maggie didn't poop for 5 or 6 days after her surgery. The pain meds are constipating and for Maggie she wouldn't poop until she could do her pre-poop spin. Since the first day I met her when she was 10 weeks old she had to spin before pooping. The first couple days after surgery she would try and spin and fall down. Boy, the look she gave me just killed! On day 5 or 6 she was able to spin and keep her balance and pooped! Mag was a rear amp who lost her leg to mast cell cancer.
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
otisandtess said
Give the poop another day or so. Many dogs don't go right away. I think mixing a little plain pumpkin (no sugar or spices) into food might help. Sounds like he is doing great overall!
I will give the plain pumpkin a try. Thank you so much for the tip and of course the support.
krun15 said
Sounds like he is doing great!My pug Maggie didn't poop for 5 or 6 days after her surgery. The pain meds are constipating and for Maggie she wouldn't poop until she could do her pre-poop spin. Since the first day I met her when she was 10 weeks old she had to spin before pooping. The first couple days after surgery she would try and spin and fall down. Boy, the look she gave me just killed! On day 5 or 6 she was able to spin and keep her balance and pooped! Mag was a rear amp who lost her leg to mast cell cancer.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Your post made my family and I laugh very hard (feels good to smile & laugh again). Its funny how some of our pets have their own pre-poop "dance". Thank you for the response.
SPARKY!!! ,You have just about the CUTEST avatar picture EVER!!
Ditto everyone! The poop will happen and we will all celebrate with you! 🙂
Sparky may not have much of his "spark" for several more days. But his sparkle WILL come back bigger and brighter than ever in a couple of weeks. Having the first tail wag come back is a start! 🙂
You're doing great, and so is Sparky!
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!
benny55 said
SPARKY!!! ,You have just about the CUTEST avatar picture EVER!!Ditto everyone! The poop will happen and we will all celebrate with you! 🙂
Sparky may not have much of his "spark" for several more days. But his sparkle WILL come back bigger and brighter than ever in a couple of weeks. Having the first tail wag come back is a start! 🙂
You're doing great, and so is Sparky!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Well, "it" finally happened yesterday! What a celebration we had when Sparky finally pooped. We had a good laugh at ourselves because before the amp, this is something we obviously would never have celebrated. His incision has been oozing a bit but the Vet said this is expected as long as it isn't excessive. We cut up an incontinence bed pad to place on the are so it soaks up the fluid. Other than that, he is doing well and I am grateful (and relieved). Thank you for your kind words and support--it ALWAYS helps!
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR POOP
We knew you could doooo it Sparky! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Yeah, some clear or slightly pink oozing happens sometimes. Just keep an eye out if it gets bloody or stinky or excessive. Even then, no biggie. Some dogs have to have a drain.
Good job Sparky!!! 🙂
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!
Whoop! Whoop! For POOP! That's terrific!
Sounds like Sparky is making good pawgress. And yep, as long s the incision isn't smelly, warm or more bloody than watery it's probably your typical seroma and nothing to worry about. Good job at keeping an eye on that.
Here's to more regular days ahead. Yay Sparky!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We are getting back to normal a little bit each day and it feels wonderful. Our snow is almost gone so its made it easier for Sparky to walk around the yard. He is now a pooping machine (lol) going twice a day. He is walking/hopping further and has a good center of balance. The oozing stopped after 3 days and sutures come out in a couple of days. Yesterday, he brought his toy to me and we did some light tugging. He is starting to do many of the things he did before the amp. I'm planning on sleeping in my bed tonight instead of the floor which is where I have been since the surgery. Sally--you were right--Sparky is starting to get his "spark" back! Thanks everyone! 
Awwww, this is just the best update ever! Made me well up. Sparky is getting his spark back. The snow is disappearing, and Sparky is hopping into Spring. Do hope you enjoy a good night's sleep in your bed. You've surely earned it!
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...
YAAAAAAAAAY!!! ,Playing with a toy already??? This kid is waaay ahead of the curve with this recovery stuff!! 🙂
A d the is flowing just fine!! Way to gooooo Sparky!! 🙂
SPARKY is showing off his sparkles beautifully!!! 🙂 🙂
Such a great update Now, we need pictures!! 🙂
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!
We are now 1 month and 1 day post surgery and things are actually getting back to normal. Its amazing at how resilient dogs are. Sparky is doing almost everything he did before when he had 4 legs. I wish I had a crystal ball a month ago and could have seen the outcome because it would have made things easier.
Anyway, I have to say how surprised I am at the attention he is getting when we are at the park. Everyone comes up to him and wants to hear "his story". There was even a girls softball team that stopped the game to cheer him on as he hopped by and then to have the coach yell out and say that he is "an inspiration". Who could have imagined the lives he is affecting....if only he knew. 
Pictures are coming soon (still trying to figure out how to upload--I'm not good with technology).
jloz said
Pictures are coming soon (still trying to figure out how to upload...
Technically, you don't upload them here. 
Here are detailed instructions for adding photos to forum posts . If you don't already share photos online somewhere, you can start a free Tripawds blog any time and upload them there. Need further help? Post in the Tech Support forum and we'll be happy to help!
If you use Instagram, those instructions are even easier!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
YAY FOR SPARKY!!! 
I just love that image of the softball team pausing their game to cheer as he hopped by! Fabulous. Sparky the softball mascot. You heard it hear first!
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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