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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
I found this forum early this week when I was at a loss for making the decision of amputation or fixing her leg for the 2nd time. She had a carpal fusion in 2014 and somehow broke the plate. After 5 different specialist appointments we decided amputation was the best option for her. Yesterday I forced myself to drop her off for surgery and after walking out the front door there was lots of tears. So I came home and buried myself in this forum. I felt better to the point I knew she’d appreciate this decision. Yesterday was all good planned pick up today. Got another eh update this morning and confirmed pickup. Well when another phone call came through 2 hours later I knew something was wrong.
Her bloodwork is good. She’s got a lot of swelling. Yesterday we were up hopping around today we don’t even want to sit up. 😥 now here I am regretting EVERYTHING. What have I done?
They said they don’t feel comfortable letting her go home so they want to keep her till Monday (Christmas Eve).
Originally she was going to come home today and I was going to leave Monday for family Christmas 4 hours away and she was going to stay home for the pet sitter to check on. Her vet was totally okay with this because she should be doing much better by then. Now she won’t even be coming home till Christmas Eve. I don’t want to stuff her in a car for 4 hours to take with me nor can I just not go to Christmas. Should I ask to keep her at the vet and get her Wednesday? That’s a whole week in the hospital. Isn’t this going to add to her depression?
DEEP BREATHS....B R E A T H E.....B R E A T H E.....Really, inhale slowly, exhale slowly.
Let's chunk these down, okay?
First of all, you HAD to proceed with amputation, so no second guessing. You will soon see you did this FOR her and it TO her.
I would suggest getting more SPECIFIC answers from the Surgeon (and Orthopedic Surgeon did the surgery and she is at a 24/7 staffed clinic?). What is their assessment of what's going on and what is their plan of treatment?
Additionally, what is her pain management ?
I think you need those answers first before you jump ahead to travel plans, etc. It may be that, depending on their assessment and depending on their treatment, she can come home sooner.
You mentioned pet sitter. Is this someone staying at your house, or just checking in on her? If she can come home early but doesn't have someone staying with her those first seceral days of recov, I would suggest she stay st rhe clinic.
I'll check jn, as will others, and see what the specifics are.
Extra higs
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!
Take a deep breath, you are doing the best you can and it sounds like she is getting good care. Your vet is taking precautions, you want that for your dog.
Swelling could be anything as simple as a seroma , so I agree, getting more specifics is a good idea that can help put your mind at ease.
As long as there is 24-hour care at the clinic, she's better off there. Do make sure they offer that OK? And keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Well we got an update her HCT levels started off at 49 pre-Op we have fallen all the way to 27%. They highly recommended a blood transfusion for make it through the night. This has gutted me.
I have talked to them about leaving her there through Christmas or she will be going home with my fiancé’s mom. So that worry is gone. But we have to make it there first.
Okay, she's in good hands. For whatever it's worth, we do see cases where blood transfusions are needed and the dogs DO recover. I'm so glad they recognized she needed to stay at the clinic and not go home just yet.
Your whole tripawd family is sending tons of healing energy and pawsitive thoughts for your sweet pup. What her name?
Wishing the very best for your pup.
(((((((((((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!
Hi and welcome,
I hope your furbaby made it through the night ok. What is her name? How old and what kind of dog is she? I totally agree with Sally in the sense that having somebody with her all the time right now is a really good idea. They have staff at the hospital 24 hrs? Would be good to ask if you don't know because some do not. In that case having her home with somebody is better than leaving her alone.
I hope she turns around and feels better after the transfusion. Sending pawsitive thoughts and hugs your way.
Jackie and Huck 
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
I agree, a transfusion is scary to us pet parents but in the vet world it's not abnormal, we've seen it happen through the years and dogs do bounce back from it. Sounds like her care is really good, and the vet is managing the situation. She's in good hands so try to take comfort in knowing that. We'll keep you and her in our hearts and thoughts for a speedy rebound! Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We have a totally different dog after her blood transfusion. It was so scary making the decision to say okay. We went for a visit today and she was very happy, it was definitely worth the hour drive.
We were told by all the techs that she did a complete 180 from yesterday. They were pretty sure she wouldn’t of made it through the night. So scary!
She was bright today, just quiet. She sat next to me trying to plan a maneuver into my lap but then got tired and laid down. Hoping we are on the up now.
I don’t know what I would’ve done without this forum. Thank you everyone
Her name is Sage a 7 yo border collie with a front left full amputation.
YAAAAAAAAY FOR SAGE!!!! AND YOUR WHOLE TRIPAWD FAMILY JUST SIGHED A HUGE SIGH OF RELIEF!!!😁😁 THIS UPDATE HAS MADE US ALL SOOOOOO HAPPY!!!!
Glad you are able to enjoy your Christmas now and have him well taken care of while you're out of town😊😊😊
Huge 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!
Yes!!💕💖💕 That is great news!! Love her name 💐
Thank you for coming back and sharing her progress, so relieved for you.
Big hugs 🌷❤️💕
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Whew!!! Oh my gosh that’s terrific! Now if you had said she was a Border Collie earlier, then I really would have emphasized that the breed is incredibly resilient and bounces back like nobody’s business. She is true to her kind, this is great news!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
1 Guest(s)
