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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Bear is a 6 year old Rottie. He is a new member to the Tripawds, he had his ampupawtion on Monday and was released on Tuesday afternoon. The last time he eliminated was Tuesday at the hospital with the help of a catheter. He is eating and drinking, however when I take him outside to eliminate, he is very confused and will not go. Does anyone have a suggestion to get him to go? At what point should I be concerned? I asked the doctor and they told me to keep taking him out. You suggestions are greatly appreciated. Also if there are any folks with giant breed Tripawds, please reach out to me with any tips you could share to help my Bear along.
Bear is a 7 year old Rottweiler. He became a Tripawd pup on April 1, 2013.
Welcome, your future forum posts will not require moderation.
Some members wait days for their dogs to go after they come home. It is still very early for Bear, there is really not need to try and help get him to go. Constipation is a common side effects with many pain medications. What meds are Bear taking? If you feel it's necessary, you can add a small amount of olive oil to his food to help loosen things up. But please keep in mind we are not vets. Please consult your veterinarian with any serious concerns.
As Jerry's surgeon told us, when he needs to go, he'll go!
We cover this subject and many other common post-op concerns and recovery care tips in Three Legs And A Spare . Also consider bookmarking Jerry's Required Reading List for lots of helpful links.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I think the problem with bear is urination, since it says he went with a catheter. I'd think that offering lots of liquids & taking him out frequently (assuming he's up to hopping around that much) is a good plan. Kermit was going a LOT because he was on prednisone, but he had a VERY hard time learning not to lift a leg & did a LOT of faceplanting at first!
You may find that your guy does better if you can take him out to a bush or favorite spot & then turn him loose or step back as far as possible rather than hovering over him. He might fall down, but he'll muddle through & figure it out eventually. Finding just the right spot to go is important to some dogs, too, so be sure to take him someplace he usually goes or where other dogs have gone.
Only turn him loose in a fenced area, of course, because even on 3 legs they hop pretty fast!
dharma said
You may find that your guy does better if you can take him out to a bush or favorite spot & then turn him loose or step back as far as possible rather than hovering over him. He might fall down, but he'll muddle through & figure it out eventually.
I second that idea. It's scary to do it at first but that tough love approach works wonders.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I WILL add that in my case I let Kerm off to do his thing on his own but I'm not tough enough to really leave him! When he fell I ran to his aid, but at least by then the pee (or poop) was at least already flowing and I could just cheerfully prop him back up & let him continue to try. 
Thank you all very much! It feels so good to know I am not alone in this. To answer admin, Bear is taking Gabapentin, Tramadol and Deramaxx. Despite all the meds, he seems to be the same old self. I want to take dharma's advice, but one thing makes me nervous. The doctor told me to put him in a t-shirt, if he falls his incision will be exposed and I am afraid of it getting dirty or infected. Thoughts?
Bear is a 7 year old Rottweiler. He became a Tripawd pup on April 1, 2013.
When Libby had her bandages removed we put her in my hubby's t shirt to keep everything clean. We cut off about half the body of the t shirt. I then cut the sleeves so her foot didn't get caught in it. I put it on her and safety pinned the slack. She looked great and I felt like I was protecting the incision. She didn't mind it at all.
Bear is a cutie!
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
VICTORY!!!! I just let go of the support and held the leash. Turns out mom was holding her boy back. He did great! I'm so relieved. Wow, I was told that he would prefer to move faster to keep his balance, but I never expected him to move so quick. Better keep my track shoes on. 
Bear is a 7 year old Rottweiler. He became a Tripawd pup on April 1, 2013.
Yea! We like to celebrate everything around here!!!
Yes- tripawds move fast better than slow, easier to keep balance that way.
Did Bear poop yet? My pug Maggie didn't poop until day 6. She had this spinning thing she had to do before she could 'settle in' and do her business (she was a rear amp). The first couple days she would try and spin and fall down and man, if looks could kill!! She looked so unhappy and discouraged. But by day 6 she figured her balance out enough and she could spin like old times!
How big is Bear? We have lots of big dogs and some giant breeds, all doing well. I have a local pal Cemil who is a 150 pound Anatolian Shepard front amp who gets around fine. He doesn't go far- but he never went that far before surgery. And, he is 4 years past his amp for OSA!
Karen
That's great that Bear was able to take care of it all on his own. Good luck to you guys. Letting them figure things out on their own is pretty difficult for us, but it really does help them out.
Adelaide is a young tripawd Husky, from an injury. Her amp was on 10/1/12. She has 4 sisters, Aissa (a senior border collie/chow), Maggie May (a puppy Great Pyrenees), Mathilde and Morrigan and 1 baby brother, Bagheera. We are all watched over by our angel Brendol, who was dx with OSA 1/30/13, amp on 2/6/13, and left us on 8/20/13.
You can read their stories at http://adelaide.tripawds.com and http://brendol.tripawds.com
WooHoo! Go Bear! We celebrate all the first potty victories here. I know it's a little crazy, but us humans worry about these things. 
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Thanks again for all the support! And YES!!!! Everything is cause for celebration with our blessed 3 pawed friends. I thank God for every moment I have with Bear.
Karen, Bear is about 110 pounds. He was pretty active before his diagnosis. I know he is going to have to drop some weight though. I plan on cutting back the carbs and adding more veggies. No poop yet. I can't imagine how that's going to go over. He has had a pretty good appetite though. We are bound to get some results soon. He's been a bit gassy. That's encouraging to hear about Cemil. I was warned that most are fortunate with a year. But they also say most statistics are made up too. 
Bear has been a miracle pup for some time. The leg that was amputated had suffered a severe break back in 2008. He was about a year old and the bone plates had not come together. They put a plate and 10 screws in. They were not sure if he was going to be lame. Bear had different plans, he ended up fine and strong as an ox. Until 1 month ago I noticed a slight limp. The vet did some X-rays and didn't see much and put him on Deramaxx. Things did not improve so I took him to a bigger hospital and the X-rays showed a size able tumor. The bone looked like it was turning to dust. It was then I was told if I didn't amputate, I would be lucky to have 4 months. Chemo starts in a couple of weeks and we will leave it in Gods hands.
Bear is a 7 year old Rottweiler. He became a Tripawd pup on April 1, 2013.
Yay Bear, and welcome to the Tripawd group. Sassy is a 6 year old Rottie too. Keep up the good work Bear you will get the hang of it.
Michelle & Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Welcome, Bear! And, congrats on your first looooong pee! You'll poop, too, in your own time. Let your mom know you'll take it easy and slow and on your time. If you happen to fall and get your wound a little messy, a clean, warm-damp cloth with a loving touch will work wonders! Got any saline spray/wash? The stuff used for contact lenses? That'll provide a little stream, in case.
Rest up, pal!
~ Katy
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Welcome Bear! Glad things seem to be moving along
! I know Shooter prefers a little privacy and I had to pretend I wasn't looking at him. Bear will figure it out. Seems like they need to figure out how to fit a new way into their old routine.
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
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