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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hi ive been watching this site for the last few weeks but decided to join today.
My 8 year old boy Max (Golden doodle) had his back right leg removed yesterday - just 24 hours ago (im just devastated). He'd been limping since september but the bone biopsy showed nothing (nothing on lungs either) - the vet suspects the sample taken wasnt very good. Anyway max is still in the vets - my husband has visited him (he is hopefully due out on monday) apparently max is comfortable, wagging tail, walking around just fine - he hasnt been using his back leg for a few days so probably used to it. So my questions are - he hasnt been to toilet yet - how long would you expect him to not go for? He isnt eating either - is this normal?? I just want him home so i can hand feed him but that wont be until monday at the earliest. Hes such a big boy that i am really missing his presence in the house. Anything else i should expect? Thank you in advance claire
Hi Max and family, welcome. Your future posts won't need approval so post away.
I'm sorry you're even here, this isn't an easy thing to go through but we're glad we could be there to help. I know you're worried with all kinds of crazy thoughts going through your head. We all did that! And I'll tell you know, the reality is never as bad as we imagine it to be. To answer your questions:
Your vet won't let him leave until he urinates on his own. Once he's home, he may be a bit slow about getting up to go. That's OK and very typical. Twice a day potty walks are all he needs, and when I mean "walk" I mean just let him go outside on leash, do his buisness and come back. He may need encouraging though, the drugs will likely make him dopey. As long as he urinates within 12 hours he's normal. If not, let your vet know.
When it comes to hand-feeding, please don't do it unless he doesn't want to eat after a day or so. He may not even need it. There's a real fine line between babying too much and encouraging our new Tripawds to be normal again. A little tough love goes a long way in helping him get back to his normal routine.
If you haven't put down traction around your home, be sure to click on that link to get some ideas on how you can slip-proof his environment. Since he won't be home until Monday you have time to Tripawd-proof his area. Baby gates are a good idea to keep him confined to a small space, and raised feeders are also wise.
Meanwhile, do check out Jerry's Required Reading List for more answers to questions and the Tripawds e-books library too. If you think of anything at all we're happy to help answer your questions OK?
Keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
jerry said
Hi Max and family, welcome. Your future posts won't need approval so post away.I'm sorry you're even here, this isn't an easy thing to go through but we're glad we could be there to help. I know you're worried with all kinds of crazy thoughts going through your head. We all did that! And I'll tell you know, the reality is never as bad as we imagine it to be. To answer your questions:
Your vet won't let him leave until he urinates on his own. Once he's home, he may be a bit slow about getting up to go. That's OK and very typical. Twice a day potty walks are all he needs, and when I mean "walk" I mean just let him go outside on leash, do his buisness and come back. He may need encouraging though, the drugs will likely make him dopey. As long as he urinates within 12 hours he's normal. If not, let your vet know.
When it comes to hand-feeding, please don't do it unless he doesn't want to eat after a day or so. He may not even need it. There's a real fine line between babying too much and encouraging our new Tripawds to be normal again. A little tough love goes a long way in helping him get back to his normal routine.
If you haven't put down traction around your home, be sure to click on that link to get some ideas on how you can slip-proof his environment. Since he won't be home until Monday you have time to Tripawd-proof his area. Baby gates are a good idea to keep him confined to a small space, and raised feeders are also wise.
Meanwhile, do check out Jerry's Required Reading List for more answers to questions and the Tripawds e-books library too. If you think of anything at all we're happy to help answer your questions OK?
Keep us posted!
Thank you so much - will get onto slip proofing our house. We have babygates in our loft so will get them out before he comes home. I miss him dreadfully - want my baby home with me 😪. Thank you again
Hang in there! Max will be home soon! Right now he's got some good drugs in him! Sounds like he is adjusting to three legs quickly
Yeah, peeing is important, but pooping may take several days. Let us know when he does 
! We celebrate everything around here!!
Maybe Max can come home Sunday? He'll probably come home with Tramadol, Gabapentin, Rimadyl and an a antibiotic. Getting the right doses can be a bit of trial and error, as every dog is different when it comes tomlain and how the meds work best in his system.
Try the yummiest foods you can fi dd at first. Cheeseburgers, baked chicken, scrambled eggs...whatever works. It is major surgery and he needs some incentive to eat.
Try and rest while you can. Recovery can be a bit rough for a week or two! Take @ots of deep breaths...And eat cCHOCOLATE!!
STAY CONNECTED! We are here for you!
Lots of 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!
I know it's hard to be away from your boy but he is in good hands at the vet. If he doesn't come home until Monday they should have his pain meds dialed in pretty closely. It's great that he is up on his own!
The surgery meds and pain meds can do all kinds of things to pups- they are constipating and many pups just don't want to eat. And it's not unusual for dogs not to eat away from home.
The first couple weeks after surgery can be full of ups and downs. A few lucky pups sail through like nothing happened but most have some down time. Most of us went through the 'what have I done' phase during recovery. Don't get discouraged if Max is not himself- he just needs time to recover and get used to his new normal. Another thing we see often here is that pups seem to regress after they come home. Not sure if it's because the surgery meds are finally out of their system or they just get tired. It doesn't always happen but don't panic if it does. Keep your vet informed of Max's progress and ask lots of questions here.
Keep us posted on his progress and let us know when you get him home.
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
Hi Claire. Sorry to see another new member to Tripawds, but you are in the right place for advice and support. Jerry, Sally and Karen all helped me get through this 2 months ago and their advice to you is spot on. This journey is scary, but you and Max will get through it. The first 2 weeks are the hardest. If I may, My dog Fionn and I wrote a blog post every day for the first 2 weeks so others could learn from our successes and failures. Of course, not every post op experience is the same, but we had our share of potty issues that were terrifying at the time, but ended up not being the big deal I thought it was. If you only have time to read one of our posts read the page "post chemo thoughts and highlights". I list the things I suggest to have on hand that worked for us. We did have some time to prepare and I was so happy I didn't have to scramble after the fact to get things. The pages in the blog go in order so you can see Fionn's progression from first day home zombie dog to wine tasting dog in the space of 2 weeks
. Just click on the link in my signature.
Please keep us up to date on Max's progress and let us know if you need help!
Nancy and Fionn
Nancy- mom to the FABULOUS Fionn. He rescued me in 2015 when he was 6.
Right front leg amputation at age 7 for osteosarcoma 10/6/16. Taken too soon 6/12/17. Read about our journey here:
http://fionnsjo.....pawds.com/
Thank you lovely people for all of your kind words.
ok so i went to visit my boy this morning, i must admit i was kind of shocked with the wound - obviously i didnt let him know this, i fussed him as i usually would, the main thing he is alive - it could have been a very different story friday morning.
I was upset when i came out of the vets because he was crying (im his main carer - hes never stayed in kennels or anything like that so hes not used to it) so he clearly wanted to come home. He lay by my feet at the door not crying - he didnt seem in pain?
The nurse said he'd been wonderful to look after as he does what hes asked to do - hes a gentle giant.
So, good news, he has had a pee (thank goodness) no poop yet but i guess with him not eating everything has slowed right down. I got him to eat so the nurse said she was happy with his progress - im going to call at 5pm for an update. I miss my big boy terribly.
Hoping to have him home tomorrow to care for him, i think he needs a big sleep in his own bed.
Hes a big dog - standard poodle size - does anyone envisage any problems being so big with just 3 legs??
Really trying to be positive - i love him dearly.
thank you all so much for your support
My Otis was 106 pounds pre-amp, and 96 post-amp, and had mild arthritis in his hips. He did just fine on 3. Max probably will too. The next 2 weeks will be tough, but once the staples come out he will amaze you!
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.
atko2010 said
Hes a big dog - standard poodle size - does anyone envisage any problems being so big with just 3 legs??
Really trying to be positive - i love him dearly.
thank you all so much for your support
You've read this before, but all dogs really are different. The vast majority will get around fine when they come home. Slow, steady and patient progress is usually the way it goes with large dogs his size (we've had many much larger than him). Monitoring his activity as a Tripawd is key to avoiding injury, but we can talk about that during his healing process. For now, breathe ....
And never forget, the stronger and more confident you are, the more he will reflect that back in his recovery. Dogs mirror our emotions and what we put out, they respond to.
I hope he comes home tomorrow!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
You're doing great! 🙂 Give yourself a little pat in the back for staying so strong in front of Max!! Actually, I didn't even look at the incision when I first picked up my Happy Hann. I was just sooo thrilled she was done with surgery and she was mobile! I couldn't help but notice how much fur they shaved though! I think I found that more alarming than anything!
So glad Max is doing well! And YAY for PEE!! Max is soooo ready to come home!!
Oh, my Happy Hannah had her amputation at 125 lbs. She floated like a Butterfly in three!! Well, maybe a pretty chunky Butterfly! 🙂
Can't wait to hear abput the homecoming!!!
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!
Quick update - we've just brought our boy home. He ran straight outside for a poop! Hes now resting on his bed. Thank you all for your support. Will keep you all updated with any progress.
claire
atko2010 said
Quick update - we've just brought our boy home. He ran straight outside for a poop! Hes now resting on his bed. Thank you all for your support. Will keep you all updated with any progress.claire
What super news, Claire - really great! celebration and homecoming celebration!
Looking forward to updates - know that we are here for support!
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Happy poopy dance!
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.
Congratulations on the homecoming! Sounds like things are going well. Now your days will become eat, drink, short potty breaks, massage those muscles getting a workout and rest. Here's to a smooth recovery! Keep us posted on sweet Max.
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR COMING HOME!!!! AND YAAAAAAAAAY FOR
Slpw and easy, sloooow and easy! Rest, eat, drink, potty...and repeat!
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!
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