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
Maddies amputation was w yesterday -so 24 hours ago- she has not ye t gotten up -left front leg amputated - she ISO being weaned off fentanyl patch and back on the tramadol ..today it really hit me about what I have put her thru.
Her doctor said she will figure it out -
can you remind me that it will be alright. And that. The first week is so hard. ..were you about to manage at home that first week ?
I think I can use a little encouragement,
Take a deep breath- you are fine.
Not every dog is hopping the first day or two or three. Many or most are, but Maddie is not the only slow starter. My vet said most dogs do fine on three legs, but my little pug Maggie was a slug for 6 weeks. I spent most every day of those 6 weeks thinking I had made a terrible mistake by choosing amputation. Every dog gets used to their new normal on their own schedule. And the first 24 hours she is still purging the surgery meds out of her system.
Don't get discouraged (hard), stay positive (really hard) and give Maddie some time. Stay close to this community and you will find the support you need.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
I don't have any words of encouragement. I can only try to comfort you by letting you know that you're not alone. I am crying while writing this because tomorrow morning I may have to make this decision, or worse. I can't tell you that it will get easier, but as I lay here alone, wishing I could just hold my Rowdy, he's alone in a vet's clinic. And I can tell you one thing, if losing a leg allows him a happy, healthy life and me more time with my best friend, it can't be anything other than a right decision.
Hi Jason,
Please consider registering as a member so that your posts will show without having to wait for approval. Then you can tell us your story and all about Rowdy.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
dawgwlker- there are a few people in the chat room now if you want to join. Click on the chat link and scroll down and wait for the screen to load.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
It starts to get easier when your pet is home with you and you can see how she is doing and give her lots of loving and care. Also know that she is well looked after at the vets where I'm sure someone is looking in on her and managing the pain medication.
Every week I saw progress in my cat's recovery. After the sutures were out I saw a steady progress in her and thought after a month that she was all healed. But I soon realized that monthly she improved on her ability to jump, run, and to walk even without thumping. After six months she is stronger than she was 3 months ago and she, on her own, has discovered new ways to adapt. She still sometimes thumps when taking large steps but she seems to have discovered when she takes fast tiny steps she is light on her feet and sounds like a little tap dancer. And when she runs her feet barely touch the floor. And this is a cat that is a bit chubby and is not very athletic.
Dogs and cats are resilient and they just get on with recovering and enjoying life.
Looking forward to hearing more about Rowdy.
Kerren with Tripawd Kitty Mona
Yes, we can DEFINITELY remind you that the first week is hard, sometimes well into the second week, even aometimes the third week!!! But when the sparkle starts to come back...my oh my!! You will realize you are doing this FOR MMaddie...not TO her!!
My first posst here was six days after amputation and I felt like I had made a terrible mistake!! My Happy Hannah just took a little while longer tk recover, that's all!
And I remember Karen responding to me about Pug Maggie and feeling reassured!
Right now Maddie is still full of hospital meds and on a morphine patch! It sounds like she is really drugged up. Glad the patch is coming off!! Getting up and walking is not on her radar right now! Did she walk at all at the vets? A lot of times a vet will keel the dog extra days just to help them get up and move when they are a little slower. Kind of surprised they didn't keep her if for no other reason, make it a little less stressful for you!!Tomorrow you might try a sling made out of a towel, Has she had ANY water or food? Has she peed yet...even if it's in the bed?
Just continue to B R E A T H E!! STAY CONNECTED!! We understand the fear during these first few days! Update us pkease! We care!!
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( HUGS. )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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 can not tell you how much it helps that you all are here,,, yes she is still at the vets,,,has not peed yet but is more alert now that she is off of the patch
they will keep her if either she or I feel not ready . Thanks for understanding this fear,,, that helps so much ,,,
Blaze, my grumpy 11 yo golden is just three weeks post surgery. It is hard, but these last few days he has begun acting normal. Blaze was at the hospital for three nights 23-26 of December. He had a lot of pain meds there and had many grumpy moments with the staff. He did not pee on his own and was given a catheter to help twice. When we brought him hom I was so worried about the pain I kept him on the higher pre surgery doses of pain meds for the first week. That helped him sleep a lot, about 23 hours a day. That first week he ate well, just slept a lot. Week two was harder. I began weaning him off the pain meds and Blaze went on a hunger strike. He would barely eat. Slept so soundly he peed himself! I wondered if he had a bladder infection. I noted weepy eyes, indicating some pain. Staples were removed this week. I fed him Mickey D burgers to jump start his appetite. Pain meds have been cut to one rimadyl.
Thursday we had the first snow and cold snap of winter. Blaze has been rolling in the snow making snow puppies. This morning he had a tug of war over my sock with my younger golden! Blaze starts chemo next week. I
The weepy eyes are gone. The appetite has returned. He doesn't need seven prescription meds. He is hopping and running on three legs. Blaze is wagging his tail! My worries are now about him climbing the stairs on his own.
December 23, 2014 could have become the last important date in Blaze's life. Instead I had faith, found courage, gave Blaze some hope. That day became his rebirth day. An important anniversary that was the beginning of life, not the end.
I hope this helps you find the strength and courage you need.
mary and Blaze
I hope I can add something helpful here... it DOES get better! My girl did get up right away but after the pain meds wore off, our life was HE!! for about a week... BUT she got her sparkle back. Dogs are amazing.. .they dno't know they are missing a leg. things just work out!!! Hang in there and stay close to us!
Hugs!
Alison with the Spirit of Shelby fur-ever in her heart
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Thanks everyone ,,,, I called to see if I could visit and they said Maddie could come home this morning . She is still sling walking but the floors at the vets are slippery so she's not able to get traction . I have mats and non skid mats and pads to put around the house in the areashe will walk.
Her doctor said I'm going to have to do tough love for a while and get her up walking even if she doesn't want to ,but she will recover a lot faster at home
i am nervous and scared and excited and hopeful... Thank you for your observations 3 weeks post surgery,,,,we have a lot. Of loving work to do...
did anyone use dog boots in the beginning?
thanks for being here ,,,, ,I need you now,, later I will be there...
Love,
Connie and Maddie
I'm so glad she's coming home! You have your house all ready to go, try not to worry. The disposable dog boots like PAWZ are fantastic. I wish more vets would use them. They're a great way to see if your dog will even wear boots (many won't even with practice). If you're in a hurry I know that Petco sells them.
Breathe. Remember that the stronger you are, the stronger your pup will be. Your vet is right, a little tough love goes a long way:
Canine Rehabilitation: Amputation Recovery Advice with CARE
Keep us posted and let us know if you need anything at all.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
MARY...Just want to say great post!
CONNIE AND MADDIE!!! Glad you clarified Maddie was still at the vets....I couldn't I agjne them sending her home without being able to at least "sling walk"!
I'm glad she is coming home now. She will definitely be happier and do better! Going to assume she has peed now, or they at least expressed her bladder. Drugs cause all sorts of whacky temporary side effects in dogs. Don't worry if she doesn't poop for a few days. But let us know when she does, okay? We celebrate anything around here!!
Now when you go in to lick her ul, be strong, positive and confident! Don't even look at the jncision....just look into her glazed druggy eyes and tell her what a good girl she is and give her lots praise!!
All she needs to do when she gets home is rest and go out for potty breaks. This IS major surgery! As Alison said...IT DOES GET BETTER!!!
STAY CONNECTED! We are here with you every stepmofnthe way...right by your side!! Can you see us???? You can!!!! 
Ahhhhh.....hmmmmm.....you aren't taking any of Maddie's pain meds are you?
HUGS, LOVE AND CALMING SERENITY!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Connie I bought dog boots and socks but haven't used them yet. We put down lots of carpet runners which help. Even with snow on the ground Blaze is doing ok without boots. He is very grumpy so I am not messing around with his feet if I don't need too.
I am a bit concerned because he has chewed the fur off two back toes. This on the ankle that experienced a tech mistake during pamidronate infusion. The cath slipped out of the vein infusing med under the skin. His leg and foot became extremely swollen, sore and irritated. He has a bit of weakness in that ankle after three months. So that is a foot I would like to protect.
Mary
Aww poor Blaze! That's definitely smart to keep an eye on that foot.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
1 Guest(s)
