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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Hello,
I just wanted to add a so far successful recovery of Max, a 100 lb 10 yr old lab mix.
Max had a soft tissue sarcoma in his left hind knee. We tried removing it but unable to get good margins since it was in his knee and it just grew back faster and larger. To complicate this, he had a torn ACL in his right hind leg. So first we had to repair the "good" leg before we could amputate his cancer leg. To complicate it more, the sarcoma was spreading FAST. There was concern it would go past his leg to his body, so he had TPLO surgery to repair his ACL and two weeks after, he had this amputation.
We have a very good ortho surgeon who I wanted to do both TPLO and amputation. He evaluated Max after TPLO before moving forward and I followed instructions to the T. His amputation leg biopsy came back with clean margins.
The first few days were rough, but expected. I modified a surgical suit I already had to cover up the leg hole, so he could have some time away from his cone and me not worry about him eating his incision. We alternated between the suit and cone. He didn't love either.
I bought some area rugs pre surgery but I needed more. Instead I bought some inexpensive ($5) yoga mats which we strung down the hallway. He was not able to step on the hardwood floors at all. He is better today but I encourage him to not go off the path! After this post I am off to see if there is a post about booties or something that will help him in that area.
Here is a video of Max at 3 weeks post op. He is doing really well! He got his stitches out today. The vet wants me to be careful on activity until his TPLO is fully healed which is taking some time with the added stress. We just go out to potty for now.
Modified Surgical Suit
Thank for the update. YAAAAY FOR CLEAN MARGINS!!! Wonderful news!
You and Max are showing us all what's possible when facing really tough challenges for a tripawd. Your care is exquisite and clearly you know your Max so well.
So happy to know how well Max is doing. The hurdles haven't been easy but the video is amazing proof of how Max has met all the challenges like a Warrior!!!
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!
This is WONDERFUL! Thank you for sharing. It's going in Tripawds News! Thank you for sharing Max's hopeful and inspirational journey with us. We look forward to more good times with your sweetie! Hoppy 2023!
Thank you for this and your prior post. We are just moving toward a back leg amputation and your posts and the responses have armed us with knowledge and hope. Way to go team Max!
Welcome Dave.
Please consider starting your own thread to introduce us to your pup and so we can learn about your journey.
Your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls and Boy
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
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