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,
I joined today after searches for dog osteosarcoma and amputations, and I found these forums. There is 9 yo Dobie at the county shelter who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, and the vets decided upon amputation of his right front leg today. Even prior to surgery I was interested in adopting him, because that twist in his life shouldn’t condemn him to a shelter. I know the shelter is anxious for him to leave, for his own benefit, and I think it is best for him to spend a couple of days there post-op to make sure that he eats and poops and can walk with support, if not on his own. I have 2 other dogs, and among the group, there should be no issues. I do have a large crate for him to be in, to be quiet and restrained until he is further along in his recovery.
What would I be facing next? Giving meds is no problem. I suppose I need a chest support sling to help him, but what are the realities? I am in a 1 level house, with a large fenced in yard in FL, but there are 2-3 steps to get outside. I cannot actually pick him up, but with a sling/harness, I can help him stand and support him to move. Do I insist he stay at the shelter for x days post-op for recovery safety? Will he need rehab?
I don’t want to leave him there, because he will not be easily adopted, so what am I facing short term?
thank you all so much!
Carolyn
Hi there, thank you for a wanting to adopt this dog. You sound like a really knowledgeable and smart dog mom and he would be very lucky to have you.
I encourage you to check out our What to Expect articles to see what amputation recovery looks like.
The 2 to 3 steps in your home should be no problem for him, being a big dog.
An recovery can have ups and downs, but if pain is managed right, it goes a little bit easier so that would be the biggest thing I would recommend is once he is released from the shelter.
Do make sure that he has at least an anti-inflammatory and gabapentin. For a dog, his size vets typically prescribe 300 mg three times a day, but they may start him out a little slower in case he's overly sensitive to the sedation effects.
Rehabilitation therapy is super helpful, especially for an older, bigger dog. It makes such a difference that Tripawds Foundation can pay for your first rehab visit so check out the link. I encourage you to go and take him.
Let us know how things are going!
i'll have more suggestions in the morning but for now check out and also the Tripawds Recovery Shopping List . Thanks for joining.
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