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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Like so many, I SO wish we didn't find ourselves here. First, I've been reading this site for the past couple weeks and have found so many inspiring stories and resources. Thank you!
Here's a bit of background...
We adopted a female lab mix named Abby (picture) almost 4.5 years ago. We assumed she was somewhere around 4 years old. We just love her! She has always been a nervous dog and we've done our best to make her comfortable. We live in Chicago have taken her out to the country in The Northwoods and Michigan. She just loves it!
About 3 years ago she tore her ACL on her left hind leg, had surgery and recovered well. She and I would still run and she would play with other dogs in the neighborhood and just have fun. Sometime earlier this spring, we noticed that her left hind leg was a bit swollen. We rested her and it would get better. We'd go for long walks and it would swell again and then rest it to get better. She never seemed in pain or bothered by it so we let it go until her mid-year doggie appt in May. They couldn't diagnose it so they eventually recommended x-rays. Well, the summer went by and we did our thing and Abby seemed fine! Finally I took her for x-rays at the end of August. Again, our vet couldn't determine what was wrong so he referred us to an oncologist. Made an appointment for 5 days later and he suspects "peri-articular histiocytic sarcoma" or "synovial cell" which is some sort of joint cancer. I haven't really been able to find too much information. Anyway, his recommendation is amputation. Ugh.
Through this process, my husband and I learned that Abby had been shot sometime prior to us owning her. She has a full bullet and a few fragments in her chest. Poor girl! It doesn't affect her and it's just a side story that I felt I needed to share. We think it explains why she's petrified of thunder, fireworks and even cameras (the avatar was a super sneak picture!) Going through old paperwork, we also found that Abby was "maybe," I mean, who really knows, was closer to 7 when we got her, which would make her past 11 now. She sure doesn't act like it 
I have the surgery scheduled for Wednesday morning. I am so scared! My husband travels during the week and we have a one year old who I stay home with. I just want to get this done and move on, but it feels like it's never a good time. Plus, Abby still seems fine! Besides her leg being swollen, you would never know anything is wrong. She walks, plays, eats, etc. The oncologist doesn't see that this has spread anywhere and really can't give an exact diagnosis until the biopsy is done and the leg is removed. I just feel torn like so many of you guys have expressed too. We all just want what is best for our doggies and wish they could just tell us.
Thanks for reading. It feels good to get it out. Please think of us on Wednesday!
Hello and welcome. Your future posts will not require moderation.
I'm glad you decided to register and share your story. As you have seen this is a very knowledgeable and supportive community.
I couldn't belive it when my vet said amputation for my pug Maggie. I was actually prepared for a cancer diagnosis, she had already had one mast cell tumor removed- but she wasn't at all sick or limping so how could amputation be the solution?
Definitely have something to do on surgery day- it can be a long, nerve wracking day waiting for the phone call.
Let us know if you have any specific questions and good luck on Wednesday. Keep us posted on how Abby, and you, are doing.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Will definitely be thinking of Abby and you on Wednesday, sending positive thoughts your way. Try not to stress too much, you'll get through this! (Easier said than done!)
Welcome Abby and family. I'm so sorry that bum leg's gotta go. We've had quite a few dogs here with synovial cell sarcomas, do a forum search and you'll probably come up with more topics than you think.
Many folks remember feeling the exact same way you do; freaked out, scared, anxious, you name it. And while I won't lie and say that the recovery is a breeze, it doesn't last forever and before you know it, things are back to a 'new normal' of life on three legs!
Did you check our Required Reading List or ebook, Three Legs & a Spare? We've got lots of info there to help you feel more comfortable with the road ahead.
Oh, when you're all recovered, we've got a good group of Tripawders who live in the Chicago region and get together every so often. I hope you get to meet them!
Good luck this week, we will be thinking of you. Keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sorry you and Abby had to find us here. We had an Abby too. 
Everything you are feeling is very normal - but it's going to be ok. I like to tell the new folks that it's an awesome thing to be a tripawd pawrent. I know all you can see is the scary parts right now, but once she gets through the recovery period (generally about 2 weeks) you'll see her personality come back, and when you see her handle the amp with grace and good spirits, you'll be amazed and inspired. Your bond with her will grow even more.
Hang in there. Try to rest up before the surgery. Sleep can be hard to come by after they first come home. And when you are sleep deprived, everything can seem worse.
We're here if you have specific questions during her recovery. Let us know how the surgery goes!
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Hi! We also will be thinking of you! You shall see everything is going to be fine! My Penny is three months after amputation now and is doing so fine! I feel so proud of her when we are out walking (running 
) and she is so happy and playful! Good luck with everything! /Gunilla, Penny and Wilbur
So sorry you are facing this but it is truly incredible how well our beautiful dogs bounce back from surgery. You will be amazed and very proud. And as Jackie says, you will feel your bond with Abby become even stronger. And as the other Karen says, try to keep yourself occupied on surgery day. Waiting for the phone call to tell you everything is OK is very stressful.
Keep strong.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Hi Abby and family - sorry, I'm a little late, just seeing this now. I hope everything went well with the surgery. I'm new to this group myself, although I adopted my tripawd a bit over three years ago (he was a tripawd already at the time I adopted him). My Bosley (yellow lab) is also a rear left leg amputee. And we are also in the Chicago area. I hope you will be able to make one of our local Tripawd get-togethers. Bosley and I (along with big "sister" Molly, also a yellow lab) attended our first one in August and were very happy to meet fellow tripawd people and their 3- and 4-legged pups.
I don't really have anything to share about the recovery process as Bosley was just at the tail end of his recovery when I adopted him, but I can tell you from my own experience that tripawds do amazingly well. Bosley has no real physical limitations to speak of, and in fact he does agility.
Best of luck through the recovery process, and we hope to see you at one of the Chicago-area get-togethers in the near future!
Thanks for all the support! I posted this in "Shout Outs" but I will also post Abby's awesome progress here.
Abby was discharged from the vet's office yesterday and has been home since about 4pm. She is doing great. She makes me so proud! I can't even put it into words!
She hopped out of the vet yesterday so happy to see us and so ready to get home. She looked so much better than I thought she would. She actually really looked like herself. Not like a dog who just had their leg amputated. Loaded her into the car alright, she even barked at a dog she saw from the window! Getting her up the stairs of our building was a real challenge. We wrapped her in her bed like a taco and carried her up the stairs. We tried a harness and a towel, but she is too skittish and it did not work. Does anyone have any tips?
We relaxed with her in the bedroom all night and watched the Bears/Packers game (we were happy the Pack won; her dad was not). She ate and drank and tried to get comfy. She woke up once and squealed and needed to relieve herself outside around 5am – we even got a little poop out! Ha!
Today she made it down the stairs on her own. I was of course guiding her and ready to catch her if she falls. She has been moving around our bedroom just fine on her own. I, too, am wondering if she's moving around too much. I am just really surprised and amazed by how well she seems to be doing right now. I know that we will have up days and down days, but right now, I am happy and pleased with our decision. Thank you again Tripawd friends! Couldn't have done this without you!
One more question…when did you first leave your dog alone after their surgery and for how long?
Taco Abby this is great news! I think you're doing fine. Many dogs don't like the assistance on stairs and while walking, it's kinda hard for some to get used to it. If you're doing alright without help, then I think that sounds fine. If you can stay in one small space for a while though, that will really be good for you and prevent the risk of a seroma (fluid buildup) around your incision. At least for a few days, then keep your activity restricted to short potty walks for a week or so.
My people worked at home when I had my surgery. The first time they had to leave me alone in the house was about 2 weeks after my surgery for a work meeting and Mom was really freeked out! They were only gone for two hours, silly human.
Most dogs have to go it alone within days after surgery when their people go to work, so you won't be the first. If your people can have a neighbor check in on you that would be super duper. I don't know why pawrents worry, after all when they go away that means they stop staring at us all day and we can finally get some sleep!
Hope you have a good weekend! Take it easy.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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