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 all,
Thanks for creating such a wonderful forum! A few weeks ago, our 6yr old Bernese found a stray 6mo pointer/spaniel/whoknows mix injured in our bushes in the front yard. He's a sweetheart, and after going through the SPCA waiting period, we're going to adopt - he's getting a rear leg amputation tomorrow, because he had three bad fractures with the femur twisted on itself by ~120 degrees (vet thinks hit by a car). The vet says that we can take him home the very next day, and that I can begin slowly and carefully taking him for short walks nearly immediately. She also recommended I start him in puppy training classes this monday. I've read some stuff that indicates that amputees sometimes wait for five days in the vet's post op for observation, but Bailey doesn't have that luxury because he's being operated by a volunteer hospital set up, with immediate return to the SPCA, so we're thankful that he can receive the surgery in the first place. We will have meds for him and a "radar dish" so he doesn't lick the sutures, and we have a warm, puppy proofed area in the bedroom for him to stay. We've had great success with crate training our last two dogs, and will do the same with Bailey.
We'd absolutely treasure any advice you could give- this just seems a bit early for a dog to go home from an amputation surgery. We're really blessed to have a wonderful guy like Bailey come into our lives, and just want to make sure that we don't rush him.
Thanks so much for this forum and your help.
Our best,
Mike
Offline
Hi and welcome. Don't worry about Bailey coming home the next day, several of the ones here come home that quickly. Just be prepared to watch vigiantly for any problems. Trouble stayed 2 nights and was no problem once she came home. Some go home with pain patched, others do not. Each vet is a little different in their approach and each dog is different in their ability to adapt.
You will never regret your decision to adopt. Thank you for giving Bailey a great home.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Mike, I will be thinking of you and Bailey tomorrow. God bless you for giving Baily a great home!
My do will too undergo an amputation tomorrow due to osteosarcoma of her right front leg. Once she is rid of the bad leg, she will be all well again!
Take care and best wishes to Bailey.
Laurie, Ronnie's mom
Ronnie Smith, born July 13 2000. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma 4/2010. Right front leg amputation 4/2010. Cancer returned after 4 rounds of chemo July 2010. Reunited with her amputated leg 7/21/2010. God bless my baby girl.
Some pawrents on here have picked their dog up the same day. We picked Harley up the next morning. You'll be amazed how well your dog does ... you may even have to restrict Bailey from doing too much. Just keep an eye on him, if something doesn't seem right, call the Vet or take him in (or we're always here for any questions/advice, too!).
Best of luck tomorrow! Our paws are crossed all goes well ...
Amputation on 11/10/09, due to Histiocytic Sarcoma in left elbow. Angel Harley earned his wings on 06/24/10.
Good Luck with your surgery tomorrow Bailey, hoping for a speedy recovery for you.
Jo Ann & Tasha
Tasha 8 years old, First cancer diagnosis 6/26/09, Last cancer diagnosis 9/26/09, Amputation 10/01/09, Loving our girl moment by moment.
Tasha lost her battle and became my Angel on May 4 2011. Forever in my heart….
Thanks for your reassurance! We're looking forward to little Bailey!
Laurie, likewise, best wishes for you and Ronnie tomorrow! She'll do great!
Best wishes,
Mike
Ooo, early but not unheard of. Too bad you won't get a couple days to rest up and prepare, but it can be done and you do sound well prepared already. Take deep breaths and don't be afraid to call for help when you have concerns! Better to bug your vet a little than to fret a lot!!!
Regarding puppy classes - gosh! Physically he may be mobile enough for puppy classes, but I'm pretty sure Gerry and even Yoda were still too whacked out on the pain meds that soon after surgery to be able to focus in a class. Maybe not Yoda, but Gerry had a more serious reaction. Reactions can vary a lot though. So Bailey may well prove me wrong.
Gerry has been a tripawd since 12/16/2009.
He was a shelter dog with a mysterious past and an irrepairable knee injury.
Videos and pics of Gerry's pawesomeness can be found at: http://gerry.tripawds.com
Hi Mike, thanks for being so good to the animals and a big thanks for joining us here!
Rest assured, many, many dogs have come home the next day after amputation surgery, including me. I'm sure Bailey will do fine but there are some things to consider. We wrote two posts about it you may want to check out. While they both address a lot of issues surrounding cancer therapy, many of the info here is pertinent to Bailey's situation.
I do agree with Gerry's Mom that starting puppy classes so soon might be a bit too ambitious. Most dogs need at least 2 weeks before they start feeling good again, and even then interaction for more than 20 minutes tends to tire them out. Since you sound pretty up on dog training methods I'm sure you could do a lot of home sessions first before Bailey goes out into the big world on three legs.
if he's never been crate trained, it may come easy to him since he'll be whacked out on painkillers for a few days. He may want to just find a place to den and sleep it off, so cover the crate and make it cozy, and he'll be fine.
Good luck tomorrow! Let us know how things go. You're both in our thoughts.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sounds like Ronnie and Bailey are going to be amputation buddies! It's nice when you have someone to compare notes with. We picked Emily up the day after her amputation, too, and she did great. She did not handle tramadol well though so just monitor Bailey and I'm sure everything will be fine once you get past those first two weeks!
Good luck. I'm praying.
Debra & Angel Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Good luck for Bailey's surgery today!! I was able to take my Jake home the same day... most others have gotten to go home the next day... so don't worry about it being too early. Be prepared for the first 2 weeks post op being the most difficult. If you haven't already, think about getting a sling to help with Bailey's recovery, and then a harness for after the sutures/staples come out.
Keep us posted on Bailey's progress... and post some pictures soon!
Angel Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
good luck today bailey!! i came home the next day (couldn't wait to GET home from those knife swinging crazies...) and was glad to be recouperating in familiar surrounds. doesn't sound like bailey has any 'familiars', but still love and family make for a quicker recovery. fingers and paws crossed for success!!! gayle.
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Thinking of you all day today Bailey. While the first two weeks are normaly the hardest, you will do just fine.
In addition to the great reading that Jerry included above I will add two more.
1) Remain as positive as possible around Bailey. They will pick up on your feelings and if you are down, it will only make it harder. I often left Cherry, left the house, and then totally lost it before regaining composure and returning with a smile. It will make a difference.
2) Remember to treat the spirit as well as the body. Find something that they love and can still do during recovery. Then exploit that love to give them purpose. For Cherry, it was her trips in the truck/car. It was the first and for a long time, the only place that she would willingly take food when offered. As the time when she thinks that she is going for a ride approaches, you can see the excitement grow. Jake's mom would probably tell you that for Jake it was the swimming pool. Once Jake saw the pool and was allowed back in, the improvement appears to have been remarkable. View the Fun! Doug and Heidi will tell you that for Molly it continues to be canoe trips. Watch her celebrate her one year anpuversary! Finally there is Calpurnia who loves the life filled with the outdoors and sledding and has survived the amputation for more than two years. View the fun! Help them find a purpose to fight.
Pawsitive Thoughts,
Spirit Cherry's Dad
Welcome Bailey's family!
I'm so glad Bailey has found a loving home. Bless you for adopting him.
As a mother of a defective deformed leg from birth tripawd, don't be surprised if vets suggest stuff that can't be applied to your new guy. Puppy classes 4 days after surgery sounds too soon. Bailey will need to heal. Amputation is not like getting spayed or neutered.
In my 11+ years of having a tripawd, it's been my on-going struggle to convince my vet that the all the rules don't apply to her. So, you'll have to take a lot of cues from Bailey and use common sense. Sometimes vets don't think outside the realm of normal dogs.
The great news is now that you've found this website, you'll get answers that apply to a 3-legged dog!
1. You'll have to make sure your floors are not slippery. There is a good reason for this other than the obvious falling part. He could blow out his knee from falling. He could break teeth from falling. I didn't do it until Comet was 6 years old. And it was like a light bulb went off in my head after she blew out her knee. Plus, Comet has had 3 cracked teeth removed. I have asked my vet how it happens and he didn't give an answer. But another light bulb moment when I realized she falls on her face when she falls!
2. Raise your food and water bowls. It will help him NOT develop neck problems. I didn't know this either until I came here. I thought that Comet enjoyed laying down and eating but she developed a bad neck and now she's fine with standing and eating.
3. Keep his toenails short at all times. Walking on too long of toenails can alter the way they walk. It's really bad if they only have 3 legs.
Those are my 3 biggy things!
Best of luck and keep us posted!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
cometdog said:
You'll have to make sure your floors are not slippery …
Raise your food and water bowls …
All great tips! Don't miss these related posts …
No-Slip Floor Ideas for Your Tripawd
Tripawds News Blog
Raised Bowls Help Support Tripawd Posture
Tripawds Gear Blog
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just wanted to wish you all the best for Bailey's surgery today. You have a huge heart and it's just wonderful that you are taking care of Bailey and love him the way you do. He is one lucky puppy. Ditto on all of the above and as others have said, the first couple of weeks can be pretty rough so it's probably good for him to take it easy during this recovery time before his stitches are removed. You don't want him doing too much too soon. But you'll know best once you have him home. He'll do great and before you know it, you'll have your puppy back in full swing. Keeping our paws crossed for a smooth and speedy recovery!
Kami (Mackenzie's Mom)
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
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