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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We spent some time with Chaser this afternoon. She was up walking/hopping around this morning. The vet said she did a great job navigating.
However, Chaser hasn't eaten today. I know. It's a common problem. We tried to entice her with several things but no-go. Of course, she's not interested in the vet's treats on a good day. I would imagine she cares even less after major surgery. More than likely, her appetite will pick up once we get her home. Hopefully, that will be Saturday morning.
My husband has been having a rough time. He knows we made the right decision...but he's having trouble grasping the fact she's now a tripawd. He just wants to pick her up (big feat considering she's a load) and bring her home "where she belongs." Fortunately, his saner self won out (with a push from me) that she's better off with the vet at this moment. A few more hours and she'll be all ours again.
All in all, our golden girl is still as sweet and as beautiful with three legs as she was with four.
He will feel better once she is home and he sees her begin adjusting to her normal routine. You still have the recovery period to go through, and sometimes they won't rest, sometimes the meds make them crazy, sometimes they won't poop, & sometimes they just won't move. All of this will pass in about 2 weeks and your normal dog will return.
It is very difficult to accept that you made the right choice, but as you see them doing well and know they are pain free, it makes all the difference in the world.
Good thoughts to you for a speedy recovery.
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.
It sounds like Chaser is doing really well adjusting to becoming a Tripawd and I'm sure her appetite will return when she gets home and off some of those dopey meds. Your husband will likely feel better with her home where she belongs, but be prepared (you seem very informed) for the first couple of weeks...they can be tough and I think your husband might find it a bit emotional. That's all completely normal. Make sure he stays positive for her and encourages her when she does even something seemingly small like goes to the bathroom. These are all big steps and her psyche needs healing just as much as her body. She needs to know that everything is okay in her pack. Get lots of rest, pour your husband a glass of wine or a beer, and get ready for Chaser's homecoming. So glad to hear she's up and about.
Laura and Tai
Tai – 9 yr old lab. Diagnosed Osteosarcoma Dec 18/09. Front right leg amputated Dec 21/09. Started chemo Jan 7/10. Lung mets discovered Sept 16/10. Valiant to the end on Oct 26/10 when cancer reappeared in a leg and we made the decision to set her free. Forever in my heart where not even cancer can take her from me.
It sounds like Chaser is doing good after her surgery. I think when Chaser gets home it will be easier for you and your husband. Remember though that Chaser will be looking to the two of you to see how she should react. Be positive in front of her. If you need to go into another room to cry thats okay. It is a big adjustment. Just don't cry in front of her.
Looking forward to hearing more about Chaser.
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.
It's great to hear that chaser is continuing to do well. I know she can't wait to be home with her pack!
I was like your husband. I couldn't stand the thought of Fortis being away from his home. I remained at the vets for his surgery (I actually held my boy as they administered the anesthesia. I was almost able to remain for the surgery when the vet at the last minute sternly ask me to leave the room! LOL). l was one of the lucky ones who was permitted to stay the night with him though. My Vet knew that I'm pretty much a basket case. I think he was more worried about me than Fortis. 
Sending Lot's of prayers your way,
FortisDad
All in all, it sounds like Chaser is doing well! We kept Catie at the vet's an extra night - to give her (and us, I have to admit) the bonus rest.
She'll be home where she belongs very, very soon. It's an emotional time, for sure.
Many warm wishes sent your way - share them with hubby too.
Carmen
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
I'm glad Chaser is doing as well as expected!
Keep reminding your husband, this is like ICU for dogs! He hopefully wouldn't bring a loved one home while they were in ICU recovering! 
Secretly I'm his side since I have never let Comet spend the night at the vet's! Two major knee surgeries and I still picked her up that night against my vet's desire. But he was like Fortis' dad's vet - I'm the one the vet worried about!
Sending super fast healing wishes!
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.
I'm glad to hear that Chaser made it through her surgery OK. She will feel so much better once she comes home! The first 2 weeks will be the most difficult... The pain meds will make her feel loopy, she may loose her appetite... She may also loose her balance and fall a few times... and you will probably freak out (I know I did). But she (and you) will get through it.
Wishing Chaser a speedy recovery!!! Sending you all a big fat hug!!!
Angel Jake's Mom
P.S. I love the picture of Chaser with all the tennis balls in her mouth!!! 
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!
Chaser sounds like she's doing well after her surgery - that's great to hear. Like Carmen, we kept Mackenzie in the hospital for another night just to be sure that she was doing ok and was ready to come home. Also to be sure we were ready to take care of her. My husband reacted the same way your husband did - it was very hard on him to see our baby going through something so major like this. Like everyone has said, the 2 week recovery period can be very difficult. Mackenzie's recovery was worse than most and believe me there were moments when I second guessed this surgery. My advice while you go through this is to take it one day at a time (sometimes one moment at a time) and try to manage her pain as well as you can - that's the most difficult part because it's a real balancing act and these pain meds can be very hard on them. I also kept in close touch with my vets during this time which I found to be very helpful and comforting. Also take care of you - there's going to be a lot of sleepless nights, stress and worry (I ended up getting strep throat because I was so run down) and the last thing you need is for you to get sick too.
Best of luck to you. We'll be keeping our paws crossed that Chaser has 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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