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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
As so many have mentioned and you all know it's all so overwhelming. Chet was limping, thought he had hurt himself, diagnosis was so different than expected or even imagined. X-ray images showed a bone lesion. Second opinion confirmed the recommendation of amputation. Chet is healthy and active otherwise, but is in pain now. I have so appreciated the information on this site although I think I am experiencing a bit of information overload in trying to take in everything. Thank you for everyone that has shared their experiences
Welcome and best wishes for Chet's speedy recovery!
It is easy to get overwhelmed, so start here to get the most out of this site and feel free to call the toll-free Tripawds Helpline any time if you want to talk.
PS: Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just take it one step at a time. Focus now on getting your home Tripawd ready. Get a good night's sleep. And then take it one day at a time - it's hard, and then the staples come out and it gets easier😀
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Welcome! We are at 1 week post-op. Also 6 years old! Hang in there and stay active on the forum. It really helps!
Hi ~ Yes, so many of us can completely relate with how you feel! I felt like the floor dropped out from under me. How old is Chet? Is it a front or back leg? Murphy was 7 when he had his right front leg removed. The first 2-3 weeks tends to be the hardest time for most dogs, but it gets better. Murphy came home on Tramadol, Rimadyl & Gabapentin. Some come home with a Fentanyl patch and some with antibiotics. You need to make sure that you keep up with the pain medication. Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference between them being in pain and the side effects of the medications. You can use ice packs to the incision site, with a cloth to protect the skin, a couple times a day for about 20 minutes or so. And massaging around the incision helps to re-absorb any extra fluid that's built up. Murphy was pretty stubborn about eating, which isn't uncommon - probably because of the medications, some don't have any problems with food at all. I cooked rice & poured chicken broth over it, then added chunks of chicken to it.
We will be here if you have any questions or just want to keep us updated! And we love pictures 
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Thank you for your support and advice. It's so easy to feel overwhelmed. Chet is 6 well he will be 7 this year. It's his right front leg, same as Murphy's. It's great to know about things that can help and things to be aware of. It's been a restless night - for me - Chet's okay. Today is the surgery and it will be a long day, for sure. This site and the forums and the tripawd community is so great. It helps to know that we aren't alone in this. I know Chet will do awesome. Hope we can do as well for him. I will post a pic.
Just catching up. You are DEFINITELY NOT ALONE, as you can see!
For now, let's just focus on you. Chet will be seeing pink elephants for awhile and not feeling a thing! He will be pain free and certainly isn't worrying about anything! You, on the other hand, are worried sick!
That's when its time to bring out the chocolate and devour it, along with any other junk food you can find!
Let us know when surgery is over so we can celebrate with you, okay?
One wuick tip. When you go pick Chet up, don t even bother to look at the incision. He isn't! Just look into his drug glazed eyes and tell him what a good boy he is and smooch that adorable mug!!
Love and 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!
Thanks for the great advice and concern. What a fabulous supportive community this is.
Leaving Chet this morning was one of the hardest things. But I know he is in good hands. Chet's sister Charly is part of our family also and she is not sure why brother isn't here. I think we will go out and play ball to distract both of us. First though, I think I will find some chocolate what a great idea.
Thanks for the love and hugs.
Sending healing thoughts and prayers today for both you and Chet today. Stay connected to us here for support and keep us posted. If needed add a glass of wine to that chocolate....after the vet calls you to tell you how well Chet did in surgery that is. 😀 Always want a clear head when talking to the vet.
Linda, Ollie, Riley & Spirit Mighty Max
Definitely find lots of distractions today.
The only thing I would have changed about Tri-Pug Maggie's tripawd journey was, well, having Tripawds for support! Maggie had her amp about 2 months before our founding Tripawd Jerry. Maggie was a stubborn little thing that hated any changes in her routine. She was unhappy and pouty much longer than a normal pup around here- I was sure I had made a mistake.
Stay positive and be a good pack leader for Chet. Don't get discouraged if he is not himself for a few days.
Sending strong, positive thoughts for a successful and easy surgery.
Please update us when you can.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Thank you all for your support, advice and encouragement. What an amazing community that I had no idea even existed before last week. I am so grateful for this. Just knowing that so many are part of this and have been through it helps.
Hi Chet's mom - I know at this time your feelings of anxiousness, nearly 2 weeks ago I was living through the very same gut wrenching anxiety. Just know that when he is out of surgery and on the way to recovery he will have much less pain. Though there are some scary times when they first get home remember that Chet will be living in the moment and he is looking to you to be strong and encouraging for, he can feel your anxiety and as hard as it is we have to put on that pack leader face and let him know that everything is going to be just fine.
Can't wait to hear when he gets out of surgery and keep on this site it truly is amazing and the comfort and support you get is awesome.
Wishing your sweet Chet a speedy recovery! Big hugs to you both!
"Living in the Moment"
Summer and Patchy 
Thanks you all for your support, it means so much today.
Surgery is done, vet says it went well. Chet's still asleep, of course. He will call a little later with an update. I know we are just at the first steps of our new journey. With the support and advice from all of you that have been there and are there it makes it seem a little less scary.
Gratitude and best wishes to all
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR CHET!!! Surgery is done and recovery is starting!!
Have a nice rime playing ball with Charley! It'll be food for voth of you!
And keep the infusion of chocolate going! Your sugar high will match Chet's drug high when you go lick him ul! Everybody will be whacked out in the best way!
Hugs to all!
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!
Get some rests because your work starts when he gets home! Hugs and wishes for a speedy recovery
1 Guest(s)
