Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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it's funny, even though I have a tripawd and have been around for a while I missed Cora's actual surgery. She came to me 10 days later at 3 months old. (For those that don't know, Cora was born with a deformed front leg that was amputated while she was still with the rescue group. Unfortunately, the amputation procedure they did left a stump which is not a good way to do a front leg amp because of the danger of injury and other complications. Cora injured her stump about 10 days ago and not only is it not healing well, in many ways it's getting worse)
I know she had a rough go, right after her first surgery so I'm hoping this will be better. She already knows how to walk on there legs although blindness leads her to stumble and fall sometimes. I'm wondering about bringing her home. First, how did people transport them in the car? The house is already tripawd (and blind dog) proof so is there anything else I should do to prep?
Hi Cora! Just saw the pretty pictures of you on your blog. You are a happy girl who will be even happier once you get rid of that painful stump:-)
The only advice I can offer for the ride home is, if possible, don't do it alone! See if someone can drive so you can sit I. The back seat with her. I was by myself when picked up Happy Hannah and I guess because of the drugs she was all over the place! 120 lb. dog high on drugs trying g to sit on my lap while driving......screaming in y ear because she wanted out of the vehicle.......a very, very long ride ho e:-) 
Others may have had a different experience but that was mine!! As you already know from this site, recovery at first can be difficult and you may...or may not....have a lot of sleepless nights. If you have anyone who'll help or stay with her so you can get some rest, I'd definitely illicit their help! I found the whole ordeal very challenging for one person and I found the joy after her recovery to be so very blissful it was worth every single second:-)
Cora will really do well....she already has the walking with three legs down pat so she just has to deal with the surgery. And she will!!
Keep us posted, Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
I second having someone with you. Maggie was little but I knew she would try and stand up in the car- or would roll when I went around a corner.
I think since Cora is already a tripawd, and is really young she will do well with this surgery.
Karen
I am surprised that they left a stump. I'm crossing my fingers for you that everything goes well with Cora's surgery. As you said.. she already knows how to three leg hop.. so that part will be no problem for her!
I'm sure she will adjust much better without the stump.. and the pain involved with it. You have done an amazing job working with her.. *high fives.. and low fives too* 
(sending many good vibes from Canada... )
Christine and Frank'n'farter
Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012. Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013. Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack... You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!
Good luck tomorrow! We will be thinking of you and waiting for an update. I know you've traveled a long path to get here, you've been brave and strong and an amazing pawrent. You can get through this and move on to the heart of Cora's training so that she gets to live the wonderful, stress and injury-free life she so deserves.
One thing you may want to have if you don't already is a good supply of sterile gauze, tape, umbilical cord tape, t-shirts and lots of dog towels. Cover her bed well in case she gets a seroma and it leaks. Don't panic, that's common.
Oh, and a tasty beverage of your choice of course!
We're here to help, you can do this.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Chris,
We are all here for you. Everyone has a lot of great advice. Sassy came home the same night so she slept all the way home. Will Cora be coming home Wed night or is the vet planning on keeping her all night.
Do not hesitate to ask the question for help.
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
I can't add anything more to what others have said. We will be thinking of you and hoping that all goes well.
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/
Thank you all for your support. Cora and I are having a tough time tonight but hopefully tomorrow things will change for the better.
If you want to get a sense of what we've been dealing with there is a photo here: http://blackdog.....ery.jpge It shows her wound so certainly don't look if it would make you uncomfortable. I'm not quite sure why i'm posting it. Maybe it's wrong, i just... I guess right now I want someone else to understand how horrible it is.
And i feel like the most awful, neglectful person because she's in this condition.
Chris,
I will be lighting a candle for you and Cora tomorrow morning... everything is going to work out!
The very LAST thing you are is neglectful! You have done nothing but try and give Cora a loving home. Unfortunately, this is how front limb stumps in dogs often end up, and that certainly is not your fault. How were you to possibly know?!?
Cora may have some rough days during her initial recovery, just due to her other issues, but she WILL recover. I'm sure in the near future she will be very happy that that dumb stump is gone and she can get on with life! Two weeks after Wookie's surgery he was back at the dog park... running, wrestling, falling on his stump (rear amputee), trying to hump dogs (which were now able to escape, much to his dismay), the works. I know Cora has issues, but youth is on her side!
Best wishes for a very speedy recovery!
Right hind limb amputated 7/3/12 for OSA, started on alternating cycles of Carboplatin and Doxorubicin and oral Palladia. Single lung met 9/1. Met in the neck muscle removed 9/30. Large mass in sublumbar lymph node 10/2. Rescue chemo with ifosfamide 10/6. Mets to the rib and axillary lymph node 10/21. Started Leukeran and Pred 10/25. Wookie left this Earth for a far better place on 12/4/12. I miss you, Boo, you were my heart.
Oh my gosh, the last word to describe you is neglectful! Actually, that word isn't even ON the list of words to describe you. You're giving Cora a chance at a happy, hoppy, healthy, loving life.
I'm thinking of you both today and I know things will get better from here.
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Chris,
STOP IT. You are not neglectful at all. You have been the most kind & wonderful mommy to Cora. Most (and I say most) would have just left her or put her down because of all of her challenges. Instead you embraced it all. Yes, she has to have another surgery but not because of ANYTHING you have done. Kelly has said it this is how most front amputees with stumps end up. She is a vet & knows these things so erase your guilt please.
(((((((((Chris))))))))))))))) & ear rubbies for Cora
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Alrightee Chris, I'm gonna come over right now and me and Floyd are gonna bark and zoom and race and jump and go insaaaaaane till you agree that you are not neglectful! You had nothing to do with this situation, and even though you didn't you are taking care of it anyways. You are a take charge kinda momma, be proud!
We love you and Cora. Good luck today.
Wyatt Ray Dawg . . . The Tripawds Leg-A-Cy Continues!
Read all about my adventures at my Tripawds Blog
Thanks guys. And Wyatt, I don't think I need your rowdiness, so I agree. I'm not negletful
cora is home. having a tough time right now but she's home.
Awwww I'm so glad she's home. Come on over to the chat, we're in there now.
Hang in there, the recovery is only temporary. You can do it!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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