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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Just catching up!
You've done your research and you are making a decision.out of love for your pup. That is always the "right" decision. This stupid piece of crap disease puts us in a position to make"forced choices" that no one should ever have to make.
We are right here by your side! You are not alone, okay? Let us know when surgery is over and how we can help. We have a Helpline,p so don't hesitate to call. 1 844 TRIPAWDS.
Grab lots of CHOCOLATE and rest while you can! Okay, you probably won't rest much, but at least eat lots of CHOCOLATE!
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!
It's been 3 years since Murphy had his surgery. And one of the things that everyone says when they see him is that he looks happy! He always bounces around. When we come home he hops, barks, jumps up on us. When he goes outside he runs out the door. When he comes in he bounces around in a circle barking - it can be quite comical! He's now 10 years old and getting a little grey in the face, his back legs are a little stiff when he walks, but he always seems like he has a smile on his face.
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
Wow that was a major decision with your wife's medical situation (I'm hoping everything turned out well?). I think you'll find that when this one is all said and done, you'll be even more amazed at the resiliency of animals.
Sending all our love & Tripawds wishes for a successful surgery and speedy recovery. Keep us posted OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
midnighter94 said
he always seems like he has a smile on his face.
Yep, he sure does! Love that dawg!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
DONNA! Lpve, lpve, lpve that picture! 🙂 It's so him!!!
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!
Hello everyone: Tessa the Tripawd is home as of yesterday. I haven't been able to post because she has needed almost constant attention. But basically she is doing well, not needing the sling. She seems uncomfortable and we were up most of the night with her pacing and panting, panting and pacing. Then to make it all more fabulous, Tessa is a lab who is not comfy with water, even rain, which she will not go out into even to relieve herself. Luckily, she has steel bladder and bowel. And last night? Rainy. We finally got about an hour of sleep about 3 this morning and then she blessedly fell asleep again a little after 6 and we bagged almost two more hours of shuteye. I am pleased that she is strong enough already and doing so well for a newby. Thanks again for all your care and support.
I was going to post a pic, but I can't figure it out right now. Maybe I need more sleep....
Hi there, we are new to this and have taken the difficult decision of amputating my dane's front leg a couple of weeks ago. You should not worry at all about your dog's ability to move on on three legs and in any case it is better not to have a back leg than a front one as most weight is supported by the front legs. The other good thing for you is that your furry friend doesn't have a very aggressive form of cancer so he should enjoy a happy life for a long time!
My girl weighed 77kg (currently 70kg) and I worried a lot about her being able to juggle all her weight on one front leg but it is remarkable how they can cope and so quickly too! She stood up the day after the operation and has been hoping ever since!
Sending you both good energy, all will go very smoothly I'm sure!
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
teresaheliodoroeurydice said
Hi there, we are new to this and have taken the difficult decision of amputating my dane's front leg a couple of weeks ago.
Welcome and thanks for the feedback! Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
Please consider starting a new topic or free Tripawds blog to share your story.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I am 12 days post amp and I have to say I still haven't slept through the night. I have been questioning my decisions and am still wondering all the time if I was being selfish.
BUT! Last night my dog started playing. Since I changed her drugs she has been doing better. And omg the moment she pooped after being on the opiates was such a happy day. It's going to suck so much for you but I promise the little wins will make it worth it. Sleep when you can, the nights have been hard but for some reason the late afternoons have been ok on my end. Survival is key and you guys are doing awesome.
Hi there! We totally understand your joy when your beautiful dog pooped, we were exactly the same, wondering how my girl would manage but in the end no need for us mommies to worry, they are super resilient and just being around us makes them so happy!
Your girl will get better and stronger every day, she has the right temperament to go through this, happiness and will to live is the key!
Are you going for chemo?
Sending you a hug and a big cuddle to your sweetie 
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
jenandteaka said
I am 12 days post amp and I have to say I still haven't slept through the night. I have been questioning my decisions and am still wondering all the time if I was being selfish.
Hi: This is something that crossed my mind many times: was I putting her through this for me, just because I was unable yet to say goodbye? I have apologized to her many times in the last few days for what she is going through. The second night was terrible too, but I think it was because I was giving her too much Tramadol, following the vet's instructions to increase a bit. She apparently puts up with pain pretty well, so the answer to her panting and pacing must lie elsewhere. I am hoping that tonight goes better, but golly: 12 days! I am not sure I can last that long!
On the good side, she sits on the nub (rear leg) more easily now and she has never had a problem with moving around. She seems like an old hand at hopping. Her appetite is good -- hey, she's a lab -- and she is not inclined to lick or chew at the incision. The mesh vest comes off tomorrow -- YAY! That is a bit of a pain....
Thanks again, all!
P.S. If anyone would tell me how to post a photo, I will....
tessabohle said
P.S. If anyone would tell me how to post a photo, I will....
Here are detailed instructions for adding photos to forum posts . If you don't already share photos online somewhere, you can start a free Tripawds blog any time and upload them there. Need further help? Post in the Tech Support forum !
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Is Tramadol the only thing Tessa's on for pain? That could be why she's restless, panting & acting like she's in pain, she likely is. Murphy came home on Tramadol, Rimadyl & Gabapentin. Some dogs also come home on a Fentanyl patch and antibiotics, or a different NSAID from Rimadyl. Gabapentin though seems to be the magic one - it helps more with the nerve pain, which is big for them.
jenandteaka said
I am 12 days post amp and I have to say I still haven't slept through the night. I have been questioning my decisions and am still wondering all the time if I was being selfish.BUT! Last night my dog started playing. Since I changed her drugs she has been doing better. And omg the moment she pooped after being on the opiates was such a happy day. It's going to suck so much for you but I promise the little wins will make it worth it. Sleep when you can, the nights have been hard but for some reason the late afternoons have been ok on my end. Survival is key and you guys are doing awesome.
For constipation (or diarrhea, too) - try canned pumpkin. Not the kind with all the spices in it for pie, but the kind you would have to add all the spices to. 2 spoonfulls a day helps. I'm glad your baby is feeling better!
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
Yes, Tessa is on Tramadol and Duramaxx(sp? -- an anti-inflammatory) and a Fentanyl patch. Patch and mesh come off tomorrow. The surgeon said he takes the time to tie off or otherwise treat whatever to every nerve ending, so I don't think she is in pain that she can't handle. I think it is the Tramadol. I am going to ask the vet tomorrow. We just tried the pumpkin idea -- we'll see what moves.... BTW, she is a rescue that we've had almost 4 years, and we got three different birth dates for her, but our best guess is that tomorrow is her 9th birthday!
2 days post-amp: 
I love that mesh sweater!!! I wish I had it when Harmony had her procedure!
What a beautiful sweet picture. Makes me just want to kiss her between the eyes. (heavy sigh)
pam
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
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