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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I know when you are exhausted and feeling down, it feels like your girl is the only one who is having difficulties, but I guarantee you that isn't the case. Not all dogs are back to their old ways right away, really!
And I can only echo what others say here: attitude is everything when it comes to recovery. The most difficult recoveries we tend to see tend to happen when the pet parent feels hopeless about the situation. Being pawsitive and patient is golden to a pet, who looks to us for leadership. You CAN do it!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
She peed on the bathmat after I left her alone for half an hour. Thats ok, so I do not have to take her downstairs right now - which is exciting to her. Now she is sleeping and seems to be quite relaxed.
I'm sure she does not recognize my mood. My girl is not sensitive at all. Her whole world used to be just a pink cloud. This is sometimes very good, because she is not afraid of anything - firework or something like that. But sometimes it is quite stupid because she likes nearly everyone and everything, even dogs and people, who are not nice.
If I recall, your Vet did prescribe Gabapentin but you were afraid of side effects, eight?
No, the vet prescribed Novalgin and Metacam. I asked about Gabapentin because of this forum. The vet would give it to me if I want to, but had not recommend it. And I still not want to try it.
dogs are a lot smarter then we give them credit for. She may not be reacting to your mood, but I guarantee she feels it.
Even if you have to fake it just be happy and excited around her and praise her for everything! Even it something as simple as cleaning her plate. All our pets need and do react to encouragement. When your boss tells you, you did a great job, doesn't that make you feel good and proud of yourself. Same with our pets.
I hope things continue to improve. I know it's alot for pet parents to go through, so just think about what they are going through during recovery. But she will get there. Just hang on. We all know it's hard, but in the end well worth it all when you see your girl happy and pain free.
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
Of course I praise her and tell her that I love her. But what is it worth if she misses her leg? If I was in that situation, I would prefer to have my leg back.
If the worst happens and she doesn't recover, what will her life be like? Just walking up and down the street? Never swim, run and play again?
I use to think the same way. But dogs are not like us. They don't dwell on the past, and think about what use to be. They take what they got and roll with it. The amputation is harder for us to except. She is not thinking about what she use to do, she is thinking about what she can do!
Brownie did not have any issues in recovering medically, but it took his some time to get use to being on three. I could show you a video of him taking his first step, and another video a month later and you would not believe the difference. He was so proud of himself, and I was so proud of him!
She will get there, it just takes some time. The first two weeks are the hardest.
How old is Leyla? What type of do? Sorry I may have missed that.
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
Oh yes, I want to see the videos. 🙂
She is a 10 year old Boxer. But apart from the tumor in the removed leg she is healthy, has strong muscles and is playful like a puppy. 🙂
She always recovered quickly from an operation (last op in july because of a mastcelltumor) and the vet says she never has problems in anaesthesia.
Walking up and down the stairs went well today (with support of course) and outside she wanted to run. I did not let her. The whole day was quite ok, eating, drinking, follow me around the flat. And now in the evening panting again. 🙁
So happy to hear you had a good day! You said she is panting at night? Maybe she is having an issue getting comfortable?
This is a video of Brownie taking his first steps on his own. He was at the vet for two days, so I believe this is day four. I did have to help him back in the house. After his stiches were removed we did use a harness. The Frontline Flag Harness.
Brownie was always a vocal dog, but we were at the beginning of week four, and he had not barked. So I incouraged him with a cookie. He loved his cookies! But you can see he is happy!
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
Aww thanks for sharing the videos Nancy. It's always nice to see your sweet angel again!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
That "say please" one gets me all the time!! I was looking through older forum posts and other than what I originally posted I have found little to compare. Angel Brownie ROCKED his life! Yes, thank you Nancy and Angel Brownie for showing how well our furbabies thrive on three. And that patience is a virtue in this subject.
I love Boxers! I would love to see beautiful Leyla. Pictures or videos, either one. 
You can upload videos to YouTube and post the link here from there. You can post from social media, OR you can start a free blog and post them here from there.
Let's see your beautiful girl that we have heard so much about!
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
leylasmom said
Of course I praise her and tell her that I love her. But what is it worth if she misses her leg? If I was in that situation, I would prefer to have my leg back.
Leyla, like all dogs and cats, focus on "adjusting" and working through ,mastering being a tripawd without questioning anything.....they just do what needs to be done!!!! You are thinking like a human with human emotions. Leyla is thin,ing like a dog without any em baggage.....just getting on with being Leyla.
leylasmom said
She always recovered quickly from an operation (last op in july because of a mastcelltumor) and the vet says she never has problems in anaesthesia.
.......THIS WAS MAJOR SURGERY WHILE TRYING TO ADJUST TO THREE!!! Cannot compare to recovery from other surgeries.........
Walking up and down the stairs went well today (with support of course) and outside she wanted to run. I did not let her. The whole day was quite ok, eating, drinking, follow me around the flat.
Celebrate these victories today!! Write them down! You are seeing improvement!!!
As far as "never recovering", cannot answer as have never seen that happen. as far as the worse case scenario you have painted. If a dog ran before on four, they will run again on three. If a dog swam with four before, they will swim with three again. If a dog played before on four, a dog will play again on three.
None of thise things happen this early on in recovery, but they DO happen!!!!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS...Love theBrownie videos❤
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!
Ditto to what Sally said. You titled your forum "What have I done". You didn't do anything to her, you did it for her. And you didn't take her leg. Cancer took her leg. Let's focus on What Leyla can do...
I hope you can tell by the videos how much change can happen in just a few weeks.
I am sending more positive thoughts your way
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
Thank you for the video of your sweet boy. 🙂
I think I will buy the Flagline harness , too. For now I only have the Julius k9 3 in 1 vest which works better than expected. But it is a very stiff material. And I need a new harness to put it over her winter-coat, when it's getting colder soon. Don't know which size I should buy. The chest is 78 cm, but with the coat it can be 84. So if the L/XL size fits in winter, I will have to buy a smaller size in summer.
Also I bought the nature pet carrying harness: https://www.car.....tragehilfe
This seems to be very good, but it is too small for Leyla. And it has no additional straps like the k9 vest, so I doubt if this is secure enough.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She has an orthopedic dogbed with memoryfoam. Maybe it is too soft?
Sometimes she stands up, wandering around and lies down on the carpet. Than standing up again, wandering around..
paws120 said
That "say please" one gets me all the time!! I was looking through older forum posts and other than what I originally posted I have found little to compare. Angel Brownie ROCKED his life! Yes, thank you Nancy and Angel Brownie for showing how well our furbabies thrive on three. And that patience is a virtue in this subject.I love Boxers! I would love to see beautiful Leyla. Pictures or videos, either one.
Let's see your beautiful girl that we have heard so much about!
I put some videos on youtube from better days. 🙁
Like this one, which brings tears in my eyes when I see it now:
https://www.you.....EkX70zdXng
I will make some new ones soon.
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