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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Hello- I am new to this site and am so thankful I found it. My dog Sadie had her left rear leg amputated 4 days ago.
Long story short 2 years ago she had a acl repair that failed and it eventually got so bad that our only option was amputation. I saw a new dr who did the amputation and he said her knee was the worse he had seen. It was completely unstable, no catilage and meniscus was completely gone so needless to say she has been walking around on 3 legs for a while so she was a tripawd before surgery. She has been on meloxicam, tramadol and gabapentin for over a year to try to control the pain but it wasnt enough. Anyways he gave her buprinex for pain control because she had been on tramadol so long she has built a resistance to it so we needed something that would work.
Today is the first day she will be back on tramadol for pain and we will start tapering her off because she would have withdrawals because she has been on it so long so within the next month she should be medication free which will be the first time in 2 years which I am so excited about.
So my questions are this. She is wearing a comfy cone so she cant lick the incision but it is driving her crazy not being able to get to it. I am thinking the spot is painful and itchy from the stitches but i just feel so bad that she just wants to lick it so bad. I have been putting neosporin on it which the dr said was fine to hopefully stop some of the itching. Is this common for them to want to lick it so bad?
She is healing very well and is getting around great on 3 legs because she has been so use to it. Also I have her on leash restriction and take her out to go potty but she loves to be in the yard and lay in the sun when it is out. How soon did you let your dogs out without restriction?
Should I keep her restricted for 2 weeks?
We live in oregon and this week we are suppose to have sun so I thought I could leash her up on my back deck so she can lay in the sun. I am home so I can monitor her.
I know these are probably stupid questions but its nice to hear other peoples input who have been through the same thing. I know I have friends who probably think it was a stupid decision and that I should have just put her to sleep but they are not animal lovers like me.
She is a part of our family and she deserves a few years of life pain free. SHe just turned 7 and she is a shepherd/retriever mix, we adopted her 6 years ago and she has been the best dog 
Also one more question, have any of you used the socks to help prevent slipping on hard floors and if so did they work?
Hi Sadie and family, welcome. We're sorry you had to go through this but are glad you joined, your future posts won't require approval. Please know there are never any stupid questions here, all questions are welcome so that you can feel better about what's going on.
About the cone of shame . Yes they are the worst aren't they? But most dogs will definitely try to pull those stitches out because they're so annoying. So unfortunately the cone is a must until your vet removes the sutures and gives you the all clear. Here's a post abut cone of shame alternatives that might help, and here's a pic of our dog Wyat Ray and his cone of shame, which really isn't all that bad, he thinks it's a comfy pillow!
Now, about the restricted activity. Too much too soon can definitely be detrimental to a dog's healing. You should talk to your vet but generally most dogs need about 2 weeks before they're feeling strong enough to roam around off-leash. It's not forever and it's a small price to pay to avoid post-op complications like seromas or strained muscles.
As for traction , there's lots of traction options for Tripawds but the best option is for you to put down some no-slip floor mats in her favorite places to roam around the house. This will prevent slipping and any strains or injuries, especially while she's learning how to get around.
Be sure to check out our Tripawds ebook library for more answers and stay tuned for more feedback from our pawesome members!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hey you! NO stupid questins here, besides' I think I've already asked them all!
Yu've already gotten some good advice, so I just want to welcome you toyour new group of friends and extended family who DO jnderstand and DO support your decision!! Youhave made a decision outof love that will give your Sadie a wnderfulpain free QUALITY life! GOOD FOR YOU!
You are a brave, strong advocate foryour Sadie and we applaude you!!
Standng ovation to you! Still clapping loudly!
Hugs to you and Sadie!
Sally and Happy Hannah
Yeah, recovery is no picnic but it sounds like Sadieis doing reallh well., She will monitor her own acticity fairly well, vut I would certainy give her someoutdoors tme in the sun! That's good for her well beng! I was very fortunate that Hapy Hannah made no effort to lick her incision. Maybe while you are able to watch her, you could take the cne off for awhile and try and keep her distracted
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!
Hi and welcome.
I'm sorry you have found yourself here, but this is a very knowledgeable and supportive community.
I agree with Jerry that it is really important to keep Sadie away from her stitches. If they get pulled out or an infection she will be in the cone longer. My quad pug boy Obie had knee surgery last February and I used the inflatable type of collar, and I also made him some pants to keep his knee covered. He was not that interested in his incision but I was glad to find a cone alternative as they really freak him out. Some members here have found a pair of boxer shorts work well to keep a rear amp incision covered- the tail goes through the fly. But keep a close eye on her- and when you can't watch her then you will probably need the cone.
My tri-pug Maggie was a slug during recovery so I never had to worry about her overdoing things. She spent some time outside in the sun, but be careful that the newly exposed skin doesn't get sunburned.
Maggie would never wear socks, so I went with the hodge podge of throw rugs for traction . She was also a rear amp and was pretty careful about her footing. She eventually learned how to fall into a sit position to change directions on slippery surfaces.
I hope Sadie's recovery goes smoothly.
Karen
Thank you for everyone for the help and kind words I know if that cone was off she would definitely chew out those stitches as they are driving her crazy. I have taken the cone off to giver her a break but right when I turn around there she is licking her sutures. I think the cone is more depressing for her then the whole surgery. It is a comfy cone so it could be worse for her but she doesnt no that haha. We have been fortunate so far, everything seems to be healing quick, bruising and swelling is going down and no seroma
yet. If she does develop one do they occur usually early after surgery or could it come on weeks later?
Thanks for all your help!!!!
Seromas usually happen within a week after surgery but occasionally a little longer than that, not much though.
Yeah, don't let her get to those stitches, it can cause so many complications if she does. Hang in there! Be strong! You can do it!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Everyone has given you great advice already. I did want to add that a pair of boxer shorts or pajama pants may be enough to keep Sadie from licking. We sometimes recommend this if a dog is having a hard time with a cone, but it does not work for all dogs! You just have to be really careful and make sure she doesn't continue to lick the second you turn around, because some dogs do not care if pants are covering where they want to lick, and she can do damage through the pants. Also, keeping her activity limited is very important! Some dogs that are high energy and that handle surgery well are not good at listening to their bodies and can quickly over do it. We recommend leash walking only for 14 days after surgery. Too much physical activity can cause damage to her incision and delay her healing time.
I will definitely keep her cone on, the last thing I want is a complication and to have to keep the cone on longer. I think once the stitiches are removed that will help a lot, only about a week longer. I am hoping for no seromas, fingers crossed. Although the dr makes it sound like its not that big of a deal. Thank you for all the helpful advice
Just the thought f "pup pants" sou ds so cute!
Hapoh Hannah had the seroma a pretty much within the first 24 hrs. well into a week. It caused her NO problems ....onlh scaring me! In her cae, I think it was s result of "too much activity" on the hour ride ho e! She wss 120 lb. chunk of cncrete high as a kite on drugs jumping all over the car!! Advice to nrwbies...dn't ick your dog up by yourself!
Anyway, it's just fluid looking for a place to go since there is no longer a leg for it to settle in. It's absorbed by the body pretty uickky...if not quick enough, the fluid pouch forms. As lonb as there is no big leakge and smelly odor, all is well.
Anyway, point being, even IF one forms, it's not a biggie!
You're doing a great job! Hang in tnere!
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!
hmm... ok, I got it. "don't pick your dog up by yourself." lol, love you salty!
because cora is blind, I did not want her to have the cone of shame . I was worried about how she would navigate it and that it would impact her hearing. So, we went with a tee-shirt, which worked great. She did develop a seroma , probably because of too much activity. It was about 3 days in I think.
The itching will pass. I am so glad your pup is doing so well. Welcome to tripawds
Topher
Vet Assistant (in school to be a licensed vet technician)
1.5 years Oncology department, moved to rehab & sportsmed December 2024
Tripawd Angel, Cora the Determined <3
TJ never needed a cone and he never licked his stitches but a few things I can recommend:
Did your vet dose the Tramadol properly? My vet had TJ on such a low dose (2 pills every 12 hours) that it was useless.
DON'T CHANGE DOSAGE WITHOUT A VETS APPROVAL!!!
The usual dose is 0.45-1.8mg per pound of pet’s body weight every 6 hours
So for TJs 86lbs that's two 50mg pills every 6 hours. And that's not even max dose.
DON'T CHANGE DOSAGE WITHOUT A VETS APPROVAL!!!
One other thing I did was I put my hands on the stitches frequently. TJs stitches were cold to my touch.. so just putting my hand on them warmed them up a bit... he seemed to like it.
TJ is off pain meds completely now. He still gets Meloxicam.
Welcome Sadie and family-
You've received some great advice from everyone so I don't have much to say. My vet had me make a heat pack out of rice and a sweat sock and heat it up slightly in the microwave and put on the incision when he developed a seroma . Had to lay a light towel over the incision to lay the pack on otherwise the staples would get hot.
Please keep us all updated.
Luanne and Spirit Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
fourminipups said
My vet had me make a heat pack out of rice and a sweat sock and heat it up slightly in the microwave and put on the incision when he developed a seroma .
Luanne and Spirit Shooter
You heated a sweaty sock in the microwave? Eeew! 
We love Bella's Pain Pack for situations like this.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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