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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Hi! I just also want to welcome you here to this wonderful, helpful forum! I think you absolutely have done the right thing for Sadie. You feel it in your heart. My Penny did sooo well on three legs and enjoyed life! I just want you to know that we are here for you and I wish you good luck with everything! Penny didn't have any problem slipping on floors, but during the winter here in Sweden when it was really cold and a lot of ice, it really helpt to have a dog shoe on her only rear leg. So that I can recommend. Take care!
Gunilla, Wilbur, Bellis and angel Penny
Thank you for all your advice! It has been week and she is doing awesome! Stitches come out sat, I took her out to go potty and she was rolling in the grass happy as she could be 
With med situation it will be about a month to get her completely off of tramadol. She needs to be winged off slowly. Right now she takes one 100mg gabapentin (till they run out so like a week longer), meloxicam and two tramadol in the morning. I give her one and half at night. The dr was very suprised how well she handled the surgery and pain after so he doesnt think she is going to need a high dose long so I am now trying to give smaller amounts week by week. I think because of the pain she was in before she has learned to cope so well which is sad but she has a high pain tolerance I think. I am not the kind of person to withhold pain meds as I know I wouldn't want to suffer so I have probably given to them more in the past then she needed just for my piece of mind. She has not wimpered and her tail is wagging and she would probably love to go for a walk right now so that tells me she is not in too much pain. That leads me to the next question. When did your dogs come completely off pain meds, and I know its different for mine because she is pretty much a addict 
and also when did you start doing small walks? Did they get tired fast? Thanks again
I'm so glad she's doing well! When it comes to pain, animals are especially stoic. Just because they aren't showing their pain doesn't mean they aren't in it, so you're doing right by slowly taking her off them. Most, not all dogs, are off pain meds within 10-15 days unless their vet feels something like a NSAID can be beneficial for the long-term.
As far as walks go, you just have to play it by ear. It will really depend on her physical condition before surgery. Some dogs can go a lot farther than others right away but that doesn't mean they should. Generally you want to start with just a few minutes, maybe 5, then work up to 10, 15 and so on. But very incrementally. Baby steps. If she sits down, that's a sign you've gone too far.
You might want to check out our ebook, "Loving Life on 3 Legs" for lifestyle and exercise tips after surgery. Good luck, keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Jerry- You are absolutely right, they can hide their pain very well. I know she has to be in some pain considering she just had major surgery so I keep up on the meds for her. I am hoping she doesnt have to be on a anti-inflammatory for a while. She has been on it for two years already so it would be good for her body to get a break. The dr believes she will be able to get off everything which will be wonderful! She has been such a trooper for all she has been through the past 2 years. I just feel bad we didnt do it sooner, we really didnt know it was so bad and the dr who did her knee surgery said she had horrible arthritis so we figured that was is it and her time would have to end soon. So happy I saw another dr and he suggested amputation, I know she is going to be loving life soon and hoping she lives the rest of her years pain free
That would be great if she can get off all meds entirely!
Don't beat yourself up about not doing it sooner, many of us were in the same situation and didn't find out what was really going on until we too saw another vet for a second opinion. You did the best you could and what matters now is that she's on the road to recovery. You're an awesome pawrent!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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