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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Pretty amazing is really all I can say. Who needs 4-legs anyway?
Molly is getting around like it's no big deal. Eating well, doing outside business just fine, and happy to see our family members that have been visiting her daily.
As I sit here writing this, she just managed to climb her way onto the couch - a little struggle- but managed, turned and looked at me as if to say "See Dad, I can do it!" Too funny!
We just got back from the follow up visit to have the bandage removed and give her the once over. All is good so far. They recommended putting a T-shirt on her to keep her from bumping the sutures or scratching them open. So she is all dressed up for the day. Kinda nice to cover rather long wound anyway...for us at least.
And, the biggest question I got answered was; When can she go swimming? After the sutures are out in 8 more days. That will be a good day for her since she is an absolute water fanatic! Cant stay out of it. She already had a "life jacket" being around boats and the ocean all her life, so that will be easy for her, but she has never really swam with it on. I will have to go in the pool with her the first couple times I'm sure, but then she again, will want to do it on her own.
So, it looks like she is on the speedy path to recovery from the surgery. She will continue to be a spoiled dog!
More updates to come.
E, L, & Molly
She sounds great! And first poop!! Always a reason to celebrate around here- we are always looking for a reason to party! (I assume by 'outside business' you meant both).
I know at least a couple front leg tripawds that went back to swimming without a vest- but I would think she should wear it at first until she gets her sea legs back 
.
Karen and the pugapalooza
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Wow, only day 4 and she is just doing GREAT! This is terrific news, she is having the ideal recovery that everyone hopes for. Whew!
A t-shirt is a fantastic thing to use. The suture area IS intimidating! Dogs are so lucky that fur will grow back over the area, unlike those silly fur-less humans who have to put up with scars on their skin all their life. So, what kind of fashion statement is Molly making today?
Swimming will be so much fun. You'll be worried sick at first but if she was a natural fish before surgery, she will be afterward too. A float coat
makes a huge difference, it really helps give Tripawds that extra oomph in the water.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Great news!!!! Definitely use a t- shirt. I used a t-shirt the entire two weeks until the staples were removed; it makes a big difference. Be careful with couch. I know it is exciting to see such progress but remember how early it is in the recovery.
Odin is 150 lb Leonberger front left amp so probably a little different. He went in the lake for the first time yesterday 23 days post amp. I wanted to make sure incision was really healed. You don't want any secondary infection. He loves the water but was cautious. He walked around for awhile. Takes some getting used to when he stumbles his face hits the water. It will be gradual.
Hope all keeps going well. Don't get discouraged if Molly takes a step back from time to time. It's part of the process.
Yup, poops included! A little shakey but having had a bad leg for so long anyway, she was used to it already. Kind of an advantage I guess.
The T-shirt didnt seems to work out so well as the neck opening was big enough to expose the wound. So, I wrapped it up with a little gauze and Vet Wrap.
Thanks again for all the positive comments. I wish she could also read them.
She doesn't need to read our comments, just tell her the next batch of treats are from us
Karen and the pugapalooza
That sounds like excellent progress after only 4 days.
We didn't get a chance to get Magnum back into the water until nearly 4 months post amp. She just ran straight in, not thinking about the missing leg (and I didn't even think about her needing a float coat !). She swam along quite happily. With 1 less back leg her back end actually floated better! Molly is going to love it!
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/
Sounds like she's doing wonderfully well--so great to hear! Loa wore a t-shirt bandage too and it was a very comfortable option for her. My lab mix somehow hates to swim, so I don't have any advice there 
Sounds like she is doing great!
I used some small size tshirts and tank tops and then safety pinned up the excess fabric in the back. It was good to keep the incision hidden until she was fully healed up - didn't want to scare the neighborhood children. 
No advice on the swimming as Abby never liked to swim.
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
What wonderful news! Understand you looking forward for her to swim again. So happy for you 
!
Hooray for Molly! That is great news. Keep up the speedy recovery! There will be lots of swimming in Molly's future!
The t-shirt thing didn't work for Rizzo....even baby ones....they just annoyed her so the cone of shame stayed on.
Here's to more good recovery time and no bumps!!
All our Best
Suzie and TWP Rizzo
Jack Russell born in 2001. Mast cell cancer found Dec 2009 and right rear amputation. Five rounds of chemo done before all treatment stopped. Living life to the fullest!! Read my story at http://rizzo.tripawds.com
The t-shirts worked great for Lupe...used 9 and 12 month old t-shirts, mostly from Target they were wicked cheap and cute. They served 2 purposes, kept her away from the stitches and hid the incision from the neighborhood kids. Just make sure she doesn't get too hot in them.
Keep it up Molly!!!
-Kori & Angel Lupe
Diagnosed with possible synovial cell sarcoma of right front elbow 5/31/12. Amputation surgery performed 6/7/12. Final diagnosis of histiocytic cell sarcoma 6/11/12. Her soul and spirit were strong, her body was not...my little girl earned her wings 6/14/12. "If there are labradoodles and goldendoodles, why can't I be a cockadoodle?"-Angel Lupe (June 28, 1997-June14, 2012) http://lupepod......pawds.com/
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