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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
December 16th update
Hank finally ate his kibbles. Not just a little but 3 cups. I could tell he was hungry and he gave in today. Yay! No worries I was feeding him but nothing enough and as nutritious as his kibbles. He's starting to be more himself which means a goof ball!
The stairs are no problem for him and the couch either. That's his night bed.He's tall enough that he can just use is back legs in a slow motion to get up or down. It's quite impressive. Well for me it is but I bet your tripawds are doing the same.
Dogs: Friends for life, faithful and true.
Courage is being scared to death... but saddling up anyways.- John Wayne
bikeintime.wordpress.com (will soon have Hank story)
Update December 17th: Complains of a guardian
It's been 10 days post operation and seems that we haven't gone far. Or maybe it's me that's not doing well. Hank now urinates well. He pooped twice since the surgery, Takes nice walks every day but he refuses to eat. I've wasted lots of good food. He can't live of chicken pieces and cottage cheese.
Plus he's always in front of me. I don't know what he wants. I'm stressed, I'm tired, I'm out of ideas.
I think I'm done complaining.
Dogs: Friends for life, faithful and true.
Courage is being scared to death... but saddling up anyways.- John Wayne
bikeintime.wordpress.com (will soon have Hank story)
Other than the not eating as much, when you say you haven't gone far, what exactly do you mean?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I know that the recovery period can be stressful for us humans. Try to take a deep breath and relax. Hank may be feeling your stress and acting on it. It took a while for Cadence to get her confidence back. Its a new experience for them and us as well. I noticed at times Cadence was everywhere I went, and then other times she stayed to herself. Its going to take time.
We were lucky that Cadence has never been one to be at a loss with her appetite. Have you tried giving him his kibbles with some sweet potatos added or maybe pumpkin. I have read that others have added broth to their dogs kibble to get them to eat it. What types of food have you been giving him. We started to give Cadence a raw diet but the vet told us to stop until after chemo. Is Hank on chemo, I cant remember. If so, some dogs will lose a bit of their appetite according to my vet. We also give Cadence Grandma Lucy's dehydrated food. We add a bit of warm water and she eats it up.
I know at times it can frustrating. You are doing everything you can to help Hank along with his recovery. In time it will all get better. He just may be having a couple of bad days. Give him lots of love and kisses. If the no eating thing continues you may want to call the vet and see what he/she thinks.
“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.” ― Milan Kundera
Update December 18
I think Hank will come around pretty soon. I might not have seen it but everyday brings a little positive change. He's urinating regularly since days now and drinking well. Tonight he ate about 4 cups of kibbles!!! Then we went out for a pee and he ran tail high (usually his tail is stiff and low) with me behind trying to be fast enough. Once back he pooped! He was wagging his tail lots.
Good day yay!
Dogs: Friends for life, faithful and true.
Courage is being scared to death... but saddling up anyways.- John Wayne
bikeintime.wordpress.com (will soon have Hank story)
I am so glad that Hank is eating again. That is great. I know it was getting frustrating for you. Hank was probably being stubborn thats all. So now he is eating, drinking and pooing. I knew Hank could do it. He is on his way to a great recovery. Im sure you are feeling a lot better also. This whole cancer thing can be so draining sometimes. Keep us updated.
“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.” ― Milan Kundera
No more suture for Hank! Everything looks great according to the vet and he said good bye to his t-shirt. He seems to be feeling much better without it. He did great for the vet and was quite happy to be visiting the clinic. Now it's time for a rest.
Dogs: Friends for life, faithful and true.
Courage is being scared to death... but saddling up anyways.- John Wayne
bikeintime.wordpress.com (will soon have Hank story)
Awesome. So glad that he looks great and did great at the vet. Glad no more shirt for him 
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Isnt that the best feeling when the stitches finally come out. One less thing for us to worry about. Glad to hear he is adjusting to his new and wonderful life. Put more pics up when you get a chance.
“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.” ― Milan Kundera
First day free of sutures meant having a little bit of fun at the park. Since it was -20C there wasn't much other people or dogs there. Hank had fun and even find a way to balance himself on two legs to be able to lift a back leg to mark. I thought it was quite funny! Here are some pictures of today.
Dogs: Friends for life, faithful and true.
Courage is being scared to death... but saddling up anyways.- John Wayne
bikeintime.wordpress.com (will soon have Hank story)
Wow, Hank looks great!! You wouldn't even know he's missing a leg! Love his smile!!
go Hank go! what a handsome boy!!
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
Looking good Hank! What a lovely day.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Looks like he had a great time. He has a great smile on his face.
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
He looks great! What a happy boy!
Stay warm!!
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!
4 Guest(s)
