Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My lab mix Murphy is having is front leg amputated Wednesday. He is 55# and I ordered hi the jumbo size Furhaven dog bed with bolsters all around. He was in between sizes so I got the larger one and now I am wondering if I should have got him a smaller one. There is a lot of extra room in the bed. I can easily exchange it. When I see pics, dogs are snuggled up against the bolsters on all sides. Maybe it will make it easier for him to turn around being on the larger side. Thoughts?
Thanks, Karen and Murphy
Hi Karen,
Thanks for posting your question here instead of just in the chat. Great job!
It's hard to say, we don't know that dog bed. If he likes it, and the mattress is firm so he doesn't trip up on it, I say keep it. Most dogs will find their way to the ideal snuggle spot in sleeping quarters.
Good luck this week! Please let us know how Murphy is doing, we are here to help.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Ok Thank you Jerry. I’m new and still learning how to navigate the site. I saw the recommendation for the bed on this website. I think the next size down would be too small so I will keep this bed. Should the chat before more urgent questions?
I am so grateful to have come across this wonderful site with all of the support and recommendations. As you can imagine I am very nervous about the surgery but Murphy is in so much pain even with the tramadol and gabapentin right now That amputation seems like a welcome alternative. It just hurts my heart to see him walk.
Murphu's avatar picture shows a very handsome and Happy boy.
Upu are doing the right thing by rem that bum pai ful leg!! It may not feel like ot the first week or so of recovery but, as you noted. He is clearly in pain and cannot continue like that. Amputation will give him his quality life back and he can return to his happy self!!
Don't worry about the size of the bed so much as needing it to be firm en for him to stand up without slipping and sliding like a real squishy bed would do. If he wants to lean against a bolster side, he'll make that happen if that's how he wants to lay.
While the"chat" is a good place to get answers, the forums would probably give you more input from a variety of different members, and fairly quickly too. The chat does always have someone available for question non stop.
If you have hardwood floors you'll want non-stop scat5 rigs for traction .
The first two weeks should be jist short leashed potty breaks and back in for reet, rest, rest. No stairs, no jump, etc. Peeing and drinking are important. Pooping and eating may be off a few days.
Is Murphy staying at a 24/7 fully staffed clinic? Usually one night is required, some another extra night or two
STAY CONNECTED! YOU ARE NOT ALONE!! Let us know any questions you may have., okay?
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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 Karen! Welcome to the Tripawds family! Murphy sounds like a sweetheart! My goldendoodle, Griffin, also loves to play ball and swim, both of which he still does quite well after his right forelimb amputation (osteosarcoma) in April. Griffin weighed 68 lbs prior to surgery and is about 56 lbs now. We have the exact same bed in the jumbo size and Griffin loves it, so I think it's a good call to keep it. Good luck with the surgery on Wednesday and keep us posted on Murphy's progress. This is an amazing community and somebody always has the answers, so be sure to reach out whenever you have questions, too! Sending hugs from NYC! ~ Stacy (Griffin's Journey)
Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com
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