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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Our 11-year old cocker-poo Dusty had a rear-leg amputation on Wednesday, December 18 and brought him home on Friday, December 20. All things considered, his first weekend as a tripod was extraordinary - I would have never expected him to be so "normal". The first night he was happy to be home but had some trouble getting comfortable. It took him about an hour to settle and he eventually slept on the couch while we watched TV and then slept through the night at the foot of our bed. His appetite also built up over the weekend - we started out hand feeding him chunks of boiled chicken, and by Sunday afternoon he was back to at least sampling his dog food kibbles. Mobility issues are non-existent - he's moving well and if not for the cone of shame , I'm pretty sure he'd be moving up and down the stairs without issue. At one point he jumped from the couch and ran across the house to the front door to bark at something out front of the house. We had a nice warm weekend and he enjoyed just sitting outside, visiting with some neighbors, and generally moving on. I'm just amazed at how well we all adjusted to this change. His franken-scar is just horrific, but I think that we're used to it now, and I'm pretty sure that once the fur grows back in that we'll feel much better about things. (We tried to cover up the scar with some cloth but that really seemed to both him, so we stopped trying)
We should find out either today or tomorrow the results of the additional tissue testing to determine the exact type of cancer and if it was contained to just the leg. Crossing our fingers that we're now beyond worrying about Dusty and ready to move on with our happy, cancer-free dog!
That is GREAT news! Yay Dusty. Yes, it all seems so surreal looking back now. Deva is getting around brilliantly and like you say, it is hard to believe it has all happened. Except when she gets up and hops around!
So glad to hear the good news. Keeping paws crossed for good results.
Have a lovely christmas
Treacy and Deva
YES! WONDERFUL UPDATE!! Recovery is moving slong smoothly!
His fur will grow back just fne......for some reason it takes so e dog's fur longer, at least it did for Happy Hannah. With the fur back in and the adaptation to three legs so perfectly...you forget about the whole surgery ordeal and move on to a "normal" life!! I fyou can call spoiling and lovng and doi g anything they want every second of every day normal!!
Hugs to all!
Saly 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!
Aww that is GREAT! Best. Present. EVER! Thanks for letting us know! We're thinking of you both, keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Didn't we all tell you how great he would do?! I'm so happy that his recovery is going well. You may have to remind him to take it easy though, he probably want's to jump on and off of furniture now like before but remember that he has a lot less support on his other leg now. Plus, those sutures have got to heal! You want to protect the "good" legs. But I know it's hard, when I came home one day Chance jumped off the back of the couch the week after his surgery and I about had a heart attack. He was fine of course.
The hair will grow back in time and you will forget that leg was ever there. Keep us posted on the biopsy. We are all here for you!
Chance is a 10ish Shetland Sheepdog Mix who was rescued from the shelter in January of 2013 and diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in September of 2013. He had a front left amputation and 6 rounds of carboplatin. He had a great 11 months and was diagnosed with lung mets on 8/23/14. He was released to the bridge on 8/28/14.
What a fabulous update!
I'm so glad that Dusty (and you) are doing well.....you might have to "slow him down" a bit while he heals but I know it truly is a relief to see him adjust to his new reality so quickly.
Merry Christmas to Dusty....and all his human family members.
Linda and Tucker
What a great update! It's amazing huh? I remember thinking to myself "hmmm when is she going to start needing my help more???"
Yes, you'll get used to the scar and before you know it, his fur will be back!
keep us posted - loving hearing the great progress!
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
And I continue to be thankful to all of you for all of the positive thoughts and guidance. I hold you all in a special place in my heart this Christmas season!
Way to go, Dusty! We knew you could do it. Now, just slow down a bit until you are really, truly healed, OK?
I know that our ortho surgeon kept telling us to just slow Murphy down. That was way easier said than done, but it is important to adjust completely to his new normal.
Kathi and Murphy
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Hey folks, just thought I'd post a follow-up on Dusty. Today is 10-days post-op and he had his stitches removed today. The wound is healing nicely. One point of concern is Dusty's energy level - from the time we brought him home until yesterday, he was energetic and bright-eyed. For the past two days, he's been very lethargic, sleeping a lot and quite content to just stay on the couch. Should we be concerned that he seems to be taking a step backwards in terms of his energy?
Hi Dusty's Dad! Keep in mind that Dusty just had a major surgery less than two weeks ago, and there are usually a lot of ups and downs during the recovery period. From your previous posts, it sounds like Dusty came home and had a really good energy level. It could be that he just "overdid" things a bit with his enthusiasm, and now his body is telling him to tone it down a bit. I would say to just keep an eye on him. If he's eating, drinking, eliminating normally, and doesn't seem to be in a great amount of pain, that's great! Again, his body might be catching up with his mind at this point. 
And as I always say, if there's something that is really bugging you at the back of your head, give your vet a call. You've given them a lot of money, so they can take a phone call and listen to your concerns. I'm sure some other members will chime in here with additional opinions/advice.
Thanks for the update! The first couple weeks will be a roller coaster. Dusty is likely worn out from all the pain meds or may be getting too much exercise. Please consult your vet with any serious concerns and focus on keeping Dusty confined until he has healed. Please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Was there a change in Dusty's meds? Sometimes that will cause energy change. I also agree with maximutt- if the only difference is energy level then he may just be tired or sore. It doesn't take too much for a new Tripawd to over-do things.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Thanks - Dusty had a bit more pep later last night and this morning. Coincidentally, last night was his last pain pill, so there may be more changes today.
Hi Dusty's Dad
I'm glad to hear that Dusty's recovery continues to go well. The first two weeks of recovery especially I noticed there were ups and downs with Tucker but after the sutures were out and the cone of shame was taken off he was more and more like his old self everyday.
Linda and Tucker
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