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
Poor Em. First she hurt her front leg and hobbled on 2 1/2 legs. Then she still wouldn't walk she was x-rayed and it showed hip dysplasia. Maybe the front leg injury brought it to the surface sooner. (Not that is caused it but just it started bothering her because of it.) Who knows. Then she hurt her neck. Now her only remaining ankle is swollen. No lump, thank God, just swollen.
I know it is better, way better, than mets.
Having said that though, the poor girl can't catch a break.
On the other hand, I am so glad to have you guys!
Debra & Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Poor Em!
If it's not one thing, it's another... but at least it's not cancer!!! 
Is her neck feeling any better yet?
Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
It's hard to say with Emily. She is so stoic that it is always hard to figure out what is wrong with her. She isn't staring in space refusing to move so I guess so. Thanks for asking.
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
I suppose it is better than mets, unless she's gonna be one of those dogs who just keeps going and going like the Energizer bunny even with mets. It sucks that she's having all these problems that get in the way of the fun!! Poor Em. Stay on that couch, kiddo, and finish healing up once and for all! Then tackle the hip dysplasia challenge (I'm so happy for you that it wasn't the neurological condition!!!).
Yoda&Mom united: 9/5/06 …….… Yoda&Leg separated: 6/5/09……… Yoda&Leg reunited: 10/14/09 ……… ……………….………….………….……. Yoda&Mom NEVER separated! …………………….….……....….…… Though Spirit Yoda currently free-lances as a rabbit hunting instructor for tripawds nationwide
Emilysmom said:It's hard to say with Emily. She is so stoic that it is always hard to figure out what is wrong with her. She isn't staring in space refusing to move so I guess so. Thanks for asking.
Oh the stoicism of the Doberman! Isn't it? Yoda had that. I know just what you mean. It's one of the qualities that made him seem so cat-like to me. I've never been able to figure out cats. I eventually caught on to the subtleties of Yoda – most of the time.
Emily, you gotta cut your mom a break and try to be more expressive these days to keep her from worrying!
Yoda&Mom united: 9/5/06 …….… Yoda&Leg separated: 6/5/09……… Yoda&Leg reunited: 10/14/09 ……… ……………….………….………….……. Yoda&Mom NEVER separated! …………………….….……....….…… Though Spirit Yoda currently free-lances as a rabbit hunting instructor for tripawds nationwide
Debra & Emily
Yoda's mom is right, it is about time that you got a break. In the bigger picture of the law of averages, sounds like it is about time you bought a lottery ticket. Personally, I never play because all my positive luck was used up when Cherry entered my life. Hmmmm, maybe the two of you used up most of yours when you found each other?
Bob & Cherry
Emily, stop scaring your mommy!!! And while you're at it, you should really think about taking tome time for yourself to heal and perhaps meditate (hehe, yeah right :P). Get better quick, Em!
<3 Laura and Jack
It was a very lucky day indeed when we found Emily. We used to go to church in the country and someone abandoned her. When we got to church she was jumping on all the cars as peope arrived at church and some of the men were throwing water at her to try to get her to go away. After church one of my sons saw her curled up under the water meter trying to stay dry and warm. He kept making me peek out the door and look at her. He wanted to bring her home and I said no way! After church she was still there shivering under the gas meter in the rain. I called the humane society but they were not open on Sundays. So I said we could bring her home but I was taking her to the humane society the very next day. My sons had gone to church in one car and they took the dog with them. My husband and I rode in another car. On the way home my husband said if there was any chance we were going to keep her that I better call Bryan (one of my sons) because he wanted to name her Freddie Prinze Jr. I called him and said her name was not F.P. Jr. It was Emily Grace. Grace because of God's grace in bringing her to us.
I did call the humane society in case she had gotten away instead of being abandoned and feared everyday someone would claim her.
She was approximately 17 weeks old at the time She will be six in January, God willing, and even with the ups and downs, and downs, and downs of cancer I consider myself very, very lucky to have found her. So Bob, you are right, we did use a lot of luck that day!
Debra
Debra
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
I love Emily's story of how you found each other. Sweet Emily, it's important to let your family know what your feeling, you don't always have to be so strong and hide it. Please take care yourself, get some rest and enjoy all the pampering I am sure your mom is giving you.
Best,
Stacy
Awe, Emily's story is beautiful. And Grace, how appropriate!
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Hi Debra & Emily!
sorry to hear you're still going through a "bad" batch... but then with a little rest the swell will go down and Emily will go hopping around again.
Thinking of you...
Hugs
Cecilia & Spirit Hori
Spirit Horacia, Castaño, Olympia + human family Cecilia, Georg and Julia - - - Hori first diagnosed 8/6/09, ampu 8/12/09, run over the bridge 9/10/09 – We miss you every day dear girl!
Tahsa and I are so sorry to hear of all the problems that Emily is having. We hope she starts feeling better and up hopping around very soon. 
from Tahsa
Tasha 8 years old, First cancer diagnosis 6/26/09, Last cancer diagnosis 9/26/09, Amputation 10/01/09, Loving our girl moment by moment.
Tasha lost her battle and became my Angel on May 4 2011. Forever in my heart….
Just catching up... Em... You have got to give your mom a break.... 
You have such a wonderful connection story.. That is awesome how you met... Em, Shilo gives you a nudge a says come on Em we have to give them a breather every once in awhile!!
Shilo diagnosed with osteosarcoma 9/4/2009, amputation 9/9/2009. ShiloAnne lost her battle 11/23/2009 where she regained her fourth leg and is patiently waiting for her parents to join her. We will always love you baby girl.
Hi Debra,
Good thing Emily has "girl power" going for her. Probably with a little rest, the swelling and neck issues will take care of themselves soon enough.
I know you were looking into getting her a Ruff Wear harness
. Did you order one yet? I got Rocky one and he really loves his. I think it makes him feel stronger for some reason. Maybe he knows that I can help him easier if needed. Plus he looks so handsome when he has it on, all the other dogs look at him w/ envy! He is 94 lbs w/ a 33in girth and I got him the medium. It fits really well. I'll bet Emily would benefit from having one too. Plus it will make your life easier if you have that little bit of extra help when dealing with her mobility issues.
My thoughts are with you, Emily and your family. Wishing you the strength to get over one more bump in the road.
Michelle
Thanks, Michelle.
Jacki (Mac's Mom) sent Emily a harness. She is wearing it and seems very comfortable in it but we haven't really got to see how much it is going to help her yet because we are trying to keep her immobile until the swelling in the ankle goes away. It is down most of the way today but we (read my husband and grown sons) are still carrying her where she wants to go. She doesn't seem to mind it, she is a princess after all. I fear that each time she starts to feel better she re-injures herself.
Yesterday she was wearing her harness and also being supported by the sling from Jake's Mom! You have got to love this tripawds family!
When Emily is able to walk with the harness we will post the sling on the Angel Exchange unless Jake's Mom wants it back.
I am so grateful for all of you.
Debra & Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
2 Guest(s)
