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 beautiful 8 yr old Shepard/lab had his front leg amputated yesterday due to synovial sarcoma (cancer in shoulder joint). Thought he would be coming home today but vet said he "isn't walking for them yet" so needs to stay a 2nd night. Is this uncommon?
Hi there and welcome. Your future posts won't need approval so post away.
Yes, this is really common and it's good your vet is taking precautions. Try to put yourself in your dog's paws, it's a challenge to learn how to move around on three legs. He'll get there, just wait. Did the vet mention if he's eating and eliminating on his own?
Tell us more about your dog. What's his name? What's he like? We'd love to hear more.
I know it's hard not to worry. Check out Jerry's Required Reading List and the Tripawds e-books library, which will help calm your fears. And we can too so post away!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
It is not uncommon at all. Many vets will actually keep the dog for 72 hours before sending them home so that pain medication can be managed effectively and to make sure that everything (limbs and digestion) is moving the way it should.
Some dogs take longer to adapt than others and will need assistance at first. Front leg takes a little longer than rear leg to figure out but once they figure out how to stand and balance, watch out! 🙂
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You have a good Vet! Your pup is very druggy right now and ne's probably still seeing a few pink elephants!
Also, sometimes the larger dogs need a few days to figure out their mobility.
This is a 24'hr clinic, right? I'm sure you can call and check in on him.
And for whatever it's worth, some Vets just automatically keep dogs two nights anyway.
Hang in there! Get your rest while you can. Recovery is no picnic for a couple of weeks so stay connected. We're here to help!!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah 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!
That's exactly what happened with my Meg. She ended up staying three nights post op (they were planning on two), because she wasn't walking. Then, once she came home, she had about the most straightforward recovery ever. I've always been pleased that they gave her that bit of extra time. A few weeks later she was catching rabbits...
Ditto Jerry, I'd love to hear more about your boy.
All best wishes,
Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Absolutely normal. They want to make sure he is able to move about, eat and drink and pee before they send him home.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Any word today? How's he doing?
Thinking of you,
Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
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