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
Ohhh, these days will be challenging but they DO bet better!
Did you read http://download.....tion-help/ about not spoiling a recovering Tripawd. Their advice: tough love is the way to go. Normalize your life as soon as possible. Here's a great video that discusses why it's so important for a good recovery (about 1/2-way into the video). We know this is soooo hard, but it's important.
You'll also hear their thoughts about front leg amputation versus rear leg.
In a few weeks, consider starting mild rehab therapy exercises to strengthen his core muscles. Our fitness page and blog has some ideas for fun ways to get strong and active again.
Hope this helps! Let us know how things are going.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome Bailey!! Sounds like you are figuring things out a little at a time. That's all you can really do is just keep trying different things to see what works and what doesn't for you. And it may be different for every Dog. I have a 150 lb Great Dane and she weighs 40lbs more than I do so I know how it is trying to help a big Dog through this. I had to have my brother in law come over to help me for the first week while my husband was at work. Valentina had a really hard time squatting to pee at first and I had to try to support her weight while she was squatting so she could go or she would just fall to the ground. It took two of us and it killed my back!! But eventually I just let her do it alone and she built up the strength to do it . Valentina is a front right amp and she is a little over four months post op. She has osteosarcoma. But she is doing really well and she just celebrated her 8th Bday. She did have a very long and rocky recovery though. I think since she is so big it took her longer to heal. Just keep up the good work and let Bailey be your guide. It will be very hard for a couple of weeks and some unexpected challenges may pop up, but stay positive and remember that this time won't last forever even if it seems like it when you are in the midst of it. After a while things will return to a new kind of normal and Bailey will be back to his old self. I am glad that you found this site!! It will help you soooo much!! Ask any and all the questions that you desire. We are all here for you and it is our pleasure to help you get through this. Finding this site was a blessing to me and I want to return the favor. Praying for speedy healing for Bailey and rest for you! 
OH MY GOSH! You poor thing! Having no one help you and having stairs is "ruff" to say the least!
Throughout the recovery, you are going to question yourself because it's a tough recovery. But if you have done the other surgeries, it should be easier since you don't have to worry about confinement!
Just remember this during the next couple of weeks...in the words of Betty Davis, "Fasten your seatbelts. It's going to be a bumpy ride [night] !"
Lots of healing wishes coming your way!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Welcome to you and Bailey!
Charley is a lab and also a front leg amp. Like others have said, the first 2 weeks are the roughest. In addition to having a major surgery, they are using different muscles to figure out how to walk i.e. the front leg hop. They will get it!
Sometimes the meds cause issues...Charley has dysphoria from the tramadol that started at day 4 or 5 and he did better once we stopped it (with ortho approval).
We slept on an air mattress next in the great room for the 1st 2 weeks and that helped too. He wasn't too interested in eating and refused food (unheard of for a lab!) and he went 24 hours without getting up and peeing. He often would hop outside and lay in the cool grass and refuse to budge. The outside time helped with the post amp/pain med funk.
Charley did so much better when I tried not to hover and let him figure things out. He was more resistant when I tried to help. Charley just celebrated his 1 Year Ampuversary and he still face plants and pops immediately back up like nothing happened.
Once the staples came out, Charley was 90% better!!!
Hang in there!!! Bailey will amaze you after a few weeks!!! Visit Charley's blog...I just posted new pics and videos of him running. You'll be encouraged and amazed!
Hugs and chocolate kisses,
Ellen & Charley
Charley's Blog: CHOCOLATE KISSES
DOB: 3-29-08, male chocolate lab
Dx: OSA L proximal humerus 10-19-10
Amputation: L front leg & scapula 10-28-10
Chemo: 5 rounds of Carboplatin
Video (12 weeks post amp):Tripaw Charley Playing
♥♥♥ Lots of supplements and love!!! ♥♥♥
So great to read all of these messages and good to know Bailey's on track. He seems to have figured out how to at least keep his balance without falling over and seems very determined to do everything he used to do, and is just like Charley in that he wants to do everything himself when it comes to getting around. Of course this doesn't stop him from barking at me while he contemplates how he's going to do everything he used to do! 🙂 After about 1/2 hour of barking at me and pawing on the bed I lowered (by putting the mattress on the floor) he must have talked himself through the plan because he finally did get up and make his way up there, at which point I left my spot on the floor next to him and joined him on the bed : ) He's currently outside barking for me to let him go down the stairs, but after not being able to get back up them yesterday, I'm holding out to get him go potty on some sod i put outside my door. I think I'll save the stairs for every other day to give him a day of rest (and apparent frustration!)…
He does seem to get bored, so I've been freezing his dinner and other mushy treats in kongs, and have the longer one I stuff with kibble, but boy am I paying for it when all the air he sucks it comes out his "other" end! 🙂
Thanks to everyone for their stories, and Bailey gives a high three (is that what they do instead of a high five?) to his new friends with 2 legs and 3 🙂
This weekend I'll check out the videos and ebooks everyone has been kind enough to tell me about. Yesterday morning I was pretty upset and wondering if I'd made the wrong decision in putting him through all this, but after reading everyone's messages and watching him take his new "first steps" I'm feeling good about my decision and very positive about the future .. now keeping my paws crossed that his biopsy comes back clear and that the bad stuff was taken away with the bad leg!
thanks again to all of you, and we're happy to be part of a new family!
stephanie and bailey
Sounds like you guys are both doing better!
Keep us posted! Once he gets through this recovery period, he'll start amazing you!
Abby sends kisses and a high three back at Bailey!
Jackie, 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!
chezbailey said:
He does seem to get bored...
You'll find more recommendations to keep recovering dogs entertained in the Tripawds Gear blog .
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hope Bailey goes potty on the sod for you. I know that will be alot easier. Glad he found out how to keep his balance now. Each day he will get better at it as his muscles get stronger. New muscles that you have never seen before may pop out. Valentina has developed some really big muscles opposite the amp side on her shoulder and back from holding up her big body with one front leg. Bailey seems like a very determined and motivated boy and I know that will help his recovery. That is sweet that you put the mattress on the floor for him. I slept in the living room on a blow up mattress next to Valentina for the first 5 weeks. She had complications so I needed to be close to her. I just didn't want to leave her side. It was wonderful to sleep in my bed again after that but I would do it again for her. I think all of us are so devoted to our Dogs that we would do just about anything for them. Keeping the two of you in my prayers. Looking forward to hearing of Bailey's accomplishments. 
Oh Stephanie, I'm so so so sad to read this. We were really pulling for Bailey.
Please don't beat yourself up. There must have been some issue with his other leg. It doesn't sound like your being there would have made the outcome any different. You did everything you could for him. Please have some peace in knowing that!
I know it hurts terribly right now, but try to remember the happy times and the love you shared with Bailey. Don't dwell on how things ended. Your boy is running pain free now. He'll be your special angel.
Sending big hugs. Maybe when you feel up to it you could post a little tribute to him on the site. It might make you feel better to remember the good times and write them down.
Jackie, 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!
gosh, this is so very shocking and so very sad. please, please don't second guess your decision and stop beating yourself up because of this terrible event. think about it - what if bailey was laying there, thinking how he was letting you down because he hurt his other front leg...you would never blame him. he doesn't blame you either. sometimes shit happens, and this is that time. please know that we are all here for you and we are all aching with your loss. love never ends.
charon & gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
I'm so so sorry and will be thinking of you and your precious pup. Please, like the other posters said, do not blame yourself. You have made excellent choices for Bailey. Don't feel guilty about the amputation - all of us take a leap of faith for our dogs, without knowing what the future holds. We can't think about the what-if's. Your boy is peaceful and happy now and I know he wants you to be the same.
Welcome Bailey! So far all sounds "normal".
Although Daisy was a rear amp, I am a big fan of the Ruffwear harness . Especially if you are so petite and Bailey is so big, the last thing you want to do is both of you taking a tumble down a flight of stairs. It has a handle on top, we called Daisy our suitcase dog. You can still put it on if Bailey wants to resist and roll over and once he figures things out you dont have to use it anymore. Check out the tripawds angel exchange for a used one.
Good luck
Spirit Samson was Spirit Tripawd Daisys four legged "brother" and ruled as the self proclaimed head of the Monkeybutt Federations East Coast Division. Lady Chunky Monkey stayed from Oct 2011 and left for the bridge in Apr 2012. Miss Perdy is left and has some big pawprints to fill.
Do you have what it takes to be a Monkeybutt? Find out more at the Monkeybutt Federation
We are so sorry to say that Bailey has become an Angel today. We moved Stephanie's post here in Coping with Loss to let everyone know. Please extend your condolences there. Thanks.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
1 Guest(s)
