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
My dog xena had her amputation done on Wednesday and today is her first day home. she seems to be okay, she seems exhausted and depressed, i really want to help her but i'm not sure what i can do for her.
Offline
Please remember that she has undergone major surgery and probably is still heavily medicated. The first two weeks are the toughest you will notice a vast improvement as time goes on. Make sure you rest when you can these times are more stressful on the pawrents sometimes than on your pet.
Hang in there is does get better!
Darlene (Angel Tehya's Mom)
Hi Xena - you are a cutie!
I'm so sorry you had to have an amputation. Was it an accident?
Darlene is right! Xena just had super duper major surgery. It takes at least 2 weeks of recovery. Don't mistaken surgery recovery with depression. It's the meds. Just keep your baby comfy while she gets lots of rest. Just keep thinking how you or if you've known someone who has had surgery felt.
And don't hesitate to call your vet if you feel something is not right. We are here if you need some support or advice. It's going to be a ruff 2 weeks!
Sending Xena lots of healing wishes for a fast recovery!
Comet's mom
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.
Thanks for joining and welcome to the Tripawds community!
The best thing you can do for Xena is try to remain strong, and do your homework. Searching these forums can yield lots of answers and advice. Sharing more information will also help others help you. Like why did Xena have an amputation? Does she have cancer?
The "depression" you see is likely just common side effects from the pain medication. What is she taking?
Have you read Jerry's top ten dog amputation questions and answers? Have you checked out the featured Tripawds blogs?
We look forward to finding out more about Xena and following her progress. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hang in there! I would particularly echo Darlene's advice about getting enough sleep for yourself. It is hard, we know, but you'll need it and it certainly doesn't hurt to set a good example for Xena by resting plenty and eating well.
There will be ups and downs. The pain meds do seem make them see things. Sometimes they even make them vocalize (whine), and it's easy to confuse that with them being in pain, when it's actually just a side effect from the drugs that keep them from feelign the pain. Also both of the tripawds I've had go through it would stare off into space. One of them turned in circles alot. Constipation and/or hesitancy to go to potty are pretty common too. But almost anything you run into we'll have tips for. Lots of collective experience here. But like Comet's mom said too, talk to your vet about any and all concerns you have! If you ever feel awkward about it, remind yourself how much you paid for the operation! (If that helps). Better to ask and be told it's normal and fine than to try to tell yourself that, but still wonder and worry.
Gerry has been a tripawd since 12/16/2009.
He was a shelter dog with a mysterious past and an irrepairable knee injury.
Videos and pics of Gerry's pawesomeness can be found at: http://gerry.tripawds.com
Xena, what a cool name you have! Thanks for joining us here! We hope your recovery goes quick and you're back on three paws lovin' life in no time.
The best thing you can do for her is let her rest, don't dote too much, and know that dogs have recuperated on their own in the wild for millenia. Keep an eye on her but let her determine how she recuperates. Sometimes humans can make the recovery seem worse than it is. Remember that when dogs are injured in the wild, they go off on their own to heal. If Xenas seems depressed she's probably just feeling the effects of the surgery drugs and overall exhaustion from going through such an ordeal. If you're worried call your vet but otherwise hang in there. This won't last forever and she'll be fine soon.
How come she's a Tripawd? We'd love to hear more about her life, do tell! And thanks again for joining us here. We're here to help any way we can.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
xena was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in her left front shoulder, the doctor says they we're able to remove the tumor and all the cancer cells in the underlying muscle tissue. she's on tramadol and an antibiotic and i'm sure she's just tired from the meds, i guess im just worried about her. shes an older dog, or so im told, i still think shes young even at ten. we took her in to the vet because she had been limping for a while and they couldnt find anything wrong, they gave us some pain meds and then two months later we took her back in because she wasnt getting any better and so they sent us to an orthopedic vet and he took some more ex rays and found the tumor, and that night he did a biopsy and the next day removed her leg. all and all its been a pretty stressful week for everyone.
Gus had his front leg amputated a week ago wednesday, and when these people say the first 2 weeks are the worst, there right, Expect some long nights. I will give you a quick recap of our experience so far. We thought he was doing ok, about sunday or monday he started these blood curdling howls that pierce your heart, if your dog does this it is probably phantom pain . The worst of those was the beginning of this week, he had a couple mild ones yesterday(friday). Over a 5 day period he probably did that 7-8 times. We had him on Tramadol and Rimadyl, and through reading these forums concluded the tramadol could have contributed to some of his restless behavior at night. We took him off tramadol and started gabapentin, the last three nights have been considerably better along with his appetite, but talk to your vet about any changes you want to make first. Gus still is not his real self yet, he shows signs but I think we have to realize this is a major surgery and every dog will react different. Gus is an extremely strong dog and he has done well on three legs and I have questioned whether he is having trouble with the back one on the same side or it is part of the adjustment, although he wasn't using the bad leg for a few weeks already, he may have to adjust to not having the weight of the leg. He is still not real active yet, which is probably a good thing. You wil find that this website and these forums are a gift from God, they will give you amazing support since everyone has been through the same thing and we all wonder is whatever happening normal. We still haven't slept through a night yet, but it has gotten better. Good luck
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
Recovery is very hard - I think more for the human than for the dog! I know I was far more stressed out than Trouble was. Sleep is absolutely a biggy. Find a way to rest when Xena rests. This for us meant putting a pallet on the floor and sleeping with Trouble so we were sure we would hear her if she needed us. Others have slept on the couch with the pooch on the floor. Whatever is best for your situation. For us, we saw a little improvement each day, and then one day all was back to normal.
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.
hugapitbull said:
Others have slept on the couch with the pooch on the floor...
Just be sure to keep in mind Dr. Amy Kramer's "Tough Love" advice and allow Xena to heal on her own. Too much pampering and babying can sometimes backfire by making dogs dependent on your care and support.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
It is definitely good to read a variety of information and advice and see what fits you and your dog. We are not all 'tough love' advocates and each dog is different. But some people do suggest that their dogs play them, e.g, check out our Queenie Nova, so it is good to be aware of possible downsides.
My dog had always craved too much pampering and coddling, being an oversized lap dog from the day he was adopted (picture pyrenees laying across your lap). After surgery and throughout the remaining few months, that varied. I was pretty much there on the couch with him on the floor below me when he was uncomfortable at night during recovery, but he showed an odd sense of independence during the day and mostly stayed outside by himself. But later on, when in discomfort for other things (related to chemo or metastases), he needed to be coddled. Usually that meant coming to get a dose of coddling, after which he would go off alone. It sure meant a lot to me to have him next to me, especially during the last week and being able to imagine that now.
Pets and being cuddled seemed to be Tazzie's greatest joy the last two months, even more than being with other dogs, although I realize that is not the same as what 'admin' means by pampering. We'd get to a dog park or even on the sidewalk in front of the house and he would just stand looking around. As soon as he saw a human, off he hopped to get his pets.
We are very sorry to hear of Xena's diagnosis but you have found a great site filled with wonderful people who will share their collective experience, provide guidance, and give support as you continue down this journey. All the comments above are excellent starting with Darlene. Too often we attempt to put our emotions on our dogs and you are probably intrepreting being spaced out on drugs with depresion. One of my usual comments to help specifically deals with treating the spirit of our companions as they recover. Rather than posting the entire list here, I would direct you to a previous reply with these three suggestions. Please LINK HERE:
Please continue to post if you have questions beause there is a very good chance that someone here has the experience base to help. Sending you pawsitive thoughts and wishes for a speedy recovery.
Spirit Cherry's Dad
Hi Xena!
Welcome to our Tripawds family! I'm sorry about the cancer diagnosis and having to have the amputation... but you will see that after the first 2 weeks post-op... Xena should start feeling much better.
In the meantime... be prepared to have lots of ups and downs the first 2 weeks... and probably a lack of sleep on your part. Make sure that Xena has plenty of comfy areas to lie down. We had a doggie bed and several comfortors placed around our home, so our Jake could just plop down wherever we were. Xena should definitely take it easy the first 2 weeks, while she heals from her major surgery. Also, make sure that she eats and drinks... very important to keep hydrated. If you haven't already, get a sling to help her get up while she's learning to balance on her 3 legs (and while loopy from her pain meds). After her stitches/staples come out (usually within 2 weeks) she can start using a harness... It will help both you and her!
She might also start acting weird or depressed, but that will most likely be from the pain meds. Some dogs react badly to them and get real freaked out... Kind of like people on drugs... some may have a bad trip.
Be sure to call your vet with any concerns you may have.
Xena looks so pretty... and her white mask reminds me so much of my Jake...
Try to take care of yourself during this time... Xena will need your help!
Sending you and Xena a big fat hug!!!
Angel 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!
Big healing hugs, sloppy kisses, and a warm welcome to the amazing group of Tripawds. As everyone has said, the first couple of weeks can be tough sledding but once they get off of those pain meds and get their stiches/staples out they seem to improve dramatically. Tai didn't do well on the Tramadol at all and with the concurrence of our vet we took her off of it early. She had some phantom pain
but not as bad as some I've heard. Nevertheless it's very scary so be ready for it and read up on "yelping" etc in advance - it'll save you a heart attack or two 
Above all try to stay positive and upbeat. Our furkids are so sensitive to our emotions and sometimes you'll feel overwhelmed but try not to show it. They cope far better than we do.
Take care of yourself too!
Tai Dog and Laura
Tai – 9 yr old lab. Diagnosed Osteosarcoma Dec 18/09. Front right leg amputated Dec 21/09. Started chemo Jan 7/10. Lung mets discovered Sept 16/10. Valiant to the end on Oct 26/10 when cancer reappeared in a leg and we made the decision to set her free. Forever in my heart where not even cancer can take her from me.
1 Guest(s)
