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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Progress! Isabelle got up from her bed this morning and hopped into the kitchen, then with the help of a halter, hopped down the outdoors stairs and peed. She was exhausted after that and is now sleeping comfortably. Hurray!
I’m so glad to hear your girl pooped! I remember how every single potty felt like a huge win. I kept a log of every time she ate, peed, pooped, had a compress on, etc to track it all and every trip outside felt momentous. Stressful and momentous. It gets better, I promise! My 12 year old tripod just ran outside for a bathroom break without a leash because I always think “she’s got three legs, how fast can she go?” But she nearly got away from me 🤣 and since a few weeks after surgery I’ve had to start leashing her again. I remember being in the moment you’re in right now, but it also feels so far away because things really did get so much better once we were past the first two weeks. It will get better! And senior pups can do it just fine 🙂
I’m bummed to hear Angell oncology didn’t tell you anything… Angell in Boston I assume? We went there for Perdita’s surgery in October. To be fair, we only saw a surgeon because their oncology department couldn’t take new patients, so we did chemo elsewhere but the surgeon there is actually the person who suggested this website to me and they were pretty helpful. Not as much as this community but they got me started with tips pre and post surgery. I’m bummed to hear your experience wasn’t as positive, but I’m glad you found your way to the community online. I know it’s been really helpful for me.
I’m new to the community (this all started in October for me) but I’m here to chat and give advice or support if I can 🙂
This is GREAT NEWS!
Even the most ordinary things become a reason to celebrate around here. WHEEE!!!
Thanks for sharing your experience @perditaandpongo! I love the idea of keeping a log. It really does help to see the progress that's made over time. Stressful and momentous indeed.
It did come as a surprise to me that Angell didn't give good instructions because they really do have a fantastic reputation. Just goes to show that even the best clinics aren't untouched by staffing shortages and way too much stress. They're a rock solid crew there though.
https://www.ins.....h1OqBukAH/
Well I tried to copy and past a photo from instagram but it just comes up as a link. Isabelle sitting out on the porch after her outing to the front yard and back (:
HUGE VIDTORY!!! Good job sweet Isabelle👍
Every "little improvement " i a spectacular improvement and victory to be celebrated uproariously!👍👏
Thanks for the good news. Slow and easy Isabelle is showing you she's doing things her way and at her own pace. Good girl!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
PS....The link took me to her beautiful picture. She looks quite content being outside and sniffing all the scents Nature has to offer.
Bery healing
I was able to screenshot it, put in in my Porter Blog, copy URL and post it here. Something like that anyway....Very NOT techie.
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!
Thanks so much. We are feeling loads and loads better!! She is the sweetest and I'm thrilled she's doing this well at this point. Thanks for getting the photo on there also. Love this community. You are life-savers. Seriously. Life savers. 
Awwww pretty girl! Look at that sweet sweet face. It must feel so good to her to get outside. I'm thrilled for you both.
And Sally you are WAY techie! Thanks for taking care of that. Instagram links usually post here, not sure what happened.
Daily check in POD 6, isabelle continues to progress slowly. I got her outside today and she lay down in the front yard (back is fenced in but more stairs). she refused to come back in so I left her for a bit (figuring she wasn't going to go anywhere) and my puppy (8 month old rescue/Archer) started whining at the window. I went out to see and Isabelle was gone!! I totally freaked, calling and looking and there she was nosing around in the neighbors yard!! (: I had a heart attack but it was also pretty funny. She was totally worn out afterwards from her little adventure. She's doing ok for an old girl!!
Isabelle! Naughty little girl! How could a dog with such a sweet and innocent looking face have a "break bad" moment? Hopefully your little adventure has earned you some good massages tonight.
Slow and easy sweet girl! And Archer, good job of telling on Isabelle👏
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Oh that girl! She wanted to show you that she's got this under control!
I would have lost my mind too. Glad she's OK and things are steadily getting better.
Hey Everyone. Slow and steady. 10 days post op now and Isabelle goes down the stairs on her own!! She has a super hard time going up though. Any suggestions or just wait it out and she'll figure it out? Her poor back legs really get tired. I see them shaking with the exertion, so I'm hopeful that once she gets some muscle memory into them it will be easier. Just following up to say things are still moving forward and we appreciate you all.
Hi!
Just a little tip from us for sweet Isabell. My 14 year old dog Emma walks up the steps diagonally sideways in a zig zag line. It works and talkes longer, but is actually not as exhausing. I am not sure, if this helps and maybe all dogs on three legs do that anyway.
Hi Elizabeth, thanks for the pupdate. That's pretty cool she goes downstairs on her own, usually that's the harder part for a front-leg amputee.
10 days post op is not a long time. It's very likely she is low energy and weak right now and that is not unusual at all. If you can help her go up stairs (and even down) by using a harness with a handle (the Ruffwear Flagline is our fave), that will take a lot of the burden off her while she gains strength.
Dogs do figure it out, but we can help them make that process easier. That's why Tripawds Foundation can pay for your first rehab visit . A therapist can show you how to help her get stronger sooner.
Thanks everyone!! Sorry for the delays in response (back to work!). Love the diagonal upstairs. That's how she got up before the amp as well and she's still having some trouble figuring it out, so maybe i'll try to get her to do that. She's 3 weeks out and doing well overall. We have an appointment with Oncology tomorrow to discuss chemo, so I'll be checking here to learn more about that! Also put up a new blog post about her today if anyone's interested. It's called "Three Feet at a Time" (: https://www.liz.....-at-a-time
Love this community. Life savers all of you!
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