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
Hi all. Faith, our 4 and a half year old Dane, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her front right on July 5th. We chose to amputate and surgery was performed this past Wednesday the 24th. She came home Friday evening.
The first night home went pretty well; I think she was so darn happy to be home that it distracted her a bit. Yesterday was a bit tougher with some yelping in her sleep as her pain meds wore off and she developed some swelling in the remaining front leg. Her rear legs seem to be a bit sore as well. This is understandable and our vet does not seem overly concerned about the swelling but it’s all just breaking my heart. This morning, she is refusing to eat. I’m not going to force her if her body is telling her not to but I am concerned about the drugs sitting in there without any food in her stomach. She has not pooped since surgery, which we understand to be normal, so there must be quite a backlog there. She has peed outside twice (and inside once on Friday when she was still too high to tell us she had to go out!) and has been drinking well when offered water. She is taking 600 mg of Gabapentin every 8 hours (waiting on a call back from the vet to push it back to 7 as well he last hour seems to be rough on her) and 100 mg carprofen every 12. We do have Tramadol for sedation purposes but have not used it since Friday night as she has stayed very quiet and calm and is a notoriously cheap date.
So far, it seems like all of this is not outside the realm of normal. Other giant breed tri owners have told me they experienced swelling in the companion leg as their friends adjusted to bearing their weight differently and as I said the vet did not seem overly concerned. We are icing the companion leg along with her surgical wound, massaging her rear legs while she sleeps and I am off to make her some scrambled eggs to see if I can entice her to eat a bit this morning.
I suppose I could just use a pep talk :). How concerned should I be that she has drugs on board today without any meal to prop it up? Carprofen is pretty tough on their stomached when empty. Has anyone else experienced swelling and pain in the remaining legs during the early days? How long did it take to resolve? Any other sage words of advice while we navigate this long road?
I’m sad that we had to join this community but grateful it exists. We’re a couple of mid-30’s service industry workers and this dog is our whole world. We know her time will be shorter now than we had hoped but we promised her a long time ago she would never have a bad day in her life and we intend to keep that promise, even though there are some less-good ones to confront right now. Lookin forward to participating and learning here. Thank you.
Hi Faith and family, welcome. I’m on my phone and at work now but wanted to get your post approved so others can chime in. I will be back for more input later today but real quick...
Is she on anything besides Gabapentin? Did she come home with a pain patch? If no, the her quietness seems like it could be a pain signal that indicates she needs more meds.
More in a bit...
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Jerry. Thanks for getting me approved and responding. She is also on carprofen (rimadyl) although I doubt it can do much to touch the pain. I did just reach out to the vet about adjusting her dosages or getting her something else as I do think she is in a lot of pain today. I know some pain is going to be inevitable but this seems excessive. Hopefully we can do something shortly to make her more comfortable.
Hi and welcome.
I'm sorry you had to join but happy found us!
I can't help with size, I've had/have two small rear amp pups. I've been around here a long time though and have seen many posts about swelling in the remaining leg. The body generates fluids as a result of the surgery and they have to go somewhere. Some see a swollen front leg, some see swelling and bruising in the chest or lower, some get a seroma . You are right on talking with your vet about your concerns! Aside from the swelling new Tripawds will get sore soon after surgery as they learn their new gait since they are using muscles differently, and they tend to get very tired without much activity again due to new gait as well as all the meds.
There is a lot of talk in the vet community lately about weather Tramadol works on pain for dogs at all. I've used it in various pups during recovery from amp surgery, knee surgeries and invasive dental surgeries and it has worked for me. The importance of getting something for pain other than gaba is that different pain meds work differently on different types of pain. The carprophen should help with the swelling but will do little for the intense surgery pain. Many here are sent home with gaba and tramadol and an anti-inflammatory. Often staggering the pills helps as well so there is always something in the system. Again- good job working with your vet on this, keep advocating for Faith!
Keep trying any kind of food, sometimes stinky stuff works well, sometime junk food is the key (burgers, chicken nuggets). Don't worry too much about her diet right now, just try and get some food in her. It is very common for pups not to have an apatite after surgery.
Here are some ideas on getting a dog to eat and on giving meds.
I have a 'go-to' method for getting pills in my dogs, I call it the cheesy plate. Last winter my current Tripawd Elly had a very invasive dental surgery and was on tram for a bit, I took the opportunity to make a video (posted below) of my pilling methods which is much easier than explaining them. Besides, I like making videos and my dogs are cute 
.
Hang in there!
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Thanks Karen. I did get her to eat a bit of her breakfast and some scrambled eggs. She’s very good about taking her pills so thankfully that isn’t a battle we have to fight.
There is an error in my first post- we have trazodone for anxiety, not Tramadol. I cannot figure out how to edit the post.
The vet has responded and wants us to bring her back in for a fentanyl patch. Unfortunately I am by myself at the moment and she is 100% uncooperative. I can move her just fine if she works with me a little but when she is straight dead weight it’s not happening. Trying to get ahold of someone who could help without upsetting her further. My husband will be home in a couple of hours if I cannot find anyone. Making me feel even worse that there is a possibility for some relief for her and I can’t provide it.
I’ve spoken with many tri owners and all have spoken extensively about how difficult the first few days/weeks were. Preparing for it mentally doesn’t really help when it’s happening and your pup is crying and miserable. I am very deep in the “What did I do to you?!?” phase. This sucks. 🙁
Hey there, I'm in the Tripawds Chat right now if you want to talk. Back in a second with some feedback.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm so sorry things are ruff right now. Try to take consolation in the fact that she is eating and doesn't give you any issues with pills or medications. That is HUGE! Seriously. All these little things, they add up.
Now, it doesn't help that she came home with what appears to be less than adequate pain management . Unless they gave her a 3-day injectible, which may be the case? Check your invoice for a drug called Nocita, it's good stuff.
If not, I'm really sorry about that, because when an animal comes home without pain under control, it makes things suck for you both. Good for you for advocating for her! YES get more pain medication. Ask your vet if you can apply the patch yourself since getting her out of the house right now is so difficult. It's not hard to do.
Remember that Fentanyl only lasts 3 days from the moment it is applied. I would request additional pain relief medication like a 10-14 day supply of Amantadine, and Tramadol, both of which work in different ways as Karen mentioned. You can click on our pain management link for lots more information about meds. Fentanyl might make her dysphoric and act oddly, maybe even whining and panting, so keep that in mind.
The goal is to stay ahead of the pain so it never gets so bad she shows pain signals .
Finally, remember, as hard as it is right now things DO get better. It's our own attitude that will make or break the recovery so the more optimistic and hopeful you are for better days, the more Faith will reflect that back to you.
And for a little inspawration, check out all of the Tripawd Great Dane stories we have in our News blog . In fact, if it wasn't for a giant Harlequin Dane named Moose, Tripawds wouldn't exist. It was Moose who gave us the hope that our own Jerry would do well on three, and he did! And your Faith will too.
https://tripawd.....og-parade/
https://tripawd.....-eurydice/
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh, great! I just jumped to the 'won't take pills' from not wanting to eat. As Jerry said- EVERY success counts at this point!
I am very deep in the “What did I do to you?!?” phase. This sucks.
Nearly all of us when through this phase during recovery and we all got through it. But no matter how many times you hear it I don't think you really believe it until you get there with your pup. (I was sure I had the only dog who couldn't adapt). You did this FOR Faith not TO her. You took away the unmanageable pain from bone cancer and have given her a chance for more quality time with you. The recovery can suck but the alternative is worse.
You have a plan to get the pain under control- if you can't get to the vet sooner you might try icing the incision area.
We are all here to help and are rooting for you and Faith!
I cannot figure out how to edit the post.
FYI- once someone posts after you, you can't go back and edit. Don't worry about it, you made the correction. Besides, as tired and as stressed as you probably are at this point you should take pride that it was your only mistake!
Keep us posted on how she is doing.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Just an update. I wasn’t able to get her moving before my husband got home, but about 40 minutes before he did she stopped fretting, settled and slept restfully. After Johnny got back she got up to greet him, wagged her tail and has been acting about as fine as could be since then. I think the Gabapentin was causing her distress and once the trazodone kicked in she was able to relax. We’re going to keep her home and let her be tonight and talk to our regular doc when she gets back in to the office tomorrow morning. Trazodone will be staying on board from now on! Thanks for all of your support.
We can certainly relate to second guessing the amputation decision! Yeah, my first post here: "Help! Six days post amputation and I fear I've made a horrible decision!" It took me three weeks before I old say I did this FOR my Happy Hannah and not TO her!
Geeing up to greet hubby....wagging tails...such a beautiful thing to behold!😁😁😁
So, just to clarify, what actual pain meds is she on? The Trazedone is a sedative and not any help with pai. (Other than maybe zoning her out.)
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!
Super glad to hear that things are better! WHEW!
Gabapentin usually doesn't cause stronger side effects. Sedation is about the only thing that people report in many dogs. But yeah, Trazadone can be a life saver. I'm glad it's working.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi and welcome, hold on tight for the rollercoaster ride.... you'll be just fine once it's behind you 💖
Totally dittoing (is that a word?!) everything you have just gotten from some totally pawsome people!
I also agree with you on not being comfortable with giving drugs on an empty stomach. So... that leaves all bets off on food and give her even a few bites of the most favorite...no no foods, whatever you can get into her. IE.. Macdonald's cheeseburgers, hot dogs , scrambled eggs with or without cheese, ground beef, turkey, liverwurst, bacon, baby food, bone broth, rotisserie chicken..... whatever it takes. Peanut butter, tuna salad... just try to get some of it into her prior to meds. Anything to coat the stomach.
As was already stated, she needs good pain management . Watch that swelling and see if it absorbs back into the body. If it feels hot, appears painful, if she starts running a fever, or if you start seeing drainage you should get right in touch with her doctor to be on the safe side. Keep her doctor in the loop of what's going on for the next couple of weeks, it could save you undue problems and worry.
Im not a vet, just trying to help you stay on top of your game.
Stay in touch as many here might be able to help you through this journey. And take care of yourself too! Get rest when your are able and take shifts when you are able so that you don't run yourself down.
Hugs
Jackie and Huckleberry ❤
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
Just a few words of encouragement to you and faith. My 10.5 year old Great Dane Grover just had his forelimb amputated. The first few days are hard for everyone but it gets better. We are currently 12 days post amputation and ran into troubles bc he was too active by day 9. When he went back for chemo on day 7 no one could believe how well he adapted given his age and pre existing mobility issues.
we found the harness by ruffwear to be very helpful and the boots are great for extra traction if needed ... and they fit Danes!
A happy update! We had a HUGE breakthrough last night. This is going to be a book; bear with me, i’m very excited and have to share!
She spent most of yesterday immobile again, just laying around and moping, although she did not seem to be in great pain and her stress level seemed minimal as long as we kept up with the Trazodone. I spent most of the day relieved that we seemed to have the right drug schedule sorted out but concerned about her total disinterest in anything. She did eat but not much; we added some famotidine to her cocktail in the evening as the drugs sitting in a less-than-full tummy couldn’t have felt great. I also massaged and iced her companion leg and by 9 last night the swelling had gone down significantly. Not getting up and moving around wasn’t helping with that!
My husband got home from work around 9 and as with Sunday she managed to get herself up and greet him with ways and kisses. We have been keeping her confined to a small bedroom since she came home and in hopes of motivating her to move a little decided to let her out in to the living room, right off of her room. She hopped right out and laid down on her blanket, had her dinner and then asked to go out for the first time all day.
When we had her out Sunday evening, she had made it only a few steps in to the yard before plunking herself down and acting like she couldn’t bear to get up again; we let her lay in the sun for a bit over and hour but eventually had to almost carry her back in. We chalked it up to wanting a change of scenery and being tired.
Last night, she went out and motored for her designated poop area and began to squat. I went to help her so she didn’t lose her balance and the second I touched her harness she hit the deck and performed her best “Woe, I am a weak and immobile dog, pity me!” role. Here’s the thing- she has ALWAYS been a smart, stubborn, manipulative creature, and she will work with you if you work with her but if you try to force her to do something, you will lose the fight. I can’t believe it took me so long to put it together, but the reason she wasn’t moving was because we were trying to help her too much. That dawned on both of us the moment she hit the ground, so we took the leash off and walked a few feet away, close enough to intervene if she really needed help but far enough she didn’t feel rushed or crowded.
Y’all, within one minute she got herself up, trotted around to her spot again, pooped twice, took a HUGE pee, tried to kick (not successfully, but she tried) and tried to zoomie afterwards. We stood there in the muggy yard with our phone lights trained on her laughing and crying. What a weird, awesome moment. She’s FINE. Just a stubborn, opinionated goat, just like she has always been.
We let her sleep on the floor in the living room for a change of scenery and this morning she is wagging and happy and the swelling in her front leg is almost completely gone. Her wound looks great, she cleaned up breakfast (i’m sure having pooped for the first time in almost a week helped with that too!), and i’m looking forward to spending the next couple of weeks trying to keep her quiet rather than trying to motivate and carry her around.
I know there will still be ups and downs but last night was such a relief to both of us.
Thanks for all of the support and thoughts- i’ll be back as we continue our journey!
YEAAAAH! I wish you could see the huge smile on my face right now.
I'm smiling that things are so much better for Faith, and because of the lightbulb moment you bravely shared with us:
the reason she wasn’t moving was because we were trying to help her too much.
YES! There is such a fine line between babying our dogs just enough or going over the top. You figured it out. You win the rock star prize! 
This is such hoppy news, you made our day. Here's to more pawesome days ahead!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
1 Guest(s)
