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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Hello everyone,
THANK Y'ALL for all of the love and support Lily's surgery went well. The vet left her with a stump so I am sure that means she'll heal more quickly. I am still worried about her quality of life and will she be permnantly cancer free now... I still feel pretty crummy but less than a few hours ago because it's done(no turning back now). Thank y'all again Roxy is adorable and she DID make me smile I hope Lily will be able to all those fun things. And Gayle is Lily's twin Im trying to load a pic up but I am having trouble. I am so grateful for this site because I have been beside myself in grief. But I am trying for her!
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I'm so glad to hear the surgery went well! Kobe just had his surgery 8 days ago and I spent most of that day reading this website. I found I wanted to know all the possibilities - it helped me focus some of my worry and uncertainty. I'll be honest and say that I tried to get my tears (and there were lots) out while Kobe was at the clinic (he stayed 2 nights) so that by the time we picked him up I could be positive for him. It is definitely a rough and stressful time but I find a lot of comfort in what the other great folks on this board have shared and in knowing that while my husband and I might not always make the "perfect" decision we are doing the best we can to keep Kobe out of the pain and as healthy and happy as possible. We'll be sending good thoughts your and Lily's way!!
Bethany
Giant Hugs & Best Wishes from Linus, Silly & us ! Linus just came home this afternoon from the hospital. He had his rear leg amputated yesterday and he's doing just super. He's REALLY glad to be home.
I'm betting Lily will really surprise you with how well she gets along after recovery. Linus has been practicing on his own for months. The vets who were supporting his back end could barely keep up with him when he saw his truck and started running toward it when I went to pick him up.
Right now Linus is zonked out on a queen size mattress that we conveniently put on the floor in the center of our living room. The pictures on this site of the post op sutures really did help us prepare for what it looked like when I first saw him. I told Linus when I first saw him that he was "all new and improved " !!! Even if the cancer is still hiding out somewhere we couldn't see -- at least for the time being he doesn't have that giant tumor.
I wonder if anyone who's been through the amputation recovery has used a soft Elizabethan collar ? The enormous plastic one he's wearing is going to inflict serious injury on me...I just know it. Everytime he swings his giant head, he either takes out a piece of furniture or about knocks me out. Plus I think the sound of it kinda scares him.
Cheers to Lily !!!!!!!!
yaya said:
Im trying to load a pic up but I am having trouble.
Try this, in Technical Support. If it doesn't help let us know:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
starcreek said:
I wonder if anyone who's been through the amputation recovery has used a soft Elizabethan collar ?
Yup! Here's a good thread. Might be time to start a new one though. Feel free!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Her last day of four legged swimming. I dont know how/if we can go to the that lake again.
First, hooray! Take a moment to celebrate Lily's successful surgery. Second, if she swam before, I'm betting 100% that she will swim again. My example is a little different, because Ajax had his rear leg amputated, and dogs (like people) do most of the pulling in swimming with their front legs. But just as a reference point: we fussed, bought him the big float coat , we set a schedule as to when we would "try" swimming -
and on Day 13 we turned around and saw that he was zooming around our friend's pool, having taken it upon himself to take a dip. (if he was a front leg amputee, it probably would have been a little harder, and even for him we'll use the float coat in any open water, but I bet your experience won't be all that different)
lily, lily, lily....were we separated at birth??? you are a stunningly beautiful girl!!! so glad you got through your surgery ok. i, myself, don't see the need to enter water...but for 'the swimmer type', it doesn't seem that being a tripawd will hinder the 'inner esther williams'. don't forget to take those medicinal naps - a true aid in healing!!
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 sorry to hear about Lily's diagnosis... But she is beautiful! I love the picture of her smiling... What a sweet face!
Don't worry about the swimming... My Jake (golden retriever) was able to go back swimming just 2 weeks post amputation. You can watch videos of Jake swimming on his blog.
You just have to get throught those first 2 weeks from hell. There may be many ups and downs... but hopefully more ups! Be sure to have a sling to help her get up and balance the first week or so after surgery, and then get her a ruffware harness for once the sutures/staples come out about 2 weeks later. Remember, she'll probably be all doped up with pain meds and will need some help.
Sending you a big hug!!
Angel Jake and Wolfie'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!
What a cutie! She reminds me of my previous pup Tori.
It takes strength & lots of love to make the decision to have our fur-babies limbs amputated. Get lots of rest while you can. Lily will amaze you with the things she'll be able to do in no time. We used a soft e-collar for Skyler, but only while she was in the pen (while we were at work). It was easier for her to nap with it, rather than the plastic ones.
Paws crossed and up! Keep us posted, and please kiss that snout...
Cathy/Jane/Spirit Skyler/Chloe
In addition to Angel Jake, check out the swimming stylings of Mackenzie in her blog. There are a couple other swimming videos in Mackenzie's blog if you look around.
Some have found using a float coat is helpful to assist tripawds when swimming, especially front amps.
Good luck with the healing process, keep us posted and let us know if you have any questions, or just need support.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Lily is home! I was so nervous about how I would react when I saw her but as soon as I walked in the clinic and began to speek to the
recptionist,I heard whinning that'd belong to no other than my baby Lily. I went back there to retrieve her and as soon as I saw her I said
"wow you dont look that bad" and I told her that I love her even more now. The most difficult parts are the fact that I live on a second
floor apt where there is NO avoiding stairs and watching her try to in pain find a way to rest in the most comfortable post-op position. I
cried a couple of times when she'd make the most awful noise because I agigtated her wound by trying to help her or adjust her tshirt so
she'd not lick the wound(it's okay to put her in one right?). So ive decided to just encourage her and let her try on her own with the
exception of carrying her up the stairs.
I must say that y'all are soooooo wonderful I feel like I've found a place of hope and understanding here. THank you so much for addressing my fears and worries. I will smile and laugh again when she's back in that beautiful lake we went to. Im happy to have found y'all. May God Bless you and your puppies greatly!
Btw I just moved to southern Illinois from texas for grad school a couple of months ago (what an emotional rollercoaster it's been) anyone residing in southern Illinois possibly by/in Carbondale? I would just love to give Lily a funned filled second life with another tripawd friend.
yaya said:
Btw I just moved to southern Illinois from texas for grad school a couple of months ago (what an emotional rollercoaster it's been) anyone residing in southern Illinois possibly by/in Carbondale? I would just love to give Lily a funned filled second life with another tripawd friend.
Yaya, post this in our Tripawds Parties Discussion Forum, I'll bet Lily will find some 3-legged friends that way!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
yaya said:
Her last day of four legged swimming. I dont know how/if we can go to the that lake again.
Oh just wait! Check out our Tripawds Swiming Playlist on YouTube!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
welcome to the family that all loves each other and hates being part of!!!!!
My suggestions are as always: non skid runners for any lino, tile or slippery surfaces and above all...a Ruffwear Harness to help with the stairs and in and out of vehicles .... and it sounds like you have stairs.
Keep coming and sharing...there is more knowledge here than you can believe...well knowledge that comes from experience and not necessarily book learning (except of course for our wonderful resident vet Pam!!)
sleep when you can....you are about to embark on the two week hell trip!!!!
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