Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello everyone! My name is Tammy and I just brought home my soon to be 11yr old Cocker Spaniel, Holly from the vet. She had to have her left front leg removed due to a huge sarcoma on the top of her paw. I'm pretty well adverse with taking care of wounded animals, but I am very open to any helpful tips/advise for helping my girl adjust to the lost of her limb. We are 2 days post-op. She is getting along pretty well. Still trying to figure out her balance. Cannot do steps yet, but that's what I'm for. Have to figure out what we can do to help her with managing the linoleum in our kitchen. She does not want to be left behind and has already made a trip out to our barn! She wore herself out about half way back, so we took a well deserved break until she was ready again. My vet said that he believes we caught it early enough that it didn't spread. X-rays did not show any involvement of the bone yet, but had involved the tissue between the toes and her pads, as well as the surrounding blood vessels. She's currently taking a well deserved rest! Thank-You for providing this wonderful site and I'm glad to be here!
spfarms69 said
We are 2 days post-op...and has already made a trip out to our barn!
Welcome and best wishes for you pup! What's her name?
Please keep in mind that confinement and moderation of activity is imperative for a quick speedy recovery. Especially only two days post-op! There is no need for any moving around except for very short leashed potty time. Those who overdo it too soon, always regret it! For the best care tips and recovery advice: read the FAQs, bookmark Jerry's Required Reading List , subscribe to receive the best tips and videos by email, or download the Tripawds e-books for fast answers, and feel free to call the toll-free Helpline any time...start here if you need help finding the many Tripawds resources.
Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Her name is SPF Holly Luja, Holly for short. She's been taking it pretty easy so far. She will lay down when she gets too tired, which is quite a bit. She rested while I was doing chores, which took about 10-15 minutes, so she had some recoup time in between the trip to and from the barn. She wanders around the house a little, then lays down. I know she is still very uncomfortable, so she will move here and there. We have a visit on Friday to get her bandage changed and to check on the edema. I have pillows out for her to lay on, but at the moment, she prefers to lay on the cool linoleum.
spfarms69 said
I have pillows out for her to lay on...
Lots of pillows and fluffy blankets can trip up new Tripawds. As you've noticed, many will seek out a cool firm surface to lay on during recovery.
Many veterinarians and rehab therapists have stressed with us the importance to keep recovering dogs confined, and that even roaming around the house is too much activity that first week. Many pet parents believe there dogs are doing great, then they see them crash after a few days.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Holly and Tammy. Sorry you find yourself here, but as you can already see from our Admin Guy, this is the best place to be for support and information.
Holly is still probably. a bit high from all the hospital pajn meed. She may have a bit of a crash in a day or two after they wear out.
What pain meds did she come home with?
Ditto the Admin Guy...SHORT leashed breaks to go out to potty and then back in for rest, rest, rest and more rest! Just the slightest bit of overdoing muscles and joints while they are adjusting to the new gait can cause severe muscle strain, back issues, pulled neck muscles, not to mention ripped incisions and seromas, etc.
As far as traction , you need non slip scatter rugs over linoleum, vinyl, hardwoods, etc. Some have used inexpensive yoga mats. Especially in rhe beginning dogs do a lot of face plants and butt plants.
Cant wait to hear more about Holly and with pictures! Here's a link for adding images .
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!
Hello! Another new comer here. Our 17 month old pup drew the short straw and has osteosarcoma. She’s coping much better than I am with the amputation ( she’s 3 days post today) but given she’s still a pup I’m trying to deal with her pup energy
littlelucy said
Another new comer here...
Welcome and best wishes for Lucy! Is that her name?
Please consider starting a new topic to share your story or ask specific questions – you will fins most have been answered here by searching the forums and blogs, or download Tripawds e-books to save time searching. Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
Don't miss this Tripawds gear blog post specifically addressing your concern about her "pup energy".
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you so much struggling a bit with the interface on my phone! Yes Lucy is our gal
Hi Tammy,
My brownie also had Front left leg amputation due to cancer. We have a large rug in the living area. Sally is spot on regarding the scatter rugs with rubber backing. I have paths of rugs from room to room due to wood floors. Brownie first had a very thick memory foam bed but the problem was when he would hop on he would sink and loose his balance then fall on his face. I bought the Urban Sprawl bed. It's excellent quality. It has a firm side for cool and a slightly softer side for warm. It also has a handle so you can carry from room to room. Brownie loves it and has no issues. The only problem is my other two love it as well. Lol...we also use the EZ dog harness which has a handle when your pooch needs a little help. Both items have made life much easier. I have also read you shouldn't put anything around a front amputee' S neck so the harness works great. I got both in the gear shop on this site
Best wishes to Holly for a speedy recovery!
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
My apologies for posting then disappearing! My son got married on the 13th, so I was super busy with that as well as taking care of Holly! She is doing wonderful! She went for her post op check on the 11th and our vet was super pleased! Everything looked wonderful! In the past 2 weeks, she has learned to master the porch steps and the linoleum! I do have one concern though. Her stub is healing well, but I noticed that she is putting pressure on it when she lays down. I'm concerned about pressure sores. She got a little too excited today and went down the steps too fast (4 steps). She did a full face plant into the gravel, which, in turn, opened up her wound a little. I cleaned it and put Durmavet and bag balm on it and bandaged her up. I do have some Pen-Cort shots left, which I will give her this weekend, just to be safe. My question is this; Do they make a shirt for front amputee dogs, that provides a little padding for the stub? Bandages just do not stay on her for very long! At the moment, I have her wrapped in vet wrap, which has lasted longer than the last bandages she had (it's only been about a half an hour at this point). I'm thinking long term here, so vet wrap would really add up. I may have to become creative and make something for her. I noticed, before her little fall today, that the area where it rubs on the floor when she's laying down, was slightly irritated. That makes me worry about pressure sores. She just turned 11, so she's not getting any younger, even if she is acting it, lol.
Oh wow you've had your hands full! No apologies necessary, we're just glad things are kinda calming down for all of you now.
My question is this; Do they make a shirt for front amputee dogs, that provides a little padding for the stub?
Sorry to hear about the wound irritation. Being that it hasn't been that long after surgery, hopefully the area will calm down and not be prone to pressure sores. It sounds like your vet left the scapula? Sometimes ongoing pressure sores may be a problem in those cases, but one thing you can do to lessen the risk is to help her get stronger so that she doesn't fall down so much. Have you had her assessed by a rehabilitation therapist? If not, you may want to do that so they can show you the best ways to help her build strong core muscles that will help with balance and proprioception (awareness of one's body in space). The Tripawds Foundation may pay for your first rehab visit too, so please take advantage of that.
Oh and to answer your question, about the only thing we have seen that comes close to a shirt is this chest protector shared by a member:
Chest Protector Dog Jacket Helps Sensitive Front Leg Tripawds
Let us know what works OK? This is a common situation that we hope to have better answers for in the future. Keep us posted on how she's doing.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Can you post a picture of Holly and her "stub"?
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!
This was taken 4 days after surgery. Yes, she still has her scapula. My vet said it would be a rougher surgery for her at her age. She gets stronger every single day. She just got overly excited that her daddy was home and forgot to slow down when going down the steps. This is the first time she has fallen in well over a week. I guess I am more concerned about the pressure she puts on it when she is laying down. My niece did find a site that sells compression body socks for amputee dogs though! I think it makes a lot of sense since they use compression socks for human amputees! I could easily put in some memory foam padding for her stub! https://www.dog.....Zn6a3bW0_k
The same company that has the compression sock also has a vest that is exactally what I was thinking about! It is quite pricey though
The up side is that it is made with your dogs measurements! Here is the link to it! https://www.dog.....g-amputee/
Ah ok, now I see what's going on.
The SurgiSox could be an option. I would ask your vet about it before buying since I'm not sure that having a compression sleeve on a pup all day for long term use would be a good idea. Ask your vet and let us know what s/he says.
Meanwhile I would still consider rehab therapy. Yeah I know we really advocate for it here, I hope I'm not being too annoying! It's just that for any dog, even ones who seem or are strong, getting the right kind of exercises incorporated into her day can be a tremendous help. You should see what our rehab reimbursement recipients have to say about how helpful it is. OK I'll shut up now about that!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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