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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Greetings Tripawd Community! My pup had surgery to remove her front right leg yesterday and we will be picking her up from the Small Animal Clinic at Texas A&M in a few hours! I am so nervous to see my girl, but I am so grateful to have found this community, because reading all of your posts helped me make the decision to choose amputation instead of euthanasia for our 14 year old Scottie Girl named Epona.
We didn't want to subject her to a life without quality after amputation, but reading about all of your tripawd pets taught me that there can be a good quality of life after amputation. She has been suffering from a rapidly growing sarcoma and has been in so much pain for months while we tried to see doctors and get everything scheduled.
Now to my question, do you have any recommendations for how to help her during the recovery phase. I am so nervous for the next two weeks while her incision heals, and the following months while we all adjust to her new normal.
I am especially interested if anyone else has experience helping a geriatric pet, because I am worried she will give up on life at her advanced age. We are looking forward to more walks in the woods and trips to the beach with our little girl. Any help is greatly appreciated!
Hi Epona and family, welcome to the club nopawdy wants to join! Your future posts won't need to wait for approval so post away.
You have such a cool name, where did it come from?
we will be picking her up from the Small Animal Clinic at Texas A&M in a few hours!
Pawesome! Gig 'em, guys! You couldn't be in better hands. We are huge Aggies fans, they do great work at the university! I'm confident she'll come home with all the pain relief she needs for a good recovery.
there can be a good quality of life after amputation.
Yes! Did you see our Tripawds Quality of Life Survey results? That will help you feel even better if you haven't already.
do you have any recommendations for how to help her during the recovery phase.
Sure! Check out our What to Expect articles for some insight, and if you haven't seen Jerry's Required Reading List or the Tripawds e-books library, those will help too.
Is your home ready with traction and raised feeders? That will help her navigate around easily.
Have some really tempting foods on hands, as she may not feel like eating. That's normal while she is on pain meds. Do your best to get her to stay hydrated though, that's even more important than eating. You can spike her water with no-salt chicken or beef broth and see if that helps.
The most important thing is for you to stay pawsitive. The more hopeful and optimistic you are, the more she will reflect that back to you.
I am especially interested if anyone else has experience helping a geriatric pet,
Absolutely! Did you see our Size and Age Matters Forums? Older dogs can do great on three legs, and Epona's size is a big advantage too.
Here are some links to podcasts and articles about just a few of our many senior members:
https://tripawd.....r-tripawd/
https://tripawd.....r-tripawd/
https://tripawd.....y-tripawd/
https://tripawd.....mputation/
I hope this helps you feel a little better. We know this is a highly emotional experience for pet parents so please holler with any questions you have OK? We look forward to reading about her homecoming!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Love Epona's avatar picture!
So let us kmow how bringing her home is going when you get a chance to catch your breath , okay!
As you can see from Jerry's post, YOU ARE NOT ALONE and there is a ton of info and support to help you navigate thru recovery. Sure, its major surgery and recovery is no picnic for a couple of weeks. Recovery doesn't last furever though!
Age is just a number around here. Sure, sometimes seniors recover a bit slower ormit akes a few days longer to get mobile and steady on their feet. But that true sometimes for the younger ones too. Each dog is different. Each recovery is sifferent.
Your sweet girl is going to feel so much better with that bum leg gone! She clearly has a zest for life, is a fighter and has no intention of "giving up". She is grateful for the chance to go for walks in the woods and sunbathe at the beach.
STAY CONNECTED. We are all here right by your side to help in any way we can. You've got this!
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!
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