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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We got Clive, our 10 year old mini schnauzer back from front leg amputation on Wednesday. Yesterday he was walking in the house a few times (10 yards) but also trying to jump on things and scramble to his normal spaces. Clearly he shouldn’t jump. Is it ok to let him do little walks without the sling? Is the sling to take some of his weight or just to stop him falling? It’s like having a baby I’m so stressed trying to watch him and work!
Hello and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
Did Clive lose a leg to cancer?
Our surgeon said that my Pug Maggie was only allowed short, leashed, potty breaks for the first two weeks post op. Lucky for me Maggie was quite a slug so keeping her quiet wasn't an issue. I never used a sling for Maggie, she was a rear amp and could hop on her own the day of surgery although she only would do a couple hops before she sat down.
Some dogs need a sling for assistance for a few days post op and some never need help. I think the sling is to keep him from falling- you really want to try and prevent that while he is healing.
Does he have good traction in your house? Slippery floors should have throw rugs or yoga mats for traction to help limit slipping.
How is he doing otherwise? Eating, drinking, eliminating?
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
Yes it’s cancer. Soft cell sarcoma. The vet told us to use a sling. I guess it’s how short is short? He had to go round the corner tonight before he could bear to poo. I carried him home because I worry he’s hurting himself.
Welcome to you and Clive! Sorry you had to join our club but we are glad you found us and will do our best to help you through this recovery journey and beyond.
It's pretty common for new amputees right out of surgery to go a little bonkers when they get home. That's because they're still high from the surgery drugs! But now, it's time to rest. Like Karen says, new amputees should only be allowed to go out on leashed potty walks. To help him poo easier, you can add steamed pumpkin pulp or squash, or olive oil to his food. See if that helps! But don't be concerned if he's slow to poop again, constipation is pretty common this soon after surgery. What kind of pain medication is Clive taking, and how often?
Don't forget you can always look at Jerry's Required Reading List and the Tripawds e-books library for fast answers to burning questions! And we are here to help too so don't be shy. Keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi and welcome 
I don't know the whole story about what you are going through. I would encourage you to tell more about Clive's story please. The sling is normally used for a pet that cannot get up and around on their own. Obviously Clive has other ambitions in mind and has no problems with mobility.
In this case, I think having him on lead for potty is best. I also think confining him in some manner, like to a safe room, is also important. A room that he has limited mobility, like a spare bedroom? Kitchen? You know what I mean.
No, you don't want him jumping on things, and you don't want him racing around the house. In the next few days the hospital meds will have worn off and you really will need to make sure his medications are given faithfully at even times because once the hospital meds are out of his system you may have a very sore pup.
I am sorry you had to find us, but I am so glad you are here. Please keep us up to date on how he does in recovery. I hope this helps.
Jackie and Huck
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
Thanks for all the replies. Clive is on tramadol, metacam and pardale. The metacam is daily the others three times a day. The sling is what the vet recommended and once he gets going he hops along and seems to be able to do his poop and wee ok. He’s eating and drinking so I guess that’s great. We’re off to the vet for a dressing change today.
In the house we’ve put down carpet squares to give him traction and try to keep him in a room with one of us. I think my biggest problem today is I think I’ve done the wrong thing letting them amputate (even though the tumour has infiltrated the leg so much they vet specialists said it was the only viable course).
Such a cute avatar picture. Looking forward to seeing more.
This early part of recovery is scary and almost everyone second guesses their decision at first. It's important to remember this is MAJOR surgery, all while Olive is trying to adjust to three and while on pain meds. Humans would still be in the hospital on a morphine drip!
We know it's hard to be patient, but it sounds as though Olive is having a "normal" recovery this early on (if there is such a thing as "normal").
Eating, drinking, pottying and mobile....all great signs. And yes, being just a little bit mobile counts as a victory at this point.
You are getting rid of that bum leg and giving him a chance for a quality life full of loving and spoiling. Olive's sparkle will come back slowly but surely. It took me about three weeks to say I did this FOR my Happy Hannah and not TO her. You'll be saying it soon too.
Try and get some rest, stay upbeat and confident. Olove will feed on your energy. Jist make sure you take care of yourself while taking care of Olive.
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!
I think my biggest problem today is I think I’ve done the wrong thing letting them amputate (even though the tumour has infiltrated the leg so much they vet specialists said it was the only viable course).
Been there and unfortunately stayed there for weeks after Maggie's amputation. And lots of people here felt that way sometime during their pup's recovery. Maggie was amputated a few months before our founding dog Jerry so there was no Tripawds and no one to tell me we were OK. This is a huge surgery and while all the vets tell you that dogs do great on three legs, and while even a few dogs here sail through recovery the fact is that most dogs here take time to recover. Based on what the vets told me about how well dogs do I was convinced that I made a huge mistake because Maggie wasn't bouncing right back.
You and Clive are only a few days in, it is actually quite amazing when you think about it that our pups do as well as they do. Stay positive, at least when you are around him, and keep track of and celebrate each little victory. You did the amputation to TAKE away a painful leg and GIVE Clive a chance at more quality time with you.
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 guys. My eyes are leaking reading these. Yes the vet visit was very positive. She was delighted by how the wound looked and how calm Clive was at the dressing change. He’s been very quiet today but I’m seeing this as healing time. Tomorrow his beloved dog walker is visiting. Aunty Joan is in her 80s and is very special so I am hoping the visit will be a comfort to both. I’ll post photos when I can work out how.
YAY Clive! What a great pupdate. You are such a good boy! I think that Aunty Joan will be more great medicine for you. We can't wait to see the photos!
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Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Clive is such a cutie!!!! Im so glad you both had a good appointment with the vet today. A visit with aunty Joan sounds like a great treat for clive.
This part of recovery is the hardest for us humans. We all go there and second guess, try not to beat yourself up. Clive doesnt blame you one little bit. He just knows that painful leg is gone and that he's soooooo very loved.
Looking forward to more adorable picture and more wins for you both. ❤
Hugs ❤ Bev, nurse Moe cat, Autumn's Angel Roane & Angel dog Gypsy 🐾
My sweet soulmate Roane was diagnosed with osteo in June of 2019. Had a rear leg amp on July 2nd & crossed the rainbow bridge to be with her sister Gypsy on the first day of Autumn Sept 23 2019.
I am so glad you had a good visit! I was very fortunate to have this community in our time of desparate need. You are doing a great job I ditto what others have said, Clive does not blame you for anything. I am sure he feels better even now without that painful leg.
Hang in there
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
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