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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Alright people, GAME ON!!! We are going forward with the amputation for Jackson's left hind leg (soft cell sarcoma that they will not be able to remove completely, and therefore 100% sure it will "come back" and possibly be more agressive) on Friday.
I really am feeling better about this decision (based on this community!), and have pretty much stopped crying in front of him. He was getting very worried, and I don't want to make him sad at all! So chin up!!
- Harness ordered, check.
- Orthopedic Dog Bed Purchased, check.
- Raised Dog dishes, check. (already had)
- Random carpets/runners, check.
- Broken heart, check.
- Will prepare chicken and rice in case he doesn't want his $1MM normal prescription dog food
Do I need to buy the "boots" I have seen people suggest?
Do I need to buy "shorts" for him to wear?
Should I ask for it to be bandaged or not? (I have seen both in videos)
Hi Jackson's family,
You have already done some of the hardest work....making the decision that will give Jackson the best quality of life he can have. Kudos to you 
With respect to your questions, I did not buy the boots for Tucker. He has managed well with the scatter rugs that I have everywhere. Tucker is a front-leg amp so the shorts were not necessary for him but he did wear the "cone of shame " for two weeks until his stitches were removed. Tuck did not come home with a bandage....and he healed beautifully. It may be a treatment decision you make with your vet but I didn't have any input into this one!
Now....try to relax....and kudos that you are showing a "brave face" at least in front of him. There are days when it still bugs me that Tuck had to go through this surgery but he is still the same wonderful pup he was before the surgery. He romps around our yard now, easily goes up short flights of stairs (down is still a problem) and seems to forget that just 7 weeks ago he had another leg.
Take care of yourself.
Hugs to you and Jackson
Linda and Tucker
I recommend the boots. Roxy (now 13 days post-surgery) had an impossible time walking on anything but plush carpet for the first few days. Almost two weeks later she's doing pretty well boot-less on our hardwoods and throw rugs, but we find the boot helps for outdoor potty breaks and trips to the vet with the slick linoleum.
We didn't have bandages or use shorts.
I do have one piece of advice. Take a photo of Jackson's incision every day after he comes back. This will help give you a frame of reference about whether something is looking better or worse. Roxy had a mast cell tumor removed at the same time as her amputation. The amputation wound is healing perfectly, but the tumor incision is giving us a lot of grief. Having a photo timeline of it's progress has helped me determine whether or not to call the vet in a panic.
Take care and try to stay calm!
Tiffany
We didn't use boots. Libby didn't need them. She did, however, have a heck of time on the linoleum floor at the vets office when we picked her up after surgery. We used a canvas shopping tote (split down the sides) as a sling to help her but she only needed it for the first day or two.
Libby was totally bandaged after her right front amp. I was kind of glad it was, only to keep it clean and I wasn't shocked right off the bat by seeing the surgical area. The self sticking wrap kept slipping up so it became a pain after a day or two. She had to wear it for 3 days.
Your heart will quickly heal when you see how well he adapts to his new normal. They are simply amazing. Good luck to you all!
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Welcome Jackson and family-
Sorry for the diagnosis, but glad you found the site.
Boots seem to be a matter of preference. We did not use them on Shooter, but he was a smaller dog. As for bandages and cones it seems to depend on what your vet prefers. Shooter had a compression bandage the first few days, but nothing once that was off. He really had no interst in his incision, but he was a front amp so it was harder to get to.
It really sound like you have prepared well. I found the weeks before to be worse than the actual recovery because you go thru so many different emotions and second guessing. Once it's over you don't have time to focus on anything but helping them recover.
Take care and keep us updated.
Luanne and Spirit Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
We didn't need boots for Murphy, either. He has become so used to the runners on the kitchen floor that he just heads for those instead of the bare floor. He's a rear tri, also. We didn't know about using a harness after the amp surgery, but when he had his hip replacement, we got one. I really do wish we had had it all along, although his case was different than most here. We still use his harness for trips tp the vet, though.
The one thing that I didn't see mentioned is a ramp for getting in and out of the car. Murphy was a 90 pounder prior to his amp. Lifting him in and out of the car wasn't something I could do easily, and we really don't want to take chances with him jumping out and harming one of his remaining legs. Our old Golden quadpawd, Gus, appreciates the ramp even more than Murphy does. Murph's Chesapeake genes (stubborn as the day is long) come out for both the ramp and stairs. He is perfectly capable of doing them, but he refuses unless he is wearing his harness...just wearing it, not needing anyone to be on the other end.
You are so far ahead of the game with all of your preparations. Now just take a deep breath and know that we all have your back. Give Jackson lots of love and Tripawds kisses.
Kathi and Murphy
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Game on indeed! You have a fantastic attitude that will take you very far during this journey!
When it comes to bandages, it's really a matter of your vet's preference. Many vets are using them for front leggers now, but it's really what they're comfortable with. Rear leggers can't really be bandaged that much. Shorts can be helpful to prevent them from messing with stitches but a cone of shame is the unfortunate best choice to avoid that scenario.
As for dog boots; if Jackson is already comfortable with having anything on his feet, they by all means get some, they are SO handy. But if he's never worn them before, we recommend trying something inexpensive like these Pawz rubber booties, to see how he deals with having them on their feet. Some dogs will take to them right away and some will flat out refuse. You really want to make this transition as easy as possible for him so try not to make too many drastic changes.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Fentanyl patch for the dog!!! Its a big time pain med and it REALLY helps the first few days post amp.
Tramidol is what you will get to take home. Make SURE your vet calculates the right dose BASED ON WEIGHT. A 50-70lb dog should be getting 2 or so tablets every 6 hours. If your vet says 2 A DAY laugh in their face and demand to see the math on the dosing (there is a book.. they can look it up).
Remember its about your hound. You gotta be the one that makes sure the vet is on his game... the dog sure can't do much.
I would also be wary of a a Friday surgery. Will the vet be available over the weekend? Like a home number or a service? Do you have a hospital with 24 hour service in the area? Will you be home the first few days? A rear amp is considered 'easier' for a dog but you're still going through major surgery.
Good luck to the both of you!
Good luck - I'll be thinking of you on Friday.
We didn't use boots. We have a pair, but he HATES them on his feet and was stressing out over them so we nixed them. Barret was given a compression bandage and tshirt. I liked the bandage/tshirt because nothing oozed out of his incision onto my sofa, but I think its really up to the vet.
Now, prepare yourself.. get plenty of sleep, eat good foods, take your vitamins. It might a long few weeks coming up, but you'll get through them. You've made the decision, and that really was the hardest part emotionally.
Write down your questions for your vet so you don't forget anything.
Other than that, try to relax and enjoy your Jackson for the next few days until he comes home
Hugs- Heather and Barret
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
Well I know how you feel! Once I scheduled Jill's surgery I felt like I was ready to take this thing on! I had TWO WEEKS to prepare, so I felt like I needed to get stuff done to get ready! Everyones offered really great advice, and Jill is a kitty, so preparing for that is a tiny bit different (getting a low litter box, etc.), but I just wanted to offer my support! Come on over to the chat room (click on chat and scroll all the way down, the chat room is at the bottom of the page) if you want to talk - there's usually one or two of us in there, particullarly at night!
All the best,
Erica & Tripawd Kitty Jill
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
You've done your homework.....you've gotten great advice here.....and, as you can tell, every dogi s different with different preferences!
I've forgotten whether you have stairs for in and out and if you've vuilt a ramp or not. If so, the nly other thing I would add is to put some nn-slip treads, or maybe even roofing shingles, down ne side of the ramp to prevent slippage. You may...or may not...want to hold off n the boots as that wold be ne more "strange" thing he would have to adjust to.
AND ONE MORE VERY IMPORTANT THING ON YOUR LIST,!
C.H.O.C.O.L.A.T.E for mom!! Lots and lots of chocolate! Eat it.....bathe in it.....use it as a moisturizer!! It will do wonders!
Hugs and love!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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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