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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Well, I meant to write up some posts since I last blogged, but gee, here we are - a tripawd and lookin' good. Mika's surgery went an hour longer than the vet expected ("I knew she was a 100 pound dog, but that was a BIG leg! LOL), and the procedure went swimmingly! She was supposed to come home tonight, but was too doped up to move, soooo the vet recommended keeping her overnight in the crate since she's just sleeping anyway. Hubs and I weren't keen on that idea since they don't have anyone staying there, but we went to go see her and realized that she can use the extra day of rest. She sure was zoinked, tongue peeking out and eyes glazed over, but her ears perked up when we talked to her. Since she was situated with her "good" side facing us, you couldn't even tell that her leg was missing!
I'll write more later on the blog and post a few pics, but I just wanted to pop in to let you all know that she's doing well. Tomorrow will be the hardest day because I know it will be just heartbreaking to see her strugging to stand and walk.
So what does everyone do with the bum leg that's been removed anyway? Mount it over the mantel? Make a giant key chain (a la lucky rabbit foot)? Turn it into a lamp like the leg light in A Christmas Story? Just kidding...but I did tell the vet's assistant she might need a bigger bio-hazard box after seeing the puny little ones mounted on the wall. 
Thanks again one and all for your support and encouragement. Mika is now an OFFICIAL member of the club.
Hugs,
Mari (Mika's mom)
AAwwwww, great news to hear she made it through!
You're sense of humor is funny. I like the leg lamp idea.
Meanwhile, brace yourself, you might just be surprised at seeing how she gets around tomorrow. We all have our paws crossed for the best. Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
jerry said:
Meanwhile, brace yourself, you might just be surprised at seeing how she gets around tomorrow.
Very glad to hear that Mika's surgery went well. Many overdo the activity when the get home, only to be knocked out later. This can get to the pawrent because they feel that it is really a major set back, when in reality it is only normal over excursion getting to them. Above all, we have learned that every dog responds differently so there realy is no "normal". Wishing you the very best and above all hang-in-there.
Spirit Cherry's Bob
YAY! Good news about the surgery! Mine was one of the dogs that overdid it. He was totally unphased by the surgery and was hopping up on counters and running in circles the morning afterwards when I called to check on him. 3 days later, we had to take him back to the hospital because he developed severe abdominal bruising (like, his entire abdomen was dark purple). He was too active and broke some capillaries and his compression bandage pushed all the blood to his tummy. They kept him 2 nights to monitor and keep him on bed rest. The first 2 weeks, they should really only get up to go potty and to eat. Mika probably knows that she needs to rest, and is smart for doing so! As far as the leg, ours was send in for biopsy, so we didn't get it back. Have you considered getting it gold-plated like they do for baby booties and roses? I didn't see that on your list... Best wishes for a speedy recovery!!!
<3 Laura and the Captain
I second and third the motion.............you may be surprised how well Mika will do, it is not the hardest day!! The hardest day is behind her!!
Give her lots of love and attention and treats and tell her that her Tripawd buddies all send get well wishes.
Ginny & Angel Paris
Grateful for every moment we had with Paris…..no regrets!
Honoring her life by opening our hearts & home to Addy!
Thanks everyone! The vet told up that when they came in this morning, they were very surprised to find her standing in the crate! LOL That's our Mika!!
It's a yippy skippy day for sure! Good goin' Mika!
What are we all thinking? We should start our own 'Cash for Clunkers" program! I bet those clunker legs would fetch a fair price on ebay!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
"Cash for Clunkers" - ROFL! Seriously, some whack-o would totally buy them. I wonder if ebay has any kind of ban on selling used dog legs...ha ha ha!!!
We're going to pick her up in a few hours and I'm excited! 
I am so glad that Mika is doing well. The first two weeks can be challanging but what a relief to have the amputation over with. Sorry I can't think of anything clever to do with that leg. After Emily died I horrified my sons by telling them we should have had Emily's leg preserved and reattached by a taxidermist. I thought a three legged stuffed Emily would fall over more. They have no sense of humor. I was only kidding, you know.
Debra & Angel Emily (She had a sense of humor.)
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
I still chuckle at Debra's mention of wanting to have run over Emily's leg so it would have been removed. Emily wouldn't have gotten cancer without the leg! (not sure Emily would have had a sense of humor had it happened!)
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Mari--
Awesome post. Harrumph, I may have competition in the 'finding humor in a dark place' department. But its healthy.
I'm glad Mika (rhymes with Tika!) is doing so well. Tika's big ole haunch was sent off for further diagnostic testing when she was amputated, of course we had the thoughts: how does it go? FedEx/UPS/carrier pigeon?
Tika had the stick your tongue out thing going also, she did great coming home, we left her at the hospital after my visit to get the house ready for her. I'd suggest when you get home, do a walk around with Mika and let her re-evaluate things. Tika had problems with meds and for some reason nights, and I've seen that mentioned with others.
So from Spirit Tika, I don't like visiting hospitals when they do choppy leggy off things!
Kim and Spirit Tika http://www.tika.....ogspot.com
Oh Kim, what a picture! Too cute.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
hmm I think I wondered about the leg for a couple of seconds and then couldn't bear to think about it anymore at the thought of having to be the poor vet and going though that. I know our vet sent a sample of the leg to have it tested to determine the exact type of cancer, which was oesteosarcoma. But when she said a piece I then realised that once it was removed she then had to get a sample and that was enough to make me queezy. Hmmm there are things I hate to have to do in my job but I would hate to be a vet with amputations and having to put down animals. I guess like any job you would have to learn pretty quick to cope with it.
As for humor my girlfriend's Christmas present for me last year was a cutting board that had labrador retrievers on it. As I opened it her partner hadn't seen it yet and his comment was "You got Storm a cutting board when her dog has just had his leg cut off this year" My poor girlfriend had not even thought of it like that so we all had a good laugh and I assured her in no way was I offended as she felt terrible.
Well we hope Mika a speedy recovery. And welcome to the Tripawd Club Mika!!!!
Keep us posted with everything. I posted some tips on Henri's post that may help also.
Storm and Koda
The cutting board thing is kinda funny in a morbid sort of way!
Hey, a sense of humor sure helps when you're coping with being a new Tripawd pawrent, don't you think?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
The cutting board thing is kinda funny in a morbid sort of way!
Then there is something seriously wrong with me, because I didn't think 'kinda', I thought it was a hoot and did a for real LOL!
Love the Tika Tongue shot!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
1 Guest(s)
