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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Hi everyone!
My name is Ute (like the Ute Indians). I am a ten year old Siberian Husky. I was diagnosed with having osteosarcoma in my right hind leg about two months ago. My mom decided not to pursue chemotherapy and is instead taking me to a vet who is trying an alternative treatment. Last week I had a chest x-ray, and luckily, no lumps were found. So...Friday is my big day. My mom's VERY nervous about the surgery and would like to know how she should best prepare for me when I come home. She's really hoping that after I recover from the operation we'll be able to start taking walks again and hopefully I won't be in so much pain anymore.
Thanks!
Ute
P.S. My mom thinks this is such a great website and has been telling everyone about it.
Ute said:
My mom thinks this is such a great website...
Thanks! My people will appreciate that!
You will find loads of advice throughout these forums. Just browse around or search for any specific concern. The most important thing is for your humans to remain strong. Because as you know, we pack animals tend to follow lead.
Tell them not to woory, prepare for the worst, and hope for the best. If you have hardwood or slippery floors, they may want to consider putting down runners so you don't slip and fall while getting used to hopping around on three legs.
A harness will definitely come in handy for getting in/out of cars and up/down stairs, but not until your stitches are healed. Until then, a soft towel slung under the belly can provide extra support if needed. And that's a big IF. You'll be fine I'm sure.
Best of luck and thanks for joining the pack!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Ute!
My name is Darcy and I had my front right leg amputated on the 16th October 2007 because I too had osteo. In preparation for my homecoming (which in my case, was the day after my surgery) my pawrents made a big squashy bed area in the living room and because I have lots of dog brothers and sisters, they put a barrier around it so that they couldn't come and bug me or try to lay down with me. Mum prepared lots of bedding in case of accidents (which I did have as I wasn't keen on getting up for a few days as I am rather lazy...and stubborn) and also in case there was any leakage of anything from my wound site (which there wasn't).
They also got a make-shift harness ready, in the form of a soft towel, so that it could be put under my chest and held by a pawrent when I was escorted out to the garden. This helped me with my balance until I felt confident to do it without help.
Also, my Mum did lots of food shopping and got in plenty of dog food etc so that she didn't have to go out and leave me for a few days.
My Mum says that I should recommend that your Mum buys (for herself) some of that Bach Rescue Remedy because it can help if your Mum is feeling anxious/stressed once you come home. My Mummy slurped a lot of that in the early days.
I'm sure the others will chime in with ideas of their own too so I'll sign off now.
Me and my Mum send you and yours lots of love for the coming days.
Darcy Deerhound.
Darcy – tripawd since 16th October 2007.
***Darcy would love to be your friend on Facebook - just search for Darcy Deerhound***
Thanks Darcy!
My mom will do her best preparing a comfortable area for me to rest and recover. She'll look into a harness for me for later. My mom says it sure is comforting to hear from other pawrents who have gone through this and is grateful for the support!
I'll let you know how it goes!
Thanks again!
Ute
Boy, Jerry and Darcy Deerhound really have some good advice. I might also mention that, if you have slick or hardwood floors, that Paw Wax is also very helpful to prevent you dog from slipping. I have links to sites that sell several different products if you are at all interested. Good luck Friday! and, thanks for telling us you'll keep us posted. Everyone on this site genuinely cares about you and your dog, Ute's, welfare. Love, Blazer, Kitty Kimber & Mom (Vicki T)
Thanks Blazer and Kitty Kimber (and Mom)!
I'm in pretty good spirits this week so that's making things easier on my Mom. If you have time, maybe you could let her know about those websites for the Paw Wax (whole house is hardwood floors/tile kitchen). I'll probably spend most of my time recovering in my "room" (enclosed back porch room), but it would be nice to visit Mom and Dad inside when I'm up to it.
My Mom's trying to figure out how to get my picture up on Tripawds so you can see what I look like.
Thanks again!
Ute
Hi, Ute! I'd be more than hoppy to give you those links for Paw Wax: Furlongspetsupply.com carries Excel Paw Wax:
also, another great place to order pet products and they are really fast is Arcata Pet
When you go to arcatapet, you'll need to do a little work to get to the Paw Wax products, but it's easy: click on Dog Supplies on the left hand column and in the Pet Supplies search box, just type in Paw Wax and it will show they offer 2 different products: Shaw's Paw Wax & Four Paws Paw Guard Paw Wax.
There's another product, also, which may interest you. They're called Paw Pads from PupGearCorporation.com. This is what PupGear says about their Paw Pads.
"Engineered to provide traction for dogs without impeding their natural movement. Paw-Pads™ Self-Adhesive Traction Pads are excellent for both active and senior pets. Slip-Not™ is a textured ultra thin neoprene fabric that provides excellent traction on hardwood, tile, marble or vinyl floors or any slippery surfaces. Ideal for older dogs with hip dysplasia and arthritis. Or dogs recuperating from hip or back surgery. Lightweight, breathable, water and chemical resistant. Non-toxic, hypoallergenic, medical grade adhesive."
I hope these products help you out! Your friends, Blazer, Kitty Kimber & Vicki T
Hey Vicki, thanks for those great links. Funny you mention Arcata Pet...we used to live in the same town as the owners. In fact, the owner, Don, was responsible for teaching my pawrents about satellite internet systems for RVs. They have one on their RV, and Don taught Mom and Dad a lot about it. Enough so, that we got one too, so we could hit the road! Don and Arcata Pet are good people!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
All the best to you Ute with your surgery. Please let us know how you do.
One last thing to put in stock. Many dogs have appetite problems after surgery. I would add a few "goodies" to your dog food supplies. Things that Ute absolutely loves and special treats to tempt him with while he recovers. Even if Ute doesn't lose his appetite he definitely will appreciate the extra goodies.
Hugs
Connie & Radar
Oh my gosh, Jerry, I had no idea you knew the owner of Arcata Pet. Small world, indeed! They have always been really good (and fast) about shipping orders to me; that's why I was more than happy to see that they had not one, but two, Paw Wax products. That's really neat to hear your story! Love, Vicki, Blazer & Kimber
Ute, good luck on your surgery today! If your pawrents can, we'd love to hear how you are doing. Love, Blazer, Kitty Kimber & Vicki T
My girl is going for amputation Nov.5 due to cancer. Although I mostly have carpet, her food dishes are on laminate and she has to walk across the laminate to get outside, so I may have to get something for traction . What I don't understand is exactly what Paw Wax is, and none of the websites make it clear. Is it something like a lotion you put on the dog's paws or a boot type thing? If it's a boot type thing, do I use a new one every time she goes to her water bowl and dishes or outside?
j wagar said:
What I don’t understand is exactly what Paw Wax is, and none of the websites make it clear.
The paw wax that I used was a gentle wax that my Mom rubbed into my paws. It got applied daily to help my paws out.
You may or may not need it. What we do suggest is defintely, absolutely get something to put down on your laminate floors, or move your dog's feeding area. Even a cheap rubber mat, the kind used underneath throw rugs, is better than nothing. The first few days after surgery can be a challenge for a new Tripawd, and one spill can really ruin our confidence. Slippery floors and Tripawds just don't go well together.
We hope everything goes well for you, please keep us posted by starting a new thread in the "Share your Story" thread. Good luck!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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