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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Hello. Today my 13 lb Jack Russell Hazel is having her rear right left amputated. We are completely new to this and are wanting to do all the recovery and care nesscessary to have her recover. We are located in northern Indiana. I was curious as to if there were any therapy centers up here that would help us strengthen her muscles and ability to love life.
Hi Hazel and Family, welcome. Your future posts won't need approval so post away and tell us all about your pup. Why is she losing her leg? How old/young is she?
You are asking all the right questions and are off to a great start! Most us us were all new to this at one point too, so we understand how overwhelming this can feel. If you'd like assistance navigating the Tripawds community, start here.
Also be sure to hop over to Jerry's Required Reading List and check out our e-books, especially Loving Life On Three Legs . It has lots of tips about living the best life possible on 3 legs, including suggestions for rehabilitation therapy. And speaking of, do check out these posts about rehab for Tripawds, and when you're ready, hop on over to this directory to find a certified rehab practitioner near you.
Best wishes to you and Hazel. Keep us posted on how today goes!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hazel is going to turn 3 August 1st. On Saturday, we noticed her playing outside with our other two dogs. All of a sudden she came crying and hiding under us and we noticed her leg was completely broke. We rushed her to our veterinarian where there said the dislocation was so bad that it had tore all the tendons, ligaments and muscle and there was nothing supporting it and that the joint would be constantly popping out and she would be in pain for the rest of her life. That's when they gave us the option to amputate or refer her to a orthopedic doctor where they would fix it but she would drag the leg the rest of her life.
Hi Anna,
Be sure you are logged in before you post- that way your posts will not have to wait for approval.
My current Tripawd is a small puggle named Elly, she is missing her right back leg. I adopted her last October, she had been hit by a car when she was 7 months old and her owners surrendered her to a rescue group. Elly will be 1.5 years old at the end of this month and I can tell you that nothing really slows her down.
She weights about 16 pounds and is 10 to 12" at the shoulder. She flies up and down the stairs, digs holes, runs and plays. She can even 'sit pretty' with a little balance help from me.
We work every day on her core strength and balance through puzzles, games and obedience. I don't let her walk too far, but then she is part pug so doesn't need a ton of exercise. Being so young though she is pretty energetic- I find the food puzzles and games are a great way to feed her while challenging her body and mind.
You are on the right track asking about a rehab place- once Hazel is healed up they can help you design a program to keep her fit and strong.
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 for the advice. I will have to try the puzzles. I just got word from the vet that she is in some pain tonight and they have tried to get her up and moving but she just falls over. Praying for a better day tomorrow because I just can't see her in pain. I'm hoping once she gets home things will change with her.
Hi Anna,
Be sure you are logged in before you post- that way your posts will not have to wait for approval.
My current Tripawd is a small puggle named Elly, she is missing her right back leg. I adopted her last October, she had been hit by a car when she was 7 months old and her owners surrendered her to a rescue group. Elly will be 1.5 years old at the end of this month and I can tell you that nothing really slows her down.
She weights about 16 pounds and is 10 to 12" at the shoulder. She flies up and down the stairs, digs holes, runs and plays. She can even 'sit pretty' with a little balance help from me.
We work every day on her core strength and balance through puzzles, games and obedience. I don't let her walk too far, but then she is part pug so doesn't need a ton of exercise. Being so young though she is pretty energetic- I find the food puzzles and games are a great way to feed her while challenging her body and mind.
You are on the right track asking about a rehab place- once Hazel is healed up they can help you design a program to keep her fit and strong.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Deep breaths...B R E A T H E...B R E A T H E.....You've been through a lot these last 24/48 hrs. This is a scary time and you are overcome with uncertainty and doubts. We all understand and we are right here with you.
You are doing the absolute best thing for your Hazel! Btw, love the name, especially for a feisty JRT! One surgery, a couple of weeks of recovery, and Hazel will get on with life just fine! All too often we see cases here where, after failed attempts to "save a leg"'with multiple surgeries, lots of pain, infections, etc. amputation ends up being the best solution.
Most likely the failed attempt to stand right now are due to all the surgery, pain meds and coming out of anesthesia. Many dogs dont stand right away and take 24'hrs or more to get their "sea legs".
The main thing right now is to keep Hazel's pain managed. She will most likely come home with Tramadol, Rimadyl, and antibiotic and possibly Gabapentin. It can be kind of tricky staying ahead of the pain, so keep a good journal.
You have some great links from Jerry to review. Just make sure you have non-slip scatter rugs for traction if yoy have hardwoods. Hazel will need complete rest and just go out for potty breaks.
Keep ple tynof Hazel,s favorite foods around. The meds may mess with her appetite for a few days. She may not poop for a few days...no biggie. Peeing is important though.
When you pick Hazel up, don't even bother looking at her incision! She sure isn't! Just look into her druggy eyes and tell her what a good girl she is and much you love her!
Stay cconnected! You are not alone, okay?
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!
Hazel got to come home this morning. She seems to be doing better than us. They gave her 3 medicines, 2 pain pills and an antibiotic. We are to do hot and cold compresses and limit her activity for 14 days. She stopped in at my work after her Daddy picked her up and she got so excited she tried to run to me but slipped. She was wagging her tail and so excited to see me. All I could do was see the huge incision where the leg used to be. I have worked at a veterinary clinic up until 2 years ago and had been very familiar with dogs with three legs but you never expect it to be yours and forget every you have told clients over the years. It's like I'm numb and frozen.
Hoooraaaay for Hazel's Homecoming!
Those are perfect instructions the vet gave you! Bravo to a great clinic. And what a lucky girl to have someone in the vet care field as her caregiver, that's so cool.
Don't worry, the more Hazel returns to her normal self, the better you'll feel about the whole situation. Yes, they always do better than humans.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Let's be honest. The fresh incision is shockingly ugly. But the great thing about dogs? They don't care if they're ugly, and we don't love them for their looks. 🙂 It will take time to get used to her "new look." I'm maybe a week ahead of you in this whole process and I still have trouble with it sometimes. I just take a deep breath and remind myself that Sadie is not her leg. She's so much more, and none of that was touched by the amputation.
Hint - the fur grows back, and then you barely even notice the missing leg! 
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
She has been home for over 4 hours and all her dad has did was hold her. Hopefully when I get home I'll take her outside to the garden with me and lay on a blanket and pick strawberries.
WELCOME HOME HAZEL!! 🙂
Yeah, as Christine said, once the fur grows back you'll forget there was ever an incision!'' They shave soooo much fur!
You may have some ups and downs fora week or two, so stay connected.
Let us know when she poops! We celebrate anything around here!
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 sure wish I could download a video on here. I put Hazel down on the ground tonight after taking her outside in a blanket. She took off trying to run. It was the most amazing feeling to see her just breaking loose through the pain and trauma she has been in. She has taken all of her pain medicines for the night and has zonked out for the night I hope next to me. She still hasn't had a bowel movement but has urinated.
We can't wait to see it. The best way to embed a video here is to first upload it to a hosting site like YouTube, then paste the video URL into a post on a line by itself.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I thought Mona's incision was a thing of beauty - very neat and tidy and CANCER FREE! - that darn tumour was gone with the leg. I loved cleaning the incision, putting heat and cold packs on. Mona loved the cold the best. She would even lie down on her incision side on cold tile.
It's so great that you'll be able to cuddle and hold your little Hazel while she heals. Sounds like she's got it figured out. Happy healing.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
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