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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I seriously can't thank everyone on here enough! I find myself coming back several times a day to reread your posts for Bella and I. You give me strength and hope.
Bella had a good day today. Her night was rough, she couldn't settle and panted often. I of course was right there with her and slept very little as well. We are hoping for a better night tonight.
Bella is continuing to eat somewhat well, and taking her pills like a champ! She loves them rolled in lunch meat, (with no nitrates!) I plan on making her some ground turkey and sweet potatoes tomorrow and hope that goes over well.
I have noticed that her front legs seem to be bowing slightly. She looks like a football player walking, or French bulldog I guess. Is this normal, her way of compensating?
Her incision looks ok so far. It's very bruised, a dark red, which makes it look angry. There's no puffiness. It is warm to the touch but not hot. All in all I think we are handling pretty well.
I will work to get pictures on tomorrow.
I really do appreciate all the help and advice!
Katie & Bella
BEEEELLLLLLLLLAAAAAAA! How did I manage to miss the incredible journey of the WONDERBELLA?!?! She is an absolute gem! How is she doing? Please update when you can! And pictures would also be wonderful! BELLLLLLLLAAAAAAAA....she is ADORABLE.
From her admirers, CharlieBear and EmmaRose at DaBears HQ.
I also had a sleep deprived "overdose." I had all of the meds written down in a log book, and somehow managed to give Otis his tramadol dose 4 hours too early. Panicked call to the vet to make sure I hadn't poisoned him. Fortunately, it gets better. And slowly, as meds drop off, you can get some sleep yourself. I remember being ecstatic when we finished the last 2:00 am dosage of one pill.
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.
Sorry I haven't seen the updates! ugh
So Bella's a little over a week post-op now, right? How is she feeling? She should still be taking her pain meds. I know you said the vet wasn't sending you home with any extra meds, but this is a great time to gain your voice to be an advocate for Bella. Many of us here have figured out how to speak up, how to ask for the things we need for our pets without ruining our relationship with our vet. Hopefully the bruising is getting better.
Murphy always has taken his meds with peanut butter, or anything else lol.
He didn't eat very well after surgery. I cooked some rice and poured chicken broth over it, then added chunks of chicken to it. I think most of us will do just about anything to get them to eat!
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Hey Katie! Ditto here, that's terric Bella is doing well.
As for the leg-bowing....yes Tripawds do compensate by shifting their gait. Building strong core muscles will help keep the altered gait from causing joint stress, so be sure to take activity slow and easy at first, then build up those abdominals over time.
Here's a post about adding images to the Forums. We can't wait to see pics!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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