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 everyone. As of yesterday, our Finnegan has become one of the tripawd family.
Finnegan is our 9 year old St Bernard / Mastiff/Rottweiler mix who was diagnosed/confirmed with osteosarcoma in his front right leg on Thursday. After a consult with a surgeon this Saturday we found out he was a candidate for amputation. Because it's such an aggressive cancer we had him go directly into surgery. It was a tough time, as you all know, trying to figure out what to do. But his chest Xrays came back clean, and his lymph node looked normal. Thankfully, he's doing well and will be coming home tomorrow afternoon. He's even getting up and walking around by himself in the hospital kennel. (proud mama!)
We've built a ramp for him for the few steps up to our house, and have a recovery area made up for him in our living room. We've also put anti slip mats all over the house so when he starts to get more mobile he won't loose any confidence if he slips. We also have t-shirts ready for him (2 that say "F#ck cancer") because he really hates the whole cone ring thing. We also ordered one of the ruffwear harnesses which will be here by Tuesday.
For those that have been through this, can you let me know what to expect for the first few days? is there anything I'm missing? I just want to make sure I can do what ever I can for him.
This happened so fast, from diagnosis to amputation... I just... need some support from people who have gone through what I am now.
Thank you in advance.
Hello Finnegan and Family, welcome to Tripawds, the club nobody really wants to join! We're here to help though, however we can. Thanks for registering too, your future posts won't require moderation.
Well, it sounds like you might have read our Required Reading List and ebook, "Three Legs & a Spare" because you've really got your act together as far as preparing for his arrival! Good job Ma! If you haven't read them, be sure to do that because they'll answer a lot of your questions and ease your worries.
We like to say prepare for the worst, and hope for the best. So, worst case scenario is a two week period where the recovery has big ups and big downs. What I mean by that is the downs can range from pain management challenges (you won't know if he's in pain from too many meds or too little), to perhaps a seroma (fluid leakage) and mobility issues. As a large breed dog, we tend to see them have a few more challenges just because of their size and the fact that they're couch potatoes in general, and need more encouragement to get up and around at first. Eventually though they do get it! As far as ups go, he might come home and bounce off the walls, amazing you all, and then sleep for three days because he wore himself out.
Reactions during recovery really vary from dog to do so we tell folks to take things one step at a time. Stay in close contact with your vet, ask a million questions when you pick him up (take something to write with), and if anything feels wrong with his behavior, let your vet know. Use your instincts and you can't go wrong.
Meanwhile, we're here to help so feel free to stop by anytime for support. Finnegan is one handsome pup! Together you are both going to kick cancer's butt!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome Finnegan and family. The diagnosis and amputation usually is quite a whirlwind of emotions and quick decisions. It sounds like you have done a wonderful job of preparing.
Try to raise his food and water bowls to a comfortable level. We noticed with Zeus (also a front right amp) that it made a big difference if he didn't have to bend far on that front leg - at least until he got his balance figured out. If he has long fur between the toes of his remaining feet, try to trim that down to help with slipping.
Make sure his recovery bed is very comfortable but not too mushy or fluffy. Until he builds up his strength, he might have a harder time trying to 'hop' that front leg high enough to overcome it having sunk down into a fluffy bed. Zeus was a nester and loved big fluffy beds that he could sink down into. But, almost immediately after amp he became reluctant to use those. We bought one of the egg-crate style orthopedic beds and he almost always chose to lay on it the first month or so.
Recovery can be tiring, so try to get some rest and good luck!!
Lisa
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
Finnegan has the cutest face. I know how you feel with everything happening so fast. Our Cadence had her rear left leg amputated 17 days ago. She stayed overnight in the hospital and when we picked her up the next day she was up and ready to go. Im not sure how active Finnegan is usually but make sure you try not to overdue it. A couple of times Cadence wanted to continue on her walk and we allowed it. The next day she was very sore and she was out for the next couple of days. I was lucky that I was on vacation and was able to be home with her as she was recuperating. If I had to go out I used an inflatable recovery collar. This was way better than the cone. Most dogs hate the cone thing so this really helped us alot. We were lucky and she never really bothered with her stitches.
I wish you the best with Finnegan and his recovery. Be patient and try to keep positive. Keep us updated on how he is doing. The support from everyone on this site is amazing. I dont know what I would have done without it.
“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.” ― Milan Kundera
Any tips on helping him pee / poop? We have the ruff wear harness but he doesn't seem to want to do anything while we hold him up. I think he's too proud. We also have 3 steps down to our yard, and we built him a ramp, which he refused to use. He's 140 pounds so it's not like we can just pick him up.
I'm sure it gets easier, I just don't think I was as prepared as I thought. It's his first day home, so... Phew. This mama is a wreck.
gilday said
Any tips on helping him pee / poop? We have the ruff wear harness but he doesn't seem to want to do anything while we hold him up. I think he's too proud. We also have 3 steps down to our yard, and we built him a ramp, which he refused to use. He's 140 pounds so it's not like we can just pick him up.I'm sure it gets easier, I just don't think I was as prepared as I thought. It's his first day home, so... Phew. This mama is a wreck.
It DOES get easier, promise!
Have you tried stepping back while he goes potty? He more than likely already has the balancing act figured out. Many times dogs just don't want the help. Try it and see what happens.
As for the ramp, have you tried bribing him to go up with his absolute favorite treats? Just casually walking with treats in your hand while you go up the ramp?
You're prepared, really. It's just the first day, things will get better. Hang in there and ask us anything you'd like, we're here for you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
The vet put a harness on Cadence but we only kept it on for a few days. She did not like using it at all. When she went pee we kept the harness on but did not hold her up. She was able to do it on her own, but her stump and her front leg would get pee on it. She was sqautting down to the ground like she normally would but the stump would end up in the middle of the puddle. It was messy for a week or so but now she has learned not to squat so low.
Finnegan is a front leg amputee so Im not sure about what to tell you. Try not using the harness and see if he will do it on his own. You can always try staying down on one end of the ramp with a treat in your hand and Finnegan might just go down the ramp on his own to get the treat. We did that to get Cadence to go through the doggie door after the stitches came out. Worked like a charm.
“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.” ― Milan Kundera
So glad that all is going well with your handsome boy, Finnegan. My Lily is a front leg amp also, and I totally agree with Lisa-we had a raised water dish and found that her big fluffy bed was not as comfortable for her after surgery. We put several quilts down, and those were easier for her to navigate.
Stay in touch with us, and give Finnegan hugs and kisses!
Joan and Lily
Our beautiful Lily was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her front leg on 12/14/11 at age 8 and had amp on 12/16/11. She completed 5 rounds of carbo. She was so brave and kicked cancer's butt daily! She lived life fully for 4 years, 3 months, and 15 days after her amp. My angel is a warrior princess. I miss her so much.
Glad to hear your boy is back home with you. As for peeing and pooping, I can't say that we had too many problems with that. The meds can cause some constipation, so just be patient and I'm sure it will come (so to speak!). I would also suggest maybe not using the harness right now. Our Max was a left front amp. We didn't use the harness on him until his stitches were out. We would just follow him out in the yard and let him do his thing, standing by in case he couldn't find his balance. Maybe just stand a few feet back from him and see if that helps. As for the ramp, I agree with Jerry; see if you can bribe him to use it with some good, high-value treats. I use a ramp for one of our dogs and our SUV (she's kind of short, and getting on in age). She refuses to use it to get in the car, but she uses it going down. Go figure! Maybe Finnegan will get used to using it one direction as opposed to the other.
Arhhh Finnegan is a handsome boy!
We have a Pyrenean Mastiff (Porthos) who lost his front right leg to cancer 5 months ago.
I tried to help him out side to pee initially by holding a towel under his back end, but I found I was only hindering him, he would charge outside and I would charge right behind him trying to keep up! I agree with the others, to stay near in case he looses his balance but see if he can manage hopping by himself.
As for pooping, I dont think Porthos pooped for about 5 maybe 6 days after surgery, there was a group of us on this forum whose fur babies all had surgery about the same time and we actually had a thread about who would poop first! never thought I would be talking about that on a public forum!
Maybe see if Finnegan will walk on the ramp on a flat surface first, and like some one else said, try putting his favorite treats on it?
You sound very prepared, Finnegan is very lucky to have such caring parents.
I promise you it does get better, hang on in there, our dogs are amazing!
Porthos sends a big woof! to Finnegan!
Angel Porthos, Pyrenean Mastiff, 7 years old Os front right leg, DX 18 May 2012, Amputation 14 June 2012, Hip Dysplasia, Two TPLO surgeries. Is now somewhere over the rainbow, 21 November 2013.
Welcome to Tripawds, Finnegan is beautiful!
I was on the other end of the size spectrum with my pug Maggie, and she was a rear amp. She figured out how to pee pretty quickly, but it took about 6 days before the first BM. She was little, but stubborn, and would not poop or pee with me trying to help her balance, she would just sit down, so I let her figure it out on her own. It was very difficult for her to poop as she had this spinning thing she just had to do. The first few days she would try and spin and fall down and then just stare at me- geeze I felt so bad! Amazingly by day six she could spin and pivot on her remaining back leg- and that part of her life was back to normal.
I built several ramps and sets of small stairs for her over the years, none of which she ever used. She could do the couple stairs up to the back deck and into the house on her own though.
Hang in there- the first couple weeks are filled with stress, and not enough sleep and everything seems way worse than it is. You guys wiill get through this like we all did, and soon Finn will be amazing you. However the gray hair is yours to keep!
Karen and the pugapalooza
gilday said
Any tips on helping him pee / poop? We have the ruff wear harness but he doesn't seem to want to do anything while we hold him up. I think he's too proud. We also have 3 steps down to our yard, and we built him a ramp, which he refused to use. He's 140 pounds so it's not like we can just pick him up.I'm sure it gets easier, I just don't think I was as prepared as I thought. It's his first day home, so... Phew. This mama is a wreck.
Hi Finnegan and family! Sorry to say welcome but you are in the right place! My Pixie became a tripawd in late October and it has been up and down, but definitely more and more UP! The folks here have helped me more than I can say!
My male GSD, Jake, was 98 pounds and sometimes needed help going outside in his last few months with us but he was very proud and independent and hated having to be helped. I used the harness to get him stable then let him be to do what he needed to do as much as I could. It took a while sometimes, but eventually his need to go won out over his pride. He initially hated the ramps we installed, too, but some back to basics dog training with his favorite treats got him loving the ramps really fast! The ramps really extended his life, both time and quality!
I found a few spoonfuls of plain old canned pumpkin (NOT the pumpkin pie mix) helped both Jake and Pixie when constipation from pain meds or inactivity became a problem. It's a good source of nature fiber and was recommended by my vet. But, of course, check with your vet before doing that.
Hang in there, handsome Finnegan, it will get better!
UCD Jake CD CGC - aka Jake D Dawg, gone over the Rainbow Bridge on 5/10/09 at age 16 1/2. There will never be another Jake. <3
UCD Dawnee's Brooklyn Treasure CD CGC - aka Brookie my right hand girl, developed Hemangiosarcoma and went over the Rainbow Bridge on 1/2/11 at age 14 1/2. Always in my heart <3
Resqdogs Justa Lil Pixie - My sweet Pixie, diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 4/10/12, tripawd since 10/25/12 <3
Hi to Mama and Finnegan. Sorry you had to find us here. Looks like you've gotten some good advice already. Hope things are going ok with his recovery. It can be tiring and a bit of an emotional rollercoaster.
Hang in there!
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
You are already ahead of the game! Being prepared is a huge advantage when bringing a pet home from any type of major surgery. Keep a close eye on the incision and if anything seems off call the vet! The vet will not be bothered by any questions you have, and will be happy to give you peace of mind!
As for going to the bathroom: Most tripawds figure it out their own, and they usually figure it out pretty quickly. The best thing to do is let them do their own thing, but stand close enough to them for the first few days that you can catch them if they start to fall.
As for ramps: It seems that for rear amps, going down is hardest, and for front amps, going up is hardest. Either way, it is a new experience and a balancing act. Getting them used to walking on the ramp while it is laying flat is a great suggestion, but not all ramps will lay flat. The real key is patience and being positive. Treat it like they are learning a new trick, give them lots of praise for even the smallest thing. Start with treats and praise for them just putting one foot on the ramp. And then slowly progress to all three feet, then slowly to taking a step. Don't expect them to pick it up all in one training session, and when they (or you) start getting frustrated don't push it, just move on with daily activities. Make sure that when they are first starting out that you have a spotter that is there to catch them if they start to fall. It is important that they build confidence that they can overcome the obstacle, and if they fall and hurt themselves in the early stages, they may stop trying for good. If they eventually seem more comfortable going up vs down, go with the flow and give them extra praise and treats every time they use it. If you are having an especially hard time, look into contacting a trainer that is experienced with training dogs that run agility (if you have ever seen dog agility, one of the obstacles is a A frame, which is a huge ramp!)
Good luck with everything, I wish Finnegan a smooth recovery!
Wow, You guys are just fantastic! This is such an amazing group of people. You've brought tears to my eyes from your compassion and advice for my boy. And, yes, I think he's very handsome too! The St Bernard/Mastiff/Rottie is just such a great combination, but I might be a little bias. 
To update everyone on his progress, he's doing remarkably better every day. It does get better! (thanks Jerry!) I have to admit, that first night home was tough. But, we used your advice on the ramp, and now he's using it like a boss. I think he realized after the first time he really used it was that it was so much easier than those pesky stairs. We had our first poop yesterday afternoon, (victory dance, right? ha! ) and he's becoming more and more steady on his feet.
He doesn't mind the Ruffwear harness at all, and I think because of his size the front strap never interferes with his stitches, so we keep that on him when he goes outside for extra stabilization and support. I'm finding that I just don't know when to NOT let go of him and just have him on leash. I'm an over-protective mom, i guess. When did you guys let them walk a few steps on their own, for example, in your living room? Are you just using a leash while they hop outside (after the first few days, of course)? He might be feeling and acting like he's good to go, but I don't want him to stumble, or loose confidence.
We're just consistently telling ourselves that it's a learning experience, for both Finn and Us, and he's only going to get better, each day.
Again, I can't thank you enough for your thoughts, and taking the time to read my posts, and offer advice.
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