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
London had her surgery six days ago, and is doing pretty well. Only issue i am concerned about is she will go outside. Just not to the bathroom. Has anyone else experienced this?
Hi London's Mom! When you said she is not going to the bathroom, i'm assuming number two. If she is not even going number one, that's not good, and it is best to call the vet right away. It does take dogs some time to go number 2 after surgery. The meds and anesthesia will sometimes bind them up. This is a big concern of tripawd owners and we revert back to when we were potty training and get all wound up, falling all over ourselves in happiness and glee, telling the world, when our dog finally goes number two after amputation. Have you tried adding canned, unsweetened pumpkin to her food? That can help move things along. Also make sure she is getting plenty of water. If she still will not go in the next day or so, give your vet a call. I guess we should ask is she not using the bathroom outside but yet will go inside on a puppy pad?
It took Cadence a day or two to go after her surgery. And yes we did do the happy dance when she finally went! 
Cadence Faye: Born 10/30/04, stepped into our hearts 12/23/2004. Rear leg tumor found 7/24/11 by mom and dad, Xray on 7/25/11, Osteosarcoma suspected 7/26/11, amputation 7/29/11, Carboplatin started 8/23. Met free so far!
Yes. Zeus' brother, Merlin, had three knee surgeries in his nine years with us. After each surgery it took him DAYS to go pee the first time and then he only went about once a day for the next couple of days. We hounded the Vet to death about it but he didn't seem overly worried. They said he was particularly sensitive to the anesthesia and it just took his system a while to start up again.
We lived in a different state at the time and I did not love our vet there. I have to say that I was never very happy with that response, so I would certainly check with your vet and see what they say!
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/
I checked with the vet just now, and he told me to up her gabapentin. This is supposed to make her more comfortable so shell walk outside! I just really am worried still after talking to him.
YAY! Right after I wrote my second post! I opened the door, and she sprinted right outside! She went to the bathroom, and is now laying under her favorite tree! 
Hooray for "doing the biz'ness"! We celebrate that sorta thing around here. Treats all around!
She is one gorgeous baby!
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!
Whew! Time to do the POTTY DANCE!!!!
Glad things are moving right along.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
1 Guest(s)
