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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First, we are so glad we found this website! This week we adopted Chester from the SPCA (Gander, Newfoundland Canada). He was taken from his home after a complaint. Someone noticed he was not using his right rear leg. Apparently, Chester was hit by a car and the leg was broken at the hip and the owners did not do anything about it so the leg never healed properly and the only option was amputation. So we adopted the little guy and paid for his surgery (with many kind souls donating as well). We are truly blessed to have him in our lives! He is a Terrier mix and approx. 10 months old.
He had his surgery on Thursday and we picked him up yesterday. He is on antibiotics and pain meds. He is drinking and eating without any issues...our main concern is that he is not going pee/poo yet. He did poo at the vets in his kennel. Is it normal for them not urinate after surgery for so long? We take him out every time he gets up to wander a bit but he just wants to sit in the grass 🙁
I want to give a few more hours and then call the vet.
We would appreciate all stories and advice. It is just nice to know there is this awesome community of tripawd parents!
Thanks,
Chester's Mom & Dad
well done you for giving him a home. Not sure about everyone else but Dizzy was toileting normally as soon as she came home. welcome sure there will be plenty of people along to share thier stories
Dizzy diagnosed with osteosarcoma 24 may 2011 amputated same day doing fine hopping around on three legs giving the neighbourhood cats what for
Adopted Terrier Mixes ROCK!! (even 3 legged ones!)
Dr. Monkeybutt-Bunny Vampire Pirate says (fake doctor on my pirate ship):
Delayed pottying after surgery is normal as long he is eating and drinking. Give it a bit more time. The pain meds make tripawds act goofy (they make tripawd pawrents goofy with worry, too).
Some people wait days for their dogs to do their doody after coming home. But as Jerry's vet told us, when they need to go, they'll go. Many pain meds will also cause constipation, and some dogs take longer to get the hang of things.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Chuy peed all over the carpet after his FHO surgery, but he didn't poo for 5 days. Are you sure Chester isn't peeing when he lays in the grass and you just don't see it? That may be the case. 🙂 Not likely that you'll want to get down and sniff the area he's laying in, but you may want to check for dampness with your hand to see. As for pooing, it's normal for them not to go. They will when they're ready and then......Look Out!!!!
Licks & Wags....
Chuy & mom Eleanor
Chuy, showing everyone that Tripawds do everything 3 times better than regular dogs!
Hi Chester's Mom & Dad,
We're glad you found us too. Welcome to Tripawds, you guys are so pawesome for bringing Tripawd into your life!
I'm hoping by now he's urinated but I wanted to add to all of this great feedback that if he doesn't pee in a couple of days I would call your vet. A few dogs have had to had urine manually expelled by a vet before things got back to normal. Usually just 1 visit will take care of this.
Good luck with the recovery, let us know if you need anything else OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I didn't think Coop was peeing either, but one time after he was sitting in the grass, I checked and he was wet so I assumed he had gone! After day 3 he was standing and watering my plants again! But as my vet says, they are there for you and no question is a stupid question! Good luck!
PS Congratulations on adopting him! He is adorable, I wouldn't be able to resist that face either!
Thanks for all the replies...I am happy to report that our little guys is doing his business as normal. LOL...I never thought I would be so happy to see our dog do his business. I can't wait for his sutures to come out (next Friday) and he is off his meds. Yesterday, he met our neighbour's dog and, wow, did he perk up and started to walk a bit more. We kept the visit to a minimum but at least it was some physical and mental stimulation for the little guy. Once again, thanks for this great website...just reading some forums/topics puts our minds at ease.
Cheers,
Chester's Mom & Dad
Oh yaaaay! Let's all do the hoppy dance for Chester! That is great news, keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
…I am happy to report that our little guys is doing his business as normal. LOL
That's wonderful!!!!
Monkeybutt-bunny Vampire Pirate's mom here...
OMG! He is so adorable! Do you have more pics you can post? How big is Chester? Is this your first terrier? Rocket (aka monkbutt-bunny Vampire Pirate) is my first terrier (mix). I was a big dog person but our 3-legged dog, Comet was around 38lbs when her shep mix brother died and we needed something small so she, being 3-legged wouldn't be threatened. We got Rocket.
I'm amazed at how incredibly smart they are! Sometimes they are annoying...because they are so smart!
Bless you for adopting!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
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