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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Hi everyone. I'm so glad to have found this site. My dog Winnie went through amputation on Tuesday. I'm picking her up this afternoon. I've been devouring the books and advice. Here's my question. Winnie usually sleeps downstairs - or sometimes goes up and down throughout the night. I was planning to sleep downstairs with her but one of the books said to do what's normal. Should I sleep in my bed and leave her down there alone? Or is it too early for that type of normalizing? Lost. Thanks for reading. - Alison
Hi Alison,
Welcome to Tripawds, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I only have a sec- but I would sleep downstairs with your pup... you should make everything as normal as possible- but this is a major surgery so you might want to keep a close eye on her for a few nights. I slept on an airmattress on the floor when my pug came home from surgery.
Tell us more about Winnie- why the amp? are you dealing with cancer? What kind of pup and how old? I saw you started a blog but I haven't had time to read yet.
Let us know how she is doing when you get home.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Welcome and best wishes for Winnie's speedy recovery! Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
Confinement is key to a safe recovery, so you definitely don't want Winnie wandering up and down the stairs. Many members sleep next to their healing dogs, but unless this is something you normally do it may only reinforce the belief that something is wrong. Yes, we all want to comfort our pups, but keep this in mind: In the wild, dogs will leave the pack to heal on their own in the event of injury or illness. Often, they will find a safe secure place to heal on their own.
The advice in the Tripawds e-books came from a certified rehab vet who suggested a little "tough love" can go a long way to help speed recovery. And with that being said, every dog is different, as are all of our individual relationships with them. Focus on healing the body first, and do what you feel is best for Winnie.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Awwwww, sorry you and Winnie are having to go through this!
You are not alone and we are all here to help anyway we can!
This is just my 2¢ worth, okay? Happy Hannah was always used to sleeping with me upstairs...we BOTH loved it! Needless to say, the rear leg amputation took care of tht for awhile. In her case, she wanted me by her side and I slept downstairs with her by her side on a well blanketed floor for weeks. For me, we adapted to the "new normal" of recovering from a major surgeryPain meds can make a dog a little whacky, as can just the pain also. I fou d that being by her side and petting her, reassuring her when she was pacing and whining, seemed to help her some.
I don't know how larger...or small ...Winnie is. If she's a large dog, I HIGHLY recommend the Big Barker Dog Bed. You can order from the Amazon link here and that helps out the tripawd site. Anyway, as far as I'm concerned it's the tempurpedic for dogs. Hapoh Hannah, 120lb. Bull Mastiff has had hers a year now and moving forward (kocking on wood) and it has not lost it's shape one bit! It supports her sjoints and s firm enough for her to stand on with security and co fidence. Anyway, poi t I wanted to make...I slept "half" on it with her and was very comfy!
Just follow Winnie's lead....she'll let you know what she needs. Every dog is different an you kow your sweet girl the best.
YAAAAAAAAAY! WINNIE IS COMING HOME AND SURGERY IS OVER
You may feel overwhelmed at first s please stay connected to us, okay? Just look i to her drug glazed highs snd praise her a d kiss her and watch her tail wag! Heck, don't even look at the incision, she isn'tz!!
PLEASE update us when you can!
Healing hugs to all!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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 guess I didn't hit save earlier but I wanted to say from one Alison (also with 1 L) to another - good luck! My dog, Shelby, is 8 days post-amp and it's been an interesting experience. Each dog is different as I have learned but I would agree with the tough love approach. Maybe Winnie can sleep near you and close off the stairs for comfort so she doesn't wander? I have a one bedroom apt and Shelby does roam but she doesn't have much space to roam. Recently, she has taken over my bathroom as her 'den'... They pretty much let you know what works and what doesn't for them! Good luck with your journey. This website has been a Godsend for me. Feel free to post all the time. Lots of collective knowledge here!
Alison (and Shelby)
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Good luck from us too - our greyhound Eva is now just over a week post-amp. It's quite a worrying time, but it didn't take us long to see that it was much better than when she was in pain from a cancerous leg.
There is loads of helpful info on here - different dogs experience different things and recover at different rates, so you will find somebody who has encountered exactly the same problems as you. Hang in there and take one day at a time.
How are things going?
I "replied" to your blog, but it says "waiting moderation"...
Also, Buckleberry, if you're reading this, it said the same thing on your blog....
Let us ow if we can help you during Winnie's recovery, okau?
Hugs!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
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