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. We are very glad to have found this site as we have an 11 year old dog named Roxie that was recently diagnosed with bone cancer. She recently went through amputation of her front right leg and we brought her home two days ago.
Since then she has progressed slowly and the vet said she does show signs of minor arthritis in her hind legs. She is able to walk around for short periods and has her appetite but has not gone pee or poop at all. Today I finally got her out in the yard and she went to go pee and fell flat. We have tried a towel sling to give her support but she doesn’t seem to want to pee when the towel is there. I’m not sure what else we can do and before surgery when she was not really using her bad leg she was able to go potty.
My main worry is that she is unable to figure out how to go potty with this new situation and I know she has the urge as she tried this morning but now seems afraid to try again.
Hello and welcome. I can't blame you for being concerned but hopefully we can help ease your worries.
First, know that Roxie's situation isn't that unusual, especially for a senior gal just two days out of surgery. Many dogs go through amputation even with arthritis. If hers was bad enough your vet wouldn't have felt she was a good candidate so try not to worry about that too much right now. If anything, her lack of balance is because of the pain medication she is on, it could be making her woozy and uncoordinated. What kind of meds is she on?
Tell us more about your girl, like her breed type. Is she at all overweight? If so, that could also be contributing to the lack of balance. Also, how long is she walking when she does go out? It may just be too far for her right now.
In the meantime, if you have a harness like the Ruffwear Webmaster Plus that will help you help her with balance. She may need time to get used to your assistance, so be patient and use lots of treats if she will take them (try hot dogs, cheese, anything super tasty).
Don't worry about pooping, some dogs take a few days for that to happen. You can help move things along by adding canned pumpkin pulp to her food, olive oil, anything to help alleviate constipation.
I hope this helps! Please let us know how things are going OK? We're glad you joined us!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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How long has it been since she peed? If it's been more than 12 hours call the vet. Poop can take several days, the pain meds are constipating.
You can try the DIY Sling to help her, she might tolerate it better than a towel. Can you help her with the sling until she is in the potty spot then take it off? I can't tell from your post if you tried that.
What meds is she on? They may be making her too wonky to stand and pee. Get some pee pads or adult incontinence pads to put under her when she is laying down in case she has an accident.
Don't get discouraged! I know it's hard not too, but you are early in recovery and we have seen here that often the more 'mature' pups take a bit longer to get used to things. Before surgery she was able to pee with the bad leg- she will be able to pee on three. As a front amp girl dog peeing should come pretty easy- that's why I'm thinking the meds are messing with her.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
It took Sophie (also right front amp) a little while to figure out her balance for peeing. She used to hold one back leg up off the ground (not cocked way up like a male dog, but just an inch or two above the ground as she squatted), which of course she can’t do now. Your girl will figure it out!
Just checking in. We known you have your hands full, but update when you can.
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!
Good news! Roxie has gotten her balance and is doing well. She did actually go number 2 shortly after I had wrote my concerns as well as peeing. She has been doing well and she is a German Shepherd/ Golden Retriever mix. She is not overweight as someone had asked. Roxie is doing well and we’ll be going to have her staples removed today. Thank you all
WOW!!! GREAT NEWS!!!!! SOOOO HAPPY TO SEE THIS UPDATE!!😁😁😁
And she'll even feel better with those pesky stitches out. Stitch removal day calls for a cheeseburger on the way home!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too
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!
Fantastic news! What a hoppy update, thank you for letting us know. Here's to the road to recovery!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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