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 am new to this sight although my vet mentioned you to me quite a while ago. My beloved 11 year old golden retriever Finnegan lost his front right leg to cancer two weeks ago to the day. I am scared and really not sure what to expect and could use some words of wisdom from others who are ahead of us in this journey. Physically Finn is healing well. His stitches come out tomorrow. I was told to limit his activity until the stitches come out so I have been. I am so concerned about his spirits. He is down to one trimodal a day and I was told that he would perk up but I am not seeing perk. He is going in and out to the bathroom and I am so proud of him but I don't see HIM in his eyes. I am scared that I should have left him the way he was. I thought I was doing the right thing for him and I am hopeful that I did. I guess I am suffering from the blues a little myself. Yesterday I took him for a ride in the car and he seemed to like it so I did it today and he just laid in the back seat the whole time. What should I be expecting from him at two weeks. What have others who have gone through this with an older dog experienced. Any ideas to perk up his spirits. Finn has always been a very serious boy. He has never been into toys or fetch. Sometimes I can get him to play fight but I haven't wanted to get rough with him. We have always played a game where I try to kiss his nose and he does all he can to hide it from me...coming back for more when I give up... but he so far is uninterested in that. Once I get the stitches out how hard should I push?? Any advice or encouragement would be appreciated.
Welcome to you and Finnegan,
I think many here have been EXACTLY in your place, wondering if they did the right thing when their dog does not improve as fast as we think/hope they should. Every dog has their own time line. Some dogs take one day (like my 2 yr old Labradoodle, lol), and some dogs take 4 weeks, sometimes even a little more.
But I really have no doubts that Finnegan will be back to the boy you know and love very soon. Two weeks is really early after a major surgery like a limb amputation, especially as they get older. The fact that he is able to get up and go out for his potty breaks is excellent!
I don't think I've ever talked to someone that has gone through a limb amputation with their dog regret it in the long run. Is he better at 2 weeks than he was at 1 week? Just watch for the little signs of progress. He'll get there!
Please keep us posted on his progress!
Right hind limb amputated 7/3/12 for OSA, started on alternating cycles of Carboplatin and Doxorubicin and oral Palladia. Single lung met 9/1. Met in the neck muscle removed 9/30. Large mass in sublumbar lymph node 10/2. Rescue chemo with ifosfamide 10/6. Mets to the rib and axillary lymph node 10/21. Started Leukeran and Pred 10/25. Wookie left this Earth for a far better place on 12/4/12. I miss you, Boo, you were my heart.
Welcome to Tripawds- your future posts will not require moderation.
Wow- you are describing me and my pug Maggie at two weeks post op! Mag had her amp before Tripawds was here- I was SURE I had done the wrong thing. She had no physical complications, and was off all the meds in about 2 weeks. She was one obstinate pug who did not deal well with change to her routine. It was at least 4 weeks before I started to see a little of her personality come back, and still a couple more after that before she would play with me. It took me a long time to realize that taking her time to get used to the amp was really her personality!
Many dogs you read about here are back to their old selves in two or three weeks. And all my vet told me was that most dogs do fine on three legs- so I was thinking 'yea, most dogs, but not mine!'. The end of the story is that Mag did come around, and was her old self for almost 4 years post op- way longer than her prognosis for mast cell cancer with lymph node involvement.
I think the car ride is a good idea. Maybe take him to different places so there are new and different things to smell. Is he at all food motivated? Maybe some food games if he is. What really worked for Maggie was her seeing people she really liked- especially my mom and dad. Mag and my Mom had a really strong bond so Mag liked spending time with her. I also tried to get her back to as much of her old routine as she could. I got her a stroller (she only weighted 17 pounds) so she could go on walks with me and her little quad-pug sis Tani. She really liked going to the park and laying in the grass in the sun (post stitch removal).
Hang in there- stay positive around Finn. I know it is hard, but really two weeks in is pretty early. Don't compare his progress to others- he is his own Dog!
Karen and the pugapalooza
Welcome to you and Finn. Sorry you had to find us here.
Usually recovery is about 2 weeks, but some older dogs take a little longer - sometimes 3 or 4 weeks. Our pup also seemed very depressed during her recovery. One thing that perked her up (well, the only thing really) was if friends or family would stop by. She would cheer right up for them - but not for my hubby or me.
Hang in there. It really is still early. You should start to see him come around pretty soon.
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!
Hi Finnegan and family, welcome. Please thank your vet for telling you about our community, that's wonderful to hear.
OK, so really, I think many many many if not most people have been in your shoes, wondering if they did the right thing, waiting to see that sparkle come back in their pup's eyes. It's not an easy thing for human or dog to go through, but when it comes down to it, if you see at how well he is handling this compared to how well a human might handle it, he's a superstar!
Try to put yourself in his paws, and see the world as he does. He's feeling crappy from being doped up, he's using his body in all new ways, but most of all he's wondering why you keep worrying about him. I think that has so much to do with how a dog recuperates. It's like the famous Cesar Millan saying, be a strong pack leader! Show him that you believe he will get that spark back, and he will believe it too. This video interview with our friends at California Animal Rehab should give you some more insight:
Oh, I wanted to let you know that Wookie is a vet, so I hope her insight brings you even more comfort. It does sound like Finnegan is having a fairly typical recovery, so please try not to worry. Of course if something doesn't feel right, don't hesitate to call your vet OK? And of course you can also come here to vent or just ask for ideas!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi, I also have a golden so I was drawn to Finnegan's picture. My golden was not able to have his surgery because they found two tumors in the chest cavity so surgery was canceled that morning so I cannot give you any personal advice. But I remember when I was immersed in this website while waiting for Harley's surgery and there was a golden named Maggie in Texas with a front amp and at one point her owner felt just like you -- discouraged and really questioning his decision. I watched and worried about Maggie and then all of a sudden he posted that she was doing stairs, swimming, running you name it. So keep the hope alive for Finnegan. He's probably just tired and I bet when that snow begins to fall you'll look back and laugh.
Harley is an 8 year old Golden Retriever. Amp surgery for an infiltrative lipoma canceled due to two masses in chest. A rescue, he found his forever home on 3/18/07 and left for his eternal home on 1/09/13. His story and medical history are at http://myharley.....pawds.com/
We are so grateful for the responses so far. Thank You...REALLY! It was just what I needed. I have been keeping the positive energy flowing and to this point have felt nothing but gratitude for Finns excellent treatment. He has had quite a journey. Prior to his surgery he was separated from me for a month participating in a clinical trial 10 hours away from me. After the study was complete the surgery was performed. I didn't really realize fully when I dropped him off that I would be bringing home a tripawd. Finn has been through so much in the past month and a half. I can understand that he is feeling crappy. I am going to try the food games. I am sure he will participate 
GREAT IDEA! He actually seems a little better this afternoon. I appreciate all of you helping to put things in perspective for me. The only thing I have really heard is that most dogs do great with three limbs. No one really had much to say about the recovery. I think this morning I was having a bit of a melt down. I have been keeping positive whether I felt it or not for so long that I just lost it a bit...Sorry. All I care about is him. Now I can appreciate the little accomplishments that he DOES have each day and know that just because he isn't quite himself today doesn't mean I did the wrong thing and doesn't mean that he wont live out the rest of his life fully happy as a tripawd. The last thing the vet said to me when I picked him up was... I think you will have Finn for a good long while and that he will die of something other than Cancer... Now my mission is to make that time...however long it is, HAPPY. Now you all have given me some renewed stamina to be persistent and patient and ... thanks Jerry, I will stop babying him so much and make him get up to eat and drink 
You all are great!!! Thank you!
Hi! I can just agree with others here that during the first two, three weeks you can really be worried about your dog beeing tired and not being happy. But quite fast they go back to theire normal and being happy and running and so on. Sometimes today I'm almost not thinking about Penny being a tripawd. Good luck with the recovery! /Gunilla, Penny and Wilbur
Hi Peggy & Finnegan. It does take some time to get over this type of surgery. You're stressed out, he's stressed out, he's on meds, it can take its toll. Our Max wasn't really "himself" until about 4.5 weeks after surgery. Then we saw the Max we had always known! Sending positive thoughts to you and Finnegan!
Hi! Magnum was exactly the same. We didn't see "her" in her eyes until she was completely off the Tramadol at about 3 weeks and it wasn't until 4 weeks that she really started to brighten up. I'm sure you are going to see your old Finnegan again very soon.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
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