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
Hello Wonderful Tripod Community!
Tomorrow is Ruby's surgery day. She is a 10 year old, 33 pound, lab/beagle mix. We found out that she has a sarcoma bone cancer in her back left hip. We are not certain of the type of sarcoma cancer because they have only done an aspirate. Since they would have to do intensive surgery to get a biopsy of the area we opted to do an amputation and biopsy tomorrow.
I know that we are doing the right thing, but I am a mess. My fiancé is very confident in our decision and I am getting there. All of the information on this site has helped me so much, but I just can't get past that my baby is going to have major surgery and lose her leg.
Any suggestions you have for keeping calm, and strong during the surgery and the time Ruby will be away from us is appreciated. I work from home and spend all of my days with our sweet baby. I keep telling myself that is why we are doing the surgery to extend her life, but I am still so nervous and sad.
The fear of the unknown has always been a hard concept for me to accept.
From what I have read the first two weeks are going to be a challenge. Is there anything that I must know before bringing home our sweet Ruby?
Thank you fellow Tripawd parents... I could use your support!
Hi Rubyred,
I did see your other forum post, but I will post here......your Ruby is beautiful, love your avatar pic of her!
Please try not to worry too much about your decision to amputate, believe me, we all have had second and third thoughts about it.....and yes, it can be rough for the first week or so, but once they get past the surgery and pain, and pain meds, everything will go so much better. We are always surprised how well our new Tripawds adjust and get around on 3 legs. And it really is ok to be scared......we ALL went through that awful emotion, and in the end, fear is replaced by excitement to get your girl back home to resume your "new normal".
One of the main things to do once Ruby is home, if you do not have wall-to-wall carpet, rug runners are recommended for her traction , or you could get a set of canine traction booties for her as well. Another important thing is raising her bowls to a more comfortable level.....this would be very important for a front amp, such as my Polly was, but still better for a back amp like Ruby will be. Others will be jumping in to post others ideas and tons of support for you and Ruby.
As far as staying calm, we believe in lots of chocolate around here.... Wonderful Sally will give more more instructions for that soon....!! We are all here for you to lean on, so whatever questions you have, just ask.....support is already there for you.
Keeping you and Ruby in my thoughts for tomorrow,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Ruby is adorable! I can see others have already given you great advice in both threads.
Looking at the incision photo gallery is a good idea to help you know what to expect. Also, find out what pain meds your vet will send Ruby home with when she's ready to leave the surgery center.
You may want to order a soft cone or inflatable cone instead of the traditional 'cone of shame .' And since she may not have much of an appetite coming home, make sure to have some of her favorite things handy.
We'll be keeping fingers and paws crossed for Ruby and for you! 
Deb and Angel Lexie* Diagnosed at age 13. Tried radiation first; wish we had amputated upon diagnosis (even with lung mets). Joined Club Tripawd April 2014 & Lexie loved life on 3 legs! Advice: Start physical therapy as soon as your vet clears it, especially hydrotherapy if available :-) See Lexie pics here.
Online
Yeah, ditto Bonnie and Deb!
And welcome...and sorry you have to be here....but, under the circumstances, there is no better place to be!
We are all here for you and you are N OT alone!
RUBY IS ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE!!! PRECIOUS!!!
Remeber, Ruby will be flying high as a kite and seeing pink elephants for thr first night at the vets, so you need not worry about Ruby!
You, however, will be a complete basket case!! And yes, as already mentioned, this is where lots and lots of chocolate comes in! Some prefer to drink bottles upon bottles of wine! I prefer a bag of Hershey's Kisses ...some prefer both!!
Id you can, download Jerry's e-books a d Living Life on Three Legs. Another great book...The Dog Cancer Survival Book...you can order that through the A.azon link here.
The most important advice I can give you is stay connected tonus...especially during recovery! Every dog is different...some recover faster than others...some slower.
You will be amazed at how quickly she adjusts to three legs! She may be off her food a bit at first...may not. Stay consistent with the pains meds the vet gives you. This IS major surgery and it hurts!!
When Ruby has her first poop and pee, let us know! Yeah, we celebrate anything around here!!!
When you pick her up, don't even look at her incision...just look straight into those druggy eyes and kiss her and praise her and clap for her!!!
Please update us when surgery is over and, of course, during her homecoming and recovery!!!
YOU are going to do a great job! You are doing this FOR your sweet Ruby...not TO her!
Sending lots of hugs..and a chocolate ice cream cone!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle
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!
Thank you all for your kind words. We think that she is the cutest. I love seeing everyones pictures of their sweet furry friends.
We just got home from dropping off our sweet baby Ruby and it was so hard. My fiancé and I are both having a hard time. He just left for work, and since I work from home I am really missing my sweet baby. I know that she is in good hands and will be home soon, but this waiting is very difficult.
Lots of prayers will be said today.
When does the crying and guilt feeling stop? I know that we did the right thing, just having trouble with that reality.
I was able to stay calm and not cry in front of her this morning, I kept telling her what a good girl she was, and she really did look so happy.
Putting positivity out there and knowing that the lord will assist in all of this.
I have looked at surgery site pictures and I am currently reading the ebook. Thank you all for your thoughtful words. I will be leaning heavily into the site over the next few days and weeks to come!
We are all thinking of you today and sending all our pawsitivity. Remember, the first two weeks aren't always a challenge. Every dog is different, so try not to compare her recovery with others, she has her own path and hopefully it will be an easy one.
My best advice to you; remember she is way stronger than you think. Animals are just that way, they are so much more resilient than any human. Take lessons from her, follow her lead. Be strong and know that she will absorb your emotions, so projecting all the pawsitivity you can will go a long way in helping her feel confident and back to normal.
Hang in there! Let us know today goes. And thanks so much for reading our e-book!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi there!
What a beautiful girl Ruby is! My pup Theodore had amputation on Tuesday, so we'll be kind of going through this together. I stayed a lot stronger than husband once we saw him and brought him home on Wednesday, but I think that was because I obsessed and read every article, every forum, and looked at every picture, and my husband just distracted himself with work and wasn't prepared. So stay strong, and read as much as you can and look at pictures while Ruby is in surgery.
Now that we are 3 days in, some things I wasn't actually prepared for that have been hard for me.
- Theo will occasionally let out this really loud yelp out of the blue while laying down, scares you to death. The vet says it's either the pain meds tripping him out or nerve/muscle pain at the amp spot.
- Theo is not eating anything but peanut butter, not sure what kind of an eater Ruby is but this has been tough because we can't even give him his additional meds without something to coat his stomach.
- He pretty much lays around like a blob unless it's time to go outside, so that's been hard to watch. Right now we have him propped up out on the patio so he can get some stimuli.
But with all of that bad, comes a pup who is already running full speed ahead when he gets outside, he looks like our happy boy again when he's outside and pain free!
Not sure if Ruby will have any additional troubles since it's in her hip bone, but Theo also had part of his hip removed when he was a year old, and he recovered super fast from that, and it gave him zero trouble his whole life!
Stay strong and pawsitive!!! We're here on this journey with you guys!
Thank you, Jerry! I am trying to remind myself that just like people, all dogs will heal differently. I am so thankful for this site and know that it will be my biggest resource.
Snagglemon - Theodore is so precious! I came across Theodore's story this morning and read through all of the posts. It was so helpful to read through the comments and feel the support.
I appreciate you taking the time to list out what you experience has been. I saw on the other post the he is about the same weight as Ruby (~35 pounds). I know you are a few days ahead of us, but it will be great to go through this journey together. Please lean into me for support or just to chat whenever you need to do so!
Yeah, you'll still cry some for a few days....but they will be tears of JOY because surgery is over and Ruby is HOME
And just remind yourself over and over...you are doing this FOR Ruby...not TO Ruby!
Cont i nue to stay connected here! I held onton every word like it was m y oxygen the first three weeks of Happy Hannah's recovery. This site was m y lifeline and let it be yours!
You are really showing strength and a lot of courage! GOOD JOB!!!
However, it does sound like somebody could use some chocolate!!!!!!
Love and Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Good luck with surgery today- I'll be looking for an update.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Good luck with the surgery. Thinking positive thoughts
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Update.... Ruby is recovering well!!!
They said she did good and is recovering. They had to take her leg, hip joint, and as far as they could go to her spine. More than they originally thought. They got clear margins going towards her front but not as much going to her spine. He said he went as far as he could and we will know more when the biopsy comes back in about a week. He said it was a mess when he got in there and it is good we didn't wait any longer. We pray that he got it all!!!
I just called them and she has already gotten up a few times and hopped outside once to potty. They said she is already getting up good and they have pain under control. We are so proud of her!! She hates cages so I am sure she is going to keep them busy.
Now we wait for her to get stronger.
Thank you all for your prayers and support.
Our sweet girl is soo strong!!
GREAT NEWS!!!!!!! BIG SIGH OF RELIEF!!!!!
You can sleep well tonight...Ruby will be nicely drugged and will sleep well too!!
Just keep things chunked down and take it one day at a time, okay?
Right now it's about gettingnRuby home and startingnthe recovery process. And remember, we are all here for you...and with you!!!
Bring out the ice cream and chocolate!!! Time to celebrate!!!
YAAAAAAAAY. RUBY. RED!!!!!
Hugs and love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle
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!
Great news!!!! My girl, Shelby, hated cages/crates also.
Sounds like a great report ... hope you got some rest. And my other advice, sleep, rest as much as you can before she comes home. Trust me ... you'll need it! There will be ups and downs for the next couple of weeks but sounds like Ruby is going to be another amazing tripawd!
Alison with the Spirit of Shelby fur-ever in her heart (and little Jasper too)
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
Thank you!!! I'm so proud of my girl! I was able to sleep last night and woke up this morning to a great phone call from Ruby's doctor!
Ruby is doing great!! She isn't even acting like she had major surgery. She is getting up great, but having a hard time figuring out 3 legs, and that is only because she is going to fast. The dr said that normally it is the opposite and they don't move. She also said that ruby has so much willpower she is going to do great. They have asked that we pick her up today because they think she will be even happier and calmer at home!
I am nervous about bringing her home so fast but I know that it will help her. She has separation anxiety and hates cages so for as active as she is there, she will be 10 times calmer at home.
We are off to Tripawd proof our house and then we will be going to get her later this afternoon. We feel bad this is not already done but also thought we had a few more days.
Off to the next step in this process! Thank you all for your support!
1 Guest(s)
