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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Some of you may know Sasha's story from other posts but we've been MIA for a couple of months now. She was diagnosed with fibrosarcoma almost two years ago and although we've had the tumor removed several times it continues to return and essentially suffocate her knee causing a lot of pain and making her lame in her back end. After many vet visits and tons of research, we finally accepted that amputation was the best treatment, mostly due to the huge support and community on this site, but still had to figure out financing. As two college students we didn't really have that kind of money to spare and couldn't afford the extra diagnostics that so many of the medical help funds wanted us to do. But graduation, job hunting (and hiring 
), as well as finding a cosigner for CareCredit has left us with enough money to finally banish the cancer leg!
Although it's still a nerve-wracking decision, I am so thankful for the support that everyone on this site has provided. And the Colorado tripawds party was a huge help in realizing that this is the right decision for our girl. You all are awesome!! We have a pre-surgery consultation this afternoon and hopefully will be able to schedule her surgery for next week. I've already scoured this site several times but any specific advice or what to expect would be more than welcome... we're definitely nervous...
It's great to hear from you again!
Oh guys, we know this is a tough thing to go through but we're so glad to hear it's all coming together. We will be here to lean on throughout the recovery journey, you can bet on that.
Our usual recommendation to help calm nerves is to review our Required Reading List, then take a look around your home to make sure she has a good, quiet recovery place. Cover slippery areas with traction (anything from carpet runners to yoga mats will do!) and raise her food bowls. If you need to make arrangements for someone check on her while you're at school/work, take care of that too. Think of all of the questions you may have for the vet in regards to post-op care and medications. Then, breathe and know that she is a very capable strong girl who will do fine as a Tripawd. We don't have any doubt about that!
We'll be here for you, so hang in there. Where is she having the surgery?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hope all goes well with the surgery. Keep us posted on how it goes!
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!
Congrats on graduation and 'hiring'!
I'm glad everything has come together for you and Sasha. Although you know it is the right thing to do the surgery is still nerve wracking and as you know from reading here the first couple weeks after surgery can be tough. But once through that I bet Sasha will amaze and inspire you with how well she does.
Jerry gave you most of the basics. I guess I would add be sure to have something to do on surgery day- it can be long and anxious making while you wait- if you have something planned you can feel a little bit in charge of the day.
Get lots of rest now too- often the first days up to two weeks after surgery are stressful (mostly for the two leggers!). I was to the point with Maggie that I regretted the decision to amputate- she seemed very unhappy and I convinced myself I made the wrong decision. But she came around- on her own time line- and was a happy, obstinate pug for almost 4 more years.
Let us know when the surgery is planned- keep us posted on how Sasha and you are doing.
Karen and the pugapalooza
So glad to hear that things have worked out for you! Jerry mentioned the most important suggestions for traction
, etc. I would also emphasize carrying a list of questions with you because you will forget to ask some things if you don't. And, don't just focus on the obvious questions about the procedure and recovery. Every vet is different and you should find out whether Sasha will be bandaged or if the incision will be uncovered, will she have a drain, where to call if you have an after-hours emergency, which pain meds will she come home with (and should they be given together or separately, with food or without, etc.) If Sasha sleeps on the bed with you, come up with a plan to keep her from jumping on/off (we simply put our mattress in the floor 
)
Good luck with the surgery and recovery!
Lisa
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
I hope all goes well for you in the surgery. Karen's suggestion to find a way to keep yourself busy on the day is a very good idea!!! It can be very stressful. Please keep us posted.
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/
Thank you all so much for the support and tips! We went ahead and scheduled surgery for August 30th and our appt. with the vet went very well. I only wish it was a more black and white decision... At this point it's about pain and quality of life because her life isn't at imminent risk because the cancer is still local after a year. And showing pain is not something she does willing so we're left to put the puzzle pieces together to try and make the best choice. I'll keep you all posted about the surgery and how she's doing...
Please remember that I'm local so if you need anything, contact me. I don't know where you'll be having the surgery done but I'm close to everything at this point. I would be very happy to go to lunch with you on surgery day or just sit with you, if you want the company. And any questions before or after? I am happy to help however I can. You can PM me if you want my phone number. (If you're going to CSU, I can recommend the deli upstairs and the bagel sandwiches!)
Sasha will do great and feel so much better. You're right--stoic dogs hide it well and make us read their minds. But there is no need for her to hide her pain since you love her and want to ditch the pain altogether. I think it's an excellent plan!
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Woohoo Sasha! I bet you can't wait to be free of the pain! So glad your folks are able to get your surgery done! We got 3 tripawd GSDs in da house, all of them rear amps. So don't hesitate to bark up our tree if ya need any help!
We'll be sending you and your folks lotsa Tripawd Power on the 30th. We know you will do grrrreat without that pesky spare leg!
xoxox,
Codie Rae and the OP+1
Woohoo! Tripawds Rule!
Regulator of the Oaktown Pack, Sheriff of the Oaktown Pawsse, Founding member and President of the Tripawd Girldogs With 2 Names ROCK Club, and ... Tripawd Girldog Extraordinaire!
Hooray!! As a recent pawrent of a rear amp (last week), I know it's the right decision! Pain-free is the objective and to see those bright eyes again is the reward.
Best of fortunes.
You guys, gals, and pups all rock!! I can't say that enough! Ben, Sasha, and I are all very grateful for the encouraging words 
I'm sure I'll be poking and prodding for more advice as questions arise but for now I'm filling my spare time showing Sasha all the awesome videos of the rockin' tripawd pooches and prepping myself with post-surgery pics.
Codie Rae, we loved meeting Wyatt and hearing all about your GSD pack! Sasha is our first shepherd and getting to meet other shepherds as well as other tripawd shepherds has been awesome.
And Shari thank you so much for your offer! I'll PM you tonight! We are actually having it done at our normal vet because of cost issues. Although I would have loved to have it done at CSU, I have a wonderful relationship with my vet and know she will take great care of us
I think going with the vet who knows your dog is the best plan, really. I wanted to do that but ours does not have anyone staying overnight, and I couldn't leave Dakota overnight with no monitoring. Knowing what I know now, I probably could have brought him home and dealt with him myself through that first night. Of course, part of "knowing what I know now" means "all the things I learned from going through my dog's amputation," something like a dog chasing its own tail.
How do you get the experience before experiencing it? Never mind.
I'll look forward to hearing from you! You've got some good plans in place and Sasha will be so much better soon!
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Hey all, surgery went well and Sasha's now resting next to the couch with me. She is doing great, peed right away, and loved her first meal since last night. I'll post more tomorrow but now I must attend to the pooch...
Yay! I thought about you this morning, and I'm so glad you checked in. I imagine you'll have a quiet night. I'm hoping for a really smooth, easy recovery. We can already celebrate that first pee!
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
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