Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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And this mama is nervous! But as her vets have reminded me, dogs are born w/three legs (the 4th is a spare) AND Shelby was already walking on 3 legs. I think because she's faster now, I am worried about her wound and hurting those remaining legs. The terrier in her has no concept of pacing, slowing down or limitations. This was her face last night. Not that druggy - at all. They did have to give her an anti-anxiety pill for excessive 'drama'.
As I said yesterday, she's moving around on her leg a lot better than I expected to see. Watching her try to pee is interesting (I couldn't tell if she was sitting or peeing). But she will sit down when she's had enough.
I got 2 nights of pretty decent sleep. Have put my workouts on hold this week since I just needed to rest. It's been an emotional week but I am so overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from this community (basically strangers) to my own network of friends; people I don't even talk to that much are invested in this so we're determined to make them proud. Not much else to say this a.m. - off to work and the time to bring 'baby' home. I'm scared - more scared - but we're ready. My apt isn't that big and she'll figure it out. And as usual, turn her nose up at the food served here. Vet food always tastes better! 
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
Oh that's wonderful she is coming home! I understand you so well that you are feeling scared. I remember when I was going to take Penny home. I was nervous that she should be a wreck, I was nervous how my lab Wilbur should react and so on. But when I came to the animal hospital she was standing there in the end of a corridor with a nurse and waving her tail and I almost didn't believe my eyes! Wilbur just smelled a little on her when they met and everything went so well. As we often say here the first two, three weeks can be quite tough, but then for most dogs everything usually goes very well. You shall see you quite fast get used to your new situation and after a couple of months you're not will be thinking so much about that your dog just got three legs. Good luck now and take care and remember you are the best mom for Shelby 
!
Gunilla, Wilbur, Bellis and angel Penny
Cannot wait for the homecoming update!!
No matter what...t will be glotious to jave Shelby ho e! Hard not to fret, we know! But fro tje second uou pick her up from this day forward, just relish in the sacred gift of having her by your side where she feels soooooooo loved
Everything else will fall i to place. Shelby will be so happy to be home!
"Excessive drama? Weeeeeeeell, I guess so! She just had major surgery, a blood transfusion, prior to this to s of tests, five ro ds of chemo,perations a d probably dealing with a fraxture after they xrayed her the other day!! Yeah, she's entitled to 'drama"
Sending yo and Shelby an 'EXCESSIVE" amount of love!
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!
Glad to hear that she will be coming home today. Hugs to you & Shelby. Now the hard work begins 😉 The worry about is it normal? Breathe is the best advice you will get. Its hard to know what is caused from meds & what is just adjusting. Take your time if you are worried post here or call your vet. That is what they get paid for 🙂 We will all help you out.
Hugs
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."
You're right - she has been through a lot but they also know that Shelby can be a bit of a "drama queen" - they can actually tell the difference from 'drug whining" to "drama queen whining". 🙂
I worry mainly about the incision site since it won't be bandaged and I have to make sure it doesn't ooze and stays dry. She's had 2 surgeries before w/incisions/stitches but this seems so much more severe. And I don't want to rush her to the vet for every little thing.
I think, while a lot of people know she's had her leg amputated, there will still be all the "lookie-loos" on the street or the "pitying" or the "poor dog" ... I know it's to be expected but I already am having an emotional adjustment with this - I don't want or need feedback from strangers. Honestly, I have seen dogs w/out limbs and it never occurred to me to ASK a STRANGER what happened. People are weird. AND I am usually the nicest person you will ever meet but I will go bat crazy on anyone who gets in our business.
But thankfully, my friends have been above and beyond supportive. Everyone wants to come visit her and partly that might be morbid curiosity but also I think it comes from a place with a lot of love and support. And I have warned everyone the wound is ugly and bruised.
Few more hours and we start our rough journey to the new normal. I do feel confident our transition will be easier than some since she was already on 3 legs (with a limp) but I don't know what else to expect. I put down some blankets for her and moved all my shoes out of the way so she doesn't trip! Thank you for all the great tips. I saw one yesterday that said to photo her wound daily so I can compare and see how it improves. Any other easy tips like that will be great to know!
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
You're both making us proud! Trust me, she will figure things out and you will be so amazed!
When it comes to life on three legs, you'll want to work with her on rehab exercises just to ensure she's building up enough core strength to keep her strong and injury-free. Our ebook library at Downloads.Tripawds.com has our life after amputation book that you may find handy. Even smaller dogs can benefit from core-strengthening.
Good luck today!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
One other thing I found funny (*maybe I have a sick and warped sense of humor) but when I called to check on my girl and how she did overnight, the on-call doctor was named "Dr. Stump". It was just the added humor I needed to get me through the day. 
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
Dr Stump - brilliant! What an apt name. Shelby looks so cute, and what a bright little face post-amp.
We're quite lucky because our greyhound Eva, who has just had her left hind removed, is fairly laid back and likes sleeping anyway, so she's not inclined to move around.
I think little dogs are often more agile though, so I'm sure Shelby will be fine and get the hang of moving herself around safely.
Good luck!
Dr. Stump
On the sitting or peeing- my rear amp was my little pug Maggie- so she was really low to the ground when peeing to start with and on three she was even lower. I could tell she wasn't sitting though because pugs tend to sit to the side.
During one health crisis or another vet asked me to get a free catch urine sample from Mag, and they handed me that little cup. Well, in the best of times that wouldn't work, and with her tripawd pee stance there was no way. I resorted to using the tray out of my toaster oven and even that didn't have much clearance!
Hope the home coming is smooth and the recovery easy as possible.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
She's home!!!! And zonked out! There is NOTHING better than a snoring puppy. NOTHING! I am guessing she didn't sleep that much while she was there, despite the drugs. But lord knows she got her money's worth in food. She ate a LOT. They said she's a healthy eater!!!! So far so good. She's pooped and peed for me outside. They said she pooped a few times for them too. She weighs exactly the same (24 lbs) so thankfully I am already used to carrying that up and down stairs.
I am still nervous about having her here but she's fine. And I know they wouldn't have let her go w/me if she wasn't OK, right? So I'm going to grab some wine and sit next to her and listen to the best sound in the world and thank my lucky stars that we dodged another bullet! She's got a following and her tagline through all this has been #shelbystrong. Thank you all for the support. 
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
Hurrah...Shelby is home 
They definitely would not have let her come home if they didn't think she was ready.....and she certainly sounds like she is!
Peeing....pooping....and eating....what more can you ask after major surgery, a blood transfusion and ongoing chemo....that pup of yours is certainly a trooper.
Enjoy having Shelby home and if you have any questions....write a post....come into the chat room ....or call your vet....different kinds of help from different "professionals"....those with formal training and those with the lived experience of loving and caring for a tripawd!
Hugs to you both,
Linda and Tucker
You're right... she's been through a lot and comes out as a rockstar! She had her first visitor tonight and is zonked now. Totally sleepytime Shelby! She ate *most* of her dinner but I'm not worried. She didn't drink a ton of water but she never usually did. Otherwise, mom and baby are tired so we're going to hit the hay early (she's already asleep). I think we''re going to be OK. Until she's rested and I have to keep her calm! Oy vey!
Hugs to you all!
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
Yeah, ditto everything Linda said, es
ecialy HURRAH!!
YAAAAAAAAY Shelbyis home!
And good ole DR. STUMP woldn't let her come home uless she was ready!
Yes, she needs her rest and to just be quiet and focus on healing and soaking in all the loving and spoiling you're throwing her way......and I know it's a lot! There will be plenty of time for visitors when she's fee.ing better.
Hope you're already fast asleep ad getting your much needed rest.
Good night and sweet dreams!
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!
Awwww nothing better than being together again. Yep, keep her quiet and resting for a while to speed up the recovery, it really helps.
Hope your night was restful. Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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