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
OMG - I didn't think she could reach it w/her soft cone collar since she's worn that collar for her past 2 surgeries with no incident but I got out of the shower and saw her mouth on the part that might be a hip bone and I scolded her. It was damp like she had had her tongue on it. I am freaking out. I know they told me that her mouth is filthy and that it shouldn't touch it. But she didn't quite get near her stitches. I am guessing that this was either itching or phantom pain . I gave her a Trazadone to calm her since she's shaking like a leaf (probably b/c she can sense that I am miffed at her).
She gets her stitches out Tuesday. Wondering if I need to go get her a new cone of shame for the next couple of days (the white ones) that will really prevent her from reaching it or if this was a one time occurrence. Clearly the dog is more flexible than me since I really didn't think she could reach that far. I did tighten up the cone a bit so maybe that will keep her from reaching it!
Anyone else deal with this one?
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
Eva is due to have her stitches out on Monday. We've been lucky in that she hasn't tried to lick much, so hasn't needed to wear a preventative collar. She's just started being a bit keener to lick in the past few days - the wound looks quite well healed so I'm not too worried about it. Presumably Shelby should be fairly well healed as well?
Dogs naturally lick wounds to clean them - it's only a problem if it's excessive and stops it from healing, so I would have thought the key time to worry would be for an open wound which wasn't well healed (because then bacteria or whatever could get in).
It is probably starting to itch. Plus, this is about the time that the hairs start to get a bit longer and that itches, too. We never had a problem with Murphy licking, but Gus would start in on his front leg where the IV shave was.
Kathi and Murphy
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Alison,
Breathe deep. Calm breaths. Shelby is a dog with a tail go to a thrift store if they sell boxer shorts buy a couple of pairs if not then go buy some cheap ones at walmart or wherever and slide them on her. Put her tail through the opening on the boxer shorts. That will help so she can't lick it. No reason to go buy another collar when she won't be using it once the stitches are out. Hope that helps. We didn't have to go that route as Sassy wasn't one to lick her wounds. She didn't even wear a collar, I had it but never had to use it.
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."
Boxer shorts! Brilliant. She keeps walking out of them (I had an old pair as a party favor from way back). I'll find a way to keep them more secure on her.
You all are right - her wounds are pretty healed and she does look pretty good. Probably does just itch. She did get upset when I yelled at her for licking. 
But we did get some good outside time today. She likes to fight falling asleep! Too funny.
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 I'm glad you were able to breathe. Don't worry, it happens.
Wyatt Ray has to be double coned whenever he has stitches (which unfortunately seems to be a regular thing with this guy):
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
OH my ... Poor Wyatt Ray !!! That's adorable but what a big pillow!
She didn't get her stitches out so that's the good part. I am sure this was a one time thing since if she does it when I'm not home, I am sure the damage would have been worse! Thankful I am w/her till Tuesday when the stitches come out! I can only imagine how much it must itch. But look who came out of the bathroom! 
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
Aww there's that pretty girl of yours!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I use a t-shirt on Jersey and cut slits where ever it needs to be tighter and tie a knot. I've also used elastic bands to hold extra fabric and last week when I had no other option I used a binder clip to hold the extra fabric. Of course I put it where she wouldn't lay on it.
I had a horrible problem with Jersey chewing her stitches after her tail was amputated. I thought there's just no way she can reach it, then I'd come home to an open wound and blood everywhere. They're pretty crafty buggers. I think she was pushing herself up against a pillow to give her leverage so she could reach her tail. I ended up punching holes in the cone so I could tie it to her collar. That way no matter how she maneuvered the cone stayed in position. It worked really well, so there's another idea for you.
Good luck!
Claudia
1 Guest(s)
