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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Hello... I am getting ready to pick my Arbi up from the hospital. I am excited, scared, nervous and a bit sick to my stomach. It's the unknown. I know everyone else had experienced this exact same thing. I have done my best to prepare.. all the wonderful resources. I will let everyone know how she is doing as we start this journey. I'm sure there will be tons of questions and I am so THANKFUL you are all here to lean on.!! Just knowing that there are others makes me feel less alone. I can feel all the good energy coming when I read the notes from others. I appreciate all the love and light coming from you all. Thank you from the bottom of my heart... you all have been such a comfort already... ❤️🐾❤️
Hello.. well.. all my fears and imagination ran wild. They brought my girl to me. She is a bit out of it.. while not pretty.. not nearly what I had anticipated. She's home.. resting.. a bit stoned.. perhaps those pink elephants.!! She ate and drank.. now.. we will just take it all one step at a time. She will lead the way. ❤️
Awwww! That is so good to know. I hope she's having a nice long snooze and feeling really good. And you sound great too! It's that kind of pawsitivity that will make recovery smoother no matter what.
How's her pain control? Remember, stay ahead and if it seems like it's wearing off a bit early than scheduled, let your vet know. It's usually OK to give another dose up to an hour earlier than scheduled (or later, if you forget), but check with them if you notice pain signals before her meds are due.
Rest up and holler with any questions!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I brought home my 16-year-old bombay cat, Gordy, minus his right arm. He is too busy being medicated and scared to understand. We set him up on the floor of the master suite so we can keep an eye on him even at night. He is sleeping as much as possible, but we assume it is because of the medicines. His littermate George sniffs at him and stares but is also confused so he leaves his brother alone.
I can work from home for a little while. My husband and I are taking turns watching over him. I assume as long as he needs meds and help moving around, someone needs to be with him. I am trying blindly to anticipate his needs. I will continue reading these forums to find advice.
sillymae said
I brought home my 16-year-old bombay cat, Gordy, minus his right arm. He is too busy being medicated and scared to understand. We set him up on the floor of the master suite so we can keep an eye on him even at night. He is sleeping as much as possible, but we assume it is because of the medicines. His littermate George sniffs at him and stares but is also confused so he leaves his brother alone.I can work from home for a little while. My husband and I are taking turns watching over him. I assume as long as he needs meds and help moving around, someone needs to be with him. I am trying blindly to anticipate his needs. I will continue reading these forums to find advice.
Hi Gordy and family, welcome! I approved your post here so you and Jeane can know you're in this together at exactly the same time! But please do start a new topic all your own OK? Maybe in Three Legged Cats? That will help us help you and Gordy better.
Meanwhile check out our What to Expect articles , or Cool Tips for Tripawd Cats . You're doing GREAT, not blindly at all since you already found us! We are here to help. We'll look for your new topic.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello... Arbi is having the longest snooze. !! Which means she is comfortable and that means the world to me. I did rouse her briefly to give her a pain med... hidden in her meatball... she loves that and it still worked.!! Drinking water. We have yet to try to go potty. I will keep up on the pain meds...I have read how important that is.. I want to give my girl every opportunity to heal and get back to her old self.!
SillyMae and Gordy... Hello.!! Yes.. we are on the same path at exactly the same place.! My girl had her right rear leg taken yesterday. I have set her up a spot in the living room. Usually she's on the couch or chair, but it's safer for her to be on the ground. I moved my bed to the floor so she and I can sleep together as usual. This way, if she starts to move.. she won't fall off. She hasn't even tried moving yet, but she will probably try when I am in the next room.! I understand trying to anticipate your Gordy's needs... Which is hard when you have no idea what that will be.!! I have had a few days before this happened to sit and do a lot of reading... a lot of the forums and blogs. It has helped a lot... Let's keep in touch and share our journey... Love and light to you and your family.. ❤️🐾. Hugs.. Jeane and Arbi
Jeane it sounds like yes, she is doing pretty well. Drinking water, eating the meatball, both terrific signs that she's on the right path.
Potty will happen. Don't worry about poop, just make sure she urinates at least once within 12 hours OK? Preferably more but that's the range a vet explained to me.
You most definitely are giving her all the tools and love and attention she needs for smooth sailing. Keep us posted.!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello...😊
Shortly after I wrote the past post, Arbi wanted up. I took her outside.. placed her on the grass. I did purchase a sling, TiereCare off of amazon. Best 13 bucks I spent.!! Even if I only use it a few times. She stood up and I placed it under her chest.. helped stabilize her.. She walked a bit and did her thing.!! 🎉🎉 Honestly... that was so much easier than I would have thought.!! She wasn't too interested in walking a whole lot. She's been resting again since then. Which as you say.. that is her medicine. Here's to an uneventful evening and a new day tomorrow!!❤️🐾
Online
Uneventful evening would be a great thing,
YAY that Arbi has potty AND is mobile enoigh to hop with assist. ! 😎 And again, rest is healing.
Now, if ,she seems to have a bit of a "crash" in the next couple of days it would be because all the strong hospital needs are out of her system and she has shaken off all the anesthesia.
You're doing everything right! Stay connected and TRY and get some rest!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS We'll look forward to follow Gordy's progress and cheering him on👏
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 Morning.. I will watch for that crash.. I understand the hospital meds will be out of her system soon. We did have a fairly uneventful evening. She went out again before bedtime, she had very runny 
with blood. She has had that 3 times, so I will call the Dr here in a bit. She's eating and drinking just fine. Slept pretty much though the night.. I could hear her move on the bed learning to use 3 legs. This morning... she got up and started walking..!! I am in total SHOCK.!! I know I know.. I have read all the info on this site and yes.. everyone says that will happen.. but you honestly have to see it to believe it.! She's a little unsteady when she stands to eat... she will get stronger. I am in awe of her.!! If I wasn't in such shock.. I would have recorded her achievement. Next time.. I will be ready.. lol. she's resting.. letting me take care of her stitches with warm compress and a spray they sent me home with. I am so relieved.!! I know healing is not linear and will not get discouraged if we have some ups and downs. Hugs... Jeane and Arbi...❤️🐾😊
Hoppy Sunday, Jeane! Been thinking of you and hoping things have been going well. Sounds really normal and wow walking too? YEAH! I know, there's nothing like seeing our new Tripawd get their sea legs on three paws. Amazing!
That's nice she is allowing you to do the compress. What is the spray they prescribed?
Don't panic about the poo, but good idea to call so you can put your mind at ease.
Keep up the great attitude, and cheers to another fantastic recovery day!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
SPECTACULAR UPDATE!! SO DELIGHTED TO HEAR HOW WELL ARBI IS DOING!! And to think how early it is in recovery.....yeah, she's doing wonderfully well. You jafe every right to Benin awe of her! We are in awe of you both!!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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 Morning... Arbi had another uneventful night. Woke up in the middle of the night to. It was a small amount and no blood.! I did call the Dr. because I was concerned. Since she was eating and drinking just fine, they sent me home with Proviable-Forte. To help firm the stool and probiotic to help her tummy. The spray they prescribed is Gentocin topical spray. It seems to sooth her stitches. I am happy she lets me do the warm compress.. seems to feel good to her.
Today is day 3 so I want to make sure she is staying comfortable. She's taking Galliprant 20 mg 1 x a day. Gabapentin 100 mg 2 x a day. Does that seem like enough.? I am digging into the pain management part of this website. Can never have enough knowledge.!! 😊
Arbi walked more today and did not need the sling to do her potty. Improvement every day. I will take the small victories. I praise her for each little accomplishment.! Hugs and very grateful for this website and support from you all.. Jeane and Arbi.. ❤️🐾
YAAAAY. FOR We love to celebrate around here!!!
Arbi is doing soooo well!!! It's wonderful that you are recognizing and appreciating improvements every day. 👏 And it's still so very early!
Remind us, how much does Arbi weigh? It seems like her pain is being managed based on what you'be noted. But depending on jer weight, there may be a lot of wiggle room of she needs more.
Glad the Vet addressed her poo blood issue. and doesn't see it as a problem.
Give that sweet Arbi a big smooch for us!!!🥰🥰🥰
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
Oh yeah! That's really awesome, and I'm glad it was normal too. And no sling today? It's a TRIPLE celebration!
Gentocin topical spray
Ah! I see it's a broad spectrum antibiotic. Thanks for the education. And I LOVE that they sent her home with a probiotic too. Wish more would do that, the antibiotics can really wipe out healthy gut bacteria.
She's taking Galliprant 20 mg 1 x a day. Gabapentin 100 mg 2 x a day. Does that seem like enough.?
As Sally said, the Gabapentin is a low dose (Galliprant is once daily no matter what I believe) and there's room to move up, so if she seems uncomfortable let your vet know asap. But overall the combo does sound typical of a good pain relief strategy.
I'm really happy things are going so well! 
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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