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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This is my first post on the forums here. I'm so happy to have found this site!
Tabitha is a 10 year old rescued Greyhound. She was running in our yard last Wed (5/20) and turned a curve wrong and shattered her right hind leg tibia. Prior to this there were no signs that the leg was compromised. They are assuming it's osteo, although it was hard to tell from the x-ray (the other hind leg is fine) and there is no visible signs in the lungs (thank goodness).
She had the leg amputated on Friday. We had the hospital send us pictures - she looks great - just like herself with a pretty big scar and no back leg. We keep looking at the pictures so we are at least a little used to how her amputation site looks. I've read through Three Legs and a Spare and Loving Life On Three Legs - thank you for these!
She is still in the hospital as she had a few minor complications, but we should be picking her up tomorrow (5/26). I'm freaking out a little. We have good beds and floor runners down so she won't slide, but she'll need to navigate up and down 6 steps to get into and out of the house - so I'm worried about that. And I'm terrified that she'll fall and hurt herself again - honestly, the picture of her shattered leg and the 50 minute trip to the hospital last Wednesday will be forever in my head.
Thanks for listening and any advice is welcome!
Welcome and best wishes for Tabitha! Sounds like she is in good hands, kudos for doing your homework.
Jerry learned to navigate 20+ stairs shortly after amputation. A harness will help once she is all healed up, but until then you can make a handy sling from a canvas shopping bad. See instructions here.
And it is normal to freak out, just don't show it around Tabitha. She will follow your lead, and needs you to be strong and balanced right now. It's why we say Be More Dog . And that's not just some silly saying...it comes from the Greyhounds Rock Keynote Address we gave discussing how to cope with amputation surgery, recovery, and care.
While you wait for comments from others, use the Advanced Search above to refine your forum search results with specific phrases, and you're sure to find lots of helpful feedback. You can also search all blogs here . Or, feel free to call the toll-free Tripawds Helpline anytime!
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Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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Geez, sorry you had to deal with this so suddenly. If it had ro happen, thank goodness you were home and right on top of getting her help.
Sounds like the "complications " have been resolved and that's really good news.
Hopefully the DIY sling link Admin gave you will help reassure you that stairs are doable. Goi g UP stairs is harder for a rear legger...going down is easier. Approach the "stair task" with confidence and in an upbeat manner. Most likely you will be pleasantly surprised at how "Team Abitha" handles the challenge.
Most likely you'll come home with Gabapentin, Tramadol. Rimadyl and an antibiotic. It can be a little tricky sometimes getting the right dose and frequency, sometimes some tweaking is necessary.
You've got the traction handled...good job.
And just know were all right here by your side to help you navi thro recovery , okay? YOU ARE NOT ALONE❤
Looking g forward to the homecoming AND seeing some pictures of your sweet girl!😎
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!
Hi JoAnn and welcome to the Tripawds community! I'm Stacy, mama to Griffin the 10-year old goldendoodle whose right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020 due to osteosarcoma (Griffin's Journey). You have come to the right place for support and information. Everyone here is incredibly helpful and someone always knows the answers to any question. I know you must be anxious to have Tabitha back home and also anxious about how she will do at home. You have done your homework, so relax and just be present for her. Sally mentioned one of the most important aspects of recovery in the days immediately following surgery - pain management - and she listed the most common meds used. There have been a few recent instances shared on this site when pups were sent home with inadequate meds, so if it is possible to speak with the vet before picking up Tabitha to find out what she'll come home with, that might be better than trying to remember during the emotional reunion when you see her for the first time. Because Tabitha has spent several days in the hospital, she might not be as "out of it" as many dogs are when they first come home, and hopefully she has been up walking already, maybe even eating and pooping too. Stay in touch with us here to keep us updated as to how both of you are doing. Sending hugs from NYC! ~ Stacy
Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com
Hello and welcome.
How terrifying! You dealt with it and got her the care she needed so good job there.
One advantage to a rear amp is that you can use a harness right away to assist if she needs. While it's best to avoid stairs while healing sometimes that just isn't possible so be sure you are there to help guide her up and down. Is she really sensitive? Another reason to help her on the stairs until she is healed up. You don't want her to fall or stumble on the stairs and get scared of them. In general rear amps will have more trouble going up stairs since they've lost half of their propulsion. My current Tripawd is a little Pug-mix who lost a rear leg to a car accident. She flies up and down stairs!
I bet once she is healed that the stairs will not be an issue.
Good job looking at her pictures to get used to the new Tabitha. When you go get her remember to look in her eyes, be strong and positive, and know she is still your girl...just a bit more special now!
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
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