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
I feel ridiculous, but I'm so happy - we had a regular, good sized poop!!!!! 
BTW - Karen was totally right about the sling - she didn't want to do it with us trying to help balance her.
A few questions...
Tabitha finds it hard to settle, especially at night. Last night every 2 hours or so she got up. We let her on the deck to pee, but settling back down was hard for her. Part of it is that we usually sleep upstairs, but we're all sleeping in the living room (so not her routine) but we still need to carry her upstairs and the 9 to the second floor is a bit much. Part of it is that, in the living room, she usually sleeps on the love seat - which she really can't get on yet (and which one of us is sleeping on at night). She's really a very "I need my routine" dog all the time, so this is throwing her a bit. That's not really my question - she'll get used to it.
When she can't settle, she paces. She's walking a lot better (and took several walks outside yesterday), but she still sways on the one back leg. It doesn't shake as much but I get nervous that she's walking too much. Today is her 6th day post surgery (surgery was 5/22). How much is too much? Also, she's very stoic and she always pants a lot (even before this), so it's hard to tell if she's in pain - could the inability to settle be pain? (She's on tramadol and gabapentin - tramadol up to 3 times a day and gabapentin 2 times a day)
Any and all thoughts appreciated 🙂
YAYYY for POOP! Did you do the potty dance?
When she can’t settle, she paces. She’s walking a lot better (and took several walks outside yesterday), but she still sways on the one back leg. It doesn’t shake as much but I get nervous that she’s walking too much. Today is her 6th day post surgery (surgery was 5/22). How much is too much? Also, she’s very stoic and she always pants a lot (even before this), so it’s hard to tell if she’s in pain – could the inability to settle be pain? (She’s on tramadol and gabapentin – tramadol up to 3 times a day and gabapentin 2 times a day)
It's hard to stop an animal from pacing when they need to pace for some reason. So yeah, she'll be wobbly right now because six days is not a lot time at all. I can see why it's hard to tell if she's in pain, panting is one of those things that is certainly a pain signal but can also mean other things. First, what are the dosages of her medications and what does she weigh? As a big dog, it may not be enough so it's possible your vet will need to fine-tune them. Even at six days out, many dogs are still in need of the medications so that's not unusual. Give them a call to let them know her symptoms and see what they say. They may even want to reduce or eliminate the Tramadol, since it does make many dogs anxious and any benefits pale in comparison to the the side-effects.
Hope this helps! Keep us posted and don't forget to keep celebrating her accomplishments!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi JoAnn. One thing to ask the vet is about the effects of tramadol. Griffin had trouble settling at night after surgery. He was taken off the tramadol 4 days after surgery and stayed on just gabapentin. If Tabitha has been on tramadol before with no issues, that likely is not the cause, but something to consider in case she is having a reaction to that type of drug. ~ 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
Okay, some people may frown at this suggestion regarding Tabitha's love seat: if possible you might want to consider removing the legs from the love seat so it's easy for Tabitha to get on and off. Perhaps put her dog bed underneath if you think it makes it safer.
This is easy for me to suggest because my tripawd cat is much smaller and perhaps more agile than a dog but after the second night home post-amputation she was jumping onto the bed (18" high) I was sleeping on in her recovery room.
Congratulations on the poop!
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Hahaha Kerren!! One of my favorite stories was Bruno Bruiser's hoomans did exactly that!😎 They cut off the legs on the loveseat so he could sleep on HIS couch! I think it anyway was Bruiser...a Bulldog
Along with all the other suggest of the restlessness, is the fact that dogs, just like hoomans, often prefer sleeping on one side over the other. And, as uoh know, they like to circle and "stomp down the grass" before taking on their sleep,position. It may be that she can't lay on the side she's used too, plus can't do her "normal circling" yet.
Some dogs just hate disruption in their routine and are very stubborn about it
Let us know how things are going.
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!
benny55 said
Hahaha Kerren!! One of my favorite stories was Bruno Bruiser's hoomans did exactly that!😎 They cut off the legs on the loveseat so he could sleep on HIS couch! I think it anyway was Bruiser...a BulldogAlong with all the other suggest of the restlessness, is the fact that dogs, just like hoomans, often prefer sleeping on one side over the other. And, as uoh know, they like to circle and "stomp down the grass" before taking on their sleep,position. It may be that she can't lay on the side she's used too, plus can't do her "normal circling" yet.
Some dogs just hate disruption in their routine and are very stubborn about it
Let us know how things are going.
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
LOL - she is VERY stubborn AND she LOVES her routines - which are currently a bit messed up. I have to use my "I'm the leader" voice and stare to convince her to lay down sometimes. I feel bad doing it since we're all out of sorts with our routines messed up, but I'd feel worse if she hurt her one good back leg.
Our love seat has recliners built in (it's very old) - no real legs so not an option (plus I think my husband would definitely object). I might need to just get her a floor bed that's more couch like (I think the back is what she really misses about the couch).
She also LOVES nesting her bed which, of course, she still likes to do despite being still wobbly on that back leg even with the 2 front paws pretty still.
Does anyone use a crate? When we adopted her 8 years ago, the rescue group recommended using a crate at first since they were used to being in them. We couldn't get rid of it (it kind of became an end table in our living room), because she really loves it. We never shut the crate door anymore (unless we're getting work done in the house). The crate has a lip in the front, so we're a bit nervous letting her use that as well and have it shut right now. She'd definitely be happier in the living room if we had at least the crate available. What do you guys think? We have 2 pads in there, but she might need a little more padding and I'm nervous about her tripping on the lip.
All in all, it is getting better. This site is really a god-send. Thank you all!!!!
-JoAnn
Hi JoAnn! Griffin didn't use to love sleeping on beds (he prefers the hardwood floors), but he adores this FurHaven Cooling Gel Bolster Bed that I got just before his surgery, and I think it is because it has bolsters like a sofa. The photo below was taken the other day. For size reference, Griffin is 60 lbs, but very tall and skinny, and the bed size is Jumbo. My 2 cents about the crate is to let Tabitha try it. The lip is only a few inches and if that is her safe place, it will make her happy. ~ 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
Aww I'm glad we could help! I think that if she is used to the crate it shouldn't be a problem, even with the lip. Most dogs will figure out things like the doggy door without an issue. She's a smart girl, I'll bet she'll go right into her favorite spot just as usual.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I think the more normal we can make things during recovery the better, especially when a dog so loves their routines!
My Pugs always slept on my bed. After Maggie's amp I put one of her beds in the living room and I slept next to her on an air mattress. She was not at all happy with that situation and was very restless at night. I finally decided to go back to our normal bed and she started sleeping through the night. In hindsight I should have put the mattress on the floor so she wouldn't jump down but I was lucky in that she didn't move around much at all on her own the first couple weeks.
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
Stacy - I love that bed. I saw it reading Griffin's journey (which is wonderful and encouraging). She'll definitely want to try the couch at some point, but this would be a good alternative for sure!
Karen and Jerry - we opened her crate and after her second morning walk (we had good again!), she came in and settled down into the crate within a few minutes. She's now on her side and sound asleep 
The vet also wants us to keep her tramadol to 2x a day instead of 3x (225 mg - it's 4.5 50 mg tablets) but increase the gabapentin from 2x a day to 3x (thats 300 mg at a pop).
Hi and happy to know that Tabitha is doing well. Brownie was a front leg amp, and it took him about 10 days to use the doggie door. He would put his front leg out, then wiggle his middle, then lift his right hip and then hos left hip. I'm sure Tabitha will do the same just backwards.
Sending positive thoughts for a speedy recovery.
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
Good morning everyone!
Between the medication adjustment and having her crate "safe zone", Tabitha (and us) had our best day/night yet! 
She's going down stairs really well now. We still need to lift her up, but we know that will take a bit more time for a back leg amputation.
Thanks again for all the advice and support! It would have been a much harder week without you all! 
Stacy said
Hi JoAnn! Griffin didn't use to love sleeping on beds (he prefers the hardwood floors), but he adores this FurHaven Cooling Gel Bolster Bed that I got just before his surgery, and I think it is because it has bolsters like a sofa. The photo below was taken the other day. For size reference, Griffin is 60 lbs, but very tall and skinny, and the bed size is Jumbo. My 2 cents about the crate is to let Tabitha try it. The lip is only a few inches and if that is her safe place, it will make her happy. ~ Stacy
I got a similar bed (same brand but just 2 bolsters as she likes to hang off the sides) - also Jumbo. It's great - Tabitha really likes it. Thanks for the recommendation!
That's great! Please post photos when you can! ~ 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
1 Guest(s)
