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
My sweet boy who has undergone TPLO surgeries on both legs now has bone cancer on one. He's otherwise extremely healthy and active. We have a surgical consult tomorrow for amputation and I'm wondering how the recovery compares to TPLO. Does anyone have experience with both?
Hello and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
What is your boy's name? What kind of pup?
Here is my experience:
My old Pug boy Obie has had both knees repaired, two years apart. The CCL repair was the 'tightrope' type not TPLO, but in both surgeries his femur had to be modified to keep his knee cap in place so each surgery was quite invasive.
My first Pug Maggie lost a rear leg to mast cell cancer and I can tell you her recovery was waaaaaaay faster and easier than either of Obie's knee surgeries. That's not to say amputation is not a big surgery with recovery time, but as you know with knee repair there is a lot of healing time involved. Maggie was released from all activity restrictions two weeks post op, Obie was on restriction for 8 weeks each time.
And you have an advantage over a lot of people here having been through major surgeries- you know how your boy shows pain and how he deals with pain meds.
Keep us posted on how your visit goes tomorrow.
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
Hi and welcome! Sorry you had to join our club but glad you found us.
I personally don't have experience in this area but I've read lots of stories of those who have. It's been the general experience of members who have gone through TPLO recovery that amputation recovery is waaaaay easier. What does your surgeon think?
If you have a good rehab therapist lined up, even better! The Tripawds foundation can pay for your first rehab visit so please take advantage of the program.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you for your kind words. He will be 10 in November and his name is Walter. This is such encouraging news about recovery time. He was so depressed after the TPLO surgeries. He's an 80 lb mixed breed with more personality than any dog has a right to have. I think he will be hopping around in no time! Surgery is scheduled for Wednesday and they're going to keep him overnight with full 24/7 nurse coverage which made me very happy because I did both knee surgeries with him home that night and it was awful.
He's been an extremely active dog and very healthy except for this. We've logged well over 1,000 miles hiking and trail running and my only goal is to give him the best quality of life for as long as possible. He's my family.
Thanks again!
Lesley
The surgeon agrees that it's going to be way easier and she even told me her 150 lb Great Dane was back to "normal" in 2 weeks and he had TPLO too. I'm thankful it's his back leg and not a front.
I have a consult with a holistic/integrative vet tomorrow to find out about post-op recommendations. I have great pet insurance so I'm going to throw all the resources I can at this. I will take a look at the rehab link. Thank you!
Thank you for this excellent resource! It really calmed me over the weekend while my head was spinning. I plan on being the strong mama he needs and will only look at him with smiles when I go to pick him up on Thursday.
Thanks again!
Lesley
He Lesley and Walter. Love his avatar picture and smiled when you described him as a dog with more personality than any dog has a right to have. Sounds like quite a spunky fella'
I am owned by Frankie, a front legger tripawd who had cruciate surgery (the "fishing line" procedure) on one rear leg and then the TPLO surgery on them other leg a year later (may be confused on timeframe).
My Happy Hannah had her amputation due to osteo and, in her case, recovery was no picnic. Although she was mobile, the recovery from the surgery and adjusting pain meds was kind of ruff for a couple of weeks.. But she did have a paj ful leg to deal with like a dog does with the knee surgery recovery.
I do feel like Frankie's first surgery (the fishing line technique) was really hard. Frankie is a hard headed strong willed hound and he absolutely refused to let me help him with a harness. He would let out his Coonhound howl and would hop up on basically two legs and go do his business. Would petrify me!!
I actually called Karen (she gave you that great insight into her Pug's surgery) and she reassured me that yes, the knee surgery is quite rough.
Now, all that said, when Frankie had the TPLO surgery it was an easier recovery. Full disclosure though....my beloved Vet kept him at her regular hospital for several days after his first night at the surfery clinic. They did a lot of the icing, the stretching, etc.
So, guess I'm saying overall the k ew surgeries were harder. With the amp, dogs usually are movile within the first 24, 48 hrs. Not always, but usually, even if you have to use harness help for a few days. With the knee surgery, it's important to protect that leg and it hurts of they try and use it, etc. With the amputation that painful leg is gone and they are much more fluid on three without the "spare"
Don't know if I was making sense, but guess bottom line in my experience the amputation overall is "easier". The recoveries of the two are different and have their own individual set of hurdles based on the way each individual dog reacts to their specific recovery.
You may have already answered this, how long ago were the knee surgeries ? And how far apart?
Look forward to any update when you can. We are here for you to help in any way possible.
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!
Lesley, you and Walter are going to ROCK THIS! I know it!
Sounds like you have an awesome surgeon, and Team Walter is going to help you guys sail through as easily as can be. And we will too! I'm so glad you came here to share your experience. Each one matters, each one helps someone else somewhere down the road. If there is anything we can do to help you please holler OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Sally and Jerry,
Thanks for the kind words and intel. Walter's first TPLO was in August of 2019 and the second was in January of 2020. I feel very fortunate that it's his back leg and that we don't have stairs at this house and he has a lovely, safe, backyard to learn to hop around in for the first few weeks after surgery. I've been thinking of funny new nicknames for him to try and keep my mind in a light-hearted place.
He's definitely the type of dog who will try and jump in the car when I go to pick him up so I think my main struggle will be to keep him from hurting himself further for the first two weeks. He never wanted help with the knee surgeries and would get mad when I helped him up the stairs. (See personality comment above)
Thanks again for all your support! It's been great to have such a welcoming and helpful community. I will update tomorrow once he's out of surgery and also when I bring him home.
Wow, two knee surgeries pretty darn close together.
Yes indeedy, you and Walter both have what it takes to handle this! And yes, sou ds like his personality definitely reflects a strong willed and determined dog! And that can be a great asset....and yes, sometimes a pain in the ASSet when you want them to do things your way and they want to do things their way😱
We'll look forward to your update. And eat some chocolate, it helps calm the nerves😎
Higs
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 luck to you both tomorrow! We have our paws crossed for an easy peasy recovery.
As for assisting him during recovery, did you have a harness for him when he had the TPLOs?
And you've GOT to share those nicknames when you get a chance!
Keep us posted. 
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Walt Chamberleg is out of surgery. He did very well and is recovering nicely in the ICU. He will have around the clock care with a nursing team and if all goes well overnight, I can pick him up late morning.
I used a towel around his belly for the TPLOs. He hated it and didn't want any help. Haha. They're sending him home with a help em up harness. Once the wound has healed and I see what he needs long term with assistance, I'll probably order a ruff wear harness . His backpack and life vest are both ruff wear and I like the quality. I have a feeling he's going to be speedy so that will definitely be an adjustment for me!
Other nicknames. Hoppy McGoo or McGee, Hopalong Walty. Friends are taking me out tonight so I don't stew in the empty house. I'm sure we'll come up with more.
Thanks again!
YAY!!! SURGERY IS DONE!!!
Love all Walter's nicknames. He's quite the character and clearly these all fit his personality.
Glad your friends are taking you out tonight. Walter is right as a kite on some good drugs so he's already having a party in his head 😎
Fet some rest. Walter is in good hands.
And yeah, Frankie nist hates any ki d of sling help. I personally had a cery hard time using the help em up. It's hard to co figure, especially if you are trying to do it yourself
Heck, can't remember the name...I think it's called the Recocery Suit. Much easier to ise if it's just yourself. Gives you a lot better control.
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!
Those nicknames are so cute! I love your sense of humor and especially love that he is out of surgery!!
With the support network you have in place and your great attitude, things will work out just fine!!
Rest up. Keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I had an idea last night and wondered if you guys could point me in the right direction. We worked with a trainer once who said Walter Cottontail would be a terrific candidate to help with kids who are learning to read. We moved away before I could get started with him. I'm wondering if there's an organization who helps amputee kids get used to their new lives that would involve amputee dogs to help ease the transition. I haven't started researching but I assume something like this exists? We could also work with adults. I live in Colorado Springs if that helps.
Picking up the patient at 12:30. They said he doing great and already walking around with no problems!
Lesley
Sounds like Walter Cottontail is ready to amaze you!!
I always suggest to ignore the and incision when you first go to pick him up. Just let him see your smiling face telling him what a good voy he is and he's going home!
Others can chime in on the therapy dog requirements. I'll email a member who has had one of her Rotties named Snickers get certified to visit hospitals, etc, That can be a starting point.
Can't wait to see pics of Walter. Here's a link: adding images
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!
1 Guest(s)
