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 tripawd community. I wanted to thank you for all of the great resources on this website. Your stories and tips have greatly helped me as I contemplated amputating my schipperke's right rear leg for a mast cell tumor not amenable to more local intervention. Today he went in for the surgery and I'm going to pick him up in a few hours. I'm nervous about the coming days but all of your insight has prepared me. I read the book "Without regret" and for the past few weeks have been getting Turk used to the ruffwear webmaster harness . I'm taking the next 5 days off work to do whatever I can to facilitate the recovery process. I just wanted to post a thank you for helping me get through this and will post updates.
I brought my tripawd home from the vet on Friday, 4 days after amputation. He has had no issues or problems and gets along very well on three legs. I've had to really watch him because he gets out in the yard and runs like the wind and I'm worried he'll tear his incision. The staples haven't even come out yet! I bought an elevated food and water bowl, as it makes it easier for him to eat (he is a front leg amputee)This website has been an inspiration to me and a great help. Hang in there. Turk will be fine and back to his old self in no time, I'm sure!
Renee
Turkey Dog, thank you so much for joining us here. We're sending lots of love and hugs your way and hoping for a speedy recovery.
You've done your homework and are definitely making life easier for Turk as he embarks on this new journey. Good job, you're an awesome pawrent!
If there's anything we can do to help out please let us know. As you already see (thanks Renee!) there's a great bunch of people here who are with you every hop of the way.
Keep us posted OK?
{{{hugs}}}
Rene, Jim & Spirit Jerry
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
WE are wishing you a very speedy recovery - I know you will see that a tripawd dog can do just about anything.
Just bark if you need anything- you have found a wonderful place.
Seanne ( and Angel Wrigley)
Seanne and Angel Wrigley
The recovery period is the toughest. It is great that you are able to take off to be with Turk during that time. We'll all be here cheering you on and sending lots of healing thoughts to Turk and hugs to you.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Welcome to our community, what a wonderful place to be although the reasons are so tough!
You are ahead of the game because you educated yourself prior to the surgery. I did not find “Tripawds” until I was desperate for help and was searching for answers about one week post-op.
We wish Montana an uneventful recovery, and give him lots of love.
Hugs & licks, Gineej & Paris
Grateful for every moment we had with Paris…..no regrets!
Honoring her life by opening our hearts & home to Addy!
Post-operative day 1: Turk was a little groggy at the vet last night. The surgical site looked very good and did not have a bandage. I was surprised at how natural the stump looked. He really hates the cone around his neck that keeps him from chewing the area. I think the cone bothers him more than anything else which is very heartening. When we got home I took it off of him and he slept on my lap for a few hours. He also had a vigorous appetite and ate while leaning against the wall. When it was time to go to bed I put the cone back on him and he had a really hard time getting comfortable. Neither of us slept well. I tried taking him out several times last night and this morning but he won't pee. I've attempted several support measures - towel sling, harness, my hand supporting his rear end - but he still hasn't peed. I guess I'll keep trying every few hours or so. He ate like a champ again this morning and has drunk a little water and even hopped around the kitchen a bit. I kind of hoped he'd just pee on the floor there since he seemed somewhat comfortable standing and moving a little and it was a level clean surface but no dice. Now he's sacked out on the couch next to me. He doesn't seem to be affected by pain and is even laying on the stump sometimes. He takes a pain pill once daily and antibiotic twice daily and is wearing a pain patch which was put on him the day before surgery. Thank you for the outpouring of support! I'll keep you updated.
Wow, it's hard to keep a tripawd down. I tried again to take Turk outside to go to the bathroom, this time without a support device, and he took off running! Still no urine but it will happen eventually. Now that he's found a way to get around on three limbs, making him take it easy and rest is proving to be a welcome challenge...
It sounds like Turk is adapting beautifully.
Someone else mentioned in another recent thread that their dog hadn't peed in a few days...I don't think it's that uncommon. He will, when he's ready. Cooper didn't poop for several days, even though he was quite willing to go out and hop at high speed around the back yard.
I find it so interesting that humans can get so up tight about urination and poop. Dad literally cheered the first time that I pooped after the amputation. I just looked at him and said "what gives." These are just normal issues that arise after serious surgery and while you are correct to not neglect these issues, take a deep breath and enjoy what sounds like a great recovery to this point in time.
Dad keeps me an an exercise pen when he wants me to keep a little quiet. The eight panels confine me to a 4x4 area which allows movement, standing, but not too much exuberance. I have used it since my days at obedience trials when dad would actually sit within the pen and brush my fur before our turn in the trial ring. Thus, for me, it is no big thing.
We all want to wish you the best on your recovery. Keep us posted and feel the hugs here from Northern California.
Cherry and dad (Bob)
Right on, Turk! You're getting the Tripawd lifestyle down, congrats.
Yeah, the lack of pee and poopin' is pretty normal, usually after a day or two things are fine again. With all that food he's been eating, things should be moving along in no time! If you're concerned about the lack of pee in the next day or so, you may want to call your vet.
About that collar....well, I hated mine sooo much that Mom and Dad decided they wouldn't use it on me unless I started tearing at my stitches. They made me promise not to, and guess what? I didn't! I never wore it. They kept an eye on me like a hawk (easy, because they worked out of their house and were with me all day).
Probably not good patient advice to give you, but I just wanted to let you know that not all of us new, post-surgery tripawds rip our stitches out.
Thanks for the update, this is all good news!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sounds like Turk has the tripawd attitude already! Good going! Bonnie did not pee for over 2 days. I was really worried because she was drinking water and I could not figure out where it was going. The surgeon explained that, since she was panting a lot, a good deal of her fluids were evaporating through that. I never thought of that. With Bonnie, the pain medicine hyped her up and she panted constantly.
As far as the cone went, we did not use it. Bonnie did not lick her stitches at all, but I also kept a Bella's pain pad on the area most of the time. It strapped on and covered the area. When she started getting around better we put a tee shirt on her and that worked fine.
Good luck - you have come to a great place for advice and support. These folks are the greatest.
chris-bonnie
Post operative day #3: Success! Turkey has figured out the mechanics of peeing and pooping. He gets so excited outside that he takes off hopping. Yesterday I had to stop him from chasing squirrels! He loves it when I take the cone off but then usually forgets our agreement not to lick and I have to put it back on him. Today we go back to the vet for a pain patch change. It's worked wonderfully so far - he hasn't shown any signs of pain and he's not groggy at all. He wants to do more than I want him to at this point - keeping him from jumping off the couch and making a break for the stairs is challenging in a very nice way. Before the surgery I didn't want to get my hopes up that he would be able to go on long walks again, one of our favorite activities. Now I am starting to think that once he's completely healed this might be possible. We'll see what he thinks in a couple of weeks. Yesterday our neighbor saw him for the first time and she saw him like I did, grateful he's alive and amazed at how well he's adapted. When you look at him, you don't feel sadness or see disability - he's still the same, happy dog he was a week ago who barks at the plumber and keeps my feet warm and gets excited to go out or eat - and this is only three days after surgery. It's inspiring to see how well he has adapted to a new set of circumstances. He makes it hard to see what was lost but puts into perspective how much there is to appreciate.
As horrible as this disease is, you can't help but appreciate the simple things now...see the gifts in each day and appreciate what "you" have. I know that my approach to life has done almost a 180 since Zeus' diagnosis a year ago.
We are so thrilled to hear how well Turkey is doing...they really are amazing aren't they? If someone were to ask me who my hero was, I would answer without hesitation...my dog.
We wish you more wonderful and hoppy days and a restful and healing recovery.
Have any pictures?
Much love,
Zeus and Mom
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
What a great update indeed! Thanks for making sure Turkey Dog takes it easy ... for now. Before long, those squirrels better watch out!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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