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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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Member Since:
2 November 2017
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30 November 2017 - 1:35 pm
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Our lab, Lucy, will become a Tripawd next Tuesday, December 5th (see her story here http://vaughns......pawds.com/).

If anyone has any advice, recommendations, etc. we would truly appreciate it!!!

-Jenny

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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30 November 2017 - 2:07 pm
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Hi Jenny, welcome. I'm in the Tripawds Chat room right now if you want to talk. Thanks so much for joining us here, we've been following Lucy's blog and wondering how things were going. She is such a sweet heart! I have no doubt that once that bad leg is gone she will get back to pawtying with her friends and leading the pack once again.

Have you seen Jerry's Required Reading List or the Tripawds e-books library yet? Do check them out as you'll find our own best tips for getting ready for amputation day and what to expect in the coming weeks and months, as well as over the course of her lifetime.ย 

It sounds like Lucy is getting some pawesome vet care, she's in good hands! Try not to worry. You have a young, resilient dog there who has many hoppy years ahead of her. Yeah, it's a tremendous guilt-laden decision to move forward with amputation but our pets don't get mad at us for it. In fact once that bad leg is gone they are more than grateful for your help in getting them to a healthy place again. Stay strong and remember that our attitude is everything when it comes to recovery. You set the tone, so what you put out there, Lucy will reflect right back at ya.

Hang tight, more will chime in soon. Keep us posted on how things are going OK?ย 

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet



Member Since:
21 May 2016
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30 November 2017 - 2:22 pm
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Hey Lucy and Mom ๐ŸŒบ

There are a few things to bear in mind following amputation:

Traction - if your floor is slippery it is crucial to create paths for Lucy, using carpets, rubber underlay or yoga mats. Slipping during recovery can be dangerous and it is a confidence killer whilst learning to hop on 3.

Harness - having a harness can be very helpful. If Lucy is a front legger you may want to get a t-shirt on her to protect the incision and a soft harness on top if she needs help getting up and hopping to go pee/poop. If she is a rear legger many here used a pair of boxers and got the tail through the fly. After stitches came out I got my baby girl a ruffwear harness and I swear by it.

Pain medicine - very important to maintain a good grip on pain medicine during recovery.

Phantom pain - this happens very often during recovery, dogs can suddenly jump up and yell and/or lick the area where the leg used to be. Most of us used Gabapentin for this.ย 

Peeing/pooping - peeing should happen fairly shortly after surgery but pooping can take some days (5 in my baby girl's case) It is normal so don't worry.

We'll be sending you both lots of pawsitive energy and thinking about Lucy on the 5th.

Big hug and cuddles ๐Ÿ˜˜๐Ÿ˜˜๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿ’ซโœจ๐ŸŒŸ๐ŸŒน

Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4ย May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30ย Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)ย 

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5 December 2017 - 1:51 pm
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Lucy had her surgery this morning- I just got the call a little while ago from Dr. Horstman saying she did well. They will keep us updated and we will decide tomorrow if she should come home or stay there one more day. Wishing I could hug my little girl and tell her everything is going to be ok.

Eurydice's Human: what is the difference between the ruffwear harness and a regular harness?



Member Since:
21 May 2016
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5 December 2017 - 2:08 pm
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YAY for surgery done ๐ŸŽŠ๐ŸŽ‰๐ŸŽŠ

You know what? If you've got the possibility perhaps leave Lucy there one more day where she'll be looked after by professional people used to the ins and outs of recovery.ย 

My Eurydice only wore a soft harness until stitches were removed and then the ruffwear harness .

This is brilliant because it is very solidly built, it has 3 straps to secure it and more importantly has a rock solid handle which allows us to lift our dogs into and out of cars (well, not me as Eurydice was huge ๐Ÿฆ but most dogs anyway), up and down stairs and generally helping them getting up and hopping around during recovery.

Later on and if you are into "sunset walking" there are reflection bands on top of the harness so you get to see your black dog even if there's no moon ๐Ÿ˜‰

Big kiss and zillion cuddles to lovely Lucy ๐Ÿ˜˜๐Ÿ˜˜๐Ÿ˜˜๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿ’ซโœจ๐ŸŒŸ๐ŸŒน

Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4ย May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30ย Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)ย 

Member Since:
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5 December 2017 - 2:33 pm
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Thank you!

Yes, we are relieved the surgery is over but we know we are far from being out of the woods. I think I will ask them to keep her an extra day tomorrow. As much as I want to see her and give her a great big hug, I know they are better equipped to care for her so if she'd be more comfortable there, I'd prefer that. Plus then she can be mad at them and then we can swoop in to "rescue" her ๐Ÿ˜‰

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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5 December 2017 - 2:37 pm
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Fantastic! It's such a relief to get that surgery over with. Now on to healing! Congrats!

what is the difference between theย ruffwear harnessย and a regular harness?

The Webmaster's handle placement on the back is placed so that lifting dogs into and out of vehicles, assisting on stairs, etc. is far easier than most. It's a harness that was originally made for search and rescue dogs and used in that capacity. We found right away that it helped our Jerry out when he lost his legs and through the years members have fallen in love with it. Here's a couple of posts you may find helpful in the Tripawds Gear blog :

Web Master Plus Brush Guard Make Best Support Harness for Tripawds

What a Tripawd Harness Will (and Wonโ€™t) Do

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet



Member Since:
21 May 2016
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5 December 2017 - 2:40 pm
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Good decision, sweetie pie ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿฝ

And yes, you'll be "coming to Lucy's rescue" ๐Ÿ˜‰ I bet she'll love that ๐Ÿ˜„

It would probably be a good idea to give the staff one of your tshirts which she could wear when coming out of hospital (if she is a front legger)

Not only that will protect the incision but also you won't be looking at the incision first thing (which is very large)ย 

Give her tons of kisses and on to recovery at home ๐Ÿ’—

๐Ÿ˜˜๐Ÿ˜˜๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿ’ซโœจ๐ŸŒŸ๐ŸŒน

Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4ย May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30ย Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)ย 

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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5 December 2017 - 4:31 pm
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YAAAAAAAAAY FOR LUCY!!!ย  Surgery is done and she's seeing a lot of pink elephants!ย ย 

When you go to pick her up, don't even bother to look at her incision when you domlick her up.ย  Just look into her druggy eyes and tell her what a good girl she is and she's going home!! ๐Ÿ™‚

Stay connected and we'll help you navigate through recovery.ย 

Get some rest while you can!

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!

Member Since:
2 November 2017
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6 December 2017 - 9:45 am
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I received a call from the doctor this morning- Lucy is doing GREAT! His exact words were "she is already dragging my techs around the clinic" ๐Ÿ™‚

We got a text last night saying she was offered food and water, and she gladly accepted both. She had even been outside to go to the bathroom! They said she had a very comfortable night.ย 

Apparently she is her sweet, happy little self and the doctor said there is absolutely no reason why she should stay another day. They injected the incision site with pain medication so she's quite comfortable. Since she's already used to only using three legs for the most part, they said she's pretty much got it figured out already. They have her in a wrap to prevent swelling and they want that to stay on for a week so we won't have to worry about seeing the scar yet.

We pick her up at 3pm and I can't wait to give her lots of love and kisses!! Our baby's coming home, thank you God!

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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6 December 2017 - 10:04 am
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SUCH GREAT NEWS!!!! WAY TO GO LUCY!!! ๐Ÿ™‚ YOU ARE A ROCKSTAR!!! ๐Ÿ™‚

Let us know how homecoming goes. I think we've pretty much covered everything in other losts, but let us mnow if you have ANY questions at all!!

UPWARD AND ONWARD!

Hugs

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!

๐Ÿ™‚ ๐Ÿ™‚ ๐Ÿ™‚ ๐Ÿ™‚ ๐Ÿ™‚ ๐Ÿ™‚ ๐Ÿ™‚ ๐Ÿ™‚

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!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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6 December 2017 - 11:39 am
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What a sweet reunion this will be! Lucy is a total rock star, I have no doubt that she will show the world that Tripawds are pawesome. Happy homecoming to you all! Keep us posted.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
1 October 2017
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6 December 2017 - 11:48 am
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That is fantastic news, YAY!!!!!ย  So glad she did well and now you finally have this part behind you. Next couple of weeks might be roller-coaster-like so stay in touch, we're here with you all the way! Give her extra smooches from all of us pleaseย heart

Hugs,

Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry

Huckleberry's Blog



Member Since:
21 May 2016
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6 December 2017 - 4:27 pm
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Those are the very BEST news I heard lately ย ๐ŸŽŠ๐ŸŽŠ๐ŸŽŠ

Dragging the staff around, no less ๐Ÿ˜ way to go Lucy girl ๐ŸŽ€๐Ÿ’จ๐Ÿ’จ๐Ÿ’จ

It sounds like she'll be one of the amazing recoveries we sometimes have here ๐Ÿ†

Of course let's not get over excited here (but then yay yuphiii yabadabadooooo !!) as it's still early days ...

One thing is for sure: Lucy is doing amazingly well and we're all here just in case you need some help ๐Ÿฅ

Welcome back home baby girl ๐Ÿ’

๐Ÿ˜˜๐Ÿ˜˜๐Ÿ˜˜๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿ’ซโœจ๐ŸŒŸ๐ŸŒน

Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4ย May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30ย Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)ย 

Member Since:
2 November 2017
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6 December 2017 - 6:35 pm
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We are home!!!ย http://vaughns......l-is-home/

Our sweetie is doing great tonight! We know there are still rough days ahead but we are beyond thankful for such a wonderful homecoming. Lucy is our hero and we are so glad to have her back!!!

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