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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My 7 yr old Siberian Husky & I just found out he has to get his leg amputated. Duke's surgery is scheduled for Sept 6 2012. He has a none cancerous tumor on his front leg. I don't know what to expect when he gets home.
Hi Special K & Duke, thanks for joining us (sorry you had to though!). Glad to hear that Duke's tumor is non-cancerous, that's a big plus in your favor. What kind of dog is he, and how old/young?
Well, the best place to begin learning what to expect is our Required Reading List, and our ebook, "Three Legs & a Spare." We tried to answer all of the most popular questions that people have but I know others will chime in to share their own experiences too.
Can't wait to hear more about your boy. Let us know how we can help!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome to Tripawds.
Obviously Jerry wasn't wearing his glasses 
. I do see that Duke is a 7 year old Siberian Husky. I would ask how big is he?
Well, it's good that the tumor isn't cancerous. If he is in otherwise good health he should do OK as a Tripawd. The first couple weeks after surgery can be rough so be prepared. Some lucky pups seem to sail right through, but most have some down time during recovery so don't get discouraged if Duke isn't himself for awhile. The only advice my vet gave me was most dogs do fine on three legs so when Maggie struggled for a few weeks I thought I did the wrong thing- but she came around on her own time schedule.
Jerry gave you some good links above. It is important for tripawds to have good traction so throw rugs or runners on slippery floors are important. You might raise his food and water bowls to help with balance. To help him get around at first you might need to support him with a sling- sometimes the vet sends you home with one. You can also use a cloth shopping bag split down the seams- it has a built in handle. A towel has worked for some people. Many pups here use a harness- The Ruff Wear Web Master is popular. Sometimes you have to wait for the stitches or sutures to come out before you could use it on a front amp- check with your vet.
There is lots of experience and support to be found here!
Karen and the pugapalooza
Hello to you and Duke. Sorry you had to find us here. It's lucky though that the tumor is non-cancerous.
As Karen said, some pups breeze through recovery, but generally it's a rough 10-14 days. The hardest part is just managing their pain and waiting for them to get back to their old personalities. Most folks find that once the stitches/staples are out and the pain meds are done, their pup's personality comes back.
Also as Karen said, you will need to figure out traction if you have slippery floors. If you have stairs, those can be tricky until your pup is fully healed and used to them.
If you don't already know you might want to ask the vet/surgeon if Duke will spend the night after surgery. Some dogs do come home that day, but most spend at least one night at the vet/hospital. You might also want to ask if he'll be bandaged up when you bring him home. A lot of dogs aren't, in which case a tshirt works well to protect the incision and keep it from dripping. Some dogs also have a drain, some don't. You might want to look at some of the post amp pics here so you are prepared for what the incision will look like. We were sort of shocked at how big Abby's was - like a big capital Y, since they took her whole shoulder. (Oh, speaking of that, you might also want to ask if the vet will take the whole shoulder - that is common in front leg amps.)
Keep us posted on how the surgery goes, and we'll be here if you have questions during the recovery.
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Thanks for everyones concern. Duke is a 85 lb dog but even the vet said he's all muscle. I'm worried about him putting all his weight on the front leg. I know it's gonna be a long road til he's recovered, I just hope his love for life doesn't change.
Doh! I have my glasses on now 
Seven years old? Duke's just a kid! Well, as a front leg amputee I know my humans were also concerned I would lose my zest for life. They pictured me as this hobbled old dog that would just sleep all day. Hah! I proved them wrong! I still went on hikes (shorter, but they were hikes!), swam, traveled and did all the things that rocked my world. Sure, it took some adjustments for both me and them (recovery time can very from two weeks to two months depending on the dog), but all of those minor changes were worth it to have us all together and still loving life.
We've had lots of Huskies here do just great on three legs, and some like Calpurnia lived to be 15 years old as Tripawds! Dogs as big as Great Danes have done wonderfully as front-leg amputees, and they constantly just amaze people. Always remember, it's not the dog who has the issue, it's the human. After all, we just want to get on with life and do what we love. So when Duke comes home and you see that shocking scar, don't be afraid, or cry, or feel sorry for him. Look into his eyes, and see his joy at getting rid of that painful, bum leg, then take things step by step, hop by hop. Eventually you'll also find your new normal and life will be great again!
In the meantime we are here to help however we can OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Good luck with the amputation! A lot of big dogs here seems to do fine on three legs. Good the tumor is none cancerous. / Gunilla, Penny and Wilbur
Well today was suppose to be Dukes amputation. They aborted it cause cause while they were shaving him they noticed an enlarged lymph node. Dr did a chest x ray & found out that all 3 drs were wrong about the tumor being non cancerous. The cancer has spread to his lungs. Duke has about 8 weeks to live. We opted to have him awakened & were bringing him home for a few days to live life to the fullest. Someone next week he will be put asleep. Thank you all for the great advice u gave me, unfortunately it was a little too late.
Oh, no. I'm so so very sorry to hear this.
Spoil him rotten. Letting him go before he is in too much pain is a great unselfish gift. The hard part for us is that when we end their pain, we take it on ourselves. Hang in there. We are here for you.
Take lots of pictures and be sure you are in them! We had pictures taken of our little "familial unit" a week before we lost our girl and they are a treasure.
Sending good thoughts that he will live like a king for his remaining days,
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
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