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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Hi Everyone-
My sweet Velma had her front right leg amputated last Wednesday, December 20th. I could not have emotionally prepared myself for something like this. Everything was going as to be expected until Christmas day when she was throwing up everything and acting very lethargic. She had to spend the night at the vet last night and was finally able to keep food and water down this morning with a round of medications that she will stay on. I guess my point in reaching out is because I have been researching this site non-stop but I am so emotionally overwhelmed and exhausted that I needed some extra advice on a few things at this point.
1) Once Velma stomach starts feeling better, what could we maybe expect from her 7 days out? I’m afraid I’ve been coddling her a lot up until now (sigh) but she has managed to make it up on bed with stairs and go up and down our Stairs to go potty. Other than that, she doesn’t get up.
2) Should I start letting her get up on her own? she has been still resisting so I’m worried that she is giving up on herself 🙁
3) Once the stitches are out- are they usually safe to be left alone? I go back to work in 7 days and don’t want anything bad happening.
4) Finally, what are some ways (besides high pitches praise and treats) that you have encouraged your tripawd to start living their new pain free life? I’m so looking forward to this next stage 🙂
I could not have gotten this far into the process without this website so thank you and Velma is grateful too!!
Hi Velma and family, welcome. Your future posts won't need approval so post away.
I wanted to get your post approved so others can see it but I need to run out (traveling home from visiting family!). We will get back to you with our feedback but in the meantime stay tuned for insight from others and do check out Jerry's Required Reading List and the Tripawds e-books if you haven't already, which should answer some of your questions. I'll be back later, thanks for joining us!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you Jerry for your help and support!! I look forward to hearing from others too!
I'm sorry to hear Velma had to have a leg amputation. I have a tripawd cat, not a dog but hope I can help a bit of support for you and Velma.
How old is Velma, what breed and size is she? Why did she need her leg amputated? What medications is she on? Has she pooped yet? This info might help others in their responses.
I think it would be great if you encouraged her to get up on her own by using toys and food and lots of praise. Do you have rugs down for traction ? Some floors can feel slippery and unsafe.
Jerry's reading list is a great place to start and others will fill you in on their experiences.
Hugs to you both,
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Thanks Kerren for the tips!! Here’s some answers to hopefully help others chime in too!
Velma is a 3 and 1/2 Boston terrier mix. She looks likes a 28lb Pit Bull 🙂
Unfortunately it was a tough decision but we ultimately decided to amputate her leg because her elbow was shattered when she was a puppy and the place we rescued her from did not tell us. Multiple Ortho specialist said that it was be too difficult to fuse together and may cause more issues down the road than amputation.
She is on Tramadol 50mg, 2-3 Times a day now, Dermax, and antibiotic. Just added two new meds to calm her stomach 2x a day as well.
Velma has pooped and potties but poop is very little as I think she may still be constipated. I’ve been giving her pumpkin as well to try to help with that.
Currently, she has no interest in treats or toys (which she usually does) and we live in a home with all carpet!
Hope these help 🙂
Online
WELCOME TO THE TRIOAWD FAMILY VELMA!!!! If you jave to be here, there is no better place to be dor support, information and a whole lot of first hand experience!
We ccompletely understand the sgress you're under. You're also exhausted, emotionally and physically!
First rhing to do right NOW!!! REALLY!! ROGHT NOW!!! Take some DEEP BREATHS!! Here we go, rogether! B R E A T H E. IN A L O W L Y.......E X H A L E. S L O W L Y.............B R E A T H E IN SLOWLY............E X H A. L E OUT SLOWLY.....Now grab some CHOCOLATE!!!
Sooo sorry she had such an awful tummy upset on top of everything else! What did they attribute it too?
Velma is NOT giving up!!! She's just had MAJOR SURGERY and is trying to adapt to mobility in three legs while drigged up!! Hopefw she's on some good drugs!! Most dogs come home with Gabapentin, Tramadol, Rimadyl and an a antibiotic. Make sure she has food in her tummy when giving them to her.
You are in the roughtest part of recovery. My first post here was on Day Six. It said something like: "Help! I fear I've made a HORRIBLE decision!" This community through me a @ifeline and pulled me back from the edge!
Get ready! We're throwing you a lifeline! One....two....three....VATCH!!! Good job! Now hold in tight! We'll pull you and Velma through this recovery!!
She needs COMPLETE REST!! Just SHORT leashed potty breaks then back in for REST! She should NOT be doing stairs IF at all possible....even to get up on the bed. You should keep this "slow and easy approach" for about two weeks, and then still just short walks, no jumping yet, etc. Kind of follow her lead. I wouldn't try to make her get up until she shows signs she needs to go potty. Then ishe'll be a little more motivated.
It takes APPROXIMATELY two weeks to recover from the MAJOR surgery itself. And sbout thirty days for muscles to adspt snd get. mobility issues worked out. Every dog is different, so this is just a generalization.
Although it's still early in recovery, you can have someone she really likes to come to the hkuse. Ri g the doorbell....make a big deal about the visitor and get all excited. You'll probably see some tail wags! 🙂
Yes, you should be able tomleave Velma just fine when stitches are out, maybe even a little before. Just make sure she can't jump up on things, etc.
Now, of utmost importance! You need to convey a strong confident pack @ewder mentality! I know it's hard when yiur stressed snd tired, but the hardest part will soon be behind you!!!
It did take me about three weeks before I could say I did this FOR my Happy Hannah and not TO her!!! Velma's getting there. Remember, major surger, adjusting ro three legs AND an overnight ER stay with tummy issues!! Ugh!!
You're doing a great job!! Youre stronger than you give yourself credit! STAY CONNECTED!!! YOU ARE IT ALONE!!! 🙂
Lots of 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!
Oh Velma girl my heart goes out to you. Our boy had his left front amputated last Tuesday the 19th. This is by far one of the most emotionally draining experiences to go through. I'm sorry to hear that she has had a rough go of it.
This site is absolutely amazing and like you, I am on here most of the time. What I have learned is that each fur baby and owner handle things differently. We've made it a priority to treat out boy as if nothing has changed. Yes, we ensure we take the necessary precautions when it comes to his activity level. We've started allowing him to venture up to the first level and hang out there. He loves treats so he gets them often.
We are nine days post surgery now and each day he gets stronger and most himself. I don't know if this has been the reason why he has adapted and recovered so well, but I alternate times of his pain meds. He is on two heavy duty pain meds in addition to an antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory. I give on pain med at 5 am and a pm, his antibiotic at 7 am and 7 pm, his second pain med at 8 am and 8 pm, and finally, his anti-inflammatory at 5 pm. I keep this schedule and find that he does very well on it. I spoke with my vet and he is on board with the schedule I developed. I found that when when he was getting both pain meds at the same time he was so sedated that he would just sleep and whine. He pain is managed and he is able to be function more. He's up most of the time abd loves to socialize. He's only had one off day since his surgery. We just follow his lead and nurse according to his needs.
Please, note that this schedule works for our boy and may not work for others. Let Velma be your guide cause I jus believe they know better than we do.
We are all here for you and welcome to the tripawds family. Velma we're all praying for a smooth recovery girl.
xoxoxox Barb & Bubba
Thank you Barb and Sally for some solid advice but more importantly.... encouragement and positivity! Barb, I hope your sweet new tripawd continues to make a wonderful recovery!
Right now, I am just letting her rest after being at the vet all night. She ate a little this morning but not interested at all right now. Great idea Barb for changing the med routine! I will try that once she eats again! I’ve also spaced out her pain meds a bit more to see if that’ll help too! The vet said he thinks her stomach upset was due to all the medication and being constipated. 🙁 Poor Girl!
Its good to know I’m not doing anything super debilitating! I want her to thrive and be back to her normal self as soon as she’s ready! Hey- if we are lucky- maybe she will ring in 2018 with her stitches out!! 😉🙏
Bubba's staples come out next Wednesday, so he won't be ringing in the new year without them. Your doing just great so never doubt yourself. We'll continue to pray that Velma makes a full recovery. As for our boy, it will be one glorious day at a time-he was diagnosied with osteosarcoma in his left front leg. He had to have his leg, scapula and lymph nodes removed. We are praying that the cancer didn't spread and we will get more time with him.
Keep us updated on Velma's progress... Maybe some photos???
Here's a picture of our boy...
Hello and welcome.
Our surgeon told us that Maggie was only allowed short, leashed potty breaks for the first two weeks. Velma resting is what her body needs right now to heal. 7 days in is still really early in recovery- new Tripawds get tired very easily while learning to hop around- and the meds can have a sedating effect. And now her tummy is upset- no wonder she doesn't want to get up!
She will get stronger and will be hopping up a storm soon- many see a big improvement and more sparkle when the meds are done and the stitches or staples come out.
Barb had great insight about spacing out the meds- it has worked wonders for many here. Of course discuss with your vet so they know what you are doing and how Velma is reacting. Her demeanor also might indicate that she is in pain- not wanting to move, not getting up on her own...many pups here need two pain meds to be comfortable most commonly Tramadol and Gabapentin. Again discuss with your vet if you think she is uncomfortable. The Durmax does help with pain but is not really strong. It could be that she is just tired and trying to deal with her new normal.
I would guess that it is the Durmax or antibiotic causing the tummy problems- both are known to do that.
Hang in there- the recovery period can be tough (mostly on us!). You did the right thing to get her out of chronic pain, she will be amazing you soon!
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 Velma & family
welcome to the Tripawds community! There’s no better place to be, if you have to go through this surgery!
I do hope that Velma is starting to feel a little more like herself... it is a slow process at first, especially for us hooomans ‘cause a week in our world feels like a lifetime when things aren’t running smoothly! Has she gotten over her tummy troubles?
My boy Stewie is a 100lb Bernese/RottyX and his recovery was full of ups and downs. The first thing he told us, was that he couldn’t deal with the harness on his incision. He needed a bit more space to be independent, so we put his regular collar on him, with the additional help of an extendable leash and he (& I both) found it a little easier to help each other outside.
The next issue was a seroma (fluid build up) that had formed under his skin. This was causing him to be in a lot of discomfort and loss of appetite. I had to hand feed him all of his favourite foods and even they weren’t good enough sometimes. We had him back to our vets a few times in order to drain his incision site, we stopped his meds for a day (he was supervised at the vets that day.), so that we could see if his demeanour would change... it did, he did his business and and we were able to get him back onto a routine of his meds.
I realize that Velma is not having the same issues, but I guess my reason for rambling is to help you realize that all dogs are different in their recovery, but no less challenging. As everyone here has suggested, let your girl tell you what she needs, Keep in touch with your vet with any and all concerns, feed Velma anything she wants and to drink lots and lots of fluids, short walks to potty breaks and back to bedrest again and most importantly, stay calm and assertive... Velma will mirror your feelings, so be sure to stay Pawsitively in the moment with her!
Stewie was a lot better after his stitches came out, but we still needed to manage his exercise. An excellent tip that you will find here, is that if they have to sit and rest, they’ve gone too far.
Youre almost through the worst of the recovery... stay in touch and we will help where we can, but most importantly, take care of yourself and you’ll be able to stay strong for your girl.
keeping you in our thoughts
Petra, Stewie and his Pride Of kittens.
p.s. Bubba, I do love your handsome Christmas pictures. Good job on your recovery too!
Remember...“live in the moment!“ 
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