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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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will not stand after amputation
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Member Since:
5 August 2015
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5 August 2015 - 1:17 pm
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My dog Louie had his left front leg amputated yesterday (8/4) due to osteosarcoma. He is a 172 pound Neapolitan Mastiff. As of this afternoon he is making no effort to even try to get up or stand. As soon as the vet and assistants get him on his feet he will lower himself right back to the ground. He is peeing himself. They think maybe the pain meds are too high so are lowering them. I know its only 24 hours but I am afraid he will never be able to support his weight on 3 legs. I cannot bring him home till we get him to move and right now he won't even try. Does anybody have any experience with this or any ideas?crying

Livermore, CA




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5 August 2015 - 1:32 pm
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Welcome to Tripawds, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.

Many dogs can stand or hop the day after surgery, but we see here that many bigger dogs take a bit more time to get used to things.  And it does sound a bit like he is kind of dopy on the pain meds.  I assume that the surgery drugs are still in his system, and he is getting more on top of that-right?  Dogs react differently to pain meds- I wouldn't worry too much about him peeing himself- my pug Obie peed himself after his last knee surgery- he was too out of it to stand.

I know it is hard when you see your boy struggle- but stay positive around him.  I'm sure some more big and giant breed members will share their experiences soon- my Tripawd was a 17 lb pug!

 

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

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo

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5 August 2015 - 6:44 pm
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Went to visit Louie again this evening and brought some rubber backed room rugs to maybe help him find his legs. It took 4 people to get him to his feet and when he stands he just panics even with towels and a backend brace around him for support. He flails his one front leg around and claws frantically at the ground and as soon as people ease up on the body support he sinks to the ground. They said they never had a dog refuse to try and get up or walk or panic like him. I am starting to doubt my decision to amputate and am feeling very sad. I never wanted to cause him such distress. I thought I would be alleviating his cancer pain and giving him a better quality of life. Now I am not so sure 🙁 

Virginia







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5 August 2015 - 9:02 pm
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I know this is stressing you out beyond words and making you second guess everything right now!!

Take some deep, deep breaths and no that this refusal to stand does, indeed happen sometimes. The surgery and pain meds are causing him "stress" and keeping him loopy and co fused and disoriented. If I recall, there was a big Rottweiler who stayed at the vet for several days because they couldn't get him to stand either.

I realize tha the vet techs said they had not seen this happen before, but it does...and not just with huge dogs! And yeah, peeing on themselves goes along with the territory too! And oddly enough, sometimes slings, harnesses, etc. flip them out even worse!!

You did exactly what you needed to do to give Louie a chance at a pain free life! Louie will figure things out at his own pace. Just curious if he was limping before the surgery? .ost dogs already are limping some and have a "preview" of how to get along on three legs....not all dogs limp first, but many do.

Trust me, we all second guess our decision for various reasons the first several days of recovery. Actually, I doubted my decision for my Happy Hannah (a 125 lb Bull Mastiff) for al ost three weeks! I could not believe I jad done this TO my dog! But man ih man, once she got her mobility worked out and recovered from the major surgery and her slarjle came back brighter than ever, I jnew I had done this FOR her!!

I KNOW it's so hard not to worry! I KNOW you want Louie home! Soon Louie will be up and home and on the road to recovery!!

And PLEASE post pictures of Louie when you can! One of the "volunteer" Veterinarians here started out with us because she had a 175 lb (or maybe even heavier) Mastiff who had an amputation due to osteo. There is also another, Monbo(darn, I don't think I have the name right), who endured recovery and is doing well!!

STAY CONNECTED and update when you can! It may take a bit more time and the right balance of pain meds, but Louie will be up and about soon!! And don't forget those deep breaths!!

Sending lots of love and hugs!

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!



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5 August 2015 - 9:56 pm
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I agree with Sally, this is an incredibly stressful time. Louie is drugged and will have to learn a new way to get up and walk. The drugs will wear off, the pain will go, Louie will become stronger and develop confidence. It does get better. Each pet's recovery is unique and I doubt that any one is a text book case.

I recall reading that some cats even peed themselves. They are not themselves in the early days and they won't even remember it. Remember dogs and cats live in the moment and don't look back. Louie will want to get up and pee, he will want to eat, and he will want to play and be loved by you.

Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona

MIKE P
6
6 August 2015 - 5:02 pm
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benny55 said
I know this is stressing you out beyond words and making you second guess everything right now!!

Take some deep, deep breaths and no that this refusal to stand does, indeed happen sometimes. The surgery and pain meds are causing him "stress" and keeping him loopy and co fused and disoriented. If I recall, there was a big Rottweiler who stayed at the vet for several days because they couldn't get him to stand either.

I realize tha the vet techs said they had not seen this happen before, but it does...and not just with huge dogs! And yeah, peeing on themselves goes along with the territory too! And oddly enough, sometimes slings, harnesses, etc. flip them out even worse!!

You did exactly what you needed to do to give Louie a chance at a pain free life! Louie will figure things out at his own pace. Just curious if he was limping before the surgery? .ost dogs already are limping some and have a "preview" of how to get along on three legs....not all dogs limp first, but many do.

Trust me, we all second guess our decision for various reasons the first several days of recovery. Actually, I doubted my decision for my Happy Hannah (a 125 lb Bull Mastiff) for al ost three weeks! I could not believe I jad done this TO my dog! But man ih man, once she got her mobility worked out and recovered from the major surgery and her slarjle came back brighter than ever, I jnew I had done this FOR her!!

I KNOW it's so hard not to worry! I KNOW you want Louie home! Soon Louie will be up and home and on the road to recovery!!

And PLEASE post pictures of Louie when you can! One of the "volunteer" Veterinarians here started out with us because she had a 175 lb (or maybe even heavier) Mastiff who had an amputation due to osteo. There is also another, Monbo(darn, I don't think I have the name right), who endured recovery and is doing well!!

STAY CONNECTED and update when you can! It may take a bit more time and the right balance of pain meds, but Louie will be up and about soon!! And don't forget those deep breaths!!

Sending lots of love and hugs!

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!

I have a English bulldog that had front leg amputated completely on Monday aug 3 2015 I no it is very early but he really struggles when walking I do not want him in pain can he make it ,he is pretty heavy but does get up and get around many thanks

Livermore, CA




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6 August 2015 - 9:15 pm
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Hi Mike, thanks for posting.  Please consider registering to take full advantage of this site, and your posts will not have to be approved (after the first one).

And please share your story in a new thread so your story doesn't get lost here. Tell us more about your boy- what's his name?

 

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

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo


Member Since:
7 August 2015
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7 August 2015 - 3:38 pm
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krun15 said
Hi Mike, thanks for posting.  Please consider registering to take full advantage of this site, and your posts will not have to be approved (after the first one).

And please share your story in a new thread so your story doesn't get lost here. Tell us more about your boy- what's his name?

 

Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls

I did register thanks

his name is dozer pretty good size english bulldog

the landscaping company that does our lawn last sat aug 1st

ran over his left front paw and cut the leg off just above the joint

we took him to vet sat and he wanted to wait till Monday to decide what was best for Dozer and us

my wife (it is here dog) thought because of injury and weight of dog he needed to be put to sleep,

monday after talking to vet her and I decided to amputate the leg completely . we got him back

wed of this week it is a new experience for both of us watching him get up and moving around

he cannot go far before he runs out of breath and just lays down, were both kind of lost how long

before he gets use to only having 3 legs, he is on lots of meds but really seems in good spirits just as

friendly as before just a little slow

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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7 August 2015 - 4:10 pm
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Oh my DOG Mike! What a horrific way to lose a limb, I am soooo sorry! Super glad to hear that your pup is doing better though. Poor baby!

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

Member Since:
18 May 2015
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7 August 2015 - 6:22 pm
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Hi there. I don't think there is anything we can say that will bring comfort but I will tell you about my experience.  I have a 130 lbs (pre amp) Saint Bernard.  I only found out recently that she also didn't want to stand after her surgery but yesterday, 2.5 months post amp, she walked the farthest she has to date without any problems.  I am not a professional but those vets are and they will do what they need to do and I firmly believe that when you look back you won't regret this decision because when I look at my Molly I see her smiling and know I made the right decision!  Please keep us posted! 

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7 August 2015 - 8:50 pm
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sreuschen said
My dog Louie had his left front leg amputated yesterday (8/4) due to osteosarcoma. He is a 172 pound Neapolitan Mastiff. As of this afternoon he is making no effort to even try to get up or stand. As soon as the vet and assistants get him on his feet he will lower himself right back to the ground. He is peeing himself. They think maybe the pain meds are too high so are lowering them. I know its only 24 hours but I am afraid he will never be able to support his weight on 3 legs. I cannot bring him home till we get him to move and right now he won't even try. Does anybody have any experience with this or any ideas?crying

sreuschen,

Today at 2pm I picked up from the vet my 10yr old Shih Tzu, Ginger, she had her right back leg amputated yesterday, she is only 11.5lbs, and had been limping/walking on three legs for the last months, so I guess she had time to prepare for life as a tripod, she did walk, right after I picked her up, which gave us such a relief. I have read that heavier dogs may have to take a bit more time to get used to adjust, give Louie and yourself time, let him feel your strength, faith and resolve to help him back to health, I would recommend that you search for blogs of people whose pups had the same start as Louie after surgery, it sure helped me-lots!- to research before going ahead with Ging's surgery, seeing pics of what the scar would look like I admit was shocking to me but helped me see what a beautiful job the surgeon did on my girl, hopefully your team will find out what doses are appropriate and about him peeing himself, my experience with foster dogs after spay/neuter surgery tells me that it's going to happen from time to time, no biggie smileykeep us posted, best wishes

Livermore, CA




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7 August 2015 - 8:59 pm
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Welcome Ginger and pack, your future posts will not require moderation.

Thanks for posting and sharing your experience.  Please consider starting a new thread so you can introduce yourselves and tell us your story.

 

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

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo


Member Since:
13 July 2017
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13 July 2017 - 8:51 pm
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Hi there,

  I'm wondering if there has been any update on Louie?

My girl Daisy is 8 days post op and has no desire to stand on her own. She had a plethora of other injuries- she lost her leg due to a coyote attack- and I am scared I made the wrong choice to amputate. My vet has recommended I wait 2 weeks post op to start second guessing myself... but you know how that goes.

I'm hoping to hear that Louie took a few days/week and is now doing well....

On The Road


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24 September 2009
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13 July 2017 - 10:40 pm
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Ohhhhh wow, Angel Louie must be playing some games with us. It's so odd you ask about him, he just passed away but he had an amazing two years being happy and mobile on 3 legs. See:

http://sreusche.....his-wings/

I will chat more with you in the am, please start a new topic for your sweet pup so we can help you better ok? Hang in there!

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

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