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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Could do with a paw hold this morning

27 replies

plominoagain · 22/04/2020 11:03

Posting for diversion really. We have a lovely greyhound , our fifth , who is the apple of our eye , and on Monday we had a disaster . He tripped coming down the stairs , and by the time he got to the bottom, it was obvious he had broken his front leg and he was screaming. He scooped him up, and flew to the vets . X-rays yesterday confirmed it broke because he had a primary osteosarcoma tumour in his leg , by the knee , but no secondaries as it’s been caught really early . My vet who I trust implicitly, had recommended amputation just above the knee. , which is going on now . It’s such a shame . So now I’m googling three legged dog videos and trying to think how we can help him adapt . My poor boy .

OP posts:
doodleygirl · 22/04/2020 11:22

Your poor boy, and poor you.

I have no experience of 3 legged dogs but I am sure in time he will be fine. I hope all goes quickly with his op and recovery.

phyllidia · 22/04/2020 11:36

Hope the op goes as well as it can.

I see a 3-legged dog out on walks frequently and it seems to do fine.

TheDogsMother · 22/04/2020 11:36

Oh I'm so sorry for you and your poor dog but thankfully the tumour has been found early. Dogs are absolutely amazing how they adapt to three legs and they just seem to carry on having fun like before. Wishing him a speedy recovery Flowers

RedRed9 · 22/04/2020 11:39

Terrible situation but what a lucky boy he is to have you and for you to have been there when it happened to get him to the vets immediately.

He’ll need a bit of tlc after the op but then he’ll be back to himself. I imagine it will be you who takes longest to adjust (mentally). Dogs bounce back from things incredibly well!

TheDogsMother · 22/04/2020 11:40
Corneysjazzband · 22/04/2020 12:11

I had a friend of a friend with a 3 legged greyhound. She walked it with other 4 legged greyhounds and it always seemed fine. They learn and adapt!

orlarose · 22/04/2020 12:42

I knew a three legged dog, also missing a front leg. It really was amazing how it adapted, the remaining leg sort of moved into a more central position and it had no problems running, jumping etc. Hope the op goes well.

GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman · 22/04/2020 13:38

They adapt amazingly well. I've known a couple of dogs who lost a leg and one went on to catch a rabbit... The other had a tumour caught early and he lived a long time, and had a great life. Dogs aren't like people, they don't mourn for the future things they can't do or fret about their body image or grieve what's gone. They just seem to think, Huh, that's odd... Oh, hey, a cool smell!

WhatAStupidIdea · 22/04/2020 14:29

Dogs adapt unbelievably well to losing a leg! We had a spaniel many years ago, he was a 17 month old rescue and we had no idea he was reactive to cats when we first got him. On our first night he was very unsure and refused to even walk, so hubby picked him up to take him out to pee, as soon as he stepped outside, the dog jumped from his arms in an attempt to get at a neighbour’s cat. He broke his leg in several places, the vet tried hard to avoid amputation, but in the end it was the only option. I was so devastated and worried myself sick about how he’d cope, but within a week he was walking and going about his business like nothing had changed. For his entire (long!) life, he was the most active, happy, mischievous dog we’ve ever had - and we’ve had many! People were always shocked to discover that the streak of fluff flying past them at the speed of light was actually a tripod. Please don’t worry too much, I can honestly say that the only difference between him and the other dogs we’ve had, was that he didn’t need to cock his leg to wee.

I hope all goes well, much love to you and ddog ❤️

jinxpixie · 22/04/2020 15:43

I am so sorry what a traumatic experience for you both. Paw hold from me.

We had a similar situation and it did workout ok. Dogs are incredibly resilient.

However the first few weeks after the operation I did find incredibly traumatic. I am only saying this to prepare you and also let you know that it did get better.

We put rugs all over the house so it was easy for him to walk.
He also had a support harness which made it much easier in the early days. I found the wound very upsetting and that my beautiful boy had been damaged however again as he got better I got over this.

He also did need to be on top of pain meds for a while and he seemed to have phantom pains but again when we recognised this and got on the right medication he was more comfortable.

The first couple of weeks were hard and then unbelievably things got better. Be gentle with yourself but things will improve.

FlowersHope he is feeling better soon. Give that lovely soft gentle pointy face a stroke from me.

MuthaFunka61 · 22/04/2020 15:49

Flowers and a paw hug for you.

Windyatthebeach · 22/04/2020 16:05

Love from my pointy hounds to yours op..

Could do with a paw hold this morning
spiderlight · 22/04/2020 16:23

Oh, poor boy. What a shock for you all. I hope the op has gone smoothly. They do adapt remarkably quickly.

LochJessMonster · 22/04/2020 16:26

I work with lurchers, and about half are tri-pawed. You wouldn’t know. They are just as quick and active and bouncy. They adapt so so quickly to 3 legs.

He will probably be a bit unsteady and fall over a bit in the first few weeks, particular getting up/lying down.

Very important to make sure he is a good weight, any extra weight will impact him more.

bloodywhitecat · 22/04/2020 16:27

Paw hold from me and 'Fred too, dogs adapt very well to being three legged so hopefully your dear boy will go on to have a long happy life

CMOTDibbler · 22/04/2020 16:33

I'm so sorry to hear that. They do seem to adapt amazingly well - we often see a tripod greyhound locally and he is so fast

Ellmau · 22/04/2020 17:04

Your poor baby - but as pp are saying they do adapt amazingly well.

Wolfiefan · 22/04/2020 17:08

I’m so sorry. I used to know a three legged wolfhound!!! And I know a number of tripawd greys. All as zoomie as ever. Wishing you and your pointy hound the very best.

Original poster
plominoagain · 22/04/2020 18:10

Well he's through the surgery, and the vet's really pleased . He's still in recovery so they're keeping him overnight just to make sure , and we should have him home tomorrow. It's a relief. All the nurses are telling me what a good boy he's been , bless him Smile

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 22/04/2020 20:21

I’m so glad the surgery is over. Best they keep him tonight to make sure he’s comfortable (and possibly spoilt rotten. He seems to have fans!)
Hope he’s back with you tomorrow.

Windyatthebeach · 23/04/2020 14:46

How is your lovely ddog today op?

pilates · 23/04/2020 15:24

Sending you love and get well wishes to your darling dog. I think the way I would get comfort is the fact that you found the tumour early before it had chance to spread, so giving you many more happy years together ❤️

OliveToboogie · 23/04/2020 15:33

I also own a Greyhound. ((((.))) 🐾 🐾 hugs and paws fro Glasgow xx

Original poster
plominoagain · 23/04/2020 23:52

He’s home ! He’s very very tired , and when he got home , he hopped over to his bed , curled up and just went to sleep until dinner time , when he insisted on running down the hallway to eat his dinner , which he wolfed down ( rice with duck and tuna - the vet told us to give him anything he’d eat ) and then he’s had a wee and climbed back onto the sofa . He’ll be happier when he doesn’t have to wear his t shirt I think, but he’s ok .

OP posts:
CMOTDibbler · 24/04/2020 10:27

Oh bless him! HoundTees do fitted tees custom made for tripaws, though I think they can't do custom at the moment

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