Tripawd Beagle Mix Suebee benefits from free canine rehab evaluation and at-home therapy thanks to Tripawds Foundation Rehab Grant #204. The consultation, and rehab exercises help Suebee stay strong and love life on three legs. Read her story, and learn how you can get a free veterinary rehab evaluation for your dog or cat.
Yes! Tri-kitties qualify for free feline rehab too. See all Tripawds who have received free rehab sessions thanks to your support.
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Tripawd Beagle Mix Suebee is a rescue dog from the Second Chance Shelter in Columbia, Missouri. She is a mix of beagle and Brittany spaniel, 14 years old, white with honey-colored spots. Suebee has the characteristic heart on the top of her head like a lemon beagle. I adopted her when she was a year and half old.
On Monday, February 26, 2024, my vet, Dr. Patrick Tate of the Webster Groves Animal Hospital diagnosed Suebee with a lymphoma that had ruptured the muscle in her right hind leg. She was already standing on three legs. That Friday, March 1, 2024, her leg was removed.
Suebee was sent home the day after surgery but because of care issues, she was returned to the hospital and recovered there for two weeks. During that time, I was not allowed to see her so that she wouldn’t think I was there to take her home. Kindly, my vet texted me a photo of her each day so I could tolerate being separated from her. You see, Suebee is a trained service dog that assists me with my depression and anxiety and being separated from her was stressful.
Suebee Finds Help After Amputation Recovery
It was difficult adjusting to this situation and I found Tripawds by simply searching “three legged dogs” on the internet, which led me to tripawds.com. The person I called on the toll-free Tripawds Helpline was informative and supportive and helped me through the immediate days after the surgery. What a relief this website has been and still is for me, knowing that there is a community of people with the experience and knowledge to navigate this experience!
Over the next four months, Suebee’s remaining hind leg became progressively weaker. I decided it was time to try rehabilitation.
On August 14, 2024, we had our consultation with Dr. Tiffani Witten, MS, DVM, CCRT, CVA of Back on Track Veterinary Hospital and Rehabilitation Center in O’Fallon, Missouri. Their website is www.backontrackvet.com. Dr. Witten prescribed underwater treadmill to strengthen Suebee’s back hind leg and her core muscles.
She also prescribed massage to help the muscles stay supple and tension free as Suebee’s body adjusted to having only one hind leg.
Home exercises were given to help keep the back leg flexible and prevent muscle strain. A joint supplement was also recommended for Suebee.
The one thing I learned most from this experience is that a community of people who have been through this experience can be your greatest resource for knowledge and source of emotional strength during a trying time, even if that time takes months of adjustment. I tell so many people about the Tripawds community and what they do, and I hope this word of mouth eventually helps other people whose dog (or cat) loses a leg.
~ Joyce and Suebee
Hi Joyce and Suebee!
So glad to get this good update and see the adorable pictures of mississippi. She’s just as cute as can be!💖
‘Beenwonderi g hose you two were doing, so it’s great to hear that, even though there were hurdles for sure, she is doing so well now and looks so happy!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Ofcourse, spell check turned Miss Suebee into Mississippi 😂🤣