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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
I have fallen in love with a dog I saw on the local animal shelter site. I am going to meet him tomorrow, but I know I won't be able to leave him there. I am pretty sure we'll be bringing him home with us. I am just concerned about what all I need to know before we bring him home. WE have a dog already, but she is very mild and calm. I don't anticipate any problems from her. We do have some hardwood flooring and I am reading here that we may need a few rugs to help with moving around on those? We also have carpt and a few stairs. All I know about this dog is there was an injury to the leg and basically neglect on the part of the previous owners and it required amputation. Just thinking about that makes me well up with tears. The foster family has said he is adjusted well and can get around pretty good. I am so excited to meet him. If anyone has advice for me I would appreciate it.
Your future posts will not need moderation.
Let me first thank you for adopting a shelter dog, and secondly congratulate you on adopting a tripawd. Tripawds are awesome pets. They win your heart on so many levels. They adapt so willingly to their new normal. I think your current dog will be a good fit if she is mild and calm. If it is like my experience, the four leg will look out for the three leg. They know there is a difference in the tripawd and respect and adapt to allowing for what the needs of the tripawd are.
We brought Duke into our home when Trouble was six months post op. He knew she was different, and was very protective of her. He gave her the space she needed to maneuver about and always allowed her to go first through doorways, etc.
Please keep us posted.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
It's so great that you are adopting this dog. In a lot of ways a tripawd is like a normal dog. You might look into getting a harness, there's some great links here that talk about that. Other than that, I'd say wait and see. As you live with him you'll get to know his needs and strengths
Oh we hope it works out for you! Thank you so much for considering a Tripawd and coming here for tips and ideas.
Have you seen Jerry's Required Reading List ? This is a great place to start even if your pup has already lost a leg. Yes, things like adding traction to your home will make life a lot easier for him. Raised feeder bowls are terrific too. Our Tripawds Gear Blog has lots of ideas too.
When thinking about bringing a Tripawd home, one thing to consider is the type of activity level you envision doing together. Because while a Tripawd can do just about anything a quadpawd can do, you will need to regulate his activity so he doesn't overdo things and put stress on his joints. Our videos & interviews with California Animal Rehab provide some insight into how you can keep him strong and healthy for a long, long time.
Let us know if the adoption works out! We'd love to see some pics.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Let me see if I can put some pics on here.. We picked him up today and so far it's going well. He is the sweetest dog and sadly his amputation is due to abuse from a previous owner. It just sickens me.. 
I will check out all those links. Thank you so much!
He is totally wiped out after meeting his new kids and sister. 
I must say he has more energy than my 4 legged lab does! lol
He's beautiful. It's obvious that he knows he's home! I adopted Willow over a year after her amputation. She has amazed me with her ability to do what she wants. She can't walk very far (she's also a senior with severe arthritis in her hips and remaining front leg), but she runs all over the yard, digs holes, chases lizards and squirrels and has a wonderful time. You will forget that he has 3 legs after awhile. Many times when I've gone to clean Willow's feet after she's run around in the mud I find myself reaching for that fourth foot that isn't there. He's lucky to have found you, and I'm sure you will find that you are lucky to have found him.
He is gorgeous and it looks like he fell into a FINE family.
Tripawds do better overall if they stay on the leaner side (not implying he's a hefty dude). There is less stress on the joints, particularly for the active ones.
Congratulations to all of you.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
oh my gosh, he's gorgeous.
I'm so sorry he went through that abuse but now he is with a family that will love and protect him.
CONGRATULATIONS!!! He looks right at home already!!
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
He seems to be fitting in perfect! My hubby came home and he has been right by his side ever since. Worn out and sleeping finally.
He is sooo handsome! I would have taken him in a heartbeat. I'm partial to labs anyway. I'm not surprised he's fitting right in. Thank you for giving him a furever home.
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
I wish I would have seen this post earlier! This is wonderful!
We adopted two tripawds last month and couldn't be happier! As many have already mentioned, there are a few considerations when having a tripawd, but the most important thing is love.
Bless you and your family for seeing the inner spirit of your new pup.
I seriously can't say enough good things about him! He just went to the door and scratched it with is one front paw to let me know he wanted out. I have just been taking him regularly so I wasn't sure if he'd let us know or not. He is such a good boy!
I have another question though. Do you all notice your dogs are more thirsty or drink more? He seems to pant a lot and I wonder if it's because it is so much harder for him to walk than a 4 legged dog? The adoption center said he was tested for diabetes and other things and everything came back fine. He just drinks a lot and pees a lot. LOL He is a big boy too. 87lbs is what his paper says, but I bet he's even bigger. Our other lab is 80ls and he towers over her.
Wooo hooo! What a cool pup! He is SO lucky to have found your family.
I was an abused dawg too, that's how I lost my leg. But I got me a good home now and life IS GOOD! Ok, so I have some emotional challenges but people say I've come a long way. Love can do amazing things!
Congratulations!
Wyatt Ray Dawg . . . The Tripawds Leg-A-Cy Continues!
Read all about my adventures at my Tripawds Blog
runnermommaof4 said
I have another question though. Do you all notice your dogs are more thirsty or drink more? He seems to pant a lot and I wonder if it's because it is so much harder for him to walk than a 4 legged dog?
Wooo hoo! Congratulations! He is such a lucky pup to win the great family lottery!
Yes, Tripawds do work harder to move about, especially front leggers and especially during the first few months after surgery. Monitoring his activity to make sure he doesn't overdo things, staying lean and strengthening those core muscles will go a long way toward helping to build stamina. Here's a Best of Tripawds Gear and Fitness Tips for Three Legged Dogs that can teach you exercises to help him get strong.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
1 Guest(s)
