Tripawds Three Legged Dog & Cat Forum Archives
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We are looking to adopt a tripod labrador mix who lost a hind leg to an auto accident. Can anyone give us an idea as to health issues we may face down the road? He is 9 months old.
Hello and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I hope you don't mind that I moved your topic to 'Beyond Cancer' since you are thankfully not dealing with cancer.
I have to run right now but I wanted to get your post approved so you could get some input.
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
Find me now on Tripawds Circle
Hi there,
My sweet Ted was a front leg amputation due to osteosarcoma at age ~9. He unfortunately lost his cancer battle in November of this year but about a week after his amputation he bounced around just like he had bounced around for 8 1/2 years prior. Nothing slowed him down (except the cancer). I whole heartedly recommend you adopt a tripaw pup. It is kind of scary if you've not been exposed to it but it is amazing how well they get around.There are videos here and on youtube of tri-paws that you should have a look at! Oh yeah.... and my tripaw was a chick (and guy....and basically EVERYONE) magnet. I hope it works out for you and your potential rescue dog!
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Hi and welcome. Thanks for thinking of adopting this special pup! My thoughts about potential health issues are:
A Tripawd can live a great life, healthy and injury free. But it's up to their humans to ensure that they have the right kind of exercise, rest and diet that will help them enjoy that quality of life they deserve. All Tripawds are predisposed to early arthritis and joint stress issues, that's a fact because the animal is compensating with one missing limb. However, there are many things we can do to mitigate that, such as:
Keeping the Tripawd much leaner than typical for the breed.
Taking time to learn and participate in the right kinds of exercise that will help reduce joint stress. For instance, learning and doing core-strengthening activities together that build muscle and aid in balance. It takes rethinking your ideas about playtime to help a Tripawd get and stay strong. A Tripawd is not a running or hiking companion, but they CAN go with you if you invest in a dog stroller . Our Gear blog and e-book Loving Life On Three Legs gets into detail about this.
And finally, being wiling to modify your home if necessary. Putting down carpet runners if you have slippery floors, raising food bowls and ensuring the pup doesn't have access to dangerous, steep stairs and that sort of thing will ensure the dog's safety and mobility through the years.
Do these things and there's no reason why that pup shouldn't go on to stay strong and healthy into old age. Our Wyatt Ray is going on eight years old. He's been missing a limb almost all of his life and because we are super careful with his activity, he's still spry as ever!
I hope this helps.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Its nice to have a harness for bigger dogs - we loved the Ruffwear Webmaster
Plus harness. There is a handle on the back to help with loading into the car (not that my Otis needed any help) and you can clip your lead to the back of the harness which keeps it away from the feet/legs as they hop. As he gets older, you will want to be alert to joint health issues - all my dogs have taken both fish oil and Dasaquin supplements as seniors. As a young dog, there is very little that he cannot do (chase squirrels, steal food off counters, play) - we frequently see videos on this site of groups of dogs, and you really cannot tell which one is the tripawd. You also might consider seeing a rehab therapist just to learn some core strenghtening exercises - the Maggie Moo fund reimburses first visits. Like Ted's mom, I also lost my tripawd to cancer, but would adopt another in a second. Tripawds bring so much joy into our lives - you will be changing his and your lives!
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Hello, tammerdee, so you're adopting a tripawd who lost a hind leg due to an auto accident? Excellent! Near the end of December, 2014, we adopted Phoenix, a tripawd pit bull girl, who was hit by 3 different cars on Labor Day weekend on a freeway down south in the SF Bay Area. Two Good Samaritans rescued & drove her 6 hours north to a no-kill shelter in our county. Her front right leg was subsequently amputated. Phoenix is such a sweet, loving dog, who exhibits a true joy for life. She's a great example of the saying, "It's better to hop happily on 3 legs than to limp on 4." You'll get much support and suggestions on this site. We helped Phoenix by putting down runners on some linoleum floors, raising her food bowls and providing a comfy bed for the living room to supplement her padded crate. We've her weight down (since she only runs on 3-cylinders), walk Phoenix around the neighborhood (she actually runs at the beach), and give her supplements like advanced glucosamine. That's it for now! Glad to hear you're bringing a 3-legged wonder into your family.
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