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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Barkley is 10 months old and has a lame back leg. When he was 3 weeks old he was bitten by an adult dog on the hock joint. His leg became infected and at that point he was surrendered to a local vet. The bite broke his little leg and and ultimately damaged the growth plate. I adopted him at 5 weeks old. He had a splint and I had to give him antibiotics. I had hoped that he would eventually regain use of his leg but that has not happened. He has very little mobility in the leg and it is contracted. It is also severely atrophied. He often props his bum leg against his good back leg. Despite the leg he is very active. He gets around well with only three good legs but he does have limitations. If he plays too hard he suffers for it, sometimes for several days after.
The vet that saved him recommended that I get the leg amputated. She believes that he will have less pain and will be even more active without it. My regular vet was hesitant about amputating it and had hoped that he could regain some use of the leg with some physical therapy. However, when Barkley was neutered the vet was able to get better x-rays than he was able to previously and informed me that I basically had two options. One is amputation and the other is surgery in which they would go in and notch the bones in his leg in an attempt to get them to straighten out more and give him more mobility. The x-ray shows that his kneecap is way off center and his femur and tibia/fibula are curved due to the damage to the growth plate. There is no guarantee that the surgery would fix it and I would hate to put him through that pain only to have to amputate the leg later on.
Barkley is scheduled to have his leg amputated on April 15th but I am very nervous about it. I find myself questioning my decision and am literally sick to my stomach over it. Am I making the right decision? Please help!!!
Barkley and family, welcome. I hope you don't mind I moved your post here but this is a great spot to discuss Tripawds who lost a leg in a similar manner.
We can't tell you if your choice is right or wrong because every situation is different. However, my first question is: have you consulted with an orthopedic specialist?
Yes, vets can do amazing things in these situations, but I would only trust a board-certified surgeon to work on my dog for a complicated surgery like the one your vet offered as an amputation alternative.. Just check out Ziggy's story as an example. But on the flip side, the costs of surgeries and accompanying rehab can be very, very expensive. That's one thing to consider.
Another consideration: he may be a good candidate for a professionally made prosthetic, which can be a huge benefit to his life if the circumstances are right. Have you or your vet considered one? See these OrthoPets interviews for information.
Should you decide to proceed with amputation, you'll need to manage his activity so he doesn't pay for overdoing it -- that part is entirely up to us and good management by you will preserve his joints for life. It's not hard or complicated, just takes a little more care than a four-legged pup. You sounds like a great parent who can handle it!
Stay tuned for more feedback from others OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
CLEARLY you are focused on Barkley's best interest. CLEARLY you are making a decision out of love! You are trying to giet rid of that bum leg and free Barkley from numerous vet visits, probably a multitude of surgeries and high risk of infection, not to mention the pain of a looong recovery and probably confinement. Only you and the specialist know if this is the best path.
No one makes this decision lightly. It is major surgery and, even though rare, has risks. The fact that Barkley has already basically admusted ro three legs is a huge plus!
I KNOW this is scary and yiu are second guessing yourself like crazy! Yel! Everyone here understands all thise sickening emotions involved!
YOU ARE NOT ALONE, okay? We are all right here by your side!
If you decide on amputation, Barkley will spend the night and feeling no pain...seeing pink elephants perhaps! The vet will send him home with pain meds, probably Tramadol, Gabapentin, Rimadyl and an antibiotic. Recovery is no picnic for about two weeks, more or less. Once recovery is over though, I think you will be amazed at how well Barkley does! His sparkle will come back bigger and brighter than before!
Have you reviewed enough links on this site ro know how to prepa for his homecoming? Traction? No stairs, just potty breaks and rest the dirst two weeks, etc? Let us know what questions you may have.
YOU ARE DOING THIS FOR...FOR....FOR...BARKLEY, not TO him, okay? He needs ro have that painful leg taken care of one way or another and get in with livi g life to the fullest! 🙂
Now take some deep breaths...grab a chocolate candy bar, or six, and k ow this IS the best option for Barkley's quality!!
Hugs!!!!!!!!!!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
Hi and welcome.
I can't really help with your decision other than to ask how long would she have to be activity restricted if repair surgery was attempted? Of course saving the leg would be the best thing for such a young dog, but you should consider how much time she would have to spend crated or restricted in your decision making process.
I wanted to share a bit about my current Tripawd Elly:
I adopted her when she was 10 months old, it was 3 months after she had been hit by a car and had her right back leg amputated. My understanding was that the femur was beyond repair so the rescue group took her in and paid for the surgery.
Elly is little, only about 15 pounds, but she gets around just fine including going up and down stairs. She is now about 16 months old and thankfully she has some pug in her to slow her down 
Because I didn't know her as a quad dog it has been challenging to regulate her activity correctly. She will walk much farther and play much longer (without a break) than is good for her long term. She plays almost everyday with my quad pug Obie, and we play lots of core strengthening games to keep her strong and tire her out! Also games and obedience work challenge her mind and help take the edge off. I recently started a Blog for Elly if you want to see some of our activities. No matter what direction you go obedience practice and games will help Barkley.
You have a some time before the surgery and you can always push it off a little since you are not dealing with cancer. This is a big decision and you want to be as sure as you can be that you are making the right choice. Do more research and maybe get some more orthopedic opinions.
Keep us posted.
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
I can understand your uncertainty - it's so hard to make these decisions on behalf of another being. I had a hard time deciding on the course of treatment for my dog as well.
Her front leg was injured at a very young age - somewhere around two months old. The bones surrounding her elbow were shattered, but I was living in a country with very little vet care at the time and surgery wasn't an option. She did regain use of her leg and got around alright for two years, but eventually developed terrible arthritis in the damaged joint. We were given the choice of joint replacement or amputation.
I took a month to decide and feel okay with proceeding with amputation - my dog is scared of new people and new situations and we decided she wouldn't cope well with the significant follow-up / PT required with joint replacement, and affording it would have been a struggle. Sally's recommendation is what made me feel better about it: whatever you decide to do, you're doing it for your dog, not to him.
You may want to ask your vet about the possibility of arthritis developing in the knee if you decide on surgery - I don't know too much about post-traumatic arthritis other than my experience alone, but in Jack's case, it was a problem.
And if you decide on amputation, you can see from Elly above, my Jack and countless others on the site that a full life is still possible.
I have decided to go through with the surgery and so he goes in tomorrow morning. Thank you all for your feedback. I know that I am making the right decision but it is still very hard. I have been a nervous wreck and would appreciate prayers for Barkley (and me). I'll keep you posted.
You got it!!!! Lots of prayers and positive energy coming your way. Stay close to us and keep us posted!!
XXX
alison with spirit shelby in her heart
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Best wishes for Barkley! Please do keep us posted and be sure to start here for lots of helpful resources from the Tripawds Community.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yes indeedy, a decision out of love is always the right decision!
I know this is a stressful time...far more so for you than Barkley!!
Update us when he's out of surgery so we can celebrate that painful leg being gone!!
And we're all right by your side to help you through recovery, okay? So stay connected.
Love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
Hoping all went well today. I think you will see a happier puppy with that bum leg gone.
First couple weeks post surgery can be bumpy- but we have seen here that youngsters seem to bounce back quickly. Here's hoping your biggest problem is keeping him quiet!
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Keeping you and Barkley in my thoughts and prayers today! Hugs ((()))
Linda, Riley & Spirits Ollie & Mighty Max
Thank you all so much for your prayers and positive thoughts. Barkley is doing amazing. The vet said that when he woke up from surgery he was ready to play. The vet thinks that maybe his leg was hurting him more than we thought it was. There was a lot of calcium buildup in that leg so I am sure it was painful. The amputation has not slowed him down at all. It's like he didn't even have surgery. This is good and bad as I need him to rest. He spent the night at the vet's the day of the surgery and came home yesterday. His appetite is good. He is walking better than he was before. It is amazing! He is such a resilient dog.
STELLAR JOB BARKLEY!!! OUTSTANDING!!! 🙂
Now he may have a bit of a crash in a day or so once all the hospital meds are out of his system and the balancing act of the right doses for
Ain meds begins.
Many people have reported that surgery recovery was less painful than the bum leg! Sounds like Barkley is in that category!
Keep these vreat updates comi g! And yes, no overd it Mr. Barkley!!
Lpve!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
Barkley is back to his playful and energetic self. Yesterday made a week since his surgery and I just can't get over how quickly he recovered. His incision looks good and he does not appear to be in any pain. He walks, runs, jumps...does whatever he pleases. He is eating well and is back to harassing his big brother Lewis as well as our two cats.
Bravo! That's pawesome news, thanks for updating.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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