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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We're getting ready to adopt a husky mix, about 6 weeks old named Hopper (we'll be waiting to take him home until he's about 8-9 weeks). He was born with a bone growth and missing a joint in one of his front legs. We've been told that amputation may become necessary, but right now it doesn't seem to be in his way too much. The woman who's fostering him said that he hops on his 3 good legs, plays and gets around like any other 6 week old puppy. I'm wondering if anyone else has had a dog with a similar defect and what they chose to do. How would we know if amputation would be the best option for him? I don't want to put him through any unnecessary trauma, but I also want to make sure we're making the right decision for him. Can a limb with a defect like this cause problems later in life? Would it be better to consider amputation while he's younger?
Welcome Laurie! Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
Others with experience may chime in, but consider searching the forums above, and you can search all blogs here .
This discussion about a puppy with a deformed limb may sound familiar!
Consider consulting with a certified rehab vet tech (CCRT or CCRP ) for a professional opinion. If there is enough limb left, you might also consider consulting with Orthopets to see if Hopper is a prosthetics candidate. Watch our Orthopets video interviews for more information.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks admin! I've been going through previous posts and have found a lot of great information already. This will be our first tri-pawed puppy, so we're just trying to soak up as much as we can and make sure we're prepared and know how to best care for Hopper. I'm so thankful we found this group! It's definitely answered a lot of questions I had (and others I wouldn't have even thought to ask!) . I'm hoping since he was born without the use of that leg, it will be an easier transition for him if it does need to be removed.
Hopper is soooop adorable! Thank you for giving him such a lpving and caring forever home!!
You've been given great links by our Admin. Guy. Kudos to you for doing all this good research.
Should he need the amputation, it sounds like adjusting tonthree legs will be a breeze!!! Sure, it's major surgery znd recovery is no picnic, but his ability to adapt mobility wise...DONE!! In fact, yoy may even change his name as no one will even notice he has three legs!! He sure won't!!
Looki g forward to following his journey AND seeing more pictures of this cutie pie!!
Hugs a d love to all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Hoppper is adorable! Thanks for giving this pup a chance at a great life.
From what I've seen here it can go either way when a young pup has some stump left. Sometimes they will start to use it and it will get in the way, other times nothing out of the ordinary occurs. For most it's just a wait and see kind of thing if it's not causing them any pain. Your best bet is to have him evaluated and monitored by a certified rehab vet to ensure he's progressing without any gait or mobility problems.
We can't wait to follow along with your adventures. THanks for joining!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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