Tripawds Three Legged Dog & Cat Forum Archives
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat. Explore 17+ years of forum archives for stories and answers to questions about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery. Enjoy fresh discussion and connect with members in the new Tripawds Support Circle.
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Harley is our seven month old yellow lab that was born without a shoulder. He has fours legs but his left leg is the one without a shoulder. He has a dino arm as I call it. He can go like a bat out of hell. He is just amazing. His balance isn't very good as of yet but gets better everyday. He can do stairs fairly well. He walks on ice great and loves bouncing through the snow like a rabbit. I do get concerned with him falling on his face alot. I took him out for a walk for the first time a few days ago. He didn't like the cement and would walk on the ice. I had him on a harness but it seemed to hinder him more. I am thinking about training him to be off harness. The City bylaw states on leash but he becomes unbalanced and hits the cement with his face. I worry about the pain he feels each time he falls. Is there a harness out there that would work for our Harley. As it stands now Harley's leg can remaind apart of his body but the harnesses out there just fall off do to no shoulder. Harley is the best part of our family. Our daughter just can't get enough of him. He is just great and we love him dearly. Thanks Jan
Hi Jan and Harley, Welcome to Tripawds!
I hope you don't mind I moved your post here and added a little title description...I just want everypawdy to be able to find Harley's story, he sounds adorable.
As you may have seen we do love the Ruff Wear Webmaster Harness even for front leg amputees like me. I didn't have a scapula after doctors took my leg, and although the harness would slide a bit after playing for a while, it's still the best one we've found for Tripawds. Is this the harness you're already using?
Harley will get the hang of walking and so will you (I'm sure you've noticed that you need to walk faster to keep up with him). He's still young and by gaining strength in that front leg over time, he'll have better proprioception and balance skills. Work with him to get strong and you'll see a difference.
Until then remember that when he does a face plant it bugs you more than it bugs him! Tripawds just get up and go, they are so resilient!
We'd love to see more pics of him! Thanks again for joining us.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome Harley and gang!
I would love to see a picture! Does Harley use the leg? I'm so happy to hear that everythign is going well!
My Comet was born with a deformed scapula (shoulder blade) and a deformed leg. Comet was our deformed leg little mascot!
[Image Can Not Be Found]
I don't know if I'll ever get over losing her. Boohoohoo! (Don't mind me! 
)
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Oh, and to add...Comet fell a lot but I put throw rugs everywhere after having her for 5 years! She cracked a few teeth and had several removed from cracks and breaks but she loved the treats she got from falling on her face!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Welcome and thanks for sharing Harley's story! Be sure to bookmark Jerry's Required Reading List for lots of great links to some of the best Tripawds blog posts and forum topics from the past few years.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Harley and Jan,
I was sure Cometdog would find you, Harley is right up her alley 
My boy has his scapula, but many here don't have it after amputation. I can say I love the harness we have, it adjusts so many ways to fit. I believe it is a ruff wear..
Does the vet recommend you keep his leg? I wonder if not having it may make him more mobile? I know it is a hard thing to consider, but I don't know your situation so I just would like to ask. If it doesn't move, or help him in anyway, it might be a hinderance. I would have to ask many more questions and get doctors advice to find out for sure.
Welcome to the site, Harley is quite the cutie!!
Elizabeth and Sammy
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
He sure is a sweetie! Tai was also a front leg amp with no scapula (taken with the amputation). I used the Ruffwear Harness and although it twisted a bit it seemed to fit her pretty well. Being just a youngster I'm betting that he adapts to whatever happens really quickly. Keep us posted on his progress.
Laura, Kali and Angel Tai
Tai – 9 yr old lab. Diagnosed Osteosarcoma Dec 18/09. Front right leg amputated Dec 21/09. Started chemo Jan 7/10. Lung mets discovered Sept 16/10. Valiant to the end on Oct 26/10 when cancer reappeared in a leg and we made the decision to set her free. Forever in my heart where not even cancer can take her from me.
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