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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Hello to all,
My name is Erin and I'm fairly new to the experience of having a tripawd. I work at a local animal hospital, in August 2015 someone walked in with a 4 month old puppy stating somethings wrong with her, her left front leg was injured, and they proceeded set her on the scale and walked out. Animal Care Services came out to pick up this sweet little puppy, protocol of the county is any abandoned pet is required to go to Animal Control. I called them a bit later to let them know I was VERY interested in adopting the sweet puppy. They informed me that she required amputation of her left front leg as she had sustained some kind of crushing injury that could not be repaired and was scheduled for surgery. They encouraged me to think long and hard about adopting a "special needs" puppy. I told them there was no thinking needed, that sweet puppy had a furever home with me as soon as I was allowed to pick her up. They allowed to pick her up the day after her surgery. They had named her "Tish", I had already picked out her name "Garnet" because she's a gem. She is most definitely not a "special needs" pup, she has no idea that anything ever happened, she keeps up with the rest of the pack with no issues.
We recently started leash training and shes doing very well, however because of the way she carries her weight she has a raw spot on her pad from walking on a rough surface. Is this a common issue? Will she build a callus over time? Should I try boots or would that create blisters just like shoes on a child?
I am so happy I found this site 
Hi Erin and Garnet, welcome! Thanks for joining. I moved your post to this topic because it's a great place to see how other dogs with similar (non-cancer) backgrounds are doing. Hope that was OK. Your future posts won't need approval so post away.
That's so cool you adopted her, thank you! Yeah, "special needs" is kind of silly when it comes to a Tripawd, especially a Pittie. They are so amazing! I would encourage you to check out Loving Life On Three Legs , its' our handbook for life on three legs. Having a young dog like this means you get a chance to raise her with the right activity and support early on, what a lucky pup.
About her pressure sore. It's not uncommon, but in a young dog it sounds to me like perhaps she didn't get her motor skills built up enough before she lost her leg, and she is now walking with a very compromised gait. I'm not a vet, but what I've been told is that very young Tripawds have a few more challenges because they haven't gotten the balance or motor skills foundation down. However, the good news is that there IS something you can do: get her evaluated by a rehabilitation therapy specialist, who can show you the best ways to teach her how to walk, what exercises will help strengthen her core muscles that help with a strong, balanced gait, and more. Even better: The Tripawds Foundation will pay for her first visit!
More Free Rehab For Tripawds!
In the meantime you might want to consider a boot. See:
Protect Your Tripawd Dog’s Carpal Pads from Pressure Sores
and
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome Erin and Garnet.
I LOVE her name!
I recently adopted my second tripawd, a small mix who was hit by a car when she was about 7 months old. Elly is a rear amp who just turned 1 year old. My biggest issue with her is slowing her down and moderating her activity so she can burn off her puppy energy but doesn't overdo.
I'm glad to hear leash training is going well...tripawds tend to go pretty fast. Are you having any trouble keeping up with her? Which paw is getting the sore, her one front? Elly is only 14 pounds, and I have to walk pretty fast to keep up with her.
More pictures please!
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
Thank you for the warm welcome!
I waited to start the leash training until Garnet figured her own body out, not only was she learning her footing but she was also going through the clumsy puppy stage. She does walk quickly but so do I, so it works out. She can be out in the back yard running and playing or following whomever is out doing yard chores for a good portion of the day with no sores. We went out for a 10 to 15 minute walk on the road, we live in a rural area where there are no sidewalks. The sore is on her right rear inner most digit. We haven't gone on any more walks since the sore and she is healing nicely but I do want to get her out walking again soon.
She loves to cuddle.
And she likes to stay warm.
OOOOOOMMMMMMDDDDDDD!!! CUTENESS ALERT!!! I'm in love with all your pack! And a Pittie tripawd puppy?? It doesn't get any cuter than that!!
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for giving GARNET such a loving furever home! I absolutely shudder to think what her life was like with her previous "owner" What if she had gone to a "shelter" that automatically kills Pit Bulls? Yeah, I actually just saw a very graphic picture of dozens.. ...never mind. I'll just say that a shelter in Houston kills Pit Bulls almost instantly. .ade me sick to my stomach.
You are a Saint! I cannot wait to follow the adventures of this cutie pie and all her wonderful pack! Thank you for givi giving us that privilege!
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!
Awww . . . She's beautiful!!! Love the pack!
Welcome and howdy! So glad you joined us.
pam
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
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