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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Hi everyone. We just took in a 12 week lab mix yesterday, Auggie, who is amputated at the hock on his right back leg. He gets around just fine but tends to drag his stump a bit. We currently have it bandaged and have a toddler sock on his leg to provide a little cushioning. So, well, my wife and I are new to this and would love any advice to help Auggie get stronger! I'm still trying to figure out the navigation on this website so I apologize if theres an obvious post I missed. What kind of exercises would be best to help him out? Should we work with him on putting more weight on his short leg or are there inexpensive prosthetics /boots for puppies we could try, until he gets bigger and we can spend money on one he won't grow out of? What resources have you found the most helpful getting started with your pups? Thank you for any advice!
auggie said
I'm still trying to figure out the navigation on this website...
Welcome, and bless you for adopting Auggie! Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
Post in the Tech Support forum if you need any assistance with the site and we'll be happy to help!
Please review our posts and video interviews for information about prosthetics for tripawds.
And don't miss our many videos about exercises and rehab. You also might consider enrolling in the upcoming online rehab & exercise course designed specifically for tripawds. You will find many more care and recovery tips and professional recommendations for suggested rehab exercise, massage and stretching in the Tripawds e-books too.
Loving Life on Three Legs is all about keeping Tripawds fit and strong!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome, welcome Auggie and family!! Is that Auggie in your avatar? What a cutie-pa-tootie!!!
You are definitely in the right place. There's so much information and resources here along with some of the best Tripawd pawrents you'll ever meet. In fact there are several Quadpawd pawrents here as well; a very well-rounded community.
So Auggie is still growing, huh? Bless your heart! Thank you so much for giving Auggie a chance and a fur-ever home. I would think since he's a puppy, that introducing him to some kind of prosthetic would be very helpful and he would be a natural with it. But I confess, I know didly-squat about them. That's why spending some time reading all the wonderful resources Admin Guy provided above, will be the most helpful and educational.
Give Auggie a squish for me! And we're so glad you're here!
WOOT!
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
Awwww.....can't wait to see more pictures!!
I'd also like to extend a warm welcome! So glad you have given this cutie pie his forever home!
You do have some "interesting" challenges to deal with right now, that's for sure! In adult dogs, generally....not always....surgeons are in favor of removing the entire leg for some of the exact same reasons you are already dealing with. Right now his youth and the fact that his bones are growing so quickly make it difficult to do too much other than continue to cushion , protect from injury, infection, etc.
Do you have a Rehab. Specialist in the area, or perhaps a Physical Therapist, who could guide you?
Keep us posted, okay? Cantw wait to follow this lucky precious pup and all his adventures tures of joy!
Hugs 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!
Welcome Auggie and his family!!!! He is just an adorable fella in the avatar picture.
I can't give you any personal experience because my Leland had his entire left hind leg amputated and he was 4 1/2 years old. I know dealing with a puppy (hubby and I currently have a 7 month old Dobie) they can be very active so you may want to be extra vigilant with Auggie's play that he doesn't do something to injure the amputation site. On a positive side this is all Auggie will ever know so he won't have to relearn how best to maneuver as a Tripawd like older furkids do.
Also, something to keep in the back of your mind as Auggie gets older...you'll want to not let Auggie get to "fluffy" in his weight. You don't want the added stress of weight on his cranial cruciate ligaments in the remaining hind knee. If that ligament goes out then you'd be looking at orthopedic surgery to correct and those procedures have a long recovery time afterwards (hubby and I went through both knees on our first dog Lucky, then Leland's procedure started out to fix his knee but he ended having to go through an amputation. And finally Leland's remaining knee had gone out almost 4 weeks after the amputation so we ended up having to let our boy go). I'm not telling you this to frighten you but so as Auggie grows you can keep an eye out on his remaining hind leg.
Again welcome and you will find a lot of advice and support within this community!
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
Thank you everyone! Auggie has an appointment next week with an orthotic and rehab specialist, and we also just found a veterinary prostethic maker in town (Phoenix) who will work with us after a consultation 
We're very excited to get this guy started on the right path. Here is a link to some pictures of Auggie- Auggie album! (We have his leg wrapped up and a toddler slipper on him so he doesn't hurt it or get it scraped up) And thank you all for the warm welcomes!
leland4 said
Welcome Auggie and his family!!!! He is just an adorable fella in the avatar picture.
(hubby and I went through both knees on our first dog Lucky, then Leland's procedure started out to fix his knee but he ended having to go through an amputation. And finally Leland's remaining knee had gone out almost 4 weeks after the amputation so we ended up having to let our boy go).
Thank you! I'm sorry for your loss and I know the feeling (we lost our boy Lolo last year). Ill keep the advice on the knees in mind, that's why we want to get him started out young and make sure hes kept at the proper weight. My wife and I have raised a couple puppies together already, so we know all about the rambunctious behavior and will be keeping a good eye on him. He'll be starting training soon too.
OMD what a cutie!
Sounds like you are doing your research and getting things in order, that's pawesome!
One thing to keep in mind is that young puppies tend to have a few more challenges as new Tripawds, because they haven't developed motor skills & coordination as older amputees already have. Here's a story about a cool Tripawds we met, and how she made it through those puppy years.
Dog Rehab Therapy Helps Tripawds Beat the Odds
P.S. never seen the Imgur photo upload gallery thingy. Is that easy to use?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
jerry said
OMD what a cutie!
Sounds like you are doing your research and getting things in order, that's pawesome!
One thing to keep in mind is that young puppies tend to have a few more challenges as new Tripawds, because they haven't developed motor skills & coordination as older amputees already have. Here's a story about a cool Tripawds we met, and how she made it through those puppy years.
Dog Rehab Therapy Helps Tripawds Beat the Odds
P.S. never seen the Imgur photo upload gallery thingy. Is that easy to use?
Thank you for the link! Its great to read about others experiences that we can learn from. Also, Imgur is great! It's pretty intuitive and the android app is excellent.
Augie! What a cutie! I don't have any direct experience with prosthesis but do know someone that tried them on her GSD pup who actually had a deformed leg that ended at or just below the hock. The biggest problem she had was he kept growing out of them. And I don't think he liked using it. So you have the right idea to wait until he is grown to fit him with one. The trouble will be figuring out ways to protect his stump until then. Is that a tiny tennis shoe you have on him? Does that work well? It sure is cute! Do you take it off at night? You ask about encouraging him to put weight on that leg and intuitively I would say yes, if you can protect it well enough, as it can be difficult to get a dog fitted with a prosthetic to actually use it because they are not used to using that leg. But I would think you would want to be careful because he is so little and you don't want to tweak his growing body. But your specialists will know waaaaaay more than I do (which is next to nothing)!
Thank you so much for opening your hearts and home to a "less than perfect" (NOT!) pup that many peeps would just pass by after saying 'poor thing'. Glad to know you found local resources to help you help this little guy be all he can be. Keep us posted for sure! Canine prosthetics
have made great strides
in the past few years so it would be really awesome if you guys stick around and document your and Augie's experience!
xoxo,
Martha, Codie Rae, and the Oaktown Pack
Woohoo! Tripawds Rule!
Regulator of the Oaktown Pack, Sheriff of the Oaktown Pawsse, Founding member and President of the Tripawd Girldogs With 2 Names ROCK Club, and ... Tripawd Girldog Extraordinaire!
ADORABLE!!!!! ADORABLE!!!!!!!! MELTING HEARTS OVER HERE!!!!!
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!
OMG ...SOOOOO cute!!!! I Am in love with that face!!!! Adorable!
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
Auggie is about as cute as cute can be. Welcome to the group. You will find a wealth of information here and lots of helpful folks.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Codie Rae said
Is that a tiny tennis shoe you have on him? Does that work well? It sure is cute! Do you take it off at night?
Yes! Its a toddler slipper that we packed with gauze. It gives him enough height that he can stand up straight on it and it seems to distribute the weight he puts on it much better. Mainly its to protect the wrap we have on him while he plays outside, it comes off at night. We also have some foam pre-wrap under the ace bandage for a bit more cushioning. Heres what it looks like with the wrap and bootie
. He does great with it so far.
If this dog gets any cuter I'm going to be on cuteness overload!!! OMD!!! This is ADORABLE!!!
You really are to be commended for figuring this out and giving him a sense of "normalcy"!
Okay...video nedt!!! But don't forget the cuteness alert first!!! I keep scolling back up because I can't get enough of this fella'!
Still grinning
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!
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