Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I'm devastated. Our beautiful Labrador, Freddie will have his right front leg amputated on Thursday. It is because he has broken his elbow for a second time and it's too far gone too fix. The first time he broke it, he had to have a plate and pins all through it. This resulted in a lot of ossification around the joint. So our surgeon who is very well respected has recommended amputation.
He's only three.
I'm not sure what to expect when we get him home.
Hi, welcome to you and Freddie....poor guy, how did he happen to break his elbow? My sweet Lab, Polly (I am also a Lab Lover), had to have her front right leg amputated as well, but due to cancer. They actually do amazing well with amputation, especially since Freddie is a young guy. There are maybe a few changes you will need to do to accommodate him better after surgery, though. If you have wood floors, or other slippery type floor, rug runners in various places will help with his traction and stabilization. His food and water bowls will be much more comfortable if they are raised higher, too. There will be a ton of support here to assist with other ideas and such, besides what I have suggested.
Keep us updated as to his surgery, and even post a pic or two.
Best wishes to you and Freddie,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
FREDDIE!! Your avatar picture is adorable!!
Sorry to hear about his "mishap", butyou will be amazed at how well he does as he recovers from surgery! Recovery is nopicnic and you won't get much sleep at first, but he will be pain free and being all Labby" in no time!
There are great links on here to help you prepare...Jerry's Required Reading List ...Jerry's e-books, etc.
If you have hardwood floors you'll want to get scatter rugs toprevent slipping. Raised food and water bowls make it easier on them to. If you have stairs for in and out, you may want to consider a ramp.
Rear leggers usually can go down stairs okay, theyhave a harder time goingnup them sometimes.
Onemthing I always dois "scratch" up and down Happy Hannah's chunky bodymon the side of her amputation..ears, face, etc. Remember, he can't "scratch an itch" on that side!
When you pick him up from surgery, don't even look at his ncision...jist look intohis drug glazed eyes and tell him how happy you are to see him and what a good boy he is!
Just a couple of quick tips. Remember also, you are not alo e, okay? This is a very scarey time and the first two weeks can be a little.....hmmmmm....."harsh" ..so don't hesitate to let us know how we can help!
We love pictures arond here, so take lots and post when yoy can!
Oh...and eat lots of chocolate...it helps!!
HUGS!!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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 Freddie and his pawrent!
As scary as it seems right now, life on three legs is very manageable, and Freddie will surprise you at how well he will adapt.
Tucker, my nine year old chocolate lab, had his right front leg amputated six months ago due to an invasive but localized sarcoma. Tuck has adapted well and is Loving Life On Three Legs
I see that Bonnie and Sally have already made the preliminary recommendations that I would have except that you made need to use a "sling" for the first few days getting Freddie in and out to do "his business".
For Tuck, losing weight was also important so as to prevent future injuries to any of his remaining joints.
For now, give Freddie lots of snuggles....and please keep us up to date on how his surgery and recovery goes.
You are among friends here....please come to us for support, recommendations and to celebrate all of Freddie's first.
Hugs
Linda and Tucker
Wow, you guys are awesome! Thank you so much for your replies. It means so much to have advice and support from people who have been there. Polly, Hannah and Tucker are beautiful!
We don't know how Fred originally broke his elbow. He was sleeping on the verandah outside our bedroom and suddenly we ran off barking at midnight and didn't come back. I got worried and so we went to look for him and found him limping towards the house. We think he either fell off the verandah and landed awkwardly or got in the horses paddock and got kicked.
I have blamed myself ever since as I forgot to shut the gate that night. He was only 5 months old.
I shall definitely get up a sling for the first few days but have been looking into buying a webmaster harness
. Do you guys recommend one of those?
We have cork floors which are pretty slippery so my husband has put down some carpet from his bed to the front door. Those traction
socks look pretty good too.
It's so wonderful to have such a great support network. I've been in tears most of today.
Kirsten & Freddie
Hi Kirsten,
Don't punish yourself with how Freddie's injury original occurred....we all know that Labs - especially goofy puppies - are as impulsive as they are loveable. We all come here through different paths but our futures include the love of a tripawd
Tuck has a webmaster harness and we both love it. He wears it when he goes for walks and it really helps me get him in and out of the car....and has been used to lift him out of the snow when I'm too cold to wait for him any longer.
You can see in this photo that Tuck is missing his right front leg but that hasn't stopped him from playing in dirt, snow, digging - yes digging - and going for short walks. Tuck is nine and has arthritis in his rear hip so short walks with lots of time for sniffing are his preferred walks now
Many hugs
Linda and Tucker
I'm so sorry that Freddie got injured. But, he'll do great on three legs! He's young and strong and healthy and I promise he will amaze you! I'm looking forward to hearing more about him!
Hugs,
Carol
My girl, Shelby, also broke her leg, had it plated and pinned only to have to have it amputated 6 months later. As others here have said, I understand how scary it is but this website is a lot of collective wisdom and support!!! Please keep us posted and sending you lots of love and healing energy!
Alison and Shelby
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
Welcome Freddy and Mom,
You've arrived to a great place for support and shared experiences with a tripod. Sorry to hear Freddie has to have an amp, but as others have said they really are amazing on threes. They just need a good recoup after surgery and your boy will be back up and moving. He's younger so healing is easier. Keep us posted as you progress.
Esther and her Snoop
Hi Kirsten and Freddie, welcome! We're glad you're here but so sorry you have to go through this, we know it's scary but hope to make it easier for you.
Everyone's offered such great insight, I would just add to be sure to listen to yesterday's Tripawd Talk Radio episode about the benefits of rehabilitation therapy for Tripawds, and if you haven't already do check out the Tripawds e-books Library, especially our book "Loving Life on Three Legs" which is especially helpful for young dogs who have a long three-legged life ahead of them.
As for the harness, yes, they're very handy, you can read about them here. unfortunately we can't ship directly to Australia but see our recommended online retailers for international orders.
Sounds like you are in a good area for veterinary care. We have many Aussie members, you're in excellent company! Please let us know whatever questions you have, we're ready to help.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
It IS scary, I know but you will both be fine! I am only 1 week post-amp and my girl is really doing well. It is definitely harder on us that it is on them so be assured about that. It might be hard to keep a 3 year old quiet for that time but everyone says that it wont' take long until you don't even remember what they were like w/4 legs
Welcome Kirsten and Freddie.my Black Lab Ty also had pins and plates in his right leg.he was hit by a car at 1. He just had it amputated 6 weeks ago due to a Histiosarcoma. I too am a lab fan. Ty was sooooo onery when he was little. I used to say, " you own a Lab, bless you! Now after 8 years and witnessing his gentleness with my Grandaughter , I say, " you own a Lab? You are blessed!" He will amaze you, especially as he is so young. Also, you are removing a cancer( I have this thing where I refuse to use an upper case c)risk. With time, I have read, metal increases Osteosarcoma risks so you can consider this a proactive move also. The most difficult thing I have found is getting in and out of a car.If by chance, you want to wait and see on the harness, you can cut the sides out of a fabric shopping bag or 2 and use them for a sling. Be prepared though for a few funny looks. I bought the bowl raisers, he refuses to eat from them. I have also found at the beginning, it seemed to help him with his balance etc. if I walked beside him on the missing leg side. I I went anywhere else, he would stop and keep looking over that side at me. This site is amazing! You will find so much love and support here. Keep us posted on how surgery Nd recovery are going. Lori and Ty
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Welcome. I approved your post last night (your future posts will not have to wait btw) but was not able to properly welcome you.
As you can see this is a great community, full of knowledge and support. Please keep us posted on Thursday, and good luck with the surgery.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Welcome Freddie!
Hang in there, parents! You guys will get through this and he will still be the same loveable bonehead. Take deep breaths and welcome to the club everybody hates to join! There is lots of good advice and support to be found here. Give that big boy a smooch from us.
Cheers,
Hurricane Rosie and family
Thank you so much everybody. It really feels great to have such huge and loving support!
I am currently reading "Three Legs and a Spare " which is fantastic, so many tips and so many things I hadn't even thought of!
I've just been in to quiz our local vet about the op and I am a little nervous. We have him booked in there but I'm not sure about the pre & post op drugs - Methodone and NSAIDs. They also don't have a night nurse, only the on-call vet pops in if required. It is a small practice but very well respected. We'll have the most experienced vet doing the op.
I've left a message with our orthopaedic specialist who is about an hour away. They have night nurses and will probably be up on the best pain meds etc but they will be double the price (we are very short of money right now) and the hours car journey as opposed to 3 minutes is another negative.
So swings and roundabouts.
Freddie went mental when I got home earlier. He ran around like a mad thing but obviously it was too much and now he's catatonic on his bed 
I will be glad when he's not is so much pain.
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