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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I'm new to the tripawd world as we are rescuing a 2.5 year old westie who lost is left front leg two years ago in a car accident. (we currently have a4-year-old four-legged westie too). If you were me, what would be the first three things you would do to make sure Jackson's other front leg has a long, happy, healthy run?
Here's a pic of the new little guy, isn't he the cutest thing ever? 
- Love up on Jackson! It's a strong name with a bright future! (But, I'm biased!)
- Keep his weight in check. Even if he's a little under, that's a-ok for tripawds.
- Keep him appropriately active. If he and you are the active type, keep that a regular part of your lives. It's not OK to suddenly push him into activities he's not ready for.
Welcome!!
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Hello and welcome! Thank you for adopting Jackson (yep, great name!) and giving him a great home.
One of our first recommendations is to check out our ebook, Loving Life on Three Legs, if you haven't already. You'll find lots of information about helping to keep him strong and healthy for life. The biggest thing is to remember that it's not so much about strengthening his remaining limbs but strengthening his core muscles. Just as we humans need strong core muscles for balance and to avoid back injuries, dogs need them too but especially Tripawds.
Check out these links for some great tips:
Why longer walks won't strengthen a Tripawd's leg muscles
Best of Tripawds Gear and Fitness Tips for Three Legged Dogs
Veterinary Rehab Therapy Benefits for Three Legged Dogs
We are so glad you joined us, please let us know how your new pack is doing, we're here to help!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
OMG. I'm actually dying right now because I am so jealous.
I am EXTREMELY PARTIAL to westies. My very best dog ever was a westie. He was my best pal. My parents got him before I was born and he lived to be 17, so he was by my side everyday until I was 16. They are GREAT GREAT DOGS.
I can't wait to hear so much more about him, you will get a ton of great advice on here - all the links above that Jerry posted are helpful! My tripawd is a kitty cat, so I can't offer TOO much advice about a tripawd doggy, but I can tell you that tripawds and the best and you are going to have a BLAST with this little guy!!!!!!!!
xoxo,
Erica & Tripawd kitty Jill
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
Jackson sounds like one lucky pup! You have come to the right place for "tripawd" information!
Welcome to a whole new family as well.....The Tripawd Nation is like no other! This is an amazing group of people
always willing to help.
You have already received some great input and there isn't much that I can add except the following:
1. 60% of a dogs weight bearing is normally on the front legs
2. It is easy for us to want to "help" them but I have found it is best to let them do it on their own. They know what they can and can't do better than us. Usually if the can't do it they will look to us for help.
3. Do daily paw checks. Even a small item embedded on a Tri can make it terribly uncomfortable. Keep pads in good condition. We use Espree Paw cream every night which helps keep the pads from drying out and cracking.
4. As stated by others...weight weight weight....keep it down. My guy LOVES his food but even a little extra weight is bad for a Tri...especially a front leg.
5. LOVE LOVE LOVE
Look forward to hearing more...
Denna & TriPod
ADORAVLE!! A D O R A B L E!
Scatter rugs for tractin if youhave hardwoods.
You be his "left frnt leg" as far as how he would use that paw to groom himself...scratch his muzzle, rub his eyes, etc.
CONGRATULATONS !!
HUGS!
Salzy 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, I approved your post last night but I was too tired to do anything else 
.
Good for you for adopting, and great for you that it is a tripawd! You have lots of good advice already, I would also advise traction on slippery surfaces. My pug Maggie was a rear amp, and she wouldn't walk on some surfaces, and would not come up the deck stairs without her rugs in place.
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
Like I said last night in the chat - kudos for adopting a tripawd! Jackson is a lucky guy! Mine is a rear amp so I don't know much about the front amp ones but I agree - keep the weight in check, supplements for the joints, massage helps and keep the jumping to a minimum. I tend to be a bit more of a nervous pet parent now but Shelby no longer has her spare! 🙂
Keep us posted! And more photos once he comes home!
Alison & 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
Congrats on your adoption of Jackson, he is absolutely adorable. All of ours are adoptions so I'm bias for sure! Sounds like everyone has given you good advice so, I will just add elevated food and water bowls are easier . Good luck and keep us posted on your little fellow.
Esther and her Snoop
This is such great information! ALL of it! It's so nice to read all of the success stories, and to hear what has worked for folks. So far Jackson is doing great, just the regular adjustment that comes with being plucked out of one world and dropped into the other. Fritz (a four-legger) is so darn happy, he wants to chase and play and chase some more, so right now it's just trying to make sure that all of their chase/play spots are safe.
I truly value the advice and the positive energy! THANK YOU SO MUCH!
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