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,
This is my first post here. I guess the title says it all, really, but I'm looking for insider information on the things to consider before making the decision.
My family decided we would get another dog as company for our 11 y/o spaniel after our cat died. So we've been looking online at rescues near us, then I found this gorgeous little pup that made all four humans in the house say "AWWW!" not sure what the spaniel thinks, if it's not food she aint bothered 
We decided we had found our dog. I contacted the rescue and made arrangements for a home check. Then I noticed her details had changed, the rescue's vet had decided that her rear leg needed amputating (originally it was listed as injured). Now, I know a lot of people would be put off by this, but I fell in love with her sweet little face, not her paw count! However, I do have some reservations regarding whether I am up to providing the best home for her, we are quite a rough and tumble household, we have wood and lino floors throughout, our garden is lumpy and bumpy, not a nice easy surface for a new tripod to navigate. Plus she is half the size of our other dog. I'm a bit worried that she might be overwhelmed by it all. Most of all I want a happy dog no matter how many legs it has
I've done my online research, but I'd really like the opinion of people with experience.
Thanks in advance.
Welcome to Tripawds, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
You are wonderful for looking past the paw count and just wanting to provide the best home!
How big is she and how old?
5 months ago I adopted my second rear amp tripawd, a little pug mix I named Elly. My first tripawd Maggie lost a leg to cancer and went to The Bridge in 2010. I did the same thing your family did- I saw Elly's picture on line and said 'mine!'.
I was a little concerned because the house I live in now has stairs and Maggie could not do to many stairs because of her size. No problem, Elly is smaller than Maggie and she flys up and down!
With wood and linoleum you would probably need some traction - rug runners or yoga mats. We have tile floors that Elly navigates without a problem. We do have throw rugs at the bottom of stairs and stair treads on the tile stairs. Is there a flatish place in the yard for the dogs to play? I would look at the garden as a training opportunity! Tripawds need core strength- when I take Elly out I like her to walk on uneven ground and around small obstacles.
My biggest problem with Elly is her confidence. She was hit by a car at 7 months old and had her rear leg amputated. I adopted her at 10 months old, and I was her 4th home! Physically she is not having any problems, I think her adjustments are mental. To that end we have taken two classes, and obidience class and a Strength Ballance and Body Awareness Class. You can see what we do in her Blog Here. I just started the blog so there is not much there yet.
You should get some good input from others soon. Oh- and I moved your post to 'Beyond Cancer' since you are dealing with an injury.
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
Sorry your cat has headed to the Bridge, but I know you have a really good Guardian Angel watching over you.
You've gotten great insigt from Karen. We are all biased...waaay beyond biased...when it comes to resilient, adorable, courageous tripawds!!
Here's another link to check out about building muscles and keeping tripawd joints healthy, etc.
http://gear.tri.....-strength/
I absolutely love your attitude about this little pup! You are the PERFECT furever home! She will be avle to navigate any terrain and she'll hold her own just fine in a rpugh and tumble household.
She needs to take it easy for the first thirty days to give herself time to adjust to three legs AND to get over MAJOR surgery. It is major surgery!
Can't wait to see more pictures! This is so exciting! Keep us losted and let us know how we can help.
Hugs!
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!
Thank you for your replies, I did suspect that you might be a little biased about the awesomeness of tripawds, but having had some time to look around the site and watch some videos, I can see that they really are amazing!
We are due to be home checked by the rescue tomorrow and assuming that goes according to plan we can then go and meet our dog. As soon as that's done, I will upload some photos for you all. I'm sure I will be around a lot looking for advice as we adjust to our new family member.
She's a small pup, 6kg and about 6 months old, I gather those things will be in our favour when it comes to adapting to life on three paws. Funny thing is, when we decided to get another dog we had in mind something quite similar to kizzie (our sprocker) around 14 kilos, at least knee high, full of energy for long energetic walks, but none of that really matters (we haven't even got her yet and she is already changing us lol). I'm planning to get a rucksack style carrier for the walks and from what you have both said I'm that what tripawds lack in legs they more than make up for with their enthusiasm, personality and lust for life!
I will let you know how the home check goes.
Thanks,
Josie
Yes, we do tend to be a bit biased...but it is what we know!
6 kg is around 13 lbs so just a bit smaller than my Elly at 15 lbs, but at 6 months old she probably still has a bit of growing to do.
I have been that crazy dog mom who pushes her dog(s) in a stroller since 2006 when Maggie had her amputation! First I used it to get Maggie out after her recovery and as she built up strength and stamina. After she was fully recovered we used the stroller when we went on long walks but on shorter walks she didn't need it. Then when age started slowing down Maggie's little sis Tani I broke out the stroller again. It also was useful when quad pug Obie was recovering from his knee surgeries. Now with Elly I don't use it unless we are planning on a long walk, but I did use it quite a bit when I first got her because she wasn't very strong.
I actually have two types of strollers now, we call it our fleet! I can give you more info on what we have if you are interested.
Best of luck with the home visit!
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
God bless you for taking in this tripawd.
Can't wait to see pictures!!!
Oh, and howdy and welcome!
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
Your house sounds similar to mine. I had linoleum floors and my yard is basically a small patch of woods with some trails and garden plots. And it has a log in it and often has tree branches. Now, like everyone else here, I am a bit bias but I also take a look at my special pup and think if she can do it, so can your possible adoptee. Cora is blind, brain damaged and missing her right front leg. The brain damage causes some weakness on her left side. It's also the reason she is blind. Her right front leg was deformed which is why it got amputated. All this happened at birth or just after. She's a tough girl and manages well.
Here's a video of her in her yard. You can see how "rough" my yard is. And yes, Cora stumbles a few times but that's her blindness tripping her up, not being a tripawd and she is having a blast. When I adopted my first special needs dog, one of the biggest lessons I learned is to let them be the guide. If I'm all worried about how they seem to be struggling and they aren't "normal" I can miss how they are really doing. And often, if you tune in, you see a pup loving life.
I'm not sure if that worked so I posted the facebook link below. Even if you aren't on Facebook ou should be able to see it.
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