Tripawds Three Legged Dog & Cat Forum Archives
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat. Explore 17+ years of forum archives for stories and answers to questions about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery. Enjoy fresh discussion and connect with members in the new Tripawds Support Circle.
Join The Tripawds Community
Register your free account to join the Tripawds Support Circle. Connecting with members and getting the support you need is now easier than ever with the Circle app!
Easy Photo Upload
Private Messaging
Subscribe to Topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Forums Locked: Search archives for answers & join Tripawds Support Circle to keep discussion going!
Log In
Members
Hello - I'm looking for a new dog, having lost both my greyhounds within weeks of each other, earlier this year. One of them was a therapy dog, who used to visit deaf-blind people and Alzheimer's victims with me.
I have a few questions for you, and I'm hoping you can help.
I've seen a smashing four year old greyhound who broke his right rear leg very badly in a race, resulting in a high amputation. They tried to fix it, but couldn't. He is outgoing, extremely affectionate without being overly bouncy (essential for PAT work), he's a real 'people dog' - and from that point of view he'd be ideal.
My first question is, does anyone do therapy visiting with a tripod? In particular, with Pets as Therapy in the UK? It's not essential, but I would love to train another PAT dog, because it was so rewarding.
The next question is about me. I had a rotator cuff repair in December which isn't yet fully healed, and may never be more than 90%, if that. Now the other shoulder is torn too, but not so badly, and an op isn't (so far) on the cards. But it does mean I have to take care with my shoulders and wouldn't be able to do a lot of lifting with a dog as big as a greyhound. He'd be around 28kg, I think. It probably also means I wouldn't be able to use the RuffWear assistance harness to help him, should he need it as he ages.
How do big dogs do as they age with only three legs? Is this something which may be a problem for us? Should I (regretfully) choose a different dog, or can I make this work?
Honest answer, please! And thanks! 🙂
Offline
My opinion is that a greyhound tripawd would make an excellent therapy dog. Many folks here have large breeds so hopefully they will jump right in. My thought is that there are many aids to help with getting a large, aging dog around. There are ramps, steps, etc that make it easier for our fur friends to get around without the need to lift.
Best of luck in your decision. I don't think you would ever be disappointed in a tripawd, they are truly amazing animals.
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.
Hello...My Cemil is 140 lbs (sorry, I don't know how many kg that is, but he's like a medium-sized person) and too heavy for me to help, so he has to get by on his own. He seems to be well able to do that. My opinion is that you should go ahead; and Shanna is absolutely right..they are amazing animals. He may slow down at the time that a quadra-pawd would, but you wouldn't be able to help that one either, so there's no difference.
Cemil has a mini-deck-step to help him out of the truck (as a front-leg amputee, he can jump in without it; he can jump out without it too, but I insist that he use it to protect his only front leg); that's really the only help he needs. Details: It's a 30" x 36" x 10" high box that I put on the ground for him to jump on to and then down to the ground. Everything else, he can do on his own.
I'd say, Go for it.
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
hugapitbull said:
There are ramps, steps, etc that make it easier for our fur friends to get around...
We do have a ramp already, which we got for one of the greyhounds we just lost. He was very old and shaky, and had breathing problems. I'm just not sure a tripod greyhound would use it … might take a lot of work to train him. they can be very wary of things like that. But we would certainly do our best.
I think this dog would be great for therapy work, I'm just not sure if the PAT people would be keen. I will ring and ask, but I wanted to find out if there were other tripods working as therapy dogs before I did.
Thanks for your help, Hugapitbull!
Cemil Said:
...My Cemil is 140 lbs...
Wow … 140lb is roughly twice what this greyhound will weigh! They usually run about 70lb over here, sometimes bigger, sometimes smaller.
I suppose part of my concern is that he will slow down sooner than a quad, or may damage his remaining hind leg, or his back, and I then might be in the position of having to put him to sleep, at a point when I wouldn't be considering it for a dog with four legs. Silly, I know, but I'm the type who thinks ahead. And yes, it'd be the same for whoever owns him. No guarantees anyway, are there? Even with a perfectly healthy two year old.
Good point about protecting the remaining leg. Is it harder on a tripod with a missing front, as opposed to back, leg?
Jay said:
Is it harder on a tripod with a missing front, as opposed to back, leg?
Hi Jay! We've heard that dogs carry up to 70% of their weight on their front legs, so it can aften be more difficult for them to lose a front leg. Of course all dogs are different, and concerns like healthy hips need to be considered.
PS: Just a reminder that if you register for these forums your posts will appear immediately without requiring moderation.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Jerry, isn't there a therapy dog in our group? I was thinking someone had a dog that was therapy trained prior to becoming a tripawd and was anxious to get back to work. Am I correct??
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.
Okay - I registered. 🙂
Thanks for the replies. I suspected he might be better off with a missing back leg. As to hips, greyhounds tend to have healthy hips, so that's a point in his favour too.
I can imagine that a Therapy dog, already registered before an amputation, might be allowed to continue, I'm just wondering if they'll be willing to register a new one. I guess I'll have to ring and ask - but they won't consider a 'rescue' dog until you've owned him/her for six months anyway.
hugapitbull said:
I was thinking someone had a dog that was therapy trained prior to becoming a tripawd...
That was Jerry! 
I can't think of another, but it does ring a bell. Hopefully they'll chime in.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi there.., I'm currently going through training with my Jake, a black lab, who just became a tripawd on March 25th 2009. We just started the classes about three weeks ago and we've had a very warm welcome from the others in the group and from the woman who gives the actual certification test. There's been no talk of us not being able to be certified because of his handicap. In fact, amputee dogs are a hit in vetrans hospitals where you find people with limbs lost in the line of duty. My dad lost his leg due to illness and I know he would've loved to have had a visit from a dog like Jake. So if things there are anything like they are here, I don't think you'd have an issue adopting a tripawd and turning them into a therapy dog. Good luck! 🙂
I thought there was a recent one. Thank you for putting my mind at ease. I'm not going crazy
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.
1 Guest(s)
