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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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Front Leg Tripawd- Rear Leg Turning In
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Member Since:
18 November 2016
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5 December 2016 - 11:14 am
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Henry is approx. a 2 year old golden mix that we adopted only 2 weeks ago. He was amputated mid-September due to injury, so he's only been living life on 3 for about 2.5 months now. Henry's front left leg was amputated, and his front right leg is starting to move more inward (normal for a front leg tripawd as I understand it).  The problem I am noticing is actually with his rear right leg (so kitty-corner from the amputated limb). When he walks I notice that it slightly turns inward – kind of bow-legged on the one side only. It's hard to tell if he has a limp with it due to his gait from being a tripawd, but it seems as though that leg is possibly a bit weaker than his other rear leg? I tried to get a photo/video but you can’t tell what’s happening with it, as it is minor at this point. I have been using the FitPaws peanut to help him with balance and core strength, but am not sure what to do about his rear right leg specifically? The rescue believed the leg that needed to be amputated had been caught in a trap, but half of his tail is missing, his remaining front right leg was severely wounded to the bone (which he breaks open from time to time if he falls on it), and he is a big fan of the road and chasing cars, amish buggies, and really anything that goes by, so I almost think he may have gotten hit by a car.  My question is, does anyone have experience with something like this? Is this something that can happen with a front leg tripawd? And what, if any, exercises can I do to help?  Thank you!

https://s13.postimg.org/oinxs0fyb/20161203_204740.jpg

London, UK


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15 December 2015
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5 December 2016 - 1:31 pm
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Hi there, and welcome! Henry sounds like a true survivor, and I am loving him already, and so pleased that he found you to look after him. Chasing Amish buggies??? Reading that in the middle of London, UK, you have no idea how exotic it sounds! Anyway, to your questions...

My Meg is also a front leg tripawd, and now about nine months post amp. Certainly, her front leg has moved to the centre, but I haven't noticed any change in her back legs, such as you describe. It's great that you are working on Henry's core strength; that's really important and will help him a lot. It's important to go slow and work up gradually. Might the peanut perhaps be a little advanced for his stage in Henry's recovery? I'm really not sure, and of course every dog is different.

What I do think would be really helpful is to make an appointment with a certified rehabilitation practitioner, if there's one anywhere you can get to. They would be able to check Henry over and advise on precisely what sort of exercise would be best to help him build his strength. I take Meg to see a rehab vet for precisely this, and also hydrotherapy on the underwater treadmill (this is great for strengthening legs). You wouldn't necessarily need to go regularly, and could make it clear that you'd like advice on exercises you can do at home. A rehab vet would also be able to check out that weak back leg, see if it requires further investigation, and give you exercises to help build it up.

There's also lots of information in the books you can download from this website. Loving Life On Three Legs has lots of really useful stuff on exercise, building core strength etc. If it was me though, I think I would want to get Henry checked by a professional, just to help ascertain precisely what sort of help he needs.

Good luck with it all, and stay connected.

Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx

Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.

Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...

The Amazing Adventures of Ruby Tuesday 

My Life as a Megastar

Member Since:
15 July 2016
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6 December 2016 - 4:58 am
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Hi,

Milo was a front left amputee, too.  He became a real tripod with the remaining leg centered much of the time.

We visited a rehab/pain management vet at about 6 weeks post amp.  She pointed out that on four legs, dogs' spines move like an S when they walk.  On three legs, it's like a porpoise.  His back legs would have to crouch and push a bit with each hop, and most dogs start holding the beg legs in a crouch as if on the verge of a hop.  There is also a curve to the spine, so the back legs get uneven sometimes.

She recommended a chiropractor for Milo.  She listed lots of other specialty services but didn't think they were necessary at the time  She didn't seem to be overselling, thankfully!  The chiro was a different doctor at that.

You should have heard the pop with his back left hip on the first visit!  She chatted with me, a tech held Milo's head and gave him treats, and she worked her hands up his spine doing nudges and pressing here and there.  It seemed very casual and gentle.  She did finish with turning his head far to each side, just like you see on TV.

Bottom line, Milo felt great afterwards.  He bounced all over the neighborhood on his next walk.  We went back a week or two later for a touch-up since his muscles were new to the alignment.  Most dogs get into a 4-6 week revisit rate.

Anyway, maybe a chiro is in order for Henry.

Peace,

Jenifer & Milo

On The Road


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24 September 2009
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6 December 2016 - 11:50 am
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Henry is so adorable! What a lucky dawg to have such a conscientious human. 

Our Jerry was a front legger and yes, his remaining front limb turned in and although I didn't realize it at the time, his rear legs were compensating but adjusting his stance and gait. I figured it out by looking at the wear marks on his nails. If you look at Henry's I"ll bet you'll see the rear nails are wearing at different rates. Where there's more wear, he's placing more weight.

I'm in agreement that a visit to a certified rehab therapist is an awesome way to get started with exercises designed just for him. Our e-book, Loving Life On Three Legs , has many ideas but the best thing you can do is visit a therapist and have them guide you so you can do them at home. That's the goal of a good therapist. The best part is the Tripawds Foundation will even pay for your first visit:

Free Rehab for New Tripawds: Get details about reimbursement for your consultation from the Tripawds Foundation through the Maggie Moo Fund for Tripawd Rehab. (Limited time trial program.)

If you want to research therapists in your area, these links can get you started:

Find Certified Veterinary Rehab Vets and Techs:

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
18 November 2016
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6 December 2016 - 12:15 pm
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Meg - Thanks for the recommendations! I never really thought about the peanut being too much, too fast, but definitely a possibility! He always seems to want to do more, and I always feel like I'm holding him back.

I had gone back and forth about finding a canine rehab specialist.  Where I live, there really isn't anything close by and I was worried the costs would be too much (Thank you for the info regarding the rehab reimbursement, Jerry! This community is ever so helpful!!).  I did decide to track one down yesterday after your post, and it turns out she mostly does home visits.  She's an hour away, but is going to be close by Saturday anyways, so she will be stopping out Saturday to take a look at Henry and show me some things that we can do at home. I have been using Loving Life On Three Legs and it has been a great resource so far.  The exercises, stretches, and massage techniques are extremely helpful, but I'm glad your post helped push me to contact the specialist. At the least, I'm hoping she will help teach me the correct way to do some of the exercises.  I can read about them all day long, but you never know if your pup is doing them correctly without someone there to show you! 

Jenifer - What you described with Milo sounds just like what is happening to Henry, like his right rear leg is a bit uneven.  I am going to mention it to the rehab specialist -- I bet a chiro adjustment would help him tremendously.  Thank you!!

I will have to take a look at his nails tonight and see how they are wearing. I'm curious to see if his rear leg is out of alignment like Jenifer suggested, if his rear nails are wearing differently. These are all great things to keep in mind when we visit with the specialist Saturday. I will send an update after the visit! smiley

London, UK


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15 December 2015
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9 December 2016 - 11:13 pm
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Hope it goes well today with the rehab specialist. Looking forward to hearing how you get on.

All best,

Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx

Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.

Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...

The Amazing Adventures of Ruby Tuesday 

My Life as a Megastar

Member Since:
18 November 2016
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12 December 2016 - 10:29 am
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First off, I just want to say I learned so much Saturday!  I’m so glad I decided to get in touch with a specialist.  Henry’s amputated limb is really tight, and he had a lot of tightness in that right rear leg.  The tightness is on the front and back of his thigh, and also his hip.  Tiffany, the rehab specialist, said that the turning in is in fact a very small limp. She did a drawer test on him and said that seemed normal; however, she did say that the location of tightness he is experiencing is common with dogs that have had some sort of minor injury.  She thought that he may have a small fracture or tear in that leg, so I will need to take him to the vet to determine what exactly is causing the limp.  If there is an old injury, surgery is an option, but unless it is imperative, surgery may not be the best thing since he’s already down a leg.  She showed me several different stretches and massages to do to help with the tightness of the amputated limb and the rear leg.  She even recommended trying to use an exercise band in a way that would not only help stretch the hip and thigh, but also isolate and strengthen that rear leg.  You use the band to slowly and gently stretch his rear leg out, and then when he tries to pull his leg back in, he is met with the resistance of the band, so he is in turn strengthening that leg.  You can do it in the opposite direction as well, so when he extends his leg, he is met with the resistance.  Tiffany recommended trying the exercise bands with him because he is pretty laid back and easy to work with.  She said this particular technique doesn’t work well on dogs that are more skittish/energetic. She also suggested warm compresses before and after stretching. If there is an old injury and surgery is not recommended, I will need to make sure to emphasize that leg when doing exercises and stretches, as it will need more work.  Obviously, all this work will need to be gradual.  She highly recommended swimming as well; however, with that deep wound on his remaining front leg, I need to make sure that it is completely healed before taking him in the water.  Thankfully, there won’t be any swimming here in Wisconsin this time of the year, so I have all winter to get that wound healed.  I will be scheduling appointments for the vet to take a closer look at that rear leg, a chiropractic adjustment, and light therapy for his front leg wound.

On The Road


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12 December 2016 - 10:43 am
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Thanks for the great update! Keep up the good work, and please keep us posted.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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12 December 2016 - 7:18 pm
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Fascinating information! Thanknyou so much for taking the time to share the specifics. Really, really good stuff!!

Sounds like sweet Henry is an exemplary "patient":-) And YOU are an exemplary advocate for that sweet boy!! 🙂 Soooo glad Henry has his furever home with you! 🙂

PICTURES!! We need more pictures of Henry and pack!

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!

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13 December 2016 - 12:38 pm
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benny55 said
Fascinating information! Thanknyou so much for taking the time to share the specifics. Really, really good stuff!!

Sounds like sweet Henry is an exemplary "patient":-) And YOU are an exemplary advocate for that sweet boy!! 🙂 Soooo glad Henry has his furever home with you! 🙂

PICTURES!! We need more pictures of Henry and pack!

Hugs!

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!  

Just posted an update on Henry's blog!  Many pictures and even a video! 🙂 http://lifewith.....pawds.com/

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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13 December 2016 - 7:14 pm
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Oh boy! I loooooove pics...especially when you have someone as cute as Henry as the "subject"! Hopping over there now!!

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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