Save time spent searching, download the new Tripawds e-book for immediate answers!
Bookmark Jerry's Required Reading List for more amputation recovery advice and care tips.
Review the Tripawds Featured Blogs for the best three legged dog care product recommendations.
Tripawds is a user supported community. Please do what you can to help keep it online.
Miss the show? Listen to the podcast now!
Log In
Register
Members
Home
Add Reply
Add Topic
Topic RSS
QuoteI have a 6 year old lab that we are thinking about amputation because of his severed achilles tendon. There is a surgery that can be performed but it has only a 60% success rate and is $2500. Looking maybe to amputate. This was my waterfowl dog, he is AWESOME and I couldn't see putting him down at only 6 years old. He is great with our kids. Just wanting some opinions on how 100lb (all muscle) lab would do with 3 legs. Thanks Art
9:01 pm
Team Tripawds
25 April 2007
Offline
Every dog is different, but too many times we hear from people putting their dogs through multiple, painful expensive surgeries only to end up amputating anyway. If Jixxer – if that's his name – is otherwise fit and healthy, he should recover quickly and adapt well to life on three legs. We've had plenty of bid dogs do awesome around here, and others have even continued to hunt, albeit in moderation.
You'll find lots of recovery and care tips in Jerry's Required Reading List, and for immediate answers to the most common dog amputation questions download the new Tripawds e-book Three Legs and A Spare.
 |
"Dogs are born with three legs and a spare." — Jerry G. Dawg (10/98-10/08) Please Support Your Tripawds Community! Have you started a Tripawds Blog yet? |
|
| Looking for quick answers? Download the new Tripawds eBook for the best tips and advice! | ||
9:36 pm
Moderator
14 August 2009
OnlineWelcome Jixxer and Art!
I had a 3 legged dog for 12 years (birth defect). She was a rescue from a hoarder of 22 dogs and thank goodness she was saved. Better yet, no one even considered putting her down even though most of the dogs that came out of the situation did have to be put down because they were too sickly to save. How she survived the horrific conditions with 3 legs, I'll never know. But one thing for sure is, she was and will always be my soul dog.
Dogs adapt just fine on 3 legs! Just read around (including the stuff admin said) and you'll find out that dogs are fine on 3 legs.
Good luck!
Comet - 1999 to 2011She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
12:14 am
1 February 2011
Offline
I was horrified when my vet said amputation was the only way that my Rio would survive more than about two months. Granted she's not a REALLY big dog (only about 75 lbs pre-amp), but she is old(er) and other health problems to consider. Still we are two months post-amp, and (I'm truly the last person who would EVER say this) I'm glad we went ahead with the surgery.
You most certainly will have days where the recovery is difficult and you begin to second-guess your decision. But dogs are amazing. They adapt quickly and they just go on with life! "Oh, hey, I guess I just have three legs now. How about a cookie?" They are such resilient creatures. You will find so much inspiration in and appreciation for the canine species should you decide to proceed with the surgery (truth is, you will, even if you don't!).
Good luck with your pup! And our very best wishes, regardless of the outcome of your decision.
Rio's mom and Rio
 |
~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
5:57 pm
5 March 2011
OfflineOkay, 100 lbs of muscle, no cancer, only 6 years old. Art, I'm not a vet but I'd say your boy's the perfect candidate.
6:32 pm
23 August 2010
Offline
Welcome Jixxer and Art
He has youth, fitness, no cancer and a loving family in his favor… he should do fine. Keep us posted.
11:22 am
Team Tripawds
25 April 2007
Offline
Welcome Jixer! You sound like a ball of energy!
Have you consulted with your vet/surgeon about amputation as an option? What did they think about him being a candidate?
As long as you can keep your weight down (silly Labs, you eat everything!) you should do just fine. But before you go this route, have you done any physical therapy from a certified canine rehab vet? I'm talking about a licensed PT clinic with the proper equipment and knowledge to help you through this (see http://www.caninerehabinstitute.com/index.html). It's my understanding that in many cases ACL injuries can heal with proper PT but it can take several months of consistent visits. If that is an option you may want to consider it.
IMHO, I don't like the ACL repair surgeries for many reasons, including anecdotal evidence that the metal used in them has been linked to cancer, and that almost every time one leg is done, the other one will need to be done in the near future (this info is directly from a certified PT therapist I know). I'm not a rehab vet or a surgeon or even a medical professional but this surgery is something I would do everything pawsible to avoid, starting with PT.
Good luck to you! Let us know what you decide to do OK?
Latest Tripawds News
Read my story here.
Most Users Ever Online: 165
Currently Online: cometdog, nala
46 Guest(s)
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Top Posters:
AngelAbbysMom: 1503
Emilysmom: 1231
fightingforsammy: 1120
jakesmom: 1111
Cooper: 976
10711: 942
riosmom: 939
Cherry: 930
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 443
Members: 3490
Moderators: 8
Admins: 3
Forum Stats:
Groups: 4
Forums: 22
Topics: 5890
Posts: 81463
Newest Members: clara43802, jwalker, rositasmadre, wish2bme2, drakes73, ronnie3716, slimsdad, myargos
