i have adopted a 3 legged golden retriever puppy, she was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around her right front leg and it atrophied and basically dropped off when she was born at the knee, leaving a strange little stump behind, when she was very small she used to try and use this stump as a leg but now she is taller she cant, her front leg is curving inward to help her balance and her spine is curved now, i just got her, she is about 8months old and we took her to the vet who took x rays and said the growth plate is seperating from her bones in the 'knee' joint and she already has swelling around the 'ankle' joint which is arthritis, the vet has put a cast on her leg to try and give the leg some support to allow the growth plate to finish its growing, she is MISERABLE, my question is to anyone out there who has a dog that was born with 3 legs and therefore had to grow like this (not dogs who were fully grown and had to have an amputation), have your dogs had any issues with the remaining front leg ? how long have they/did they live? im worried about how long she will live if she has  these issues with her front leg already and already has arthritis forming, i wonder how long it will take before she needs pain meds. we are starting her on a joint supplement, we got an orthopedic doggy bed, we carry her up and down stairs and have a raised food/water bowl so she doesnt lean over to much. any advice as to how you think she turn out? thanks :)

I don't have experience with this but I'm sure Cometdog will weigh in – her pup was born with a deformed leg and did great.  It sounds like you are taking excellent care of her.  What's her name?  Maybe you could post a picture, we love pictures, especially of puppies!