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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We have had our little Tootsie since the very first day she was born and she's absolutely the love of our lives. Tootsie had a bad fall yesterday and broke her front left leg near her elbow. The doctor gave us 3 options. Surgery to install a plate, amputation or euthanasia. They said that the plate surgery was the most risky due to the chance of infection because of her skin condition, so we were left to choose between amputation and euthanasia. Other than the broken leg, she has been very healthy, so we decided on amputation and she is scheduled for surgery in about five hours. My wife and I haven't been able to sleep all night because we've been so worried about her. Are we being incredibly selfish by choosing amputation at her age? Her right front leg has arthritis and has been the weaker of the 2. Will she still be able to walk with 3 legs and if so, will her remaining front leg be able to handle the additional stress? Should we consider a prosthetic?
Jordan said
Are we being incredibly selfish by choosing amputation at her age?
Not at all! Search the Size and Age Matters forum and the Tripawds Blogs for plenty of examples od senior dogs Loving Life On Three Legs . Bailey was 17 at time of amputation, and lived to nearly 20! And she was a larger dog. Small dogs usually recover quickly and adapt well.
Use the Advanced Search above to refine your search results with specific phrases, and you're sure to find lots of helpful feedback. You can also search all blogs here .
Should we consider a prosthetic?
Please consult with and orthopedic surgeon, watch our video interviews with Orthopets, and consider contacting them directly to determine if a prosthetic is an option. tell them Tripawds sent you! You must plan ahead of the surgery and be prepared to perform plenty of rehab if you decide to go this route.
Best wishes, please keep us posted. Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sorry to hear about Tootsie's accident. You are not being selfish at all! Quite the opposite.
I explored the prosthetic option with my Meg, who lost a leg due to problems with her elbow. I was told that they need two working joints to enable them to walk with a prosthetic, so amputation would need to be below the elbow, basically. Check with the experts obviously, but that is my understanding.
I worried a lot about Megs remaining leg too. She has moderate/severe arthritis, elbow dysplasia and a condition called IOHC. Nine months post amp, she is doing fantastically well, running, swimming, chasing rabbits and squirrels and thoroughly enjoying life. We work hard on her core strength and also keep her weight as low as possible but her remaining leg is bearing up just fine. Tootsie is older than Meg (she's eight) but much smaller (Megs around 33 pounds), which means less pressure on that front leg.
I think Tootsie will surprise you with just how well she adapts and I'm sure she will thoroughly enjoy all the additional spoiling being a tripawd involves. You have made a courageous and loving decision to give your beloved Tootsie the chance to enjoy her golden years being spoiled and cherished as she deserves.
Big hug,
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...
I pray that all will be well for tootsie! It is hard to make the decision to amputate. I really struggle with it for my Bandit but it was the best thing for him. It ended his pain. When I joined this group I was told more than once to be "more dog". You are not doing this to tootsie but for her. She won't care about just having three legs versus four. For some reason day ten after surgery is when most dogs start to really be themselves again. Sometimes better. Lots of tlc and pain management will have tootsie hopping around happy very soon. Hang in there. Deb and Angel Bandit
How's Tootsie doing? How are you?
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...
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