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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Hey my 6 month old lab puppy had his right forelimb amputated on the 17/3/10 due to a severe elbow deformity. We had options to try and save the leg which meant a few surgerys and lots of money and all that might not work, but whilst trying to get money from the bank, it had just gotton worse. On the 16th we had him booked in for a CT scan, we spoke to the ortho surgeron and he told us that the operations that he had suggested had a very very small percentage of working, he suggested another surgery but it would mean romeo would most likly live a life with the help of medication. He then suggested amputation would be our best option, one that would give him a pain free life. I was quite upset, just because i would have prefered him to have 4 legs, mostly because i had never seen a dog with a missing front leg. He was booked in for the amputation the next day. My friend and I took him to his favourite place, the beach of course. Just incase it was his last to swim. Whilst he was at the vets, i searched high and low about dogs after amputation, that is when i came across this website, It changed my views on amputation I was so happy to know that my lil romeo would still be able to do EVERYTHING if not better than he could.
He is doing really well, he was already up and walking the same day as the surgery, and when he had come home it was like nothing had changed, he still thinks he can chase the cat jump on the couch. My vet told me to keep him confined, so i got him an exercise pen so he can be locked up whilst im at work, he has enough room to walk around a bit, to go toilet and has a bed in there. But all he does is sleep in there, so when i come home from work he is really stiff and doesnt walk to walk around to much. But when he hasnt been locked up he is fine. So should i lock him up, or would he be right to have run of the house whilst im at work. Im just worried he might ripped a staple, or hurt himself because being a puppy he is quite playful.
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I know that your post says 'need advice' but it sounds llike things are coming well for Romeo. I agree it is hard to keep them calm until the staples come out!
My two suggestions are to 1) start a good joint supplement like glucosamine chrondrotin (sp) and 2) raise Romeo's food and water dish so he doesn't have to lower his head so far to eat and drink. It should help with balance since a dog's head can be heavy.
I cried when I read your post because I will always remember how scared I was when I heard my Emily had to have her leg amputated (cancer). This web site has been such a blessing for so many of us. There is no reason to believe that Romeo will not be able to do everything he did before. Maybe more, actually since his amputation is due to a deformity.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Debra & Angel Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
You've made the righrt decision, and you've come to the right place! Too many times we hear from people who put their dogs through multiple, painful, costly surgeries, only to procced with amputation anyway.
Romeo is going to be stiff and tired for a few weeks anyway while he regains his strength. If his vet suggests confining him while you are not availabe to supervise his activity, then we certainly agree with his recommendation. It sounds like Romeo is doing great! But for a few more tips about what to expect during recovery, check out Jerry's top ten amputation questions and answers.
Thanks for joining and welcome to the Tripawds community! Best wishes for a complete, speedy recovery. And do be careful about letting Romeo bounce around off the furniture ... he no longer has the spare leg he was born with. 
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Definitely keep him confined when you're not around, while Romeo is healing... at least for the first 2 weeks. When you're not there... put a cone (E-collar) on his head so he doesn't decide to lick and chew at his incision... Maybe close him in a small room with a comfy bed/comforter, or course. The surgical site needs at least 2 weeks to start healing... He may think he can do it all... but don't let him. After the two weeks, he should be fine! 
Post some pictures so we can see what your baby looks like!!!
Angel Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
The surgeon had a look at the elbow, and said that he had no cartilge left, so we certainly did make the right decisions, like my mum says its better to go straight to the end of the road rather than take detours.He is already on a joint supplement its called dr bruce's joint formula, it has both ingredients in it and has been for the past 3 months, already raised his water and feed bowl as he struggled with reaching them at first. My friend is going to build a ramp and we will teach him to use that, if he wants on the couch. Seems how his elbow held him back from so much, this is a new begining for him a chance to go out and be a puppy.
thanks so much for all the info, its helped quite alot
He hates the collar with a passion, we have a t-shirt thats tied he cant lick at it or scratch it, alrite i will check him confined, i was just worried it was him being locked up that was causing the stiffness. I might allow him access to a small room rather than run of the house. He gets his staples taken out next tuesday, his surgical site looks fantastic. My mum is a nurse so we r constantly checking it, making sure each staple is in place. Il try and put some pics up really soon.
Sounds like you and the pup are recovering nicely. Can't wait to hear more about him as he recovers. Best of luck to both of you.
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.
Welcome! We're happy that you joined us. Sounds like Romeo is doing great. Keeping him confined when you can't supervise is sound advice. You don't want him to push his limits and tear a staple out. Our dog Chuy is a frt. leg amputee at 4 mths. old (now 2 yrs.) and he gets around just as well as our other 2 dogs. Romeo will grow up not even remembering that he had that nasty deformed leg. He'll be running, jumping and playing within a month. Puppies, like children, heal fast!
Post pictures, we'd love to see him!
Chuy, showing everyone that Tripawds do everything 3 times better than regular dogs!
Welcome Romeo! It sounds like you've got some great pawrents!
I was quite upset, just because i would have prefered him to have 4 legs, mostly because i had never seen a dog with a missing front leg.
I think we all would rather have them have their 4th leg! Although newcomers coming in the site might think we only love 3-legged dogs! We are actually here, first and foremost because we love dogs – we'd even love a 5-legged dog!!!
I was in your same shoes 11 years ago! I adopted Comet with a deformed front leg when she was a puppy. Hers couldn't be fixed, just amputated. The day she was scheduled to have surgery, she was sick with kennel cough so it was canceled. It developed into pneumonia and took months to get rid of. Her leg has no sensation or movable joints so it wasn't imperative we get it amputated. She actually used it to show us how adorable she was. She can make it go up and down with her shoulder muscle. Therefore, she can use it to knock over stuff and tap you when she wants your attention.
Since I didn't have any advice from ANYONE about raising a 3 legged dog, I winged it and just let her be herself! I never even thought about the stuff she shouldn't or couldn't do. As a matter-of-fact I've done nothing special for her disabilities. Only after her blowing out her back knee did I realize that slipping on tile wasn't a good thing! Only since finding these forum did I realize what a terrible pawrent I've been! 
I raised her food and water bowl since.
Swimming: They can swim just fine. (with a life jacket on)
Ramp to the couch: Forget it! He won't need it and a ramp is harder to use than steps.
Stairs: Not a problem once they figure out their groove.
Tricks: They can do tricks just like before. Comet, even as a senior can still lay down and roll over.
Spoiling them: Go overboard. That's what all dogs are for!
Best of luck with Romeo!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She 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.
You might consider just getting a baby gate and placing him in one room. But it's very likely that while you're gone and the little pup is alone, he is going to sleep to pass the time. All mine do.
I wonder, is your dog stiff when he gets up in the morning?
Lucky Amputation 10/29/09 Adoption 12/5/09
Jedi Amputation 12/18/09 Adoption 02/04/10
"I am not afraid, I was born to do this." Joan of Arc
Hey guys its nearly been a month, romeo is doing fantastic. We have just started going for walks, and starting to play a little bit of fetch. He still has the occassional slip, but other than that everything is GREAT infact its better than EVER. He is alot happier than he has been for the past few months, its almost as though i have gotton a new dog, one thats better. I often forget he only has 3 legs, and i think he does too.
He is very grateful for his new lease on life and so am I.He is no longer in pain, i couldnt wish for much more, I agree he will grow up not even remembering he ever had 4 legs, which is a very good.
No he isnt stiff any more, it was just the excessive fluid and bruising from the surgery. I wish he sleeps whilst im not there but he doesnt, he plays not stop, he is very active. Even more so that he isnt in pain anymore.
Thanks again for all the imformation romeo and i really appreicate it, il try and upload pics of him really soon. xx
This is such good news, thanks for letting us know that his post-surgery recovery is over. Yeayyy!!! Keep us posted, we love to hear success stories like this, thank you. Now, go breathe, and have a GREAT weekend!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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