Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello everyone
We bought a Maremma puppy a week ago, and after noticing an odd gait I had him x-rayed. It turns out the top of his femur is broken. It turns out the injury happened around 5 weeks of age. As it's been so long since the injury happened that pinning the bone isn't an option as some of the bone has died.
The vet has also advised against a femoral head and neck excision, and we can't afford to do a hip replacement when he gets to 12 months old.
I'm wondering if a large-breed pup of this age is a suitable candidate for amputation? He is otherwise a very healthy pup, and now he's on pain meds he's bounding around like a typical pup.
For the life of me I do NOT want to put this pup down - he is beautiful inside and out.
Does anyone know whether a large-breed dog can cope with an amputation done at such a young age? Are we better off keeping him on pain meds until he gets a bit older and amputating then?
Any advice at all would be most gratefully received.
Regards
Bev (Rastus' mum)
Hi Bev thanks for joining. Hope you dont mind I moved your post here so more members will see it. On my mobile now but will post again later. Thx!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Bev and Rastus!
Love the name Rastus...and I bet it fits him to a tee!
Absolutely NO reason to "put him down"...you are exactly right! Geez, poor guy, mighty glad he found you! Broken for weeks...owwwee!
I am no vet and you DEFINITELY need the assessment of an Orthopedic Surgeon and Rehab. Specialist. I can tell you jjst from being on the site that large breed dogs do very well on three legs! With all tripods you want to monitor their activity and not let them go crazy jumping up and down off things, etc.
And yes, we've seen many young dogs have to have amputation for various reasons. I do know that when possible, he longer you can wait the better. I think...but not sure...six months or later is a starting point when it is possible to wait. many times though it's not possible. Recently there was a Great Dane puppy here who had to have the amputation as a puppy (forgotten the age, but I think it was a bit before six months ths) and he did great. Every dog is different, every situation different, and, again, I'm no vet.
Cannot wait to see pictures of Rastus! He sounds adorable! Really glad he's feeling good and avle to enjoy being a puppy!!
I know amputation sounds scary and extreme, but your vet seems to have a good handle on why it is the best option for Rastus. Sooooo often pinning, etc. ends up with infections, etc. and amputations are the solution at that point anyway.
Keep us posted and we look forward to more updates.
Hugs to that cute puppy!!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
PS.....Do let whoever you brought Rastus from know the situa. Perhaps they will help with his expenses. It's distressing to know this fella had this hardship si ce he was five months old and the owner didn't notice...thank goodness you did!
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!
I'm not a vet by no means and you really should seek out the advice of an orthopedic surgeon but I whole heartedly believe this is no reason to put Rastus to sleep. You will find many large breed dogs here that did quite well as a Tripawd. My Leland was a 108lb Dobie boy when he underwent his amputation. The thing with pups is they are typically high energy and have the go, go, go mentality so you'll have to limit Rastus' activity level until he's healed and the suture/staples are removed. I would think younger pups would have a little easier time adjusting to their new situation regarding maneuvering and mobility. My Leland was 4 1/2 yrs old and it took him a while to learn how to get up off the floor without assistance and to be able to poop without me providing support with a belly sling so he wouldn't fall over. I have no doubt that Rastus would be a happy Tripawd because he will no longer be in pain.
Anyway, hope that helps some and I look forward to hearing more about Rastus and seeing some pics!!
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
Hello again
I don't think I have permission to post photos yet but if I do I'll definitely put one up. You'll see why I'm having such trouble...the little guy has white eyelashes that he flutters for heavens sake!! What dog DOES that?
Thanks for moving my post Jerry - I appreciate it.
You guys have definitely encouraged me to investigate further. I had an appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon a couple of days ago but amputation wasn't really mentioned as an option. I've rung his surgery this morning though and asked for him to give me a call back so we can discuss.
I'm still a bit worried about putting Rastus through the pain of such a major surgery but I also think that if he gets through it ok then my family and I will give him a wonderful life.
Cheers
Bev
Hi,
Unfortunately I need to head out the door so this isn't going to be as long a reply as I would like. My pup had her first amputation at 12 weeks. She is a mid-size got. She is also blind, uncoordinated and has other challenges due to brain damage. She does ok 
Her name is Cora the Determined if you want to check out her Facebook page and see her latest video.
Some things to discuss with the orthopedic surgeon or other vet is success rate of any procedure you do. What I've seen in my time here is a lot of dogs that go through lots of stuff, while they try to save the leg and ultimately they end up amputating. Cora had to have a second amputation because they had left a stump and it got injured often. I really wish she hadn't gone through that.
If you do decide to amputate, I would really recommend finding a physical therapist for Rastus. Being young, and large breed, Rastus is going to be clumsy and that will add an additional challenge. A PT can help Rastus with that. It was a huge benefit to Cora.
rastusmum said
Hello againI don't think I have permission to post photos yet but if I do I'll definitely put one up.
Anyone can post photos here! 
Review these detailed instructions for adding photos to forum posts , and ask in the Tech Support forum if you need further help. If you do not already share photos online somewhere, you can start a free Tripawds blog and upload pictures to your Media Library.
Hope this helps!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Rastus is now officially a tripawd and doing fabulously so far. It was absolutely the right decision.
Thanks so much for your help and advice everyone.
Kind regards
Bev
That is wonderful news!!! You will be amazed how well Rastus will adapt and I hope his recovery is "uneventful." I'm so glad you gave Rastus a chance through amputation. We'd love to hear more about him and how he progresses so keep in touch!
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
Great news, thanks for the update! Please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
WELCOME TO THE GLORIOUS EXCLUSIVE TRIPAWD FAMILY !!!
So glad to hear he's doing well!
Let us know how we can help or of you have any questions!
Hope you can figure out oictures...can't wait to see this cutie pie!
Good job everybody!
Sending lots of love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Hi Bev!
I'm a dog walker, and one of my dogs, Rocky, is a 70 pound Tripawd Kommondor/Maremma mix! She was hit by a car as a puppy and her rear right leg was so severely damaged that it was amputated. She's three now and there's no keeping her down! I get stopped on the street constantly by people who are surprised at how well she gets around! I live in Upstate NY, and we had 3 feet of snow last month. Rocky would jump in the snow and run around in it like a nutcase!
I look forward to hearing Rastus's story as he grows up! I'm sure that he will be just like Rocky - impossible to keep up with and the celebrity of his neighborhood!
<3 Amy and Steve the Pretty Tripawd Kitty
Right rear leg amp due to injury from unknown cause (but don't tell her she's missing her spare...yes HER!)
Read our blog here: http://stevetheprettytripawdkitty.tripawds.com/
And find Steve's new Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/stevetheprettytripawdkitty
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