Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

I don't have anything to add to the discussion, as my guy is a hind amputation. But just wanted to say hi, as we have a Saint also, who also had a amputation on the same day as your girl. (He is now 130lbs post amp and he is 8yrs old.)  It was his hind left leg due to OSA.  He has recovered so well and we are so happy with his progress. Our thoughts are with you guys, getting these big guys on track can be a challenge!  It was a rollercoaster, but happy to be in a lull for now, living each day as it comes and hoping we get a lot of time with our guy.

Physical Therapy is often more the way to go than trying to compensate for a missing front limb. Due to the way they hop, most carts don't help much unless you lift them up so they're not using their remaining front leg at all.

Warm compresses on the front leg for 5 minutes a couple of times a day might help with the swelling. I use microwavable rice heating pads on my dogs. this is the exact one I use: http://amzn.com.....B000KBNPQ0 You can also make the same thing with a tube sock and rice.

The number one thing you want to condition is the abdominal muscles. Weight shifting exercise is great. Stand behind her and place your hands on either hip. Gently sway her hips to one side and then the other. Just enough until you feel her have to compensate for the shift. it is a small movement. Do 5 times on each side and do this every time you come back in from going outside. Next, add front to back. Stand facing her side that is missing the limb. Place one hand on her chest and one hand between her tush and her hocks. Rock front to back. Again very gently and repeat 5 times front and back. Very quickly, you'll work up to 10 times in each direction. These take no time and you'll find most dogs enjoy it once they learn what is expected of them.

And then there are cookie crunches. Take a high value treat and while she standing, without moving her feet, have her turn her head towards her tail on both sides. Reward the slightest try. many dogs don't like doing this at first but it helps a lot. Once they realize they can do it, they start doing it on their own. Also practice this while laying down on a firm surface. Do 3 to 5 in a row on each side. Again, work up to 10. That may take some time.

Finally, walk figure 8's. With a dog as large as yours, I'd say make each circle about 10 feet in diameter and then work your way down to 4 or 5 feet. Don't overdue it but just 1 minutes of this once or twice a day will really help with balance and strength.

A week or two of this and you'll see some good changes and can start moving on to more advanced work with unstable surfaces.

Oh, I forgot there is one more thing. ENCOURAGE DIGGING. All front leg tripawds need to be encouraged to dig. It helps work the wrist and prevents hyperextenion of the wrist. If your dog doesn't like digging, Hide a treat in a blanket and encourage them to dig. If they still won't participate, you get to bug them. Get a scrunchie or a piece of tape. When your dog is laying down, place the offensive object on their snout. Cheer them on while they rub their nose. If you can add a queue to this, even better. But you want them to bend the wrist and swipe their nose. Work up to doing this 5 times in a row and do it daily.

Don't forget to get the books as they discuss a lot more about physical therapy, proper weight, how often and how long should walks be, and other things about life on three legs.

I had wanted to make a video with Nixon before he passed on his physical therapy routine but the weather and lighting did not co-operate on my days off. I have been asked to do this for bone cancer dogs actually. I may have to contact our member in Chapel Hill and see if I can borrow her tripawd to make the video. Or maybe a road trip to Sally and borrow Frankie! Cookie just started PT and she still is learning the exercises and is very emotional about it all.