Tripawds Three Legged Dog & Cat Forum Archives
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Hello, Our rescued Black Mouth Cur has a very badly healed previously broken back leg. Two different vets have recommended removing right back leg.
“Ginger” is suspected to be a little more than a year old .
Her gait is already compensating sometimes for the leg that healed too short but she does sometimes put weight on it when she walks and uses it for balance.
When she runs it sometimes swings freely, and or she does a hoppy move. It doesn’t seem to bother her but our vet thinks it’s an injury waiting to happen and that it causes pain that she just ignores because she is used to it. The leg doesn’t have as good mobility and muscle as her other legs.
We have no experience with how she will be able to move after or even if we are convinced it is the right choice! We found this site researching.
“ Ginger ” is so sweet, funny, energetic and loving! We love her so much and want to do right by her!
I’m scared she wont be able to get around as well or it will change her personality!
We have so many questions and concerns. It’s overwhelming!
Any comments, insights appreciated.
Kelly and Steve-
Hi and welcome Kelly and Steve, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I'm sorry you are faced with this decision- it's clear how much you love Ginger! You are also very smart to look at all options before going to surgery.
The first thing that comes to mind is taking to Ginger to a certified rehab and/or orthopedic vet. They are experts at a dog's gait and how a short leg would affect her body in the short term and long term. They may be able to assess her pain level with the leg as well.
If they think amputation is best they may also be able to determine if a prosthetic would be a good option.
I have a little rear amp Tripawd who lost her leg when she was 7 months old after being hit by a car. Elly turned 10 years old last month and has been on three legs for 9.5 years. Elly has done well on three but has had some issues the last couple of years after an injury to her one remaining hip. She still gets around fine on her own but her strength and endurance isn't what it once was- part of that is just the wear and tear of life on three.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls and Boy
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Maggie's Story Amputation and Chemo
Find me now on Tripawds Circle
Kelly, Steve, and Ginger, welcome!
Karen has given you great input which I 100% agree.
Your story sounds a lot like our Nellie's who we adopted as an adult with a malformed, previously injured leg two years ago. At first it seemed amputation was a no brainer but after rehab therapy and orthopedic evaluations at Colorado State University, we opted to medically manage her situation. Mainly because of her age, if she was younger, we might choose a different approach to see if surgery could correct it.
We were once told by UC Davis ortho vet rock star Dr. Marcellin-Little that amputation can get rid of a problem now, but will eventually cause more problems later on. In our 17 years of being here at this community, and after three Tripawd dogs of our own, we can confirm that yes, it's true. Tripawd dogs are more prone to osteoarthritis and other mobility issues at an earlier age. That's not to say they can't have great lives on three legs. Amputation when necessary is totally understandable, but it's a decision to be done with a lot of care since you can't go back.
If you haven't had your pup evaluated by an orthopedic and rehab team, I would absolutely do that before proceeding. If your vet doesn't work with any specialists in this area, let me know and I'll try to find one for you.
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