Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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A kitten showed up at the house this week, leg was broken. Vet said it looked as though it had been broken for a while. Vet had to amputate the limb. Smokie Triskelion is getting around for the most part but does have trouble on tile floor. I am not sure if she is not getting traction on the floor or if she is tired, but she occasionally had trouble with balance and flops around. I am sure that she will strengthen as she grows she is approximately 8 wks old. She cries when she flops around and it is heart wrenching. I think part of the problem is that the limb was removed at the hip and she has no counterweight on that side. Are their any devices out there that could help with counterbalance or is there a sock I can get to help with traction on smooth floor. She had her right rear leg amputated.
elmoorman said
...is there a sock I can get to help with traction on smooth floor.
Yes. Click any of the highlighted traction links for lots of recommendations to help improve traction for Tripawds! Many of the suggestions are for dogs, but carpet runners work best for all and the small Power Paws traction socks work well for tri-kitties.
Regarding "counterbalance" the best thing you can do is to focus on building strength with proper rehab and conditioning exercises. See the Tri-kitty tips post for lots of helpful links. Don't miss the Tripawds Blogs for Purrkins, Cheesecat and many other tri-kitty blogs where members have shared their exercise tips. The best thing you can do is visit a rehab vet tech for a professional evaluation and recommended exercises you can do at home. Visit a CCRT or CCRP and the Tripawds Foundation will even pay for your first visit from the Maggie Moo Fund for Tripawd Rehab!
Welcome, 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
Hi & Welcome to you & Smokie Triskelion!
Admin has given you great advice I second the rugs for traction ! Smokie Triskelion is probably slipping on the floors!
How long ago was her amp if she just showed up at the house this week? Depending on when the amp was done usually they are to be restricted in activity for 10-14 days! Is she still on meds? Stiches in, a cone on? You say she is crying when she flops, I am sure that is heart wrenching! Why I asked when her amp was done and all of the above questions.
Purrkins is a front leg amp & he was slipping on the floors we used yoga mats & exercise floor mats until we got some rugs & rug runners all worked great and helped Purrkins not slip and get his confidence on three! We even put some sisal rug on the window sill because he would slip on those too! I would try any of those things and get her more comfortable with her footing and work on some core strengthening exercises .
She is a kitty she will figure this all out pretty quickly!! It sounds like the amp was really recent and depending on when , they do have to adjust and learn on 3 and hopefully she is not in pain.
Keep us posted please! Smokie will get this all figured out she will rock on 3 legs just wait!
Hugs Holly & Purrkins
Hi Smokie Triskelion (such a col name!) and Mum
you are a gem for rescuing this little fella and Smokey T is so fortunate to have found an angel like you! He is still so very young and developing his muscles every day, this little guy is going to show you how little Tripawds do it!
Jerry's pack, Holly and Purrkins have some excellent suggestions... some Tripawd kitty excersises will be a great help and as many rugs as possible! As Holly asked, when was Smokey T's surgery? If it was only in the last few days, he will definitely be needing lots of bedrest to heal.
Sending lots of cuddles and kitten scratches!
Sloppy kisses from Stewie👅🐾
& all the very best from his adoring pack,
Petra, Paul, & his feline siblings, Mr. Spike, Chester Molester & Miss Lily 🐾🐾🐾❤️.
http://stewie20.....pawds.com/
Remember...“live in the moment!“ 
DITTO EVERYONE WITH SUCH GREAT ADVICE AND SUPPORT!!
So I just want to say "welcome" and also thank you for taking such good care of this sweet SMOKIE TRISKELION! 🙂
Will watch for your update and answers to some of the questions regarding her pain meds, activity, traction , etc. How old?
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
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