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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Hi! I have a foster dog I just got in this past week. He is a recent front leg amputee. He was extremely abused, and came in to a sanctuary with a badly injured leg which wasn't able to be saved, heartworm positive, Ehrlichia positive, and underweight. He is less then 2 years old. The sanctuary got him treated for the heartworm and Ehrlichia, and his leg removed, then he was cleared to go to a rescue, and I pulled him to foster. He is not aggressive at all, thankfully, and he is super submissive. But, he has deep seated emotional scars from his abuse and neglect. He has extreme trust issues, which is understandable, and I think could benefit from some therapy of some sort, like perhaps acupuncture. Any ideas from anyone? Are there resources out there to help the rescue financially to pay for his to get some help?
Hi,
How great of you to help this little dude out. Sounds like he's had a horrible time of it, its heart breaking but now for a new start and a new life! I haven't any experience with acupuncture I'm afraid but what about massage? Its something you can do yourself and wont have a financial impact. Massage can really help to relax an anxious dog by having one on one focused time without putting too much demand or stress on the dog and it should help you to form a close trusting bond. Maybe start with real simple stuff like the top of his head and down his neck or start at his feet? A lot will depend on how he is displaying the trust issues he has and where he feels comfortable touching him. I have a nervous by nature (she's never suffered any abuse) little girl and I found by having calming time and working slowly with her she started to believe that I wasn't hurting her and actually being close to me felt gooood 🙂 you can reinforce the touch care with the odd treat if that works for him.
Hope this helps a little 🙂
Zuki Wuggafer 30/09/06 - 11/11/16. Right hind tripawd due to Osteosarcoma. He had a strong 5 and half months as a tripawd but unfortunately a secondary issue with his spine ended our battle. He loved life, loved our family and was the best dog I could ever ask for. Truly my first love, forever in my thoughts and heart.
Read our story: http://zuki.tripawds.com/
Hi and welcome! Thank you for fostering your sweet pup, he's so fortunate to find his way to you. I really like that you're asking good questions and doing your best to give him the life he so deserves.
We too adopted a Tripawd who started out in life quite terribly (see his blog Wyatt Ray ). He's traveled a long road and still has some issues but every day he proves that dogs are so resilient and loving even after all that. It took a long time to create a bond with him so he trusted us, but the effort was worth it.
I do love Zuki's massage suggestion, that is a great way to start creating that bond! See these tips for more info:
http://tripawds.....?s=Massage
Also, getting him together with a trainer who understands neglect and abuse issues in dogs will be key to creating that bond too. You can also check out books from the library by great canine behaviorists like Patricia O'Connell, Sarah Wilson and Sophia Yin. They all have GREAT insight on canine behavior that helped us so much with Wyatt.
So when do you think he'll be available for adoption? Or do I sense a "foster failure" here? 😉 Hmmm. Either way, the Tripawds Foundation has a program where we reimburse folks on adoption fees for Tripawd cats and dogs. See: http://tripawds.....wd-rescue/
Oh! What's his name? Breed type? More info, we'd love to follow along on his journey.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome! It sounds like he's found a wonderful (temporary) home with you where he can start healing from his tough start. I also have a front amputee who had a rough time when she was young.
It sounds like you already have some experience with helping dogs heal, which is great. The most helpful thing I learned was how to modify my dog's environment and not overwhelm her with contact from people and dogs until she's ready. We live downtown and that can be difficult, but I've found this I NEED SPACE leash sleeve helps keep people and dogs at bay. I also like spending a lot time training. Learning simple commands can do a lot to boost a dog's confidence and build trust. Here's a good list of simple training games you could play that can get your little guy used to you and his new life.Â
I would second Patricia McConnell's books - she has one for working with fearful dogs - as well as Grisha Stewart's BAT 2.0 and Turid Rugaas' On Talking Terms with Dogs.Â
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