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 everyone, I haven't been on in a while, as I've been working hard to pay Animal Medical Center - oops, I mean working hard at my job.
All is well with us! Ajax has been a Tripawd for 2 years and 3 months, surviving a mast cell tumor in between, and we are cancer free and loving it. I do wonder about wear and tear on the back leg - the orthopedic surgeon says not worry, he'll self manage (which he does) but I'd be curious to hear about other experiences of active, long-term Tripawds.
Anyway, that is not why I'm posting. Though Central Park is 843 acres large, our morning off leash area is pretty much "the Oval" around the Great Lawn - maybe 3 acres that we are in every single day.
Ajax has set a trend: we now have 3 other Tripawds so I am sending a shout to them. One we have only seen from afar and don't know his name, but he is managing very well with his front leg amputation. The second, Piggy, is a rescue from Guatemala - he's young and gorgeous and very speedy following amputation of a leg injured before he came to the US. The third, Wayne, is a rear-amp Labrador just like Ajax(except blonde) and his wonderful mom adopted him already 3-legged from a shelter. We love her. They think he is about 5 years old and the hypothesis is that he is a Hurricane Isaac (Vermont) rescue who had the amputation after an injury.
My prediction: the new "it" dog is soon going to be a Tripawd!
My good thoughts to all who may not be doing as well as Ajax at the moment. Hang in there.
K
Good to hear from you and good to know Ajax is doing so well.
Wayne's peeps have been here I think, I don't recognize the others.
My little pug Maggie was a tripawd for almost 4 years, also a rear amp. She never had any mobility issues or notable problems with her remaining back leg. I did have a massage therapist friend work on her occasionally, and of course used joint supplements, but other than that I let her be.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Glad to read an update on Ajax!! Neat you're running into other Tripawds! There is one now that I know of about an hour South of me but that's all I have heard of.
As far as rear leg long term care... I do the same as what Karen said above...Maggie is on a joint supplement(Canine Joint Works - and she's doing AWESOME on it) and I do massage her when need be and as you know, also do regular PT work with her...to keep her strong...specifically that rear leg.. even a simple exercise such as sits/downs rep's would be beneficial for rear leg strength. Also, pivoting around on something such as a sturdy box or flat block of wood or stiff cushion and do pivots around it, another good rear leg strengthener.
I can't say enough good things about regular CORE work for our tripawds. 5 minutes, 3X per week..
Also, doing hip extension stretching is great for our rear leg amputees...stretches out that hip.
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
I'd be curious to hear about other experiences of active, long-term Tripawds.
Well, I've been a Tripawd for just a little longer than you and so far so good. I'm pretty young though (3.5 years old) but I think as long as me and my people regulate my activity and stop me when I go crazy for too long, I'll be OK. But like Maggie I also do core muscle exercises and balance games to help me with balance and flexibility.
I can't wait till you hook up with the other pups! It would be the first NYC Tripawd Pawty of it's kind. You trendsetter, Ajax!
Momma sez "SMOOOOOOCH!" to you! I say "Paws up dude!"
Wyatt Ray Dawg . . . The Tripawds Leg-A-Cy Continues!
Read all about my adventures at my Tripawds Blog
Hey guys, thanks for the input. We are following all suggestions, though Ajax will NOT stand on the balance pads. I am hoping the up, down and around of Central Park is doing the same type of core strengthening, since he is one stubborn tripawd
Hmmm...when you're out for walks, look for obstacles he can maneuver up, down and over. Have him step over low hedges, fallen tree branches, things like that. You just don't want his walking surfaces to be entirely flat. Look for variations, which will help him with proprioception and strengthening his core muscles.
And when you get home, take the couch cushions and put them on the floor. Walking over them is another way to help him get strong. Use lots of treats to get him used to unstable surface work like this. Eventually he'll be more concerned with the treats than the wobbly feeling of the different surfaces.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hey Ajax, did you know you have a fellow Tripawds member who had her amputation surgery done by your vet?
Jill, our newest Tripawds member, is a fan of your surgeon too! And she lives in your city. I think you need to have a Tripawds meet up -- the first ever for a canine and feline Tripawds member!
What do you say? Can we count on you to pawty with Jill?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yeah yeah! A doggy kitty NYC pawty!!!!!
(Not the same surgeon though, same oncologist 
Ajax is a famous NYC tripawd! http://www.vets.....out-a-limb
Lets have a pawty with dr Hohenhaus 
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
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