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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Good evening,
My 7 year old yellow lab just had his front left leg amputated. He weighed around 85 pounds before his amputation which the vet said was a good weight for him. (When we question his weight to our vets they always say he his in the best shape that they have seen, they state that a lot of labs that come in are a little overweight but Odin isn't) Now without the leg he is around 74 pounds. Just wondering what is the ideal weight we should be shooting for? Asking as we want to make sure he maintains a health weight / lifestyle now being on three legs. We of course are trying to avoid joint issues in the future to the best we can. Thank you for your help!
Brownie, also a lab was 90 lbs at time of amputation. My vet told me he should be around 70 lbs being a tripawd. Brownie is now 75 lbs and does get around a lot better.
His Hollostic vet took his measurements and did the calculations to come up with the perfect weight, because all labs are built differently. Some with longer legs and larger griths and such.
If you want the perfect weight you might want to see if your vet can do the calculations for you.
Hope this help and Happy to hear Odin is doing well!
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
You really need to put your hands on the dog; you should be able to easily feel his ribs when you run your hands over his sides. It is okay to visibly see the edge of the last rib but all of the ribs should not be sticking out. Vets use a body condition score chart that goes from 1 to 9 with 4 or 5 being ideal.
Pam
Ditto to what Pam said, but remember you want the correct weight for a tripawd.
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
Sorry Pam, I didn't know you were vet Pam. Listen to Pam, she knows.
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
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