Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello! I'm new to this so sorry if the formats funny or what not. Astrid is my 7 month old puppy. She lost her leg at 5 months and it's her front left. She was presumed to be hit by a car and left for dead when the humane society got to her. Her front pad is red at the base and the pads are a little "worn" it looks. I don't take her out on the pavement all that often, I try to keep her on the grass because it's softer.
I was just wondering as to why her pad is a little red, the vet is booked but they have walk-ins on Saturday so I can take her if I need to I was just wondering if it's normal... ALSO! Because it's her front leg and not a back that's missing I was curious if I should be worried about early arthritis of the front leg because of her weight and where she's holding it. My dad tried to convince me to get her a prosthetic or something...
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Hello and welcome to tripawds! What's your puppy's name?
First off, bless you for adopting and especially for adopting a tripawd! You will be rewarded!
I moved your post to "ask a vet" because we have a friend who is a vet that checks this area. He name is Dr. Pam (tazziedog). She is busy but she does check it fairly often.
I'm not a vet, so I don't want to give you wrong information about her red pad(s). But have you checked it really thoroughly just to make sure there isn't anything sticking it? Does it seems sore to her? Again, not a vet - but I bet it's something rather simple since she is a new tripawd and may it may just be tender.
I had a front 3 legged dog for 12 years (deformed front leg from birth). She did very well as long as I kept her weight down. It was harder as she aged because she wasn't as active. Her front leg did look like it had a nodule at the ankle but she did fine and wasn't in pain. Again, that only happened as a senior. I won't speak for others, but mine never did have arthritis even as a tripawd. She had a boatload of other maladies unrelated to being a three legged dog but hey, she didn't have arthritis!
I worried mostly about the rear legs on my Comet. They tend to sometimes blow out their back knees. Mine did. But again - that was at 6 and 8 years old and she liked to twirl on her back legs.
We have a wealth of info on the site for short or long term care. At the top of the forum page where the jewelry is, you'll see some reading material. Or you can search the site. OR you can ask questions here!
Again, WELCOME!!!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
I would take her in to be checked. You can never be too careful with those three feet. I would also have a conversation about what age to begin joint supplements. They may not be needed as a puppy, and may not be desirable as they continue to grow, but I would think it would be something to consider as Astrid approaches young adulthood.
Trouble did develop a turned in stance on her remaining front leg and tended to center it when she stood. Also her front foot became wider as it supported the whole burden of her front weight and mobility.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
There is nothing sticking to it, and her name is Astrid.
The pain thing is what I will be most worried about in her future. She only whines to go outside when she has to potty. The vet pulled on her neck skin, and she didn't whine like most puppies her age. This one time a month ago, a bee stung one of her feet, and she didn't yelp or anything. The only reason I notices is because she fell down and looked at her paw, then at me then at her paw, and I saw a bee flying around dying.
Her pain threshold is very high... not surprising due to her few days/week with a broken leg... She hardly notices that cat's claws when they play too...
Hi Astridsmom, thanks for joining us! I was about to move your post here too when Comet beat me to it! Ah, great minds think alike.
Well, first off, congrats on finding it in your heart to adopt your pretty girl! It takes a special pawrent to look beyond the missing leg and see the beauty and coolness in a Tripawd!
Anyhow, I too encourage you to have her paws checked to make sure she doesn't have a bee sting or a pinched nerve or something that's making her drag her foot too much. You may also want to have her gait analyzed by a certified physical therapist just to make sure. Remember that dogs hide their pain incredibly well until it's too much to bear.
I encourage you to check out these videos from California Animal Rehabilitation, which talk about things like keeping weight down (which is the # thing you can do for a healthy future of any dog, but especially a Tripawd, and how to maintain good core strength and body-awareness, which helps to prevent injuries. And check out our Gear Blog Fitness Page, which also has some good tips for having fun without overdoing it.
Let us know what the vet says about her paw, I hope it's nothing.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I am also not a vet, but we deal with pad injuries all the time. I would suggest very carefully looking the foot over, nail beds, between the toes, under the fur. Does shr have lick spots where the fur is discolored? Any visible splits, tears, cuts? If so, get some advice from the vet. If the pads are just worn looking, try rubbing some salve on them every night. We use one with calendula to promote healing. You can also try a product like TuffFoot after she heals up to build callouses and resist wear.
Also check the other feet. If the same thing is going on with them she may be allergic to something.
Thanks Calpurnia!!! Great advice as usual.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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