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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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Not standing up tall?
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Member Since:
9 March 2010
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1
24 June 2010 - 9:54 am
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Dante very, very rarely stands up 'straight' He's always hunched in the front and down low. I probably wouldn't notice it as much if it weren't for Mina. They're built nearly the exact same, and pretty much the same weight, too - but he holds his front end much lower than hers. His shoulder blade is almost always up above his back when he stands. From looking at pictures of other front leg amputees this doesn't seem to be the normal way they hold themselves. He also turns his remaining front leg completely sideways when he's standing and often when he sits. 

I'm mostly concerned because he's still growing - we do stretches and give massages. He's got some massive muscles on and around his remaining front leg.  Will this cause any long term damage to his joints and bones? Is there something we can do beyond what we're already doing, or anything we need to watch for?


Member Since:
22 August 2008
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24 June 2010 - 1:24 pm
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It is probably just how he has adapted to being three-legged and I have seen other dogs do this.  I would continue with a high quality food and make sure he does not become overweight.  You could also start him on an glucosamine supplement.

Pam

Member Since:
9 March 2010
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24 June 2010 - 1:43 pm
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Thank you Pam. 

 We're doing all of that, so we'll keep it up. I just hope it doesn't progress much more, he definitely stood taller and straighter in the beginning than he does now!

Las Vegas, Nevada
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14 August 2009
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24 June 2010 - 3:14 pm
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Pam knows best! 

I just want to add that Comet looks deformed and always has (aside from the deformed front leg and the terrible underbite!). 

She pulls one back leg under her making her hips crooked.  And her front leg is always in the middle of her chest.  The paw is very spread out and she will turn it almost sideways.  She, too seems to walk like her head is heavy.

I think they get into their own groove of walking since they were puppies.

 

Here's some old, old pics of her that I took noting this when she was a puppy.

[Image Can Not Be Found]

 

[Image Can Not Be Found]

 

Her Retired AvatarComet - 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.

Member Since:
9 March 2010
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24 June 2010 - 3:57 pm
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Dante sits like that too with one back leg out infront of him. He turns his paw the same, too, just a bit more out, all toes splayed (as much as he can with all that webbing inbetween!).

You're right, it is like his head is heavy (well, it IS huge, so it probably is heavy, LOL) I feel better now. If comet is still walking at 11 years old, Dante will be fine!

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