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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
We took in a female dachshund a few months ago. She came with papers showing she was up to date on shots from a vet's office I'm familiar with, so we didn't take her straight to the vet right away.
Come to find out a few weeks later our new adopted furbaby was pregnant.
Everything went great. Mom is healthy and had an easy natural birth. However one of the pups, the last born and only female, was born with a deformed leg.
She is 8 weeks old and small, but in good health. I haven't yet taken her to the vet because we didn't expect to have four extra pups when we got the mother.
I'm going to within the next two weeks. Until then I was wondering if someone could tell me what they think caused her leg deformity.
It was hairless when she was born but has full fur now. However it is much smaller than the other legs and just flops uselessly when she tries to use it. I've done a squeeze test and it seems to have some feeling in it but not much. When held up on her hind legs, it flops across Her chest. When on her stomach it lays backwards along Her side.
She's the runt, but is doing well otherwise as far as Her health is concerned.
Some advice would be very appreciated. 
Welcome! Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
In the mean time, consider searching these forums above for other topics discussing deformaties of the limb. And, you can search all blogs here .
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I don't know about your question but she has a beautiful face!!!! Good luck!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Hi. I have no advice to give but have to say that she is adorable! That face is so kissable.
As you search this forum you'll find a lot of valuable information.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Here is a better picture of her. She's snuggled up in my arms sleeping. You can see the difference in her legs clearly.
A D O R A B L E!! She is precious! Don't have any insight into the cause. Just want to thank you for keeping her. She, like her mom, is going to know what love feels like.
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Most likely that will need amputation. Your vet will probably check for other birth defects such as a heart murmur, cleft palate, or possible liver shunt due to the pup's small size.
You should go to the vet ASAP anyway for a parvo vaccine since there is a good chance that the mother was not vaccinated prior to giving birth.
Pam
Oh my, that is one cute puppy!!!! I love the pic of her in your arms. AND THOSE FEET!!!! I don't think any of us here could tell you what may have caused that. Sometimes dogs just come into our lives for a reason and who knows what hers is, but she's here just the way she's supposed to be 🙂
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE!!!!
Howdy and welcome!!
pam
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
So she is perfectly fine.
Mother is up to-date on shots, even for parvo. I confirmed the records with the vets.
Little Leona was born with a deformed shoulder and fused elbow joint. Since she will be an indoor dog, she doesn't need it amputated. It doesn't hurt Her and she's even learned how to use it to hook Her food bowl and tip it over!
Here's an updated pic of mom Sadie snuggling with Leona and Hershey (the first born, he's going to my dad in December).
All are doing well and are very healthy! I even made them little sock sweaters because it's starting to get cold at night around here. 
1 Guest(s)
