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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yrngtmr said:
Congrats on getting a new dog! I also adopted a tripawd, and this is what I found – the tile floors in the house didn't slow her down a bit. My 4-legged dogs slip more than she does and I have throw rugs everywhere. I think she knew she was unstable on the tile and she slowed down. She didn't like soft fluffy beds (to unstable), but likes the firmer egg-crate style beds. She runs, plays and does everything perfectly normal – she certainly doesn't know she's missing anything. However, I do notice that she becomes fatigued VERY quickly on walks and when she's been playing hard in the yard. That being said, I wouldn't expect your new one to do well on long walks. I think the frequent short walks you're planning is perfect. The only other thing I can suggest that hasn't been mentioned is watching his weight. Just like with humans, too much extra weight will aggravate his joints.
Hi Nomi's mom!
Welcome. I read your profile and it sounds like you got some stories to tell. You should start a new topic and tell us all about your pup!
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.
We called the vet today and are happy to report that he tested negative for heartworms!!! Now all we can do is wait until tomorrow morning to pick him up from the vets and bring him home. This has been the longest weekend and a half in years.
BRAVO! Bring that baby home and love him!
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.
Yeah, good news! Bet you can't wait to have your boy back home. Thanks for the update.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
OH GOOD GOOD NEWS.....be sure and post tomorrow and let us know how the homecoming goes!!!
Got him this morning. He's currently on medicine for a chronic ear infection, of which once the swelling in his ears go down the vets want to see him again, and on medicine for kennel cough. Otherwise perfectly fine. So far we've had one accident in the house and I'm going to blame it on the prednisone because he whines and goes by the door when he wants out.
As far as settling in, he seemed to do that immediatley and the other two dogs have adjusted perfectly fine to the whole ordeal and don't even seem bothered by a 3 legged goliath hopping around their house. The other two are smaller than he is.
Yay Viggo! What a cutie. He's missing the same leg as Gerry and looks about the same size (maybe a little smaller) - awwwwww. Good luck with those ears!
Gerry has been a tripawd since 12/16/2009.
He was a shelter dog with a mysterious past and an irrepairable knee injury.
Videos and pics of Gerry's pawesomeness can be found at: http://gerry.tripawds.com
Hey Viggo-
My pug Maggie is also a left rear amp. To answer the question someone asked about how much of the leg is taken- Mag has the head of the femur left, the cancer was in her knee. The surgeon said they leave a little femur since dis-articulating the joint is difficult. But they don't leave enough that the dog would try to use it. You can't see Maggie's, but I can feel it.
On slipping- I have found that keeping the fur between Mag's toes trimmed short helps greatly. I also use a product called Musher's Secret to keep her pads supple which helps with her traction .
I hope Viggo gets over the ear and cough issues. You are awesome for adopting a tripawd!
Karen and the pug girls
Small Update:
so far Viggo is doing fantastic, we have had one incident of Bone agression towards our Corgi Bebop but when we yelled to stop he instantly let her go ,tucked his tail and laid down. since then bebop has been able to take anything from him, and just today our other Corgi (mix) Murphy took a bone right out of his mouth. Viggo did nothing just laid there.
we found out quickly though he has no Tolerance for the Kitty Kind, we were walking him and a cat came up, he really really wanted a piece. so we have been working on him lately with great success i must add. he doesnt pull now if a cat is waling up the street. all in all Viggo is one great guy and a hoot to watch, mostly when he forgets his leg is gone and tries to scratch his Ear, so i have to step in and act as his foot and do it for him.
oh and one more thing, he can Pee standing on his 2 front legs!! its quite the sight to see 😀
signed
OP's Boyfriend
Hi Viggo and pawrents!
Welcome to our Tripawds family! Congradulations on adopting this beautiful doggie!! 
You've already gotten tons of great advice from everyone here… so I don't really have much to add. Be sure to start him on a glucosamine supplement since he is a good sized dog and you can just imagine all the extra weight that is put on his remaining 3 legs. Hopefully his kennel cough will be resolved soon… as well as his ear problems… and he will get used to living in his new forever home with his new family. I can't wait to see more pictures of him and maybe some videos too! YOu should think about starting Viggo's very own blog… it's a great way for family and friends (and your new Tripawds friends) to keep updated.
Angel Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
Great update, so glad things are working out well for you and for Viggo. It sounds like he is working hard to adjust to his new family and environment. Maybe in time he will be OK with the Kitty.
I'm dying to see the video of him peeing standing on two front legs!
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.
Sorry it has been awhile. Family issues. Anyway, his kennel cough is gone and been gone for months. The infected wart in his ear is gone and he's still on a course of ear drops. I'm assuming he'll have ear drops the rest of his life =(
Oddly enough though, the other night, me and my boyfriend found OLD stitches in his amputated leg. I was trying to brush him out and kept snagging on something, thought it was a knot. Parted the hair, thought it was straw, then realized it was attatched to his skin. So we did a good cut and pull until he was stitch free.
He is doing fantastic in his new home. He's at an appropriate weight and learning commands. He's really good about commands. If he learns something, you can rely on him to follow through. The other dogs, don't always do so well. =)
Thanks for the great update!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
That's wonderful! It sounds like everything is peachy keen!
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.
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