Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello!
I have a question and I really need an advice..
Here in Slovenia we have a young pup, who was thrown off the car.. Animal Angels organization saved him, but he was in a very bad condition. His back left leg was amputated, and his front left leg was in a very bad state... This was 2 weeks ago. Doctors tried really hard to save his front leg but as it shows, treatments are not working and leg is not healing... It has to be amputated too.
Our hearts are broken and we don't know what to do... I am a "mom" of my beautiful Trina the tripawd, but I am not sure, if this pup can live with two amputated legs... front left and back left. Or, maybe we should consider authanization...? What do you think?
We have to decide fast and we are torn apart with emotions :
Please, advice needed!
Thank you and lots of love!
Sanja
WOW...what a story! Such a cutie with a tragic beginning! I guess my first question would be how is his spirit otherwise...although I am pretty sure I know the answer because most animals are fighters 
I know there are lots of animals out there with prosthetic legs...one, two, three and all four...so I guess then the decision has to be made whether that is a financial option.
Best of luck, please keep us posted
Roxy…Border Collie cross born on approximately October 27th, 2011;
Rescued in January 2012 by Oops a Dazy Rescue & Sanctuary;
Right hind leg amputated on January 20th, 2012 due to a severe spiral fracture;
Adopted on February 21st, 2012 by Teena, a devoted human & Charlee, a purebred BC.
Hugs, tail wags & sloppy kisses
Wow! I'm sorry, I don't really have any advice, I just want to wish you and the pup luck! Hopefully one of the Tripawds vets will see your post and chime in. I know there are videos of 2-legged dogs on YouTube. I'm really sorry, good luck to you!!
Thank you for your answer... My heart is broken but I really think that we won't be able to raise the money needed for prosthetic leg.. 
Well, I will keep you posted though.. Thank you again. (
Here is our baby boy Ado... oh..
Oh my...what a cutie!!! Have you considered contacting Animal Angels again? Maybe they will be willing to help?
Again, best of luck.
Roxy…Border Collie cross born on approximately October 27th, 2011;
Rescued in January 2012 by Oops a Dazy Rescue & Sanctuary;
Right hind leg amputated on January 20th, 2012 due to a severe spiral fracture;
Adopted on February 21st, 2012 by Teena, a devoted human & Charlee, a purebred BC.
Hugs, tail wags & sloppy kisses
First of all God bless you for trying to give the beautiful pup a chance and shot at living. I'm sure your heart is
Heavy not knowing if it even has a chance and I too find That I have the tendency to put myself in positions where I want to help without knowing if I even can. I wish you
The best of luck and will keep y'all in my thoughts. The rescue pup is ADORABLE and I know that it will be a hard decision to make to put down especially if
The spirit seems willing but the body is not. I will send positive thoughts your way. please keep us posted.
Maricela and Spirit Bruno
Maricela and Spirit Bruno
Sanja, bless you for all the work you do, the animals are so lucky to have you there.
Honestly I'm not sure what can be done other than trying to contact organizations that can help with an implanted prosthetic. So many advances are being made in this area and now implanted prosthetics (permanently attached) are making headlines here in the U.S. I can't see how a traditional prosthesis can work for him, but then again I'm not a vet.
I know prosthetic implants sound expensive and they are, but I'm wondering if there is an organization that can help? Here in the U.S., North Carolina State University is leading research in prosthetic implants. Here is a summary of articles about the dogs who they have helped. Maybe you could give them a call? I would also be happy to call for you since it's a domestic phone call for me, and relay your pup's story if you'd like. Let me know if you want me to do that by sending me a PM OK? I'll be traveling and offline most of today but checking in tonight.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
You have so e great advice and a lot of potential solutions from Jerry' post. Keep doing g the research and I guarantee there will be some options for TrinaYOU ARE, INDEED, HER ANGEL and she must feel soooooooo loved..
When I had Happy Hannah's leg Amputated I was able to work out a staggered payment plan for some of it, I was fortunate enough to have roomTo put some on m credit card. Called the car. CD. Company as I then couldn't afford the monthly payment.....got a little lowers payment, worked out, got some contributions at work. and deiced I could live o. spaghetti. for a real lo g time!!! I'm just trying g to say, see if there is a solution first and then you will be able to find d a way to find dance it and start with the surgeons.
So wishing you the best and That little guy says it all when it comes to courage and a will to live and being happy just being loved
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
I've just been reading at this site up until now, but thought that these might be helpful. If you search on youtube, I've seen several videos of two legged dogs and cats with one front and one back leg.
Wow! What a cutie! How could anyone do that to such a sweet baby? Dog bless you for trying to help this little one. Even if there is no chance for a prosthetic there are dogs out there doing just great with two legs--even missing both on one side! Are you on Facebook? There is a dog named Fifty the two legged pit bull who gets around just great--granted he actually has two and a half legs but you should see how he gets around. You can see a video here--its old (and he found a home since the video was filmed) but look at him go!
And you can find his Facebook page here. There are more videos and it looks like he may have gotten a prosthetic! Maybe if you can get in touch with them they can help you think through things and tell you what they did to help Fifty out at the beginning.
So it seems like your pup may have options on two legs, with or without a prosthetic. He just needs to learn how to walk but dogs are so resilient I bet it won't be that hard. A sling and some patience might just do the trick. The hardest decision for me would be whether to leave a stump or not on the front leg (if that is even possible for your pup) so the puppy could get a prosthesis when and if it became affordable (or someone donated it ). Stumps can be problematic as the dog can hit or fall on it and it hurts or can open up. Another issue to consider is that a growing puppy will outgrow a prosthesis--in short order. I know someone who had a pup who outgrew at least one and maybe two. Lucky she has lots of money! Another option would be to get a cart for the pup--they make both front and rear ones--and that would give the pup stabillity. There is a very kind man that makes them for free, you can contact him here--The Rolling Dog Project. He is also on Facebook here.
Best of luck! Let me know if you need help getting in touch with Fifty's peeps. I can try and get hold of them for you.
xoxox,
Codie Rae and the Oaktown Pack
Woohoo! Tripawds Rule!
Regulator of the Oaktown Pack, Sheriff of the Oaktown Pawsse, Founding member and President of the Tripawd Girldogs With 2 Names ROCK Club, and ... Tripawd Girldog Extraordinaire!
Great info Jerry and Codie!!! I was trying to remember the two-legged pitty's name...so amazing!!! Thanks! Hopefully Trina can use some of these resources
Roxy…Border Collie cross born on approximately October 27th, 2011;
Rescued in January 2012 by Oops a Dazy Rescue & Sanctuary;
Right hind leg amputated on January 20th, 2012 due to a severe spiral fracture;
Adopted on February 21st, 2012 by Teena, a devoted human & Charlee, a purebred BC.
Hugs, tail wags & sloppy kisses
Awe thanks for sharing such amazing advice and video that offers up such optimism and hope. I love sites like this where one can come to feel empowered and actually believe in miracles and The chance in defying the odds. Best wishes.
Maricela and spirit bruno
Maricela and Spirit Bruno
Your puppy is so cute! I don't know! I mean, I guess I'd try anything!!!! If his spirit plummets, if other things come your way that knock him down, then assess. But right now, if I were you, I'd fight and find another way. Carts really seem to help many here. Maybe there's one that'll help your little guy grow into a big guy?
Speedy, healthy recovery! PLEASE keep us posted!
~ Katy
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
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