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
My little dog Molly is slated for amputation of her left front leg. Injured in a car accident. I am already devastated, but yesterday she injured her remaining front leg. Vet thinks it's due to stress of managing her mobility over the last month. She has been unable to walk at all, and toiletting is definitely a challenge. Since her remaining leg will already be compromised I am torn about how to proceed. Any advice. My heart is broken.
Molly and family, welcome. I'm in the chat room for a bit if you want to talk. I'll respond to your post next...
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm so sorry to hear about Molly. What kind of dog is she? How old/young? And what did she do to injure her front leg?
Typically when dogs get into a car accident and the leg needs to come off, there are other injuries that can complicate amputation recovery. It's not impossible but just a few more challenges. You mention that she's a small dog, how small? Typically teeny dogs will do very well as Tripawds. It's the first few weeks though when you really have to monitor their activity to make sure they don't overdo things.
One more question, what does your vet think about her candidacy as an amputee? And is it possible for you do to the amp sooner rather than later? Getting rid of the bad leg often does a world of good for the dog, as long as the other legs are steady and good to go.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for replying. Molly is a chitzu/poodle. She is 8.6 k vet says she needs to lose a little weight. It was weird she was just wandering around during the day and then when I called her to come she bounded toward me and her right leg crumbled under her. I thought she had just tripped so I picked her up but she went down again. After that she wouldn't even try.
molly will be seven in January and she is my best friend. We used to walk everyday for an hour. I take her everywhere.
We have postponed amputating to see if we can heal the remaining front leg. Vet has splinted the leg to be amputated for her too use more as a crutch. She has been using the right leg but only as long as her pain meds are working. As soon as they wear off, she stops walking.
i have shed many tears wondering if I should go ahead. If her remaining leg is going to be weak already am I just avoiding the inevitable. I have to consider her quality of life right?
Our Murphy was a rear leg amputee after being hit by a car. He was a large dog (over 70 pound Lab/Chessie cross). The doctors tried for three weeks to save his leg, but he ended up having it amputated anyway. His other hind leg was also damaged at the time of his accident and his hip dislocated four times before we finally had a total hip replacement done. With rehab therapy after the THR, Murphy went on to live a very full life. He swam just like he did before his accident, ran on the beach and played with our other dog all the time.
Dogs can be very resilient patients. Have you checked with an orthopedic vet to see what they feel the chances are of having a successful recovery? A consultation with a certified rehab vet might also be helpful.
Kathi and the Turbotail April Angel...and the Labradork
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Just catching up. So sorry you and Molly are having to deal with this. She sounds adorable...and she sounds very feisty!
You've already gotten some good advice and first hand experience. The fact that Molly is a smaller dog should help make her recovery a bit easier on her, and on you too.
Update when you can, okay? We are all right here by your side and understand the intensity of this journey like no others can. Of course Miss Molly has to make it interesting by hurtin her other leg! Such a silly girl!
Sending 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!
1 Guest(s)
