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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Hi everyone. I am a newbie and have tons of questions, but will try to take it a little at a time.
We have 4 rescue dogs. I am writing re: Bo, a 75 lb. mix of Dalmation and Husky, approx. 8 years old.
A year and a half ago, Bo had an artificial elbow implant. It is a long story, but it has failed and because of complications his body has rejected the implant.
The tissue is in this leg is damaged due to infection and the leg is going to be removed. It is his left front leg.
I would like to know what supplies I should have on hand. Also, what about car ramps, can he use a doggie door, and what about stairs? We have a jacket for him that helps him in and out of our car, as this leg has been somewhat useless for
some time. I know this will be life changing (mostly for us, Bo is a champ!) and I want to make this transition as easy as possible.
Would so appreciate some general answers to help give Bo a good start at a different kind of life.
Thanks,
Donna
Hi Donna, thank you for joining us here. Your future posts won't require approval and will appear right away.
Four rescue dogs? Cool! We are happy you found us, but sorry you needed to look for this kind of "club." Nobody ever expects to join the Tripawds community, but if they have to, we're here to help.
I know others will help by sharing their own tips and experiences, but for now your questions can all be answered fairly quickly in our Required Reading List, which is a great place to start finding out about life on three legs. Also, our ebook, "Three Legs & a Spare" is pawesome help too, and provides a lot more detail. Don't forget to check our gear, Nutrition and Amazon blogs too, for helpful gear and tips.
Hate to run, but I'm at work and gotta go. Will be back later. Hope to hear more about your pack though, post some pics!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Donna and Bo - welcome.
Is he a front or back leg amp?
Most tripawds do ok on stairs once they get their stamina back. We used a homemade sling w/ Abby on our stairs until she was fully recoverd, but it was precarious (she wanted to go faster than I did) so that didn't last long. Do your stairs have carpet or some sort of traction?
We used a RuffWear harness for Abby when her mobility was affected by her cancer. If Bo has mobility issues, a harness might help.
We didn't do a car ramp, although I think it's a good idea. Can't really offer any words of wisdom on that though.
We'd love to see pics of him - and your pack.
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Thank you both!
It is Bo's front leg. The stairs are carpeted, but a bit steep.
I will check out the Required Reading and also "Three Legs and a Spare ".
I have a harness, but have been looking at the RuffWear, which may be more comfortable for him.
Bo is a very determined and stubborn dog, which may work in his favor. He is ALWAYS happy and has a great attitude.
He has been through so much.....I could certainly learn from him!
Thanks for the advise. I now have somewhere to start learning.
I have never posted pictures. I'll check it out and give it a try.
Many thanks,
Donna
donnaj said
I have never posted pictures. I'll check it out and give it a try.
We look forward to seeing Bo and hearing more about his recovery. Here are instructions for adding pictures to forum posts. If you don't already share photos somewhere online, the easiest way may be to start a blog so you can upload them to your media library.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I think Bo will surprise you with how well he does. It sounds like he is on his way to being a tripawd already with the elbow issues so the transition may be easier for him.
My dog is a rear leg amp and I was worried about him getting in the car. (Back of an SUV.) He's a greyhound, and some male greyhounds won't hop in a car with 4 legs, but Duke always did that. I was concerned with 3. My sister loaned me her ramp, but I think that just scared him. I put it at the back door to try and get him used to it on a very slight incline and he would just go around it. And, much to my surprise he is able to jump right in the car with 3 legs.
What I would be more worried about with Bo is down... coming down out of the car or down the stairs because so much weight will be on the remaining front let. I'll let front leg amps speak to that. But, Duke had a problem and wasn't able to use one of his front legs for a while and I always lifted him out of the car. I didn't want that much force coming down on one spindly greyhound front leg. 🙂 He is starting to use his front leg when walking around now but I'm still lifting him out of the car. All 80 lbs of him.
Hope all goes well with Bo! (And I have 4 rescues also and there were no problems with Duke and the other dogs except for the first few days home when he was still in pain. And he was in the hospital the first 3 days so I'm talking days 4-7 or so. He would warn them away from him then. Other than that no problems with the other dogs either.) Good luck!
Thank you all so much. I'm trying to post pics, but am having trouble. Tech support is working with me.
Bo had his leg amputated yesterday. He is at UGA, as they did the initial transplant. All went well, and I may be able to pick him up on Fri.
Unfortunately, his right leg is damaged from what they think was an old injury. Bo was abused. Whoever broke his left leg never had it set. It could be that the right leg was damaged at the same time.
I do help him out of the car just for the reason you mentioned. He has a ramp and a harness (I will get a special harness for him as soon as I can measure his girth). The problem is the stairs. I can help him down when I"m home, but when I am away, he has to go downstairs to use the doggie door.
I live in a forested area but have enclosed paddock for the dogs to use. The only place for the doggie door is downstairs, otherwise they would have the run of the forest.
The vet mentioned an appliance for the right leg. I will talk to him about that. It may give the right leg the support it needs IF Bo will leave it alone.
Two of our dogs are calm and easy going. Only one is a dingy Black Lab mix and always wants to play. Bo has no problem putting her in her place.
Again thank all of you for the advise.
I'll keep you posted.
Donna
Hi Donna and Bo and welcome to the site.
Zeus is an 11.5 yr old husky/corgi (yeah, I know, strange pairing 
) that we rescued as a puppy. His front right leg was amputated almost eight months ago. I would highly suggest covering any slippery hardwoods/tile flooring with bathroom (rubber-backed, no slip) throw rugs. Front tripawds tend to slip a little as their remaining front foot hops forward and lands. The traction
will keep him from falling and give him confidence to move around. On that same note, if he has any fur between his toes on the bottom of his paw you should keep that trimmed.
Good luck with recovery!
Lisa
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
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