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 friends! I’m hoping to connect with peeps who may have had their kiddos as puppies. We have an elder TriPaw named Sophie who lost her left rear leg due to myxsosarcoma in 2018. Sophie is doing great (just celebrated her 13yr birthday) and we learned to adapt to her needs post amputation. A new German Shepherd kiddo named Logan came into our lives about six weeks ago. Logan is just over four months old and lost his right rear leg after being either stepped on or kicked by a horse on a farm. The family didn’t take him to the vet for two weeks so they couldn’t save his leg. He lost his leg eleven weeks ago and the hospital who treated him took great care of him before he went to a foster home then to us. Given everything he’s went through, he is doing amazing! 👍
One thing that freaks me out a little is sometimes he drags his remaining rear leg when he walks. He’s already 45# (he was 22.2# when he joined us) and we think he’ll be 100#+. I don’t want to be overly nutty but I have no experience deciphering between what is normal puppy awkwardness, what is still getting used to his new TriPaw-ness and what could be a potential stability issue. He lets me touch all parts of his body, no visible pain responses (he is a very talkative aka dramatic GSD so we think he’d tell us if he was in pain). Other times though Logan walks / runs just fine and he has no issues with potty trips, climbing up on areas in the backyard, etc.
thoughts? Concerns I should be on the look out for as he continues to grow?
Hi Sophie, Logan and family, welcome! Your future posts won't need to wait for approval so post away. We love that you are a two-Tripawd family!! Thank you for adopting Logan!
OK truthfully, you had us at GSD. After all, our fearless founder Jerry was mostly GSD, but he lost his leg at 8 years young. Our current GSD and Tripawds Spokesdog Wyatt Ray , however, lost his leg at eight months old, so we totally get where you are coming from. We are total suckers for pointy ears! 😉
What you are describing with the leg dragging, doesn't sound quite right, but it does sound typical of a young dog who is getting a lot of extra activity, maybe too much. What do his days and activities look like?
Also, when a dog loses a leg at that age, he hasn't quite developed the motor skills necessary for good mobility. So between the two, it's no wonder he's a big draggy.
Our best recommendation is this: Get Logan into a rehabilitation therapy center asap. These pros can evaluate him for any potential issues, and show you the best ways to keep him healthy and injury free. The best part is that the Tripawds Foundation can pay for your first rehab visit !
Finally, you'll want to check out our e-book, Loving Life On Three Legs , for a good look at what to expect as he ages. Our most recent posts about senior Tripawds and Wyatt Ray's situation can give you some insight on what life looks like for an older Tripawd like a GSD.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
❤️ Thank you for the info! Thankfully Sophie has a pretty regular PT schedule so we know who to contact first! I appreciate having everyone here as a resource for both kiddos! 🐾😍
jerry said
Hi Sophie, Logan and family, welcome! Your future posts won't need to wait for approval so post away. We love that you are a two-Tripawd family!! Thank you for adopting Logan!OK truthfully, you had us at GSD. After all, our fearless founder Jerry was mostly GSD, but he lost his leg at 8 years young. Our current GSD and Tripawds Spokesdog Wyatt Ray , however, lost his leg at eight months old, so we totally get where you are coming from. We are total suckers for pointy ears! 😉
What you are describing with the leg dragging, doesn't sound quite right, but it does sound typical of a young dog who is getting a lot of extra activity, maybe too much. What do his days and activities look like?
Also, when a dog loses a leg at that age, he hasn't quite developed the motor skills necessary for good mobility. So between the two, it's no wonder he's a big draggy.
Our best recommendation is this: Get Logan into a rehabilitation therapy center asap. These pros can evaluate him for any potential issues, and show you the best ways to keep him healthy and injury free. The best part is that the Tripawds Foundation can pay for your first rehab visit !
Finally, you'll want to check out our e-book, Loving Life On Three Legs , for a good look at what to expect as he ages. Our most recent posts about senior Tripawds and Wyatt Ray's situation can give you some insight on what life looks like for an older Tripawd like a GSD.
Fantastic! You guys are amazing Tripawd parents!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just want to add another welcome to Sophie and Logan! They clearly are very lucky pups to have you as their hooman BFFs! Thanks for bringing Logan into your family and for recognizing how very special Tripawds are! Of course, you already knew that because Miss Sophie taught you!
Can't add anything to the great information Jerry offered. Just please stay connected and let is know how things are going with Logan, and Sophie too! And YAY for already doing PT!
Love the avatar picture of Sophie and Logan. Here a link on jow to post more photos...
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
Hi guys!
Three days ago, I adopted a right hind leg tripawd pup, Dani, and she is also doing something similar. She's 3 weeks post op and like yours doesn't seem to be in pain either. Her surgery was needed due to a birth defect. She can hop around easily but will occasionally drop down and drag especially more in the evening. Yesterday she was maybe too active during the day and but the time we were ready for bed she was having some troubles. She is getting set up with our vet at the end of the month and will be starting a puppy class soon. She definately needs PT but I need to get her learning some commands first. (She has been in a shelter since birth). Alsp, i ordered her a harness that came yesterday which may help. I would love to stay in touch with you so we can share our progress and our pups seem to be about the same age and around the same place in their recovery!
Best!
Rachael
rachie13sjt said
She's 3 weeks post op and like yours doesn't seem to be in pain...
Welcome and congrats on the new addition to your pack! Please consider starting a new topic to introduce yourself and get the direct feedback you deserve. Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
Please review our many pain management articles and video interviews for helpful tips and often overlooked signs that our pets may be in pain.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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