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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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WWYD - should we amputate “healthy-looking” stumps? (Newly adopted puppies)
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FurbankBros
1
29 May 2020 - 8:47 pm
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Hello everyone! I am brand new to this site as I have just adopted two 2.5 months. old puppies, each missing the lower half of a hind leg. I’ve had them for 2 weeks. The lady who found them said they were bitten off by some animal from when they were very very young (though the wounds look surprisingly neatly “cut”.) They wobble walking, hit their stumps sometimes which were bleeding a bit from friction (but that has stopped since I’ve bandaged them, still some very slight swelling and redness) and their hips rotate towards the stumps like they’re just ...hanging off the body as weight.

First I was set to not amputate them, opting for prosthetics instead but we just got turned down because the puppies don’t actually have enough length left below the knees for that (neither has more than an inch). A vet suggested that they may walk better and have less problem with friction on wound if they have the stump removed at the hip.

This brings me to the dilemma. Yesterday I took them back to consult about amputation. A different vet examined them, acknowledged the off gaits but suggested that we keep the stumps because they’re “healthy and not causing them pain right now” and said that “maybe the puppies will learn to not rotate their hips when they get older”.

Is that even likely? I am not sure which way to go. I see so many videos of three legged dogs walking and running so well and I wish my puppies could do that in the future but it looks like the stumps are not helping them do that...but is that enough to warrant putting them under operation to amputate an otherwise non-cancerous, painless leg? Is 3 months too young for me to make this decision or is it better to act while they’re young so they can adapt quickly?

TLDR: puppies each missing lower half of a hind leg. Can walk and run. Gait a bit off, hip rotated, might hit their legs sometimes so must be bandaged daily. I think they will walk more freely as a tripod. But is it worth cutting off their otherwise healthy stump? Is 3 months too young for an amputation or is it better to act fast so they can adapt?

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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30 May 2020 - 11:48 am
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Hi and welcome, we're so glad you found us! Do you have pictures of the puppies? We love puppy pics around here! And what are their names? You're pawesome for adopting them!

It was super smart of you to get an opinion about whether or not to amputate and you are asking great questions. They are so lucky to have you!

Based on our conversations with canine rehab therapists, here's what we know:

Very young dogs who lose a leg will have a trickier time adapting to life on 3 at first, because they haven't developed their motor skills. As they age and those motorskills do develop, it's critical to make sure they are not falling into bad habits, like curling their bodies to walk. They will not do this on their own. They will need your guidance and loving care to help them with proper form, or as good as it gets for a Tripawd. And the way you can do that, is by finding a good canine rehabilitation therapist who can help you come up with good exercises. A canine rehab therapist will be important throughout their life, as it is for any Tripawd, because you can have someone to turn to when you have mobility questions, or if something comes up like they overdo things and develop an odd gait pattern later on, or muscle strain, or whatever.

We are such big believers in the power of animal rehab that the Tripawds Foundation may pay for your first rehab visit ! Please check out the link and make an appointment asap. Don't rush into amputating until you talk to a therapist as well as a board-certified orthopedic vet, if your original vets were not one. There is much debate over whether or not to amputate a stump if it isn't causing problems in the moment but for now since it doesn't seem too urgent and you are caring for the minor abrasions, you have some time on your side.

I would love to hear what a therapist says about them so please keep us posted OK? We look forward to following along with your Tripawds' adventures!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

FurbankBros
3
31 May 2020 - 10:08 pm
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Thank you so much for your reply! We'll definitely look into consulting a therapist.

I was worried that time was not on my side since I thought the longer they walk by trying to use their stumps, the harder time they'll have relearning to walk with a good form If we were to amputate in the future. But it seems that you're suggesting they might be able to practice good form even with the stumps, with the help of therapy? This is comforting to know. I'll be sure to come back for more advice after their therapist consultant. 

(I'm not sure if this is how to post pictures but if it works...That's Otis and Winston on the left and right :)[Image Can Not Be Found]

https://www.instagram.com/p/CA2HXIyBmc5/?igshid=4c4y1qwerb6

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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1 June 2020 - 10:42 am
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Ooooooh my dog they make my heart melt! Soooooo cute! We'll be sure to follow you on IG.

But it seems that you’re suggesting they might be able to practice good form even with the stumps, with the help of therapy?

Sort of. A therapist can confirm this based on their body type. I'm just guessing based on the number of surgeons we've talked to who believe that leaving the stump is OK as long as it's not getting banged up. This is different thinking than even just a few years ago, when conventional protocol meant taking the entire leg, always. So yeah, make that appointment and then let us know how things are going, I would love to hear more.

P.S. I see that you've got hardwood floors. One of the best things you can do for them to prevent slipping, getting injured and promote a better gait is to put traction down, i.e., no-slip carpet runners. You can learn a lot more tips like this in our e-book, Loving Life On Three Legs and the Tripawds Gear blog . And stick around, we've got lots more tips where that came from! 

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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