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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I have a 9 year old male golden retriever that had his rear leg amputated due to a cancerous spot on his ankle. He’s doing pretty well considering. Short walks tire him out but he loves walking around the yard sniffing. This was by far the most difficult decision we’ve had to make but are so thankful we still have him. Looking forward to seeing him get stronger and stronger. We plan on taking him swimming when it gets warmer. His back leg gives out on him sometimes. How long does it take for them to build muscle? I know each dog is different also and age etc matter. A vet recently examining him over said he didn’t appear to have any muscle atrophy. Great news for sure!
Hi there and welcome to you and your pup! We are glad you still have him too! And especially glad that you decided to post here. These are important questions you ask!
It sounds like your dog is having a normal time getting back to doing what he loves. One way you can find out what his capabilities and limitations are, is to get a consult with a canine rehab therapist. Because yep, you're right, every dog is different and the best way to find out what your dog should be doing right now is to have him examined by the type of vet professional who can gauge where he's at physically. And guess what? The Tripawds Foundation can pay for your first rehab visit ! So you've got nothing to lose. If your vet didn't refer you to a therapist, let us know where you are located (city/state/province), and we can find one for you. You can share that info here or via private messaging.
For now, keep his activity very, very short. Four months out is not a long time and at 9 years old it will take time for him to build stamina and strength. You can do lots of things to prevent him from being injured in the meantime, like keeping walks short, making sure he's at an ideal weight (your regular vet can advise you there), and also focusing on interactive brain games that work his mind (games can be just as tiring as physical exercise). Some links for you to check out include:
Try These Simple Starter Exercises for Tripawds
and
Tripawds Exercise Tips
Hope this helps! Oh and what's your dog's name?
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