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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Totem appears to be doing great! He is 5 weeks post surgery and will be 5 months old in 3 days. I have been introducing him to our city's walking trail where he will encounter people and the occasional dog, hopefully on a leash (Totem is on leash for sure). He is thrilled to be there and wants to greet every human he sees, which I don't allow unless they invite him. Here is my question: He has walked 1/2 mile will no discernible ill effects. He pulls on his leash, in part I'm sure to keep some momentum and because he is a puppy who wants to move on out! Is 1/2 mile too long? Could I try having him walk further than that?
He appears to have no fear of strange dogs and wants very much to play with them, but again I don't allow him to approach a strange dog as yet. My biggest fear in taking him out and about is loose dogs, something I never worried about before with our other dogs.
So, what do you guys think is too far for little Totem to walk. He weighs 18 lbs.
Great question and great news that he's doing so well!
Rehab therapists tell us that it's not necessarily about the length of the walk, but about the time they are walking. An adult, fit and rehabbed Tripawd should ideally walk no more than 10-15 minutes, a few times a day. For Tripawds, shorter more frequent walks are best. And as far as I know, a young dog under one year old should not be walked more than a mile until fully grown.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you Jerry! Also, we delayed Totem being neutered because of the amputation. Any reason to put if off any longer?
Great question and I'm glad you asked. There is a lot of new thinking in the area of neutering and spaying.
You may want to check out some of these studies and recommendations in this ongoing topic:
Spaying, Neutering and Dog Cancer Risks
FWIW based on these latest developments, if I ever adopt a young dog again, I would not spay or neuter for at least a year, if at all, but I realize that every pet parenting situation is different. I can easily manage a dog who isn't neutered or spayed but many people who aren't with their dogs 24/7 as I am cannot, so no judgement at all from me. Do what works for you and Totem!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm thinking I may need to find a new veterinarian. My highly recommends early neutering so "he doesn't start marking all over your house." We have not had a male dog in more than 30 years. I did read some of the articles linking early neutering with bone cancers. It has not escaped my notice that a large percentage of folks in this Tripawds community are here as a result of bone cancers.
There are several vet clinics in our town...not sure how to go about finding one that gets tripawdism
There are several vet clinics in our town…not sure how to go about finding one that gets tripawdism
Well, we sound like a broken record about this, but we always suggest starting with an AAHA-accredited clinic search to see if there is one near you. The American Animal Hospital Association sets the standards that their member clinics follow, and those standards are based on the latest science in vet medicine. In our full-time RV travels from coast-to-coast with Wyatt Ray , AAHA clinics have never failed us in their level of care (and he's needed a lot of it in his 11 years!).
Unfortunately there are only about 12% of North American clinics that belong to AAHA (it's completely voluntary) so if you don't live within easy driving distance to one, then you'll have to start doing more investigating. My own personal introduction to finding great vets and clinics happened when I stumbled upon Dr. Nancy Kay's Speaking for Spot blog, and her books, Speaking for Spot and 12 Things to Expect from Your Vet.
If you want to message me your hometown, I'm happy to check out those clinics and give you my two cents if you'd like, just let me know.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
There are fewer dogs neutered in Europe where it is even considered unethical since it's elective surgery. They handle the negative intact male behaviour through proper handling and training.
It's good to hear Totem is doing so well.
If Totem was my dog, I would wait till he was 2 or 3 (or maybe never) before neutering him but that is also a tricky one because an intact male is going to need more training and socialization than a neutered dog. With the events that have brought him to the tripawd club, it puts you in a hard situation. My reasoning for keeping Totem intact as long as possible, ESPECIALLY because of the amputation is so he can reach full sexual maturity with all that wonderful testosterone for his muscle and skeleton development. This is something that you are going to have to weigh pros and cons on. I would recommend consulting with a good physical therapist vet on this if possible.
There was a greyhound named Titan whose humans didn't understand that puppies should be in age appropriate traning classes. The trainer should have been on top of this one too but failed them. There were other greyhounds (adults who had raced) in the class and the owners were all friends so they wanted to be together. Titan was about 12 weeks old at the time and was being a 12 week old puppy. One of the greyhounds had enough and before anyone noticed what was happening, he grabbed Titan by ribs and tried to kill him. Titan was saved but he required surgery and it took months to heal. He didn't lose any limbs but had some amazing scars. I don't know why this was done but he was neutered before 6 months of age. Maybe even at 12 weeks. Titan never stopped growing until he was about 5. He had horribly bowed legs and just a lot of structural issues. On the bright side, Titan did live to a respectable old age but the damage to his kidneys was permanent. His humans were able to manage his kidney disfunction for years but it is what eventually took him 12 years later.
There will be more Titan stories though....when I get to your current post.
Thank you so much for sharing your insight Ingrid. You are such a dog expert, and have so much wisdom!
That's a crazy story about Titan. Wow. Talk about a survivor.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you for your insight ohmynixon but too late. We live in a small town. There are no rehab vets here. We consulted two vets both of whom recommended we neuter Totem before reaching sexual maturity. He was neutered last Thursday. If we made a mistake, we made a mistake.
I see that there are members of this community who know way more about dogs and tripawd dogs than I ever will. I'm doing the best I can with the resources I have, including my energy. Totem is much loved and well cared for. That's all I can do. The peer pressure in this group to go the extra miles is pretty heavy. We want to enjoy Totem's company without the constant stress of questioning every day if we are doing enough for him. It is overwhelming.
Hey Robyn, I just answered your other post about training. As I mentioned there, be good to yourself and don't beat yourself up for ever feeling like you are not doing enough. We all do what we can do to give our animals the best lives possible. Totem is lucky to have you.
I'm really sorry that you feel pressure here, that isn't our intention at all. I guess what it comes down to is that we are enthusiastic pet parents who want to make sure that our pets have every chance in the world for a long, healthy life whether that's on 3 or 4 legs. I know you do too, otherwise you wouldn't have joined us in the first place. But nobody here will ever judge you for the choices you make as far as training, care, etc, I promise you that.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks Jerry. I am tired. Totem has required far more attention than we had anticipated when we impulsively adopted a puppy. He has, of course, won our hearts. I am 74, and my husband is 82. Fortunately we are both in good health. We are committed to his care. But I see that there is always more that could be done. So, I will take your advice and accept that we are doing our best to provide Totem with a full, healthy life. He won't get rehab, or lots of puzzles and equipment, but he will be cared for. I finished your book and loved that you let Jerry be a dog.
Hi Robyn,
It's not a mistake that you have neutered Totem. We all go with the best information we have from vets and the tradition of the country we live in. Tripawd members are international - some live in urban areas and some are in more rural areas like where you and I live so we have fewer resources.
I just saw a new study that looked at spay and neuter based on breed - the outcome is that generally it may be best to wait to neuter large breed dogs after one year of age. Totem is not a large breed dog and I'm sure your vets took that into consideration when recommending when to neuter.
I know this is all overwhelming and you did not expect a leg amputation when you welcomed Totem into your life. Totem has many things going for him - he is adorable, happy, strong and he has you! I've never had a dog but walk them and break all the walking rules (they get to sniff as much as they want) but we have a good time, get some exercise and get to explore.
Enjoy Totem!
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Ohhhh myyyy gosh Robyn!!! Forgive me of I'm chuckling a little bit at....well.... at sure at what!! I think in part because I can relate age wise, funds wise and other-wise!!👍
But Jerry's description of all of "us" as ENTHUSIASTIC PET PARENT gave me a bit of a chuckle too! .Yeah, that's for sure!
And what's wonderful about that is sooooo many good ideas are shared. Everything that is shared though, is without k owing the individual circumstances surrounding each personal situation.
It's sort of a smorgasbord of suggestions or possible solutions, everything utt the kitchen sink basket of ideas, etc, All soooo wall intentended and offered with no jidgement.... just purest motives sharing different ideas♥️.
I always say the problem with typing (or. in my case, "typoing") is you can't see the smiles, you can't "hear"the caring and loving tone behind each post.
I KNOW with absolute certainly, you are ADORED and RESPECTED amd soooo APPRECIATED by your entire Tropawd Family for adopting thos precious Totem and for being sooooo committed to giving him the best life possible!!!! And you ARE!!! Many people would have turned him. back to the rescue once faced with the aaddional hurdles you faced Not you and not your husband! You fell love with him and he fell in love with you and that is all that matters!!!
Now, how are things going with Mr Totem? Is he over the surgery to snip his little puppy balls? Is he back to his fiesty adorable puppy self getting into mischief?
What's the funniest thing he does to make you laugh? Okay, what are several funny things he does because surely you couldn't pick just one!!! Anf I do think it's time for pictures! Bet he's growing like a weed!!!
Okay..we'll be waiting.😃
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!
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