Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone!
Happy mid-October 
I was wondering whether anyone who is the human for a front-legged tripawd could describe how their wee pup holds their front leg, and in particular the foot?
Many of you know Ziggy, the tripawd puppy who is going through treatment for angular limb deformity in his one front leg. Becasue of his three-leggedness, there are so many uncertainties with his recovery. Essentially, the trouble with the ALD is that the load bearing on his wrist and elbow joints will be unequally distributed, and cause pain.
Ziggy has always seemed to turn his one front foot inwards, and we are having a day where the bandage is off again (more troubles!), and noticing that there is still some bending in his foot.
I was wondering if, from the experiences of other front-tripawds, if there is some normal curving/ bending of how the front foot is held - perhaps as an adaptation to being three-legged?
Thanks for your time and support everyone
Bec
Online
Can't offer any insight.....Happy Hannah was a rear leg amp.
Just want to say..."ZIGGY, LEAVE YOUR BANDAGE ALONE!!!"
You are such an amazing soul for giving Ziggy the very best chance at a fun filled life full of loving and spoiling! He deserves the best...and he found that in you.
Continuing to cheer you and Ziggy on!! We all fell in love with that little guy!!
HUGS!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Oh thanks Sally! I always appreciate your enthusiastic and kind responses! Thanks for the support!
(P.S. we are lucky to have Ziggy, who is such a lovely little fellow in our lives - more lucky than he is to have us!)
Hmm. Has the idea of a custom orthotic front leg (carpal) brace been discussed? I think I showed you these interviews with Orthopets but maybe not. Here's one where he discusses how a brace can help.
I'm not a vet, but keep in mind that one of the possible reasons his leg is also so weak is that he hasn't developed enough core strength to keep his abdominals tight enough to hold up his body. That can happen in time after all this heals and it will make a big difference.
Here's what Jerry's looked like on different occasions:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks so much for the lovely photos of Jerry - what a beautiful creature.
Thanks too for the links to the OrthoPets information! The vet specialist who has been treating Ziggy had mentioned she had been reading about their splint braces, and was interested in seeing if they would be appropriate. I hadn't come across the information here on Tripawds before, though! The interviews are great too, especially where Martin discusses the carpal brace - it sounds precisely what Ziggy needs.
Thank you for the help!
Hi Bec and Ziggy
Tucker, an 85 pound chocolate Lab, is also a front leg amp. Tucker was nine when he had the amputation and has now been a tripawd for 13 months
Tuck's remaining front leg looks much like Jerry's does in his pics - the foot is straight but definitely planted in the middle of his chest. As well, Tuck has been having rehab therapy the last several months which has certainly strengthened his core and helped to redistribute his weight on his remaining three legs.
Good Luck - Ziggy certainly is a handsome boy.
Linda and Tucker
Hi Bec and handsome pup Ziggy,
My Polly was like Linda's Tucker, she was a front right amp, and she also eventually adjusted her entire remaining front leg to the center. She weighed much less than Tucker though, at 60 lbs after amp. She would occasionally turn her left paw inward, but only if she was turning or getting up.......she somehow perfected the turn in of her paw and could spin around when playing fetch, it was very cute !! I think I may go and look on some of her videos to see if she does it in any of them.......my happy memories.....
As far as normal normal bending or curving, I am pretty sure that the remaining front leg will adjust from the shoulder and the actual leg should not turn in or bend.......Polly also looked very much like Jerry in his front leg adjustment.
Not sure if this helped at all, but just wanted to give my experience with Polly. Please keep us updated on sweet Ziggy...
Bonnie & Angel Polly
I also noticed with TY and now with Daryl that they both adjusted their left front leg towards the center. The leg is straight just more to the center. Sort of like a tricycle. I have been watching Daryl's remaining front leg closely. It is hard not to and hard to not be overprotective. Ziggy is fortunate to have such a proactive pawrent. Lori and Ty
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Ohhh fabulous, I'm so glad you saw it then. I hope that you're able to have an OrthoPets brace made, they can be really life-changing devices. Keep us posted, I'm interested in hearing how it goes.
And Lori, yes, it's totally normal to put that front leg in the center. Being vigilant as you are is good, it means that Daryl will be well-protected from possible injury. Good job!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Jaime is a front leg amp, and while his leg typically falls in the center as well, I will occasionally catch him with his foot pointed inwards or outward. I notice it happens when he's been standing for awhile or kind of tired out, almost like he's trying to shift because he's uncomfortable. Can't give much insight other than though, since he's only a month or so post op :/ Good luck with your cutie!
AJ and Jaime
Hi everyone,
Thanks so much for all of the replies, and for the description of your tripawds' stances! I really can't explain how great it is to have come across you all - you're such a willing and helpful community. Ziggy is in great hands at the animal hospital, but it's very reassuring to know that I can ask questions here when we are feeling a bit lost
I hope Tucker continues to go well in his rehabilitation!
It's lovely to hear the memories of Polly. She sounds like she was such a special girl, and very loved.
Thanks for the description of TY and Daryl, I can relate to your feelings of over-protectiveness!
I'm really excited about the Orthopet brace - I hope it works out, and I'll absolutely document the journey.
Good luck and best wishes to Jamie with his post-op adaptation!
Thanks all, and happy Monday
Bec
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