Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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We recently fostered then adopted a 9 year old chihuahua through a back left leg amputation. Her history is mostly a mystery (vet thinks osteomyelitis) but by the time we got her she was getting around without putting any weight on her bad leg. She is three weeks out from her amputation and her mobility has greatly improved. However, both before and after the surgery she splays all of her paws, and is duck footed especially on her front right. The vet who performed the amp mentioned it and didn't seem concerned, but I worry about it affecting her remaining feet and joints over the long term.
Has anyone else experienced this, or generally are there good exercises to build ankle/foot strength?
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Hi and welcome! Thank you for adopting your sweet senior pup. What a lucky dog! I'm so glad she is doing well after surgery.
All Tripawds shift their body weight around to make up for the missing limb. As a rear left amputee it makes sense that she is turning her front right foot out on the opposite side, but what doesn't make sense is that all of her paws are doing it too. If she were my dog I would get her evaluated by a canine rehabilitation therapist who can pinpoint the issue, and explain how to fix it so that she is more confident, balanced and has a more normal stance ("normal" for a Tripawd is different from that of a four-legger, as you may have guessed). I'm not a therapist, but I have never heard of ankle/foot strength exercises to alleviate a stance or gait problem; usually the source is somewhere else, such as undiagnosed pain that needs treatment to minimize the compensation. So....
Why not take advantage of the Tripawds Foundation Rehab Reimbursement program? We believe so strongly that rehab therapy can benefit Tripawd animals, that the foundation will pay up to $200 for your first rehab visit . The link has more info and we are happy to search for one near you if you'd like.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Jerry thank you for the warm welcome! I wasn't aware of the Rehab Reimbursement program, what a wonderful program for new tripawd owners! I'm doing some research on some specialists in my area, but also wanted to post some pictures in case it offers any more insight.
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