Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everybody, we are at day 17 Post Amp with my 6 year old Doberman Levi. He is doing great. We are already doing 15-20 minute off leash walks everyday without a problem. I've been searching everywhere trying to find information about jogging with your tripawd and can't find much. I know most of the people on the site are saying 15 min walks a day...this is just not going to cut it for Levi. He is used to Jogging every day with me, playing ball, and the dog park. We are talking about a ridiculously active dog here who is accustomed to hours of play time a day...Anyone have a clue what my expectations should be for him as he heals and gets stronger? My hope is that he can jog my favorite trail off leash with me. It's 4.5 miles and takes about 45 minutes for me to jog around. Based on the fact he can already go 15-20 minutes. 45 minutes doesn't seem too unreasonable once he is back in shape??? I know running on a leash with me would probably be much more difficult (has to stay at my pace and on concrete). Any thoughts would be appreciated!
Levi was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-7-11
Ampuversary 10-14-11
Lung Mets Discovered 1-4-12. Chemo seemed to not be working so we switched to Artemisinin and other supplements. In May, Levi developed a sinus infection and started having seizures. The cancer had moved to his brain. We let him go 6-26-12.
Hmmm....well, I'll tell ya that the reason you can't find much information about jogging with your tripawd is simply because it's just not something that's really done. You asked, so I'll give you my perspective as Jerry's Mom....
We were big time joggers when Jerry lost his leg. Up until then, he had always gone on a daily morning run with us for 5 or 6 miles. When we learned he was losing his leg, we were devastated not just because of his cancer but because we knew our whole routine would change. Although he, like any dog, would do what it would take to keep up with the pack, it wasn't necessarily a good idea to let him. Keep in mind that dogs will hide their pain, do whatever it takes, to not show their weakness.
It broke our hearts to leave him at home, but after seeing how excessive strenuous activity would take its toll on him, we decided that if we wanted to have him around for as long as possible, pain-free and in good shape, it was best to alter our routine for his sake.
Since Jerry's amputation, we have talked to canine rehab vets who advise against this type of activity because of the long-term damage and stress it can do to a Tripawd. While it may not show up in Levi now, because he is so young, eventually it will take its toll in one form or another, but usually as back and spine issues.
I know this isn't what you wanted to hear, but it's what we've learned. There are many physical things we did with Jerry that we don't do with Tripawd Spokesdawg Wyatt now, or do a lot less of, because of the experts we've talked to. Running is definitely one of them. of course Wyatt has hip issues, too.
Every dog is different, and Levi may be different. You know him better than anyone else. He may be perfectly capable for many years to come, and I hope that's the case. We've had other dogs here like Kess and Bart, who do a lot of strenuous sports, so you may want to talk to their folks to get their perspective too.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm pretty sure we are totally not the norm around here, but we walk/run with Abby on the weekends. We go for an hour every day to the same beach. On weekdays/Sat's I just walk fast and she runs and plays with her friends. I probably cover ~4 miles and she does more, running around. On Sundays, we run a few minutes/then walk a few. She runs ahead of us, stops and waits for us, then runs ahead again. We probably do something like 5 miles. She is only two and has a lot of energy.
In contrast, if I take her for a walk in the neighborhood, she can't go more than 15 min or so w/out laying down. The differences are: the beach is level, the neighborhood is really hilly. The beach is soft, packed dirt, and the neighborhood is obv'ly concrete/asphalt. At the beach, she can go her own pace, but in the neighborhood she's stuck trying to go my pace. Finally, I think the biggest thing is that at the beach she can run in the water and keep her body temp down.
If she didn't have cancer, I might try to slow her down, and try to preserve her joints, etc. for her 'old age' but we don't really know how much longer she'll be around, so we go full bore. I have talked to her onc about it and asked him if he thinks it's too much - he said no way. She looks great, she loves it, and it's good for her.
I don't remember how long it was post-amp before we started running - I could go back through her blog and see, but it was a good while before she built up her stamina again. Take it easy, and see how he does.
All the best to you guys,
Jackie, Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Oh gosh! Both Jerry's mom and Abby's mom are right! Two school of thoughs!
I can only tell you the long term effects of being a tripawd because I had one as a 6 mth puppy to death (12 years). I wouldn't let Comet go far because she couldn't even tho she played and played as a youngster in the yard with a water hose and would wear herself out. The long term effects of being a tripawd did take their toll on her. Her back knees went out, her back has some bone spurs and her neck was never right after the age of 11. She was somewhat gimpy the last year of her life...but we managed her pain and did water therapy.
And then I'm with Abby's mom - since Levi has OSA, you should let him be a dog! But prepare yourself that your chances of blowing a ACL is high with a tripawd. Trust me, if you thought an amputation was bad, a knee surgery on a tripawd is far, far worse! (they have to be confined for 8-12 weeks, cant use the surgery leg and must be officially 2 legged).
My little Rocket has a minor knee cap issue and I asked my vet if I should not let him play frisbee and jump really high. He loves doing it and loves jumping high in the air. She looked me straight in the eye and said, "YES - let him play and let him do what he loves! It's better for them to enjoy themselves than restrict them on something that may or not get worse".
So the two school of thoughts are correct in my opinion. Let Levi guide you on this.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
I'll toss in my 2 cents. Because of my own back issues, I don't run but Shelby was and still is VERY active......in her backyard. She remains cancer free (chest radiographs each 6 months) but I compare her to a quarterhouse..........great and FAST for short spurts but tires easily if pushed.
You got some great advice and suggestions....and we wish you and Levi the best 🙂
I agree with Jerry that you may be asking for trouble by running with your tripawd. The extra stress on a big dog is just too much and it is easy to overdo it. Playing or running in the yard is different because it is not a repetitive movement and grass is more forgiving so that is okay. Swimming is also great!
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