Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hey all,
I've had Lucky for just over a month now and I need some advice on balancing. Lucky is missing one of his front legs. He is find for the most part and has no trouble walking or running. He does, however, have trouble sitting. He can sit down but can't stay in the position for long periods of time as he begins to lean. Along with that, he also has some major trouble in the car when we're driving. Anytime I slow down or turn he has a much harder time balancing then our other dog. We've considered getting one of those seat belt harnesses for him for in the car, but our main thing is we want to help him actually learn how to balance better. I could use any and all suggestions on this.
Jackie, Lucky's mom.
Lucky Amputation 10/29/09 Adoption 12/5/09
Jedi Amputation 12/18/09 Adoption 02/04/10
"I am not afraid, I was born to do this." Joan of Arc
Jackie and Lucky,
It appears that Lucky is missing his left fore-leg (unless the photo has been mirrored), which is the same leg that Cherry had amputated. Adapting for the sit position was one of the longer learning events for Cherry. She quickly discovered how to lay down from standing and continued to improve her ability for literally months, but the sit was far more difficult. I would expect that there are some breed specific issues, or should I say issues that are specific to the relative length of the legs to the body. They are used to having each of the two fore-legs strattling their preverbial "but". This provides incredible stability and ease. However, with a single fore-leg, they will have to learn to move that leg to a more center position which also twists the body. The thumbnail photo below (with a link to a larger version)demonstrates this well. Please note that Cherry actually has to twist the body to position the remaining fore-leg. Thus, it is much less comfortable. She never did sit for long times as before. However, they will make adjustments that will amaze you. During our truck rides, Cherry would sit nearly sideways and use the sides of the bucket seat for her extra stability. It was during these trips that she had her longest siting posture. I would not get concerned. Lucky will learn, but may never sit as long as before. As long as he loves his life and is comfortable, I would let him dictate.
Regarding the RuffWare harness, I think that you would get a resounding YES from this community. The handle on the top of the harness will let you assist on steps or anywhere else necessary. We loved it, and one can use the handle on the top to help secure your Lucky. A kind of seat belt for our companions.
Spirit Cherry's Dad
It's good to know that he's recovering as he should be. I was worried that he was the only dog that had trouble balancing when sitting.
Yes, Lucky is missing his left foreleg.
I also put in an order for the RuffWare harness today! Cannot wait until it comes!
Also, are there any supplements that might help Lucky? Things for his joints or to help with overall strength? I'm new to all of this so any help would be wonderful!
Lucky Amputation 10/29/09 Adoption 12/5/09
Jedi Amputation 12/18/09 Adoption 02/04/10
"I am not afraid, I was born to do this." Joan of Arc
Hi Jackie
Bob said it well. My Cemil is also a left-front amputee. He doesn't sit either. He goes immediately to "down". And he's figured out that sliding his front leg out from the sit position eases him down instead of just plopping down on his elbow, which hurts. He seems to feel much more secure lying down, so that's our new "normal".
Supplements...Cemil gets MSM and salmon oil for his joints and I'm a great believer in freeze-dried acai berry powder (MonaVie costs too much!). My vet also suggested fish oil-based Vitamins A & D and the Japanese AHCC mushroom therapy stuff. There are several brands of it. I started with ImmPower and then found a generic brand at vitacost.com which is cheaper.
Lucky Lucky! He has a mom willing to find good solutions for him. On the sitting thing in the car, I'd suggest just telling him to lie down, and let him ride that way.
Mary and Cemil
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
I'll look into buying some of those supplements for him. I'm also trying to find a local vet chiropractor also, but so far no luck (no pun intended). Let you know. Thanks you guys for being so supportive and helpful. I've only had Lucky for a month now and you're site has helped me so much when it comes to helping him!
Lucky Amputation 10/29/09 Adoption 12/5/09
Jedi Amputation 12/18/09 Adoption 02/04/10
"I am not afraid, I was born to do this." Joan of Arc
I also would recommend Power Mushrooms. I think I ordered Emily's from Health Concern or something like that. Also a good joint supplement like glucosamine chondroitin would be good. Did I already suggest to you to put Lucky's food and water dish on a raised stool or something? If Lucky doesn't have to lower his head so far to eat it will help him keep his balance. Emily was a back leg amputee so she didnt have the same issue with balance. Good luck!
Debra & Angel Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Interesting reading about front amputee dogs having a tough time sitting… My dog is a rear leg amputee and that was also tough for her…she would get off balance and hated it. I have since been using it as a training opportunity(I clicker train) and have rewarded her alot for sitting and now she will offer it on her own 
As far as balance in the car…she figured that out eventually on her own and as she's gotten stronger, she can stay standing up longer and can take sharper turns or abrupt stops better and stays standing. I, too, use the Ruffwear harness
…it's fabulous for helping her up and down stairs and helping her in and out of my car.
For supplements, I presently use: K9Immunity mushrooms, Transfer Factors, Shark Cartilage, Fish oil, Teavigo, Martime Pine Bark(antioxidant) and have started her back up on a supplement that I used to feed her when she was an active agility dog…thinking it might help her muscling…Super K9Fuel by Animal Naturals…it always packed on the muscles for her…
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
imap1rate said:
I also put in an order for the RuffWare harness today!
I'll look into buying some of those supplements for him
Check the Tripawds gear blog for our Ruff Wear Harness preduct review and demo video.
See the new Tripawds Nutrition blog for more information about supplements and links to additional resources.
FYI: Jerry (front left amp) never really had troube sitting up, though he wouldn't sit long before laying down. The best thing you can do for car rides – for any dog – to limit the chance for injury when stoping and turning is to train them to lay down while driving. This seems nearly impossible with Wyatt, but we are working on that.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Ya, I would love for Lucky to lay down in the car, but we normally take the truck and we don't really have space for him to lie down. We are looking into a new car, possibly an Element, but not for another month or two. Then hopefully we can work more on him lying down in the car.
Lucky Amputation 10/29/09 Adoption 12/5/09
Jedi Amputation 12/18/09 Adoption 02/04/10
"I am not afraid, I was born to do this." Joan of Arc
maggie said:
For supplements…thinking it might help her muscling…Super K9Fuel by Animal Naturals…it always packed on the muscles for her…
Couldn't help but look into this ... it seems great, thanks! I just posted in the nutrition blog with details and links to more info about ingredietns , etc. Please feel free to leave a comment there with additional feedback.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Tasha is a front left leg amputee, it took her a little time to figure out how to lay without just flopping down, she now can lay down very gracefully, she does sit up but usually not for very long. When we are going in the car she still likes to stand and hang her head out the window, she has figured out to balance herself using the front seat to lean into for balance. Lucky will figure out what works best for him, sometimes just takes them a little while.
Jo Ann & Tasha
Tasha 8 years old, First cancer diagnosis 6/26/09, Last cancer diagnosis 9/26/09, Amputation 10/01/09, Loving our girl moment by moment.
Tasha lost her battle and became my Angel on May 4 2011. Forever in my heart….
Hi Jakcie and Lucky!
Jake was a front leg amputee... and I noticed that he couldn't sit up for too long, before he'd start sliding down on his remaining front leg. Even when he was in a room with carpets... He'd also lean against us when he was standing or sitting... Guess that was too much for him... So I guess it's normal for Lucky too!!
Angel Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
Jack is a right front leg amputee. The drive home after surgery was terrifying, as everytime I would brake, I was afraid he was going to go flying off the seat. Now, however, he's discovered that if he sits sideways and leans agains the backrest of the seat, he can have the support he needs and he doesn't fall (I don't know how he discovered this as it is pretty genious, but it works really well). Also, you can see in my profile picture that he has adjusted his remaining leg to angle towards the center of his body, so his legs make a triangle...I guess this helps him keep his balance, because he has no trouble sitting, standing, laying, jumping, or whatever else he wants to do. I realize this is no help as Jack tought himself all these things, but just wanted to let you know that they do get the hang of it eventually!
<3 Laura and Jack
Lucky has now learned that in order to balance in my 73 vw bug that he can stick his head out of the little triangular window and that helps him. But in the truck he still has trouble. Anyway, it is good to know that other front leg amputees have the same problem sitting that Lucky does. It is funny that the day I wrote the first post for this topic that he started sitting more, and for slightly longer periods. He is getting slowly but surely better at balancing. Thanks for all of your support!
Lucky Amputation 10/29/09 Adoption 12/5/09
Jedi Amputation 12/18/09 Adoption 02/04/10
"I am not afraid, I was born to do this." Joan of Arc
Tazzie got better at balancing, partly by leaning against the back seat (he never sits, before or after surgery). But I also learned to be far more careful about braking and turns. It is a great technique to get scary drivers to slow down. I have a friend that terrifies me. When Tazzie was in the car, I used him as an excuse - how he needed to slow down early or take turns slowly for Tazzie's sake. It worked!
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