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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Hi guys! My dog shaggy had his rear left leg amputated a year ago, hes very active and loves to play. Our apartments gave us permission to let him play with his friends and run in the tennis court but, if he plays for too long it tears up the pad on his back leg, Do you think booties would help this problem? and would he be able to run and play the same? I want him to be able to play with his friends for as long as he wants! he hates walking away from them after only a few minutes
Hi and welcome to Tripawds.
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My little pug Maggie also lost her left rear leg. There was no way she would ever wear booties so I can't help you there. I did use Musher's Secret on her pads and between her toes to help keep her pads supple- that was to help with traction . Her pads would get really dry and cracked. It might help Shaggy's pads on the tennis court.
Tell us more about Shaggy- what type of pup? how old? why the amp? We are curious (or nosy!).
Karen and the pugapalooza
Hi there! Thanks for joining, we can't wait to hear more about Shaggy!
Your pup sounds so energetic and rambunctious! Ideally, the solution is to be more careful about how long he plays. I know it's tough to limit his activity, but if you want him around for a long time, you will need to do your best to preserve his joints since a Tripawd puts way more stress on their joints than quad-pawds. He won't show signs of joint problems now, but they will add up and hurt him later on down the road (and cost $$ too). Read more about how to care for a tripawd with these blog posts from California Animal Rehabilitation Center.
We do have some good traction ideas though, for situations where you need to use caution on the surfaces where he walks and plays. These Traction Tips can help.
Let us know if you have other questions, and of course tell us more about Shaggy!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks guys! Its so hard to limit his playing time but its worth it in the long run! Ill try booties *cheaper ones first* and see if he'll use them 🙂
Shaggy is a 2.5 year old french bull-mastiff/ boxer (or pit, we aren't sure) mix. Hes the sweetest dog I've ever had. Shaggy jumped out of the back of a truck going 40mph, We tried for months to save the leg. First they put full metal in it (pins, discs everything) and it wasn't getting better, so they shaved down one of the pins thinking it was rubbing against the muscle, at his next appointment it turned out that the disc had slipped down below his knee, poor pup 🙁 finally we told them enough was enough and they took off the leg. After 6 long months of surgeries and pain pills he loved having the leg gone! He didn't have any problems with it being gone since he wasn't able to use the leg for 6 months before that 🙂
Yes, I think that trying the less expensive Pawz boots are best to see if he will tolerate them.
Shaggy's been through a lot but it sounds like he bounced right back. He sure looks like a French mastiff to me. What a cutie!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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