Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello everyone! Been a long time since I posted. My tripawd turned one this January! He is a growing boy and loves life to the absolute fullest, always so happy and excited to do anything and everything.
My question is, do any of your rear-leg kids have a bowlegged walk due to the way they compensate when walking? I have noticed that when Sarge is sitting, his front leg sticks out at a sharp angle, and when he runs fast, he hunches up and makes an S shape with his body. I worry about this because I'm concerned that it will negatively affect his joints while he is still growing.
Am I just being a total worrywart? Here is a photo of my boy to give you an idea. Thanks!
Hello,
I'm sorry I don't know the history on your young dog but he's been a tripawd for a while? Is he a tripawd due to cancer or an accident? My dog is a rear legged tripawd and I am now just noticing at the age of 13+ of her spine being in a "C" shape when looking from above her at times when she's standing...due to she isn't as strong now I assume, so she's not compensating well enough to keep her spine straight while standing.
When she sits, she will often throw that right front leg out to the side to hold herself up better but she isn't bowed out like your pup is. But maybe that's just how he's found to hold himself upright in a sit/balancing? Or maybe it's structural side effect of him being a tripawd at such a young age?
I would suggest seeing a rehab person and get your pup going on a PT workout for regular exercises, as you want to keep his core as strong as possible as he has a long life ahead! 
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
Hi Xeno! It's great to see you and know that you're doing so pawesome! You sure are one handsome pup.
I'm no expert but if you flip through our Tripawds photo gallery you'll notice that there aren't really any pups who have your unique stance. While our Tripawds Spokespup Wyatt Ray, a rear-leg Tripawd, does arc his back a little when he runs, it's not very exaggerated.
I agree with Maggie's Mom; see a rehab specialist to have him evaluated. This Tripawds blog post can tell you what to look for in a specialist, who can assess his gait and tell you where he can use some help. He's definitely got a long hoppy life ahead, so taking care of this now and knowing where you need to focus both of your energy will go a long way toward keeping him feeling good.
Let us know what you find out! And feel free to hang out here more often, we'd love to hear about your snowy adventures up there in that beautiful part of the world.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi,
I have a 4 month old pup. She's a front leg amputee. It's been a month since her surgery. She doesn't have have hunch back issues. However, her left front leg does seem to bow as she compensates for the missing front leg. She has her first appointment with a canine rehab specialist next Thursday and it's one of the things I'm going to ask. I worry about that what will happen to that leg over the long term. I'll be posting an update after Cora sees the specialist.
Chris, Cora's person
Hi everyone,
I too am not an expert, however, I do work for an expert in canine body structure...an Animal Chiropractor. We see these kinds of structural issues in dogs with four legs on a regular basis usually because of some sort of injury...so you can imagine what are tripawds bodies go through because they are missing a limb.
Because they are missing a limb their bodies will compensate in many ways. Humped backs usually mean that the vertebrae in that area are locked up which can cause discomfort or pain. If you run the palm of your hand over their spine you will probably feel heat in that area, which can indicate inflammation. And Xeno's and Cora's bowed leg can mean that their shoulder and elbow are out of alignment and again if you feel the area there is probably heat.
Dogs are amazing creatures because they will contort their bodies in strange ways just so they can get around and usually without any complaints, however, over time these changes in their body structure can cause adverse effects to the rest of their health.
I would agree with Jerry and suggest seeking out some sort of rehab specialist in your area. I personally recommend a Chiropractor, not only because I work for one but because I have personally seen what it can do to help the structure of a dog, including my own tripawd 
Hope to hear what you decide with Xeno...best of luck
I also can't wait to hear what happens with Cora's specialist appointment, "blackdogcompanion"
Roxy…Border Collie cross born on approximately October 27th, 2011;
Rescued in January 2012 by Oops a Dazy Rescue & Sanctuary;
Right hind leg amputated on January 20th, 2012 due to a severe spiral fracture;
Adopted on February 21st, 2012 by Teena, a devoted human & Charlee, a purebred BC.
Hugs, tail wags & sloppy kisses
I'm sure you're getting lots of advice, but wanted to add my two cents. My Charlie had the front left amputated. (6 months ago) He suffered and FCE (stroke of the Spine) and his rear left is functional but still shows a deficit. (the left front never recovered, so we made the decision to amputate his dragging leg)
We also have noticed a 'hunch back' and he exhibits more of a 'C' curve. I find the hunch to be more pronounced when he doesn't have good traction or has to go slow. We have (had) hard slippery floors throughout the house, and I ended up with all new area rugs and runners. He now virtually has a patchwork path thru the entire house. I think the better traction helps.
We have a unique situation due to the FCE. He shows sensitivity in his spine. Not painful, just like you're hitting that special spot that makes a dog scratch. I also think a Chiropractor visit would be of benefit, however our Therapist has us trying some 'home treatment'. I place my finger and thumb on each side of his spine, starting at the tail I apply gentle pressure on each side as I move up the spine. At least with our Charlie, it causes him to sway his back.
For Charlie's 'C' curve, so we do a couple things. He tends to curve to the left (leg-less) side, so we offer him treats at back level on his right. It encourages him to stretch the opposite way of the curve. We also try to get him to lay on his right with a pillow underneath mid-torso.
Maybe getting Sarge to stretch the opposite way of what ever he exhibits, would keep him loose and limber.
We also continue with Charlie's hydrotherapy. He is getting stronger and more muscular. Each limb has it's own unique muscle set to compensate. Maybe that's what causes Sarge to bend his leg out. He's just learned to comensate that way. Therapy is one of the best things we've done for Charlie's recovery and maintenance. We are hoping to learn ways to compensate that won't affect his spine and joints long term.
I too worry about the affects as he gets older!! You're not a worry-wort I'm hoping some of what we're doing will help long term, but we may end up at the doggie chiropractor eventually!!
Good luck!!
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