Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I work in a rescue centre, this is where I came to meet my little Vader, I adopted him last May. I am a first time Tripawd owner so I am still learning, but we're getting there 🙂Â
Basically, when I first adopted Vader it was very hard to get him to slow him down, for saying he only had three legs he really pulled me about everywhere. I know they say don't limit your tripawds but at the same time you do not want to injure the existing legs. Vader has lost his front right leg so he obviously puts a lot of strain on his front left. When he first came home with me, I felt he was a little underweight. However, just when I thought he was looking brill I weighed him at 24kilo. This may be ok for a four legged staffy but I thought it may be a little too much weight on that good leg of his so I have since got him down to 21kilo.
What I am concerned about is that in the last 3-4 months he doesn't seem to be able to run 3 strides without crashing to the floor, he used to have the odd stumble when I first got him but he would absolutely tear across an entire fields length before doing so. This is only outside, in the house he bounds all over the place, jumps the stairs two at a time, jumps on the dining room table, my bed etc. Is this his front leg becoming weakened? I am going to the vets next week for a general check up so I am going to ask about a possible splint and advice on hydrotherapy, how much he should weigh etc.
Also, another change, which to be fair seems to have happened over night. When he leaves the house, he suddenly refuses to go any further, he just puts the brakes on, when he used to love his walks. Now I have tried carrying him, pulling him forward (gently of course), waiting him out etc. There are two things that seem to fix this, the first one being if I drive him far out to somewhere. Farmers fields, woods, trails etc. This lead me to believe it wasn't physical? That it was just the stubborn staffy trait but I would hate to think he is putting the brakes on for a genuine tripawd reason, not being stubborn and here's me getting him to walk. The second thing which makes me believe it isn't physical and that he has possibly been spooked. If I don't drive anywhere and stay local, he simply will not go until I get someone to bring our older border collie out with us. He walks fine with him but will soon stop and look back if he doesn't believe Sam to still be behind him. So confidence issue?
Sorry to go on, hope I've made sense. Just worried about him, don't get how he can be so bull at a gate around the house, jumping everywhere no falling over yet outside seems to have started falling constantly or doesn't want to go.
Thanks everyone x
Hi Amy, welcome. We are in the chat room right now if you want to hop over. Back in a sec to answer your questions.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello! So glad you adopted that handsome pup and are giving him the great life he deserves. He's lucky to have such a conscientious momma who cares so much about his well-being. Yay for keeping him slim, that is a HUGE thing you are doing to help him.
Keep in mind that I'm not a vet, but here are a few things I'm reading into your description of his behavior:
When a front-leg Tripawd keeps falling like that, it's a sign that he isn't strong enough to do what he's been doing. The wrist joint (Carpal) on front-leggers is one of the biggest points of injury for dogs, especially larger ones with a lot of weight on the front. In time it can become horribly arthritic and painful.
His behavior is an indication that he needs less strenuous and high impact activity. How long are his walks? Playtimes? And he jumps a lot too right? It sounds to me like he gets a lot of activity. I know it's hard but it's in his best interest to make him take time-outs and rest. Also, Tripawds should never be jumping off furniture, out of vehicles, etc. It's a hard thing to stop a dog from doing that but again, it will prevent a lot of arthritis damage over time.
As for his unwillingness to go outside except when another dog is present. No, that's not being stubborn. That is most likely pain (see this article about pain signals). I'm just guessing here, but it sounds like he is in some type of pain throughout the day and the only way he is willing to hide it is when another dog is around, so he can keep up with the pack. That's not unusual. Pain control will help the acute situation, but prevention is definitely necessary.
Your best bet is to 1) check out our Tripawds Gear blog and e-book Loving Life On Three Legs , which discuss lots of things you can do to reduce his pain and keep him fit. and 2), get him into a rehabilitation therapy program as soon as possible (good move going to the vet for a checkup). Keep in mind that hydrotherapy alone will not help him, he also needs strengthening, massage and pain control. You want a good rehab vet center with multiple modes of therapy, not just hydro, so he can get the help he needs. A vet-prescribed orthotic device like this carpal brace will help but again, the answer is prevention by 1) reducing his activity and 2) getting his strength and stamina built up.
Here are some posts that describe more about rehab:
http://download.....m/?s=rehab
I hope this helps. Thanks so much for joining us, we look forward to following along with Vader's adventures!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for getting back to me so quick. With his temperament at the moment, which like you say may be down to pain, we are only going out for 20 minute walks at a time. He does sit down when he wants to and I have been waiting for him to get up on his own accord. I have also just been giving him one walk a day while he doesn't seem at his best.
When he does go out in the car I do get him to jump in and out so this combined with jumping on and off beds, sofas etc. I will try to stop and most definitely start lifting him in and out of the car. He does wear a 'ruff wear webmaster' harness which I have find to be the best one for him. I will ask the vets advice on different types of therapy and start looking at those books you mentioned. Have also noticed those 'foot pods' that are advertised in the gear page, may be something for us to try?
As for playtime it tends to just be a quick 5 minute game of tug/ rough play which he seems to enjoy as he always starts it but I will slow him down. Think until he's built himself up I will stay local as opposed to driving out to walk long trails.
Thanks for your advice x
Vader, you are a very "unique" fella'! I so enjoy reading your blogs and seeing your pictures!
Jerry covered everything so well.
I'll just add that my adopted front legger Coonhound does everything fast and with wild and crazy vigor! If he can jump over something, rather than go around, he will! This dog just loves to jump and run! I can also say that when he finally does decide ro nap, he's out like a light! He also will jave a little "front leg drop", or stumble sometimes when he's on o e of his crazy grou d sniffing tangents. I do my very best to try and "reign him in some". It's a challenge ro say the least.
I do try and massage his legs, shoulders and back a lot. Guess it's my way of trying to counter the wear and tear he imposes on himself everyday.
I also have him on a joint supplement.
A lot of members here use PAWZ as their booty for the dogs. They are not meant to be worn for long stretches.
Give that crazy adorable boy a smooch for me!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
amyjade94 said
He does sit down when he wants to...
Certified rehab vets have informed us that if a dog sits down on a walk, he has gone too far. Cut the distance in half, then slowly work back up again.
All that rough play and jumping around may be overdoing it too. Keep in mind that walks do not build strength, only stamina. There are many fun conditioning exercises that will help build core strength. Weight bearing exercises, core strengthening, and stretching are all important to keep tripawds fit and strong. Learn more in Loving Life On Three Legs and consider consulting with a certified rehab vet/tech. The Tripawds Foundation will even reimburse you for your first visit with the Maggie Moo Fund for Tripawd Rehab!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
My Jack is also a front legger and I've noticed when I let her walk too far, she starts to trip. She also balks and refuses to walk if she's tired - I would listen to him if he's doing that. And it might be that his excitement trumps pain when you take him somewhere new - Jack forgets her usual limits when we're in a new environment.Â
This past summer, Jack started refusing to walk almost entirely. We never figured out what was going on, despite numerous trips to our vet and a rehab vet. It lasted about 4 months and then she slowly gained some of her endurance back. Her limit is still about 4 blocks and it takes us an hour to go that far. One thing she's taught me in the past year is that she doesn't need all that much exercise, despite being young. We spend a lot of time standing or sitting and just watching / sniffing while outside, and I try to spend a chunk of time teaching new tricks when inside to take care of whatever energy she has left over.Â
dcjack said
We spend a lot of time standing or sitting and just watching / sniffing while outside, and I try to spend a chunk of time teaching new tricks when inside to take care of whatever energy she has left over.Â
YES! This is perfect. Tiring the mind is even more effective and safer than tiring the body.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you everyone for the amount of great advice so far. Honestly, unless I drive him out somewhere and excitement takes over from the pain, Vader is obviously trying to tell me he doesn't want to walk pretty much at all. I will get him to the vets and see if I can get him some rehab/ physiotherapy. Going to invest in the Loving Life On Three Legs book and the 'foot pods', seems strengthening that front leg is the key along with rest and massages. We'll have a good few days focusing on him in the house with maybe just a sit on the front garden for some fresh air and a change of scenery.
He's so lucky to have you! And good for you for watching him so closely- I still have trouble interpreting signals now that she's a tripawd. Keep us updated-I'll be interested to hear how he does over the coming weeks.Â
Hi and welcome to the forums, I've been following your blog. Vader is a very handsome boy- I just love the brindle coloring.
I recently adopted my second rear leg tripawd, a little pug mix I named Elly. She was 10 months old when I got her, now she is just over a year old. She is supposedly a Puggle (pug x beagle) but I'm not sure. She does spend a lot of time sniffing like a beagle. Elly would go much farther on walks if I let her, when I do take my pug boy on longer walks I take the stroller so Elly doesn't over do things. I spend time each day playing with her, and I try and push her into games that work on her core strength. We also just started obedience classes so we have homework to practice everyday. It's amazing how much the mental exercise wears her out.
It's been challenging to learn what is enough and what is too much activity for Elly. With my first tripawd, Maggie, I knew her before the amp and knew her capabilities.Â
I hope some tweaks to his activities will fix is issues.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Â
        Maggie's Story          Amputation and Chemo
Hi again,
just researching into all the different fitness products you can get for Tripawds. Out of interest I searched 'fitpaws' on Amazon.co.uk and along with pawpods and balancing boards that came up in dog products, so did these.
qid=1454105276&sr=8-2&keywords=fitpaws
They are significantly cheaper than what I have seen so far as they are on offer, a pack of two but obviously I would order 2 packs however these seem to be aimed at people even though they come up under dog products. Would these be suitable or is there a difference?
amyjade94 said
just researching into all the different fitness products you can get for Tripawds. Out of interest I searched 'fitpaws' on Amazon.co.uk
Have you seen any of the Tripawds Fitness Gear Reviews? While we don't ship to the UK, you can find many helpful recommendations, with links to many reviews and demo videos. Paw Pods are great!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Paw pods are on their way, just looking into the right balance board now! 🙂 will let everyone know how we get on, thanks again for all the advice so far
amyjade94 said
...just looking into the right balance board now!
Check the Tripawds Fitness page for reviews or download plans to build your own for free! 
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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