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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Good morning. I am a new member to tripawds. What a wonderful community. I just adopted Mac. He is an 8 month boxer who's former owners neglected to bring him back for a follow up with the vet after having surgery on his front paw due to being hit by a car. The paw became infected and then gangrene (the owner wrapped over a very dirty, wet bandage with a new bandage and duct tape). Fortunately for Mac the vet kept calling the owners to bring him in for a follow up which they finally did 3 weeks later (who knows what would have happened to Mac if they were not so diligent in their efforts).
Mac came to his new home last week. He is adapting to his new 3 leggedness really well. My question is how is the good leg effected. Is there stress on the good leg with too much exercise? Is there special care regarding walks and/or exercise that I need to be aware of?
I look forward to hearing comments/suggestions.
Melissa
I know one of the most important things is to monitor their weight. Even with four legged dogs, the amount of stress that weight adds is tremendous.
Once they get acclimated, they can do pretty much everything, but since there are only three left, one needs to protect those by watching slippery surfaces or uneven terrain.
The good leg will start to shift to adapt to center of gravity and balance and may become larger than normal due to the extra muscle build up.
Congrats on adopting Mac! 
Boo to the previous owners! 
"I don't know where I am."
Hi Melissa,
Welcome to Tripawds! What a wonderful human you are for adopting Mac, thank you for giving him a chance. Idiots like those people who had him don't deserve animals in their lives. Grrrrr....
Anyhow, to answer your question...dogs carry 60 pawcent of their weight on their front legs, so there will be additional stress not so much on his remaining leg but on his spine, because of the way in which he will compensate through his hop. We have a couple of great videos about Tripawd exercise tips:
Dog Massage and Rehab with Buddy
Cal Animal Rehab Tripawds Interview Interview #1
Cal Animal Rehab Tripawds Interview Interview #2
Viking Queen is right; his remaining front leg will get stronger and muscular over time. I was a front leg Tripawd and my remaining leg got really huge! And while I did get tired a little quicker than four legged dogs, that didn't stop me from doing what I loved, like swimming and going on walks. All my pawrents had to do was monitor my activity so that I didn't overdo it and stress my joints. A good join support supplement is really helpful too. Mac will probably get really good at monitoring his behavior too. Keep an eye out for things like sitting down during walks, that's a sign that he's gone too far. Here's a post we wrote about Tips for Walking with your New Tripawd, hope it helps.
Keep us posted, we can't wait to hear more about him! Thanks again for joining.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome Melissa,
Mac is one lucky lad to have had such a persistent Vet and for finding a loving home with you. It seems it was just meant to be! Your a very special person Melissa. 
You have gotten great advice from Spirit Jerry and Viking Queen. I know that Mac and you are going to create many special memories together. I look forward to hearing about your journey together.......
FortisDad, Brett
thank you all for great advice. I look forward to reading it and learning how to keep Mac happy and healthy. He is a great dog. I'm so happy the vet gave him a chance by seeking a new home for him.
i look forward to sharing Mac's tripaw life with all of you.
Melissa
Kudos to you for having the courage to adopt a tripawd. He will bring you tons of joy and find many new friends along the way. They are no different than any dog, you just need to help keep them from harming the remaining legs. There is so much valuable information here, the links mentions in the other posts just begin to scratch the surface.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Mac, you've got a new life ahead of you, you're gonna love it. What a great life you have ahead of you.
I came from the same kind of situation. Dumb humans who didn't treat me nice at all. But now I'm a Tripawd and with my pack that loves me. I'm doing pretty good, just look at me now!
Welcome to the pack, it's great to have you here.
Wyatt Ray Dawg . . . The Tripawds Leg-A-Cy Continues!
Read all about my adventures at my Tripawds Blog
I have a 75lb Golden retriever who lost his front leg due to a gunshot wound. At first he was a little unstable. I was worried at first that he wouldn't be able to be normal again. Buddy started sitting on his hind legs, which was not encouraged. I guess he was more comfortable that way. After the first three weeks he started getting back to normal. He started running, at a slow pace and increased to a faster pace. He started playing with his ball and jumping again. This website was a lifesaver for Buddy and I. I got extremely valuable advice here. Buddy is back to normal again. It has about three months and I am amazed at what these dogs can do. You are a loving person for taking on this task.. Good luck and hope to hear from you.. Jessica and family and of course Buddy
Welcom Melissa and Mac,
That is so wonderful of you to adopt Mac. I hope that the previous owners got in trouble for their neglect! People like that make me sooo mad! My Jake was also a front leg amputee... and he weighed 85 pounds. His leg had fractured due to his bone cancer... so I was always worried that his remaining leg would fracture as well. But it didn't... he did fine after his surgery. He was slower... and hopped instead of walked... but he was still able to play and swim in our pool.
Mac is young and a boxer... so probably much smaller than Jake. The first few weeks after his surgery, his muscles will probably be sore as they start to bulk up in his remaining front leg... He'll also be on pain meds (which will make him loopy) and he'll be getting used to getting around on 3 legs. Just don't overdo things at the beginning... Be sure not to let him get overweight, as that will cause extra unnecessary stress on his leg.
Looking forward to reading all about Mac's progress... and hopefully you'll post some pictures of your new boy here and also start a blog about him.
Have a speedy recovery Mac!! Sending you both a big hug!!
Angel Jake and Wolfie'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!
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