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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My tripawd seems to fall a lot on his leg that was amputated. He was hit by a car and we adopted him last Dec. He and his brother play so much but he always ends up falling. Also, when he has been asleep in his crate for a while when he gets up he falls. Is this normal and does it hurt him when he falls so much? He feels great and runs and jumps all the time but I just want to do the right thing so he doesn't get sore.
Hi there, thanks for joining us. Your pup is adorable!
How old is he? He sounds young and energetic! Is he missing a front or rear leg? It looks like a front in the picture?
Have you done any core strengthening exercises with him since you brought him home? Tripawds do not instantly gain strength after surgery, it takes time and focus on core-strengthening activities that will help him get strong and develop good balance and proprioception (one's awareness of where their body is in space).
Also, how are you monitoring his play activity? It sounds to me like he might be getting too much unregulated activity that's wearing him out. While Tripawds can do just about anything a four legger can do, they still need to be watched for overexertion. He will do all he can to keep up with the pack, but it's up to you to make him take breaks so he doesn't overdo things. Too much unregulated activity over time will cause premature joint stress and arthritis so you really want to be careful there.
Finally, keep his weight in check. Even one extra pound on a Tripawd can really put a lot of pressure on his frame and cause weakness and a lack of endurance.
Check out our Fitness Tips in our Gear blog, and this post, Best of Tripawds Gear and Fitness Tips for Tripawds.
Finally, we have a ton of great tips like this in our new book about staying strong and fit after amputation, "Loving Life on Three Legs."
I hope this helps. Thanks again for joining us, we look forward to hearing about your pup. Oh, what's his name?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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Hi sweetchessies! Just want to welcome you to the bet ITE in the world for information and support!
Thank you for adopting the sweet boy! Sounds like he's had a rough go of it but he's found a loving forever home now:-) 
Can't add anymore to the great advice you've already gotten......look forward to a progress report once you've tried some of the suggestions.
Take care and thanks for caring for such a sweet pup, Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Jerry had a lot of great advice. I can add when Sassy first was amputated after she laid on her one remaining back leg for a long period of time she had a hard time standing it almost was like it fell asleep. That did get better with time. Also do those core strengthing excercises they will help.
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
I want to give a better reply to this but I'm scattered at moment. Cora is a 6 month amputee and she falls when she plays. She did a lot more early on but when she really gets playing she forgets herself. I think it's not surprising for young dogs. like jerry said, sometimes we have to intervene, which can be really hard when they want to play.
Cora is often wobbly right after she wakes up and does sometimes. cora also has some neurological issues so that may contribute to her issues. I have been working with cora to build up her strength and coordination and it makes a difference. check out the links jerry gave you
Topher
Vet Assistant (in school to be a licensed vet technician)
1.5 years Oncology department, moved to rehab & sportsmed December 2024
Tripawd Angel, Cora the Determined <3
Roxy is a 1 month rear amputee and she has started to get back that urge to play, but doesn't quite have the balance and strength yet to really get going. She chased a stick the other day and fell on her back leg and let out a yelp, which scared me half to death.
So we're going to be working more on her strength and balance. We ordered a FitPAWS Balance Disc (which is available on the Fitness Gear page) to help and I'm really excited to try it out. I've been giving her massages and doing some rehab exercises (just on our own, though we are thinking of going to a pro). That, combined with time, I think will help her get back to (almost) her old levels of play.
I will still be worrywart mom but hopefully won't have to worry as much
Oh thanks everyone for those comments. They are really helpful. I think I may be a little over protective but he does loves to run and play. He and his brother, Boone..an adopted Chesapeake who is a year and a half, play great together. Crockett is our tripawds name and he will be one in June and he is missing his right front leg. They only play about one time per day in the afternoon together. We have a very large outdoor play area for them but they are separated by a chain link fence so they won't play all day I have not done the core exercises as I am so new with having a tripawd. We live in the country and they have tons of room to run but I want to do what is best for him.
I will try the core exercises with Crockett. Also, Boone loves to ride but that is one thing Crockett does not like to do. I have a set of steps that my friends dog would not use but he doesn't seem to like those. I don't know if in his earlier life if something happened to make him not want to ride.
Thanks so much for your help. I am loving this group!!!
You're so welcome, we're glad that you found everyone's comments so helpful. Is this a great community or what?
It sounds like you are on the right track and in the perfect frame of mind to help Crockett get and stay strong. And remember those exercises are good for four legged dogs too so you can have a really fun time doing them with both dogs. What lucky pups to live out in the country with you!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
And this group loves you, Boone and Crockett:-) And Crockett and Boone are loving life:-)
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
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