Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello-I am a mom to an 11 year old Golden/Lab with a left front leg amputation. I have noticed over the past 6 months she is losing strength in her surviving right front leg, and she often falls when walking. I'd like to start to prepare in case the right front leg fails all together. I see many solution for back leg amputations, but not for front leg amputations. Any help is appreciated!
MeghanÂ
Hi Meghan, welcome. What's your doggy's name? Why the amputation? Just curious.
So I probably have more questions than answers, but it will help us get a clearer picture of what might be going on.
First, I have to ask, but is she overweight at all, even by a couple of pounds? If so, that extra weight could be having a tremendous impact on her joints and stamina. Losing weight will make a huge difference in her mobility.Â
Also, have you consulted with a rehab therapist yet? These pros can help you find out where her issues are, and how to correct them. At 11 she's no spring chicken but if everything else is pretty much healthy, it may be a matter of just spending a few minutes a day (even as few as 5) doing rehab exercises with her at home. The therapist can guide you in that direction after some initial on-site work with her. The best part is, the Tripawds Foundation will even pay for your first rehab visit !
 I see many solution for back leg amputations, but not for front leg amputations
Do you mean braces? If so, there are many available for front leg amputees. Carpal joint (the wrist) braces are available and quite helpful to support that remaining leg. But they can only help when you know what exactly is causing that weakness, so we recommend working with a rehab vet before ever trying a brace as they can do more harm than good if they're not fitted or used properly.
Finally, one more question: when she falls, when exactly does that happen? Is it during walks or playtime? If so, how long are her walks? What's her playtime like?
Like I said, more questions than answers right now but I look forward to hearing back so we can help your girl get stronger and feel good.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi,
My dog Rylie, who had her right front leg amputated,  is having the same problem, so I came to the Tripawds site looking for suggestions also.  She's about 10 1/2 years old and is a few pounds overweight which we're working on.  She's to the point now where she wants to go out, but will walk a few steps and sit down, because I think she's afraid of falling.  I have a harness for her which helps to support her when she's walking or going down stairs.   She has arthritis in her elbow and I've been taking her to Physical Therapy for a couple of months now. She just got a brace for her front leg, yesterday, and she's really not very fond of it right now, but the Dr. said it will take some time for her to get used to it. I really hope this works, because it breaks my heart every time she "face plants". Other than her surviving front leg giving out, she's full of life and wants to chase squirrels and play with my other dog, Adrienne, who had her left front leg amputated. Good luck with your dog and I will keep you posted on how the brace works out.....
Online
Hi animalhouse, thanks for posting. Your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
Looks like you've been a member for awhile- welcome to the fourms.
Please consider starting your own thread to introduce Rylie and tell us about your journey.
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
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        Maggie's Story          Amputation and Chemo
There is a site called Eddie's Wheels. They make custom wheel chairs?? Not sure what you would call them. I have. Already thought of this for the future for my front Tripawd. They make for both front and rear amps. Just a thought. 😊LORI, Ty and the gang
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed  and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.Â
I know this is a little delayed but I second Eddies Wheels. We live close enough that I was able to go to their site and have them do all the measurements and fittings. My little guy is up for possible amputation with one of his front legs and the other is failing due to an old injury so his cart takes the pressure off both front legs.Â
The staff at Eddies was great and I thought the price was reasonable compared to other options I found.Â
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