Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello,
I am new to this site. I adopted by Korra almost two years ago when she was 2 months old. She is a front leg amputee, she was attacked while in the shelter resulting in a breakage and then amputation. She has always been very active and willing to try anything, a little cautious around other dogs due to her accident.
We live in a little bit of a wild area. Recently when she was outside something happened that has really traumatized her. She is afraid of the outdoors, every time she steps outside she freezes and starts to tremble. Her back right leg appears to be very sore, this is also the leg that corresponds with her front leg amputation. I am not sure what the event that caused this to happen was, but she is not the same dog that she used to be. I have taken her to the vet, and she is on a pain killer for her sore hing leg. However as the time since the incident has progressed, she just seems to be more scared. She has gotten to the point where she doesn't even want to move when she is outside. I don't believe that she has had a solid poop for a few days, I hardly see her pee. I have been giving her rescue remedy to help with the stress. I am trying not to force her outdoors, but if I don't take her our she doesn't seem to go to the bathroom. On the occasion that she does poop, there has been blood in her stool. I have taken her to the vet, and am getting blood work run on her, my vet thinks it's possible she has been so stressed that she gave herself an Ulcer.
My theory is that she was stalked or almost attacked by a wild animal, causing her to run and scatter resulting in a pulling of her leg muscles. Now the association with the pain of her legs reminds her the event and she remembers that she is scared. Also since the last time she had a run in with an aggressive animal, she woke up without her front leg.
Has anyone had a similar experience to this? Or has any advice on how to help her through this traumatic event? I have read a few articles, and I know have to give her time, it is just so painful to watch my once peppy and happy pup, be afraid of her own shadow...
Hi Korra and family, welcome. Sorry you're dealing with such a tough situation, I can't blame you for being worried. But do know that you are doing everything right here. Getting her checked out by the vet is perfect. And putting clues together the way you have been shows me that you are really in tune with her behavior and needs. Good job maw!
How recently did the attack and her corresponding behavior take place?
Although I don't have any experience in a situation like this, what I'm guessing is that it might be similar to how some dogs become fearful of slippery floors after they slide around a few times after they become a Tripawd. All I know is that the way many folks take the fear out of situations like this is to associate the surroundings with GREAT THINGS!
Have you tried bribing her outside with lots of her absolutely irresistible treats and a positive, happy vibe from you? Does she have other dogs she can play with outside to get her associating the outdoors with happy play time?
My other thought is, if you have a way to work with a behaviorist (not a trainer, but a bona-fide degreed animal behaviorist, there's a big difference), I would see if you can get one to work with you at home. I know it's a long shot, but those behaviorists have taught us a lot about our Wyatt Ray , who has many issues. Where are you located? The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists has a growing list of practitioners.
I know our amazing community members will chime in with their own experiences, so stay tuned. Your future posts won't need to wait for approval.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi and welcome!
What kind of dog is Korra? How big is she?
My current Tripawd is a little pug mix rear amp. Elly was hit by a car when she was 7 months old, I got her when she was 10 months old and she just turned 2.
Elly had and has lots of fear issues. From something as understandable as shaking when she heard traffic noises to being afraid of plastic bags and gloves. I have spent lots of time working with Elly through classes and training. She now is not afraid of normal traffic noises (although she was skittish when I took her to San Francisco last fall) and has gotten over her fear of plastic bags and gloves. It took months of patient training and constant re-enforcement to get her where she is now. We still have a long way to go but I've seen such improvement in the 15 months we have been together.
You might try taking Korra out only on leash and for just a couple minutes at a time at first. Lots of praise and high value treats for a successful outing. Everything about going outside has to be positive and build her confidence. You might even start with just opening the door for a minute and rewarding her courage! It seems very basic but that is how I have had success with Elly.
A recent post by a member worried about her tiny yet aggressive Tripawd had some great insights and resources from megstamum and dcjack who have both dealt with reactive dogs. I have a post there as well about some of the things I have done with Elly.
Good luck!
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
Wow! Poor Korra. Have you tried walking your property with her on a leash to try to get a sense of what spooked her or where the event took place? My only thought is that, if she is this afraid, you need to try to find out what it was. Not sure where you live - we have coyotes all over, you find them right in our yards, so it is something we have to be very alert to with our dogs. I would be a bit afraid myself to let her out solo until you know what it was.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
From what I've been told, dogs have memories like elephants! Which in some ways is good, but in cases like this it's not. Whatever scared her is burned in her memory 
Our Cassie slipped on the kitchen floor once, now she's afraid of it - it doesn't matter what I try - boots, rugs, whatever ...if there is anything out of place, then she's afraid to cross the floor, which she has to do to go outside. I tried bribery, pulling her, everything. She does better if there are rugs on the floor, so there are rugs down.
I agree, maybe walking the yard with her on the leash; maybe some bright lights or a flash light at night so she's not in the dark alone; going out with her so she knows that you're there to scare away whatever it was. Maybe she needs some Xanax or something for a little while? Or talk to an expert on behavior.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Well this is a rum one, isn't it! Poor Korra and poor you. This sounds really stressful for both of you. You've had lots of good suggestions above. I also wondered how long this has been going on. Is the fear localised? I mean, if you could carry her to the car (I don't know how big she is), and take her somewhere completely different, would she have the same response? Does she have any particular doggy friends? I know you said she's a bit cautious around other dogs, and understandably so, but is there any dog she does feel comfortable with? Might it be possible to get them to come round and see if she's more comfortable going outside with another dog? Also, has anything changed in your environment? Even something that seems completely insignificant to you?
If she was attacked so severely at less than two months old, then that would have left a very strong psychological imprint (dogs under four months, as I understand it, are basically psychological plasticine.) My guess (and I'm not a behaviourist) is that something may have triggered that memory and caused her to regress. The fact she got over it before, through the love and security you provided, means she can get over it again. I do think seeing a behaviourist might be a very good idea. And also perhaps some Valium, or Xanax, as Donna suggested. OtisandTess makes a great point too. Is there something dangerous out there? I'll never forget Karen's post about her father taking the dogs for a walk and looking round and seeing a mountain lion.
Please keep us posted. We'll be thinking of you. Behavioural problems can be enormously upsetting and frustrating to deal with, but I am certain you'll get to the bottom of this and Korra's confidence will return.
All best wishes,
Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
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