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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Hello all,
I haven't actually posted on here yet, which is surprising considering what we've been through in the past 2.5months! I must say that the words and stories on here are so encouraging. I found peoples' opinions and knowledge about drugs and their side effects to be particularly helpful when I was at a loss as to why my dog was in such a bad way after her amputation.
Anyway...I'm looking for advice and input as I have a 15 year old beagle called Bracket who is 2.5months into her front right leg amputation. She's still as enthusiastic as she has ever been about walks and loves them, especially going out with her two four-pawd friends (Poppy and Primrose). The trouble is, she just can't go as far or as fast as she used to now that she is down to 3 legs but she still really wants to go out with the other two. She also doesn't know when she's had enough! We went to the vets this week and he says she may have a bit of carpal tunnel on her front left leg due to the weight and strain of carrying now 60% of her weight on that one leg. The last thing I want is for her to overdo it and not be able to move at all!
I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations for after-care and helping amputees cope with walks easier. I'm going to invest in a harness but know these don't often work well without a limb and often slip off. Also are there any recommendations that people have for trolleys that I can put her in/on once she is getting tired so she still gets to complete the rest of the walk with us but in a more comfortable way!
Would you believe we are expecting a baby in 10 weeks time and I'm thinking that at that time we may be able to customise the bottom of the pushchair for her!
I wish there was a dog carrier that I could use to strap her to my front to take her along. I often end up carrying her the rest of the way home when she starts really slowing up. She's quite heavy without being supported by straps or material.
Thoughts/recommendations welcome!
Welcome! Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
ecurtin said
I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations for after-care and helping amputees cope with walks easier.
Yes! This is exactly why we wrote Loving Life On Three Legs . This second book in the Tripawds e-books library is packed with professional tips and tutorials for keeping Tripawds fit and strong—core strengthening, balance work, stretching, massage and much more.
I'm going to invest in a harness but know these don't often work well without a limb and often slip off.
The Webmaster harness may slip around the torso of Tripawds missing a front limb, but it will not slip off. It is the best all purpose harness we recommend for most dogs, and the Tripawd Convert harness by EzyDog is a great walking harness. See all recommended harnesses in the Tripawds Gear Shop .
Also are there any recommendations that people have for trolleys that I can put her in/on
Yes, we have a couple reviews and recommendations for dog strollers :
Strollers Help Dogs Large and Small Get Out
Considering Bracket's age, a stroller may be the best solution for taking the whole pack on walks together!
Would you believe we are expecting a baby in 10 weeks
Congratulations! Please keep us posted...
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yes, Murphy gets tired on walks too, and he will just all of a sudden lay down right on the sidewalk! lol We try to keep walks short so that Murphy can still go with our other two.
He has the roughwear harness and it does slip sideways when he's walking, but it stays on. It doesn't seem to bother him any that it slips. And I love the handle on the back to help him out of the car when we go places, that way he doesn't land with all his weight on his good front leg.
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
My tripawd Daisy could never walk the distance she used to post amp. She was an 80 lb. front amp. I ended up purchasing her a stroller and that worked pretty well for us so she could continue her "walks" with her best bud Splash.
Here she is getting ready for her inaugural ride:
I chose the DoggyRide brand. At the time it was the only stroller I could find for large dogs.
Also, you do want to be careful about letting them overdo it. If I didn't stop Daisy from overdoing it she would be pretty pitiful the next day all stiff and stumbling around.
Best of luck!
Marla, Biscuit and Angel Daisy
My Two Tripawds...Biscuit 
and Spirit Daisy 
Hi Bracket, Primrose and Poppy!
Welcome to the family! And congratulations on your new little human joining the pack soon!
And tons of applause for Bracket! A 15 yr. young tripawd! Very impressive!!
Yes, it takes a lot of energy for a front legger to get around....a lot. It does tire them out easier than rear leggers. And then the fact that Bracket is 15 and has the normal aging process in top of that!
It does sound like the doggy strollers are the best way to go. I never used one with my Happy Hannah, but it seems that the dogs who use them learn to love them! They are still outside "on their walk", enjoying nature with their pack! And they seem to know it gives them the freedom to do their "walk" without the stress of overdoing it and becoming too exhausted! Being able to "be Bracket" and having quality life at the same time...yeah, all is good in Bracket's world!
Look forward to hearing how this works out...very exciting! Would love to see more pictures too! The avatar picture is adorable!
Hugs and best wishes!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Hello ! welcome to this wonderful community. Regarding the harnesses: my dog is a 90lb front-leg amp and we have been using the Webmaster Harness for about one year. It does not slip off. The secret is to purchase the right size for your dog and adapt it well to your dog's size so it stays in place.
Johnnie goes for short walks, and he makes quite a bit of "pit-stops" along his way. He will trot a bit and lie down to rest. What before was a 10-minute walk now takes around 30 minutes. He is down to about 20% the distance he used to make before the amp. My great worry is not to over-do the exercise and preserve his remaining front leg from any lesion.
Daniela
Our awesome Golden Boy was diagnosed for OSA in April 2014 in the proximal humerus, front-leg amp on 05/20/2014. Finished chemo (Carbo6) on 07/10/2014. Ongoing treatment: acupuncture + K-9 Immunity Plus ( 3chews) and home-cooked no-grain diet. Stopped Apocaps because of liver issues. Liver issues: controlling altered enzymes with SAM-e and Milk Thistle. October 17: started having seizures. Taking fenobarbital for seizures. April 18: started prednisone.
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