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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Since I am new here, a short introduction: I am John and together with my girlfriend we have a 8 year old shelter dog, Sira. We are looking around for a second rescue dog and have fallen in love with a tripawd (male, 1.5 years old). You can see him here:
http://www.alld.....038;hid=27
At the moment we are doing a lot of reading about tripawd dogs before we make the decision. But I am wondering if you can also do longer walks/hikes with the dog (2-4 hours)? Of course after carefully increasing the length of the walks and building up endurance. The dog is young and light as you can see. Also note I'm from the Netherlands, which is a very flat country and most trails are very sandy ;). Of course I realize we should take more and longer breaks as well, but I am just looking for experiences with longer walks (since I am totally new to tripawd dogs).
With Sira we do a lot of scent work (tracking humans that play "victim"), so that will also be something we would like to do with him.
Thanks!
Hi Kitsune and family, welcome! What a handsome pup that boy is! He does look young and energetic, that's so awesome to see.
Your question isn't uncommon and many people want to know if a Tripawd can build endurance to the same level that a four-legged dog can. It reminds me of a similar question someone posted a few years ago, hop over to this post to see some good feedback:
Considering adoption of tripod Lab, concerns about stamina and activity level
In short, all dogs are different but to ask a Tripawd to hike or even walk for that long is asking for trouble later on in life when their joints are worn out. Sure, a young dog will and usually even can do those kinds of hikes, but in just a matter of a couple of years the effects will show. Whether the terrain is hilly or sandy (which is actually more difficult to walk in), that length of time will take a toll.
One way you can get around that is by taking a dog stroller along on your hikes. Lots of Tripawd pawrents use them and they are SO helpful for dogs who want to be with the pack but cannot endure walks like that. Here's a post that will help:
Big Dog Strollers Help Tripawds Get Out
One of the greatest responsibilities we have as Tripawd pawrents is to monitor their activity so they don't overdo things; rehab vets tell us that shorter, more frequent walks of no more than 15 minutes each are ideal. You can learn more in our CARE videos. That's a hard thing to do for a young dog who wants to go go go but in the end it's the best thing because it means they'll be with us for a long, happy and healthy time.
I hope this helps.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just wanted to say welcome and thank you for adopting a tripawd!!!! You are ALL very lucky! You will be inspired and captivated by the courage and the lofe lessons your pup will teach you!
And he is adorable!! I bet he will get along wonpnderfully well with your other rescue
Several tripawds on here have signed up for "nose work" classes strictly for their own entertainment. There are so many winderful experiences you can share!
Look forward to more uldates and pictures!
Hugs to y o u and all your pack!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle
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!
I agree on the dog stroller , or even a pack you can carry him in if he gets tired. We are avid hikers and my Jake was a front leg tripawd and my Tanner is a rear leg. It is definitely much harder for the front leggers to go hiking and go on longer walks etc. I think they get tired much quicker since they have to work harder in general and that front leg takes quite a bit of pounding. I belong to a hiking with dogs Facebook page and there are 10-11 hiking tripawds on there, and quite a few people with 4 leggers who use backpacks when their pups get tired. I think both of those are great options.
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
Thank you for the welcome and advice! I learned a lot and did not realize it has that big of an effect on their joints/musles etc. I somehow though the body would adapt to it more (increasing strenth of muscles around the joints etc.), especially since the leg was amputated when he was a puppy (they think he is about 18 months now).
Jerry, the 15 minutes walk is that especially for rehab or in general? I assume (depending on the dog of course) it might extended a bit to like 0.5 hour? (I have no experiences at all, so just try to imagine what will the siuation and consequence. Also for our other dog of course)
@Elizabeth, do you mean some kind of backpag where the dog fits in? ( i saw some pictures of this on internet). Or are there special packs?
I saw this harness that is suited for carrying as well on this site, but that is more for short distances of course.
Oh gosh don't feel badly at all, we also didn't know about these things when we started our journey. In fact the majority of people don't, and even most vets still believe that a Tripawd will adapt, so you're not alone. Veterinary rehab and conditioning is such a new field, only over the last 5 years or so has word gotten out that there is so much more we can do to help Tripawds lead pain-free lives. The big thing: monitoring their activity so they don't overdo it and suffer in pain.
Yes, Tripawds do adapt and really well too, the problem is that the adaptation leads to gait problems and joint stress. A rehab vet described it like this: if you were to walk with a limp for a period of time, eventually that limp would cause back problems right? It's the same thing with a Tripawd.
That 15 minutes at a time is recommended for all dogs. Sure, some can go much longer, like Bart the Vizsla hunting dog. But he also has the body type, breed stamina and ongoing conditioning for long hunts that go as much as 30 minutes at a time. But dogs like Bart are the exception.
Here are some posts from rehab vets that share more details.
Learn Rehab and Fitness Tips for Tripawd Cats and Dogs, Part 1
Canine Rehabilitation: Exercises and Stretches with CARE
Best of Tripawds Gear and Fitness Tips for Three Legged Dogs
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Kitsune, there are special packs. This is one of the ones I saw posted:
http://www.toug.....ogbags.asp
You'll definitely want a harness too. Its very helpful for giving them an extra helping hand when they need it. The Ruffwear webmaster has a handle and it's not too bulky (that's what we use). EZDog makes a harness too that is probably a little better for a front amp.
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
Here's a helpful link to the harnesses that Elizabeth is referring to:
http://gear.tri.....gged-dogs/
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks again and Jerry especially thank you for the detailed info.
I already looked at the harnesses (I am a fan of harnesses anyway...or current dog also has several). However, I hadn't found the EZ dog yet.
I think we will try the harness of our fourpawd dog first. They (the dogs) are quite similar in size/weight/body and I am a big fan of this harness. It also looks a bit like the EzyDog convert (high on the chest, big handle, comfortable, easy to clean).
kitsune said
I think we will try the harness of our fourpawd dog first. They (the dogs) are quite similar in size/weight/body and I am a big fan of this harness. It also looks a bit like the EzyDog convert (high on the chest, big handle, comfortable, easy to clean).
That's an interesting one, never seen it before. Let me know how you like it!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Our dog Cassie spent her last 13 months as a tripawd, and we did quite a bit of hiking. Mostly short though. We looked for routes of about 2 miles, and she could do them in an hour so without any problems. Since her distance was limited, it was more about letting her smell, explore, play in creeks, etc.
I would think your prospective dogs age, build, and reason for being a Tripawd (injury vs. cancer) would impact the distance they could hike comfortably.
Thanks! Yes the latter is of course very important. The dog we will likely adopt is quite young (about 1.5 years) and was found on the strees with it's leg already amputated. Since the wound healed really nice, they think the dog had an owner before (not born on the streets). The reason for amputation is unknown, but cancer is not very likely of course..
So bottom line, it was already adapted to 3 legs at a very young age. Besides the dog is medium size (about 47 cm = 18.5 inch in height) and quite skinny. So that is positive I think.
I'll keep you all updated. Coming sunday we will have a visit from somebody of the adoption organization to get to know eachother and so they can decide if we are suited for adopting the dog.
Well I have one additional question and that is about the recommended rest time between walks. I mean the 15 minutes advice for walking come from somewehere, So I can imagine that there are also guidelines for minimal rest between walks so that the joints/musles etc. can recover.
Normally that is not an issue since you normally spread yoour walks over the day. But for example if build up the distance a bit and you go for a 0.5 - 1 hour walk. Is it for example better to rest 15 minutes after every 15 mintues or maybe half an hour?
Any experiences on this? It is not meant to extend a walk as much as possible per se or anything like that, but I just wondering what an efficient recovery time is, just in case.
Great question. The answer really depends on the individual dog's fitness and stamina levels, but I do know that when we talked to rehab vets about walk lengths, their recommendation was 15-20 minute walks spread out over 3x a day max. Hope that helps.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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