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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We started our journey Monday night when vet thought our White Swiss Shepherd Koda had a "football knee". We were referred to the orthapaedic department of an animal hospital. We got in on Wednesday & when they xrayed they found porous bone. Osteosarcoma & amputation flew by & we went home totally devastated & confused. Koda is 6 years old & very active: we run together 3 times a week, he goes to doggie day care 4 times a week & on Sunday we do tracking. We choose life pain free for him & Friday he had his back right leg amputated. Post-op is so far so good. He could walk already: actually tried in recovery to walk away from us she we were trying to wake him. Now walking fine through the house & also outside to do his business. Just has to remember not to lay on his stump. We are going through this with him step by step. Have had mostly good responses from people, except from 1 who wanted to know if dogs had to "mentally accept" this. I just told her dogs live in the moment & have no body image issues. I am learning from Koda (who is beautiful) that ego has no place. Before surgery I told myself that the leg = pain & we are taking the pain away.
Just a quick question: does anyone know what the limitations are once he has healed? Can he still do tracking? Can he go to doggy day care (maybe 1 hour instead of 4)? Would he be able to run with me again (slowly building up of course)? Can he swim in the sea?
we want him to have as full & joyous a life as possible.
Welcome to Tripawds, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I'm sorry cancer has brought you here, but you have a great attitude! It is all about Being More Dog and enjoying each day. It also sounds like Koda is recovering well- that is very good.
Limitations depend on each dog. I would think swimming would be fine. Tracking should be OK, maybe have to shorten the course depending on how far you usually go. Day care should be OK- I would be cautious re-introducing him to the environment, some new Tripawds get a little defensive or wary on three paws. Running or long walks... I'm not sure. I know some Tripawds have resumed running after their amps, and I know of a working 3 legged cattle dog. Rehab specialists say short walks are better for Tripawds. Core work is really really important! I have a 14.5 month old small Tripawd (car accident) and we work on core strength every day. It really tires her out too! We do some exercises but also do games and training so that her brain gets a work out too!
We would love to see some pictures of your beautiful Koda! Here is how to add pictures to forum posts.
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
Welcome Nashoba thanks for joining. Your future posts won't require approval so post away. I hope you don't mind I moved your post here since your question is about mobility. This Forum area is a great place for those kinds of conversations.
I had to google "White Swiss Shepherd" because I've never heard of that breed before. Wow they are SO pretty! What a big fluff ball! I can't wait to see a photo of Koda, here are instructions for adding images to the Forums.
Is Koda very large? Keeping his weight down is key to good mobility and avoiding joint injury. I'm so sorry about your diagnosis though, I know it's a tough one, we dealt with it as well.
To answer your question:
Just a quick question: does anyone know what the limitations are once he has healed? Can he still do tracking? Can he go to doggy day care (maybe 1 hour instead of 4)? Would he be able to run with me again (slowly building up of course)? Can he swim in the sea?
Here's the reality: all dogs are different so every dog's limitations will be different. However, even Tripawds in the best shape will need monitoring so they don't overdo their activity. Yes, Tripawds can swim and run and do what they love, but within llimits. It's up to us to monitor them so they don't hurt themselves. Our Jerry swam and loved it! So does our current Tripawd Wyatt Ray . Neither of them (both German Shepherds) ever went/go on long walks with us, it's too much to ask of their already compromised bodies. However, the good news is that LOTS of folks get a stroller so they can still take their Tripawds on long walks with the pack! You can even get them for big dogs. Check it out:
http://gear.tri.....rollers-2/
The best thing you can do for him is to get to a qualified rehabilitation therapist for an evaluation. They can give you the best idea of how to get him strong so he can start enjoying the things he loves most (it will take time and discipline with appropriate exercises to build up his strength and stamina). Our Tripawds Foundation will even pay for the first consult with a qualified therapist, see: http://tripawds.....-tripawds/
Also do check out our book, Loving Life On Three Legs , you'll find lots of valuable info there, as well as within the Tripawds Gear blog .
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome! I'm sorry you are going through this, but it sounds like you both have the attitude to get through this. The only thing I will add is it will take some time to know what he can do. And from the sounds of it, you might have to set limits for him. Some dogs enthusiasm is greater than their ability so as Koda begins to do more, you'll need to pay attention to how he is doing afterwards. Watch for signs of pain or limping.
Also, my friends have a great dane mix named Koda. You are the only other Koda I have "met"
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
Welcome and so sorry you've had to find your way here.
Guess Koda's a popular name -- my six year-old Anatolian Shepherd, Koda just became a Tripawd on 3/4/16.
It sounds like your Koda is doing fabulously so far! My boy has always been a layabout, but from what I've read, I'd bet yours will be back to his active self sooner than you think.
xo
Julie
Mom of Koda, 150 lb male Anatolian Shepherd age 6 1/2 (DOB 10/4/09).
TPLO both knees - one 11/2012 and the other 2/2013;
Underpants-ectomy (a/k/a blockage removal) 8/2013;
Osteosarcoma in front left leg diagnosed 3/1/16;
Joined Tripawd Nation 3/4/16
Forever missing Koda's big brother, Sully (a/k/a James P. Sullivan), our first Anatolian and the Original Big Man (tm), who passed at age 10 1/2 from degenerative myelopathy on 6/27/13.
Thanks for the advice everyone. I tried to post a photo from Facebook, but apparently that won't work. Don't really want to start a blog right now, so we'll see.....
Will try to keep you posted on his progress. Yesterday he met a dog on his poop route & puffed himself up acting like his old self. No real altercation, but I had to laugh at his audaciousness!
nashoba said
Thanks for the advice everyone. I tried to post a photo from Facebook, but apparently that won't work.
It does, really! If you're on a laptop, right click on the photo to Get Image URL come back here and paste the URL into the little picture icon you see in your Forum Post Toolbar. On a mobile just paste the URL here. Here are instructions for adding images to the Forums. Can't wait to see 'em!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm in the Chat Room right now and can walk you through it if you'd like.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Tried to copy the url into the picture icon, but no workee. I am posting from a desktop.
nashoba said
Tried to copy the url into the picture icon, but no workee.
What URL are you using? The image file URL must end in a valid image file extension (.jpg, .gif, or .png) and be publicly viewable online.
The easiest way to share videos is to upload them to YouTube first, then you can just paste the share link and the movie will auto-embed.
If problems persist, review these detailed instructions for adding photos to forum posts . If you don't already share photos online somewhere, you can start a free Tripawds blog any time and upload them there. Need further help? Post in the Tech Support forum !
Hope this helps! 
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
admin said
nashoba said
Tried to copy the url into the picture icon, but no workee.What URL are you using? The image file URL must end in a valid image file extension (.jpg, .gif, or .png) and be publicly viewable online.
The easiest way to share videos is to upload them to YouTube first, then you can just paste the share link and the movie will auto-embed.
If problems persist, review these detailed instructions for adding photos to forum posts . If you don't already share photos online somewhere, you can start a free Tripawds blog any time and upload them there. Need further help? Post in the Tech Support forum !
Hope this helps!
Koda is a big beautiful boy. It looks like he is getting around really well! He's going to rock this tripawd thing....
Denise, Bill and Angel Ellie
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
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