Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My German Shepherd was hit by a car, which shattered her elbow. This happened two or three years ago and she will turn 7 on the 22nd. Unfortunately, I've been in college and my parents aren't really dog people. They've been caring for her since I went to college and I'm working hard to get her back in October. By now of course, she's used to having three legs and she's on a high glucosamine diet to prevent arthritic pain and we're trying to keep her weight down (currently 60lbs, probably needs to be 59 or 58 [and still managing to keep that wolfish figure!]).
Unfortunately, she is not getting enough exercise. To make matters worse, she can barely walk half a mile without needing a break and is completely pooped after a full mile. Does anyone have a good exercise regimen for tri-paweds? I want her to be able to run, jump, etc without limitation, the way she used to, but I don't want to start too fast and she can't tell me what's too much and what isn't. I can't stand to see my baby, whom I chose for her awesome energy, reduced to this. Any idea how long it would take to get her to be normal?
Also, I can tell when she starts to get tired on her walks because she starts dragging her rear left toes and limping. She's done this since the accident.
Oh, and she's a front leg amputee, so swimming is out.
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Welcome Lupa!
Pretty girl! What's here name?
Interesting you say that swimming is out because my ortho vet and many other's recommend it. We swim all the time over here for exercise! Dogs can can swim fine and dandy with one front leg!
Here's my little girl at the rehab center:
But I have to admit that 1 mile seems like a long distance for a tripawd. Comet was born without a front functioning leg and she is almost 12 but even as a puppy she couldn't walk a mile. A half a mile was pushing it and she's only 39lbs.
Our admins have a german shep with a rear leg missing that is young, may be they can chime in and tell you how far he goes.
It sounds to me like you are doing everything right. But if you can get her to swim, I would highly recommend it!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Thanks for joining and welcome to Tripawds!
If Lupa (Is that her name?) is overdoing it, cut way back on her exercise and start over. If she's sitting down on her walks, she's overdone it. Focus on balance and core strengthening exercise. Don't focus on endurance, all tripawds will tire quicker.
Be sure to watch our vdeo interview with California Animal Rehab for excellent stretching and exercise tips for tripawds.
Swimming is also excellent therapy. Other than that, work on lots of transitions – sit, down, stand, repeat – and unstable surface work, either using balance pads, pillows or a buja board. High-stepping over poles on the ground and weaving in and out of cones is also helpful. Check out Maggie's blog for more agility and exercise tips and videos.
Finally, normal is relative. While you can certainly help your pup get her strength back, as Dr Waldman recommends, you will need to get used to "the new normal". We look forward to hearing your updates. Please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Awesome, thank you! Lupa loves splashing in water, but swimming has never been her thing. I've always wanted to do some informal agility with her; it's good to know it's still an option!
Emily still liked to jump on the trampoline.
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Hi Luna!
Maggie here! I'm a GSD cross and not too fond of water/swimming either! I am a retired agility dog! And yup, I still "play" one here at home! My Mom downscaled what I do and how much I do but man oh man, you shoulda seen me doing a course of hoops last night! My Mom said to me "you still got it"!!!!!
Maggie The AgileCowDog
PS I did the baby seesaw last night! See I still got it!!!! 
OK,
Maggie's Mom here... As Admin pointed out...be sure not to overdo it. It is WAY easy for me to go overboard with Maggie cause she's so food driven, she'll do anything! But then later, I realize she's done too much by being sore and/or too tired in her remaining rear leg. Do short stints of exercises and as Admin pointed out, check out my videos of rehab. work! It's great fun! Maggie loves it...we just have to keep it short and not overdo it. She's never gonna return to "before amp" state as far as physical abilities...so we play what we can for how long that we can 🙂
Tracy
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
First of all, I can TOTALLY RELATE to the whole going off to college, parents taking care of your dog and not being huge dog people. I just graduated from college (in june) and it was so hard coming home to find a lump on my dog's leg and having it turn out to be cancer. She had a soft tissue sarcoma that was confined to the area, so luckily the amputation made her cancer free. Leaving 2 weeks after her amputation to start grad school was also hard because I was so worried what would happen to her within the 5 weeks she and I would be apart. Chloe will be coming up on the 18th and I am SO EXCITED!!!
It wasn't a for sure thing that she would be able to move up with me and I too had to fight to bring Chloe. In the last couple months (pre and post amputation), I have been able to convince both roommates and my landlord that my dog Chloe will not be trouble. They had concerns about her going up/down stairs being 3 legged and all, and I referred them to a video of Jerry (former admins' dog) going up/down no problem. By the way, Chloe is now a pro at stairs. It didn't help that I moved 350mi north of home, so I couldn't bring her right after the procedure. I would have to wait for my parents to come bring her up. My advice is to keep fighting for her to live with you!
With the exercise thing, sounds like you have already gotten great advice. I can't relate to what you are going through with that because Chloe has always loved going on walks and she can do about 2 mi no problem (not going to push her though). Once she is up with me, I will be doing more core work and strength training with balance balls and commands like sit, stand, down etc...
I wish you the best of luck!!!!
-Chloe's mom
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
Thanks guys! I try not to overdo it with Lupa. I think my main concern is what to expect her to be, as far as health and being in shape go. My parents don't walk her, so she's gained weight and she actually strained her back from stairs. She's fallen down stairs a couple of times, so we try to make it so the stairs on the porch are the only ones she uses. I think her long back (GSD here) gives her trouble going down them.
She LOVED long walks before the surgery and is still over enthused at the sight of a leash and I just want her to be able to enjoy long walks again, or at least as long of a walk as possible. She's never been a lazy dog and I want to get her back in action. I know she'll be happier this way. My parents think less exercise is better, but I think they are just excusing their own laziness (LOVE them, but they are lazy!).
Sometimes people are afraid that tripawds can't do things or it will hurt them. The vet probably said not to let Lupa over do things. Maybe they are not so much lazy as afraid of hurting her.
However, you are rightl. She needs her exercise but you will have to start slow so that she can build her stamina. Even though tripawds can do everything a four legged dog can do that doesn't mean that there isn't additional strain on her remaining limps. I'm glad to hear that she is on a good diet so with that and you back from college I bet she will start building up that staimina real soon.
Good luck with getting her back in October. If your parents aren't dog people they probably won't care.
Debra & Angel Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
You might try taking the extra pounds off. It makes a huge difference in their mobility. Trouble is old and arthritic, but now that we've taken 11 pounds off her, she is getting around significantly better and with fewer rest periods. Don't try exercising it all off, cut back on the calories and give her time to adjust.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
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