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,
I was just checking - we have a tripawd with a rear leg amputated - does most tripawd parents- utilize a cart/walker or allow them to just get around on their 3? thank you for any reply:)
Hi Sweetpea,
I had a front left (deformed birth defect) tripawd and we let her get around on 3 legs. We did have a stroller for walks after she had knee surgery in her middle age. But even then, she wasn't keen on it. She managed for 12+ years on three legs.
Most people here usually let them go 3-legged! I think the rear amps have an easier time due since their head is heavy and the front ones have to carry it.
Are you having troubles with mobility?
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.
Hi Sweetpea - like Cometdog said, most folks here just let their dogs hop on three! Unless there are some mobility issues.
Hope your pup is doing well,
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
I can't resist sharing this video of Tate on 3
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
tatespeeps said
I can't resist sharing this video of Tate on 3
Yes, it's so fantastic how they get used to run on three legs and so fast
Wonderful!
Chloe hops around on 3 legs no prob! Recent xrays showed initial signs of arthritis developing in her lower lumbar region. Not a surprise since she is 11 yrs old and has been a rear amp tripawd for almost 2 years now. If she lives long enough for the arthritis to start really kicking in, one option is a cart of some kind. But until then she gets along just fine!
-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
Hi Sweetpea,
Most humans instantly assume that a Tripawd will need a cart after surgery but that isn't always the case. As this article points out, carts can be great aids to dogs with pre-existing orthopedic conditions but most Tripawds do fine without, especially if they are in good shape. As they get older, or if you want to go on longer walks of more than 30 minutes at a time, they are beneficial. Here's more about that:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
And just one thing I wanted to add....
You want their legs strong and using any kind of assistant for walking causes the muscles to get weak. So, a cart is the last resort.
Daisy, one of our favorite late tripawds here lost her back leg due to a accident and she could never walk without assistance and had to get a wheelchair . But it's rare they don't usually adjust to 3 legs.
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.
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