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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Riley is my 9 month Golden Retriever. Even though I researched so much, the lying breeder sold me a dog with SEVERE hip dysplasia on the right side and mild on the left. Riley had FHO surgery and suffered the rare side effect of sciatic nerve damage. They amputed on Demember 29th. He gets around, but doesn't seem to have a lot of energy. I read about all these other dogs running and jumping and I think something must be very wrong. Am I expecting too much too soon? He swims wonderfully and is happy, but it seems he would rather just lay around then do puppy things - except for chewing furniture.
I have posted 3 different times. I am new here and I guess I still haven't figured out how to et these things to post.
Hi Riley's Mom, it sounds like Riley is doing very well given the fact that it is only 3 weeks post-op. Be patient and go with his pace instead of yours. As long as he eats well and you feel that he is happy, just let him take his time resting, lying around. There is nothing wrong about it. (furniture chewing IS a puppy thing! 
) After all, amputation is a major surgery, and it does take time to recover. Remember that every dog is different. Glad to hear that he likes swimming. It is a very good total body workout, less impact exercise to help strengthen the muscles. Have you checked with the vet? what did he say about Riley's energy level?
Please keep us posted on Riley's well being! Hugs.
Not that I have any first hand knowledge on this matter, but I figured I should ask anyway: is he still on pain medication? Maybe the pain meds are making him a bit "lazier" than usual!
I am sorry that your dog has hip dysplasia and needed amputation. Swimming is a great way to build up the muscles on his other leg. Large breed puppies still have lots of growing to do (until 18 months of age) so to help his other hip I would either put him on large breed puppy food or go right to adult food. Regular puppy food might make him grow too fast or make him fat which would be bad for his other hip. I would also add a glucosamine supplement daily.
It seems like he is not painful but it might take him a while to build up strength in that other rear leg so don't expect too much too soon! I would just give him more time.
Pam and Tazzie
He isn't on any pain meds. Really, his nature is a bit lazy so I guess he is just doing what comes naturally. He sure perked up this morning when one of the cats fell in the pool. I am going to try and introduce him to the harness today and maybe work a little on the car ramp. When he first saw it he looked at me like I was crazy. - no way he was walking on that.
Thank you all for your answers. I guess I just want him to finally be OK since his short life has been so trauma filled so far.
That is really sad he has had to go through this so young. Our dog started on Metacam (months before amputation) for mild hip dysplasia and a little arthritis in his back, what a huge difference that made. We gave him the nickname Billy -as in goat- because he woud climb hills like crazy. Maybe medication or supplements are something you could ask your vet about. Just remember if he were a person we wouldn't expect much from him at all for months. If the vet finds nothing wrong I'm sure he'll do what he can in his own time.
I hope your riley is doing better now. It is hard when they have to go through so much at such a young age. I took in a mangey and emaciated stray who, within days of starting his mange treatment, suddenly took off after a slow-driving car one day while out walking and lost a front leg in the process. He was up within a day of amputation (Early Feb 09), but he seems to have only the shortest bursts of energy and long walks are a thing of the past. Apart from that, he seems very happy and loves nothing better than car drives - we await delivery of his Ruff Wear harness , which I hope will help with lifting. Unfortunately though, he loves his food and is putting on too much weight. My other dog and I love long walks and it is difficult now that Hardy has become such a slow, reluctant walker - I too read with envy of the other dogs who seem to be so fit and energetic. Hardy is about 2 years old. I wish you and Riley all the best - I hope by now he is much stronger and has no further problems.
1 Guest(s)
