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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Novak is 1 month post amputation(rear left) and I started to walk with him and let him play with his house mates. He's doing excellent, when he runs alone, he's perfect, but when he want to run after another dog or ball, his rear end doesn't follow as quick and he bends a lot on the right rear leg, its like, when he want to go really really fast, the rear right doesnt go as fast. Is it just because its new and he need to build muscle in that rear leg and learn a bit more this 3 legged thing?Â
It can take them a while to build up their muscles. One month isn't really that long. My Daisy was still laying around at one month post amp but then she kinda always was a lay about. Lol.
My little Biscuit would wear out quickly when I first adopted him (he was only about 2 months post amp). Now 2 years later he has a really strong core and his remaining back leg is solid muscle. That being said when he has been running wild at the dog park he'll have a hard time jumping up into the car and up on the couch because that poor back leg will be all worn out.
Give Novak some time and that back leg will be really strong. Remember it is doing the work of 2 legs now.
Marla, Biscuit and Spirit Daisy
My Two Tripawds...Biscuit 
and Spirit Daisy 
In the fourth week, we started with really short walks - about 5 - 7 houses. I think Novak is more active and in better shape than Otis even pre-amp, but don't worry too much now.  Try to keep his activity reasonable as he develops strength.  He looks great, and it must be really hard to come to a stop on three legs so quickly after a full run. Â
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016.  Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016.  Lung mets August 25, 2016.  Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016.  Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma. Â
Wherever they are, they are together.
I always marvel at how handsome Novak is...happy and handsome!! 🙂
Yeah, I agree with Marla. Also, many vets say it takes avout one month to get all the mobility issues worked out as far as how to maneuver on tnree legs and getting coordinated, etc. No worries.
I aactually didn't see what you were referencing until Novak had made several fast sprints after the ball. THAT was a lot of exertion! It also seems that, because he runs at such as fast pace and is so laser focused on the ball, he's figuring out how to put on the brakes with just three legs!
I'm sure others will give you links to rehabilitation and to building core muscles, etc. For now though, just relax a d enjoy how really well and how really happy Novak is!!!!! Enjoy the journey, Novak sure is!!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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!
Hey there 
I agree with the others, you've got to give Novak a bit more time.
He is doing REALLY well 
 and perfect dressageÂ
Donne, assis, reste, ok ! Perfect !Â
What a gorgeous doggie!
Sending you a big kiss and cuddles to NovakÂ
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4Â May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30Â Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)Â
He looks like he's doing great!Â
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
Ok that's what I thought, but wanted reassurance 🙂  I know its been only 1 month, but wanted to make sure that it was in the "normal" range of adaptation. I want to mesure his thigh to see how big it will grow LOL just for fun. Im finishing soon all the meds regiment for his oesophagus problem and then I will begin physio.
It's always good to check!
I brought Elly home 3 months after her rear amp due to a car accident. She was fully healed from the surgery but because she was being fostered with lots of other dogs she didn't get the walking and strengthening exercises that she needed. No fault of the foster mom- she saved her life! But she could only walk short distances without tiring and her back leg would still give out on her when she went to run like Novak. It actually makes sense when you think about it- quad dogs push off with both of their back legs when doing those quick moves, our rear amps are down 50% of that power!
We have been working on walking distances and her core and leg strength ever since she got here (10 months ago) and she is very strong now. Keep working with Novak and that leg will get stronger.
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
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        Maggie's Story          Amputation and Chemo
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