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
So, somewhat new to the forum here, but I have a young (~1 year old) who had a leg amputated due to a car accident as a puppy (before I owned her). I got her six weeks after her amputation, and have been really enjoying the enthusiasm she applies to pretty much all aspects of life.
Before Beetle, I've had a number of four leggers, all of whom had their own medical needs and issues through their lives. One of the things I've noticed with all of the dogs who had have musculature or bone related pains was that swimming made a huge difference in their strength and comfort. Having never owned a tripawd (or really interacted with one) before Beetle, I don't know what to expect on the difficulties of tossing her in water. My experience with swimming dogs is that most of them do their heavy glide paddling with their hind legs. Beetle is missing her left hind, which makes me a little concerned that she may not have enough push power to keep her body at a comfortable float/movement level.
Anyone else dealt with this process or have any tips? It's summer and swimming is upon us -- now I just need to teach my puppy how to swim!
Hi Kel! Hop over to the chat, I'm in there for a bit. I'll answer your post next....
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Well Beetle is a lucky pup to have you for a pawrent! Sure sounds like you have good experience in coping with medical issues and such. Hopefully she won't have any issues. Did she have any after-effects from the car accident like nerve damage elsewhere?
So about swimming...yes, Tripawds can swim! Whether they're missing a rear or front leg, they can definitely do it. But in our experience and in talking to rehab vets, there are things to keep in mind:
- Swimming builds endurance, and of course it's summer so go out there and have fun! But keep in mind that it doesn't build strength, which is what you need for longer times in the water. To get a Tripawd strong, you need to focus on core strengthening activities and balance games. Here are some rehab and fitness tips for Tripawds.
- K9 Float Coats are so helpful. Are they necessary? For most dogs, not really, they can swim without them usually. But they DO help. We noticed a huge difference with our Jerry when we started using one on him. He swallowed less water and was able to stay in much, much longer. And for Wyatt, a rear-legger, he can also swim better and longer with it. A float coat is real piece of mind and our favorite that we've tried is the Ruffwear model.
When Beetle does start swimming, go slow and try to do it where the water is warm. If you're thinking of swimming for rehab and conditioning, here's a blog post about choosing a rehab practitioner for hydrotherapy.
I hope this helps! We can't wait to follow your adventures!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just want to say WELCOME BEETLE!! Sounds like you hit the puppy lottery by picking this human! You clearly are a very loved pup!
Can't wait to see pictures and videos of your first swim....or just pictures in general! You sound adorable!
Wonderful advice and links from. Jerry to help guide you through the world of tripawds.
Hugs to Beetle!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Howdy and welcome!!! YEAH, we need pictures!!
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
Our Murphy was also a rear leg Tripawd due to being hit by a car. He absolutely LOVED to swim. We got him a Float Coat for open water swimming. He would get soooo excited when he saw it. He was a powerful swimmer prior to his accident and did work himself up to long pool swims without the jacket. However, I would highly recommend getting a Float Coat . With flotation under the belly and neck as well as on the back, they are loads better than the standard doggie life jackets that only have flotation on the back. Here is a video of Murphy, so you can see how well they can do.
https://youtu.b.....vYLDApPYM0
Kathi and the Turbotail April Angel...and the Labradork
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
1 Guest(s)
