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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My sweet little guy (about two years) lost one of his back legs a year ago, after a freak fall. He recovered quickly and is unstoppable! He was 25 pounds before the surgery and he’s back up to the same weight, the little guy is super healthy and pure muscle. I’m trying to be get into running and would love him to come with me (and so would he) but my concern would be that he’d develop arthritis; which I’ve heard is very common with tripawds. I know rear leg amputations are better because of the weight distribution, but I also know that’s not a license to do anything. I just need some advice on how to love the little guy.
He’s also very active!
Hi Julia, welcome! I see that Sally is here and approving your topic so yay!
What kind of breed type is your pup? He is so lucky to have someone who is so thoughtful and conscientious about his physical needs and challenges. Yes, Tripawds will face osteoarthritis at much earlier ages than other four-legged dogs. Their bodies just aren't designed to move on 3 and that's not to say they can't enjoy life, but it does say that we parents need to be very mindful about the type of activity we allow them to do.
Some breed types are ready to run run run! But that doesn't necessarily mean they should So our recommendation is always to have your dog evaluated by a canine rehab therapist so that you can learn what his limitations and capabilities are today, and in the future. A therapist is also a great point of contact to have as he ages, so that you can ensure he's moving well and not in pain as he grows older.
The Tripawds Foundation can pay for your first rehab visit so please take advantage of the program! If you can't find a therapist I'm happy to help.
In the meantime, we love love love dog strollers for running with our Tripawd, and longer walks too. They are an awesome way to allow a Tripawd to get out in the world, sniff a little, ride in the stroller a little, and we all get our daily exercise. Most dogs really love the ride!
I hope this helps!
Hi Julia and your unstoppable piupper! What's his name?
Uour post jas been approved and you'll fi d good information on the site on how to care for _your tripawd.
One thing you might consider is having him evaluated by a Certifed Rehabilitation Specialist. The Tripawds Foundation will pah for the first visit. They can give you some good exercises to build his core and keep him strong and fit as a tripawd.
As far as taking him on runs with you, a couple of suggestions. In order to take him on "long runs" you might consider a stroller/cart to take with you. That way if he tires you can still accomplish your run but put him in the cart so he doesn't overdo. Then after he resr, he can get out and run some more with you.
As I'm sure you know, dogs enjoy catching all of the scents on the breeze, , stopping and sniffing anything and everything. It doesn't matter to them how far or how fast they run.
Not sure how much of a "run" you are thinking about, but hopefully the stroller or cart idea may help you run longer and keep him with you but with frequent rests and hen you push his Roayl Highnees along.
You are doing an excellent job doing everything you can to keep that little guy fit. Good job!!!
Higs
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!
Thank you so much. You guys are both so encouraging! We just want to give him the best life possible. His name is Finnway, and he was a rescue puppy so we don’t know his exact breed. Our vet said he looks like a Boston Terrier on stilts. So Boston Terrier is the base but we’ve heard people add everything from Jack Russell to Boxer to Pit Bull . His legs are lanky, but his base is solid. He’s so active anyway without adding extra exercise, but honestly it’s like he never gets enough. He loves running through the backyard trying to hunt squirrels and playing with our other dog.
I didn’t even know there were resources out there for him! So that’s very exciting. Is it pretty self-explanatory in the web page to get the first visit covered for the therapist?
I love the idea of getting him a little stroller! Right now I’m just starting out running myself, so we honestly can’t go too far. But eventually I would like to get longer distances and I know he would love to come with me.
Again, thank you guys so much for the advice.
-Julia and Finnway
Hi Julia, you are so welcome! I'm just thrilled you are asking great questions now instead of just going for it and waiting until something happens to join us (not too uncommon, unfortunately). Yep, even when a dog is missing a leg they will go go go! But it's up to us to regulate their activity so they don't overdo it and their joints stay happy and strong.
Congrats on getting started with running! I'm a runner myself and so is @admin here. We are currently training for our 7th marathon (Las Vegas!) on 11/3. I'll tell ya there is no better workout than pushing our Nellie in her stroller!
Our e-book Loving Life on Three Legs is a great resource about activity and health after recovery if you want to check it out. And yes the rehab reimbursement program is pretty easy. Just find a credentialed therapist, have your first evaluation, submit the receipt and narrative as describe on our page, and you're good to go! We are so crazy about this program because getting educated about a Tripawd's need is so important for a long healthy and injury free life. Holler with any questions.
Hello and welcome to you and Finnway!
You are asking great questions for Finnway's future well being.
My current rear amp Tripawd is a little Pug Mix named Elly. She lost her leg when she was 7 months old after being hit by a car. I adopted her when she was 10 months old and still FULL of puppy energy. Although she is only around 14.5 pounds she could easily jump up on a king size bed off her one back leg. She would get puppy zoomies and fly around the house. It took me a while to get her to use the stairs or stools I put next to the furniture but she finally got the hang of it. She has severe fear and anxiety issues which in a weird way worked in my favor as she was ridiculously cautious outside the house for the first year she was with me, she wouldn't venture more than a few feet away from me most of the time. As an example- she was afraid of the leaves blowing down the street!!!
Fast forward 9 years, she is now 9.5 years old. Unfortunately she had a weird accident two years ago and injured her one remaining hip. Since then her activity level has declined some but she still gets around fine. I've been a stroller dog mom on and off since 2006 when my first Pug Maggie lost a back leg to cancer. Since then I've used a stroller for 5 dogs as they dealt with knee surgery recoveries and age and arthritis issues. I walk 3 miles a day now (I'm not allowed to run anymore) and that is just far enough for my quad Pug mix Callie who is only 2 but way too far for Elly. I have a couple different strollers depending on where we go so that Elly can come along.
Another thing I have found beneficial for all my dogs for many reasons are food games and puzzles, I started Elly on them as soon as I got her. For Tripawds they are great for challenging the brain while being easy on the body as well as for improving strength and balance. In Elly's case they also helped her overcome some of her fears. Elly also learned the sport of Nose Work which is a great game for Tripawds. Elly is pretty much retired from competition now but we still go to class once a week and practice at home. Just be sure to account for all the extra treats in the daily allowed calories, or feed his meals in puzzles!
Here is a video I made a couple years ago showing just a few of the games and puzzles Elly has learned:
I also think that a rehab vet is a must for Tripawds. Elly had to go a couple times a week for treatment after her injury but now she only sees her rehab vet once a year for a checkup and to make adjustments to her exercise program, her meds and supplements as needed.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls and Boy
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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