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, Our boy Branson had his left hind leg amputated 4 weeks ago (May 30, 2017). He is a 6 month old Golden Retriever / Yellow Lab and doing AWESOME! Branson from time to time will squat down when he walks so that his butt almost touches the ground. We are unsure why. Is it pain in the remaining leg, do we allow him to do to much, is it normal adjustment to being a tripod, is it a balance issue, just how he walks now from time to time, is it easier for him (don't see how that can be it). We just don't know. My husband and I are like first time parents, we have not owned a dog in 17 years and then to have him have to have a leg amputated due to a landing break, has made us a bit paranoid, or over cautious, and mostly completely lost!
Any help about this dropping down or squatting when walking would be great.
Sounds like Branson definitely needs to work on rebuilding strength in that remaining leg, and develop better core strength. FYI: Walks do not build strength, only stamina. If he sits on a walk he's gone too far!
please consider seeing a CCRT or CCRP for a professional evaluation and exercises you can do at home. The Tripawds Foundation - Maggie Moo Fund for Tripawd Rehab - may even pay for your first visit!
Or, checkout the recommended starter exercises or download Loving Life On Three Legs for more helpful tips, articles, and how-to videos.
And welcome! Best wishes for Branson, please keep us posted. Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
WOW!! A six month old Retriever/Lab on three legs.....quite a handfull!!
Great links and advice from the Admin Guy.
Just curious how much running and jumping arpund he has been doing? The first two weeks of recovery were just meant for potty breaks and that's it. No jumping, no running, no chasing balls, no jumping up in the air to catch frisbees, etc. What does a day in the life of Branson look like?
Stay connected and update when you can, okay? We're here to help in any way we can. And we would love more pictures of your precious pup!
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!
My dog has been doing this too. We're only 9 days out from surgery and today is the first day I've seen him do it. I'm wondering if he is using the other leg too much too soon? I'm going to look through some of the exercises posted. I think he definitely needs to build up strength in his other leg and/or core. Let me know if you find anything out about this! I'm keeping Milhouse in a lot today since it's raining. I'm hoping the rest day will help!
Milhouse said
My dog has been doing this too.
Hi Milhouse, welcome! Please feel free to start a new topic all your own so we can follow along with your journey. Tell us more about him there, like his age, reason for amputation, etc.
Nine days out of surgery is very early. Most new human amputee patients wouldn't be running laps the way animals tend to want to do. It's up to us to work up their exercise gradually, and definitely not until those stitches are out. The earliest days of mobility tend to be wobbly and filled with stops and starts, that's not unusual. As long as you keep a good reign on his activity (check out our e-book Loving Life On Three Legs and the Tripawds Gear blog for lots of tips on how to do that), he should be fine.
Also please consider visiting a certified canine rehabilitation therapist who can show you how to help your pup be happy and strong the rest of his life. The Tripawds Foundation may even pay for your first rehab visit !
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just going in to say DITTO THE ADVICE RE SEEING A REHAB VET. Even just an introductory session could be invaluable in terms of teaching you exercises you can do at home, and helping you develop a suitable exercise and activity schedule.
It does sound like too much walking too soon, to be honest. Of course, it must be very challenging to contain a six month old lab/retriever. But core strength exercises can be fun to do together, and they will certainly help to tire Branson out (in a good way). Have you also tried any mental activation games? Food puzzles, that sort of thing? Nina Ottosson makes great ones. Again, it is something you can do together, which is really mentally tiring and relaxing for Branson, but doesn't place a strain on his body.
Good luck with it all, and stay connected. This is a fantastic place to come for support and information. There is no need to feel lost, just shout!
All best wishes,
Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
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