Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Does anyone have any experience with swimming a forequarter amputee? My lab LOVES swimming and I am fortunate enough to have a "pet resort" nearby with a heated dog pool. Her surgical incision is fully healed and she is undergoing chemotherapy. I have a dog lifejacket, is that the same as the ruff wear dog float that is mentioned? I am concerned that she might find it all too frustrating and as a result it does more harm than good. She is getting around really well now (surgery was Dec 21) and can do everything she used to do - except chew a bone which she can't hold properly with only one paw. Do they adapt and relearn how to swim reasonably easily? Appreciate any input and suggestions for making it a positive experience.
Tai – 9 yr old lab. Diagnosed Osteosarcoma Dec 18/09. Front right leg amputated Dec 21/09. Started chemo Jan 7/10. Lung mets discovered Sept 16/10. Valiant to the end on Oct 26/10 when cancer reappeared in a leg and we made the decision to set her free. Forever in my heart where not even cancer can take her from me.
Sorry, this is off your topic of swimming, but I can tell you from experience that Tai will figure the bone thing out. The first time I gave Harley a bone after his amputation, he couldn't figure out how to hold it and looked at me with this great panic in his eyes, like it was the first time he realized his leg was missing ... honestly, it broke my heart and I cried. Now, he has no problems with his bones, so don't worry, she'll figure it out!! 
Other dogs on here are swimmers, so someone will be along to help you out with your swimming questions.
-Gwen & Harley
Amputation on 11/10/09, due to Histiocytic Sarcoma in left elbow. Angel Harley earned his wings on 06/24/10.
WOW! Tai seems to recover very well! Way to go girl! You are amazing! I bet you will get used to chewing a bone with only one paw. And I bet you will adapt to a new swimming style!
This is great that Tai already has a lifejacket. That will be tremendously help her to keep swimming a positive experience. At the beginning, it may feel strange to her, but she will adapt quickly. With Oslo, we preferred that someone (my husband hahah the water was way to cold in september here ) be in the water with him for the first couple stick throws...just in case. Here is a topic where you can watch Oslo on his first day back in water. But watch how Caira Sue (the AWESOME tripawd) is fast. If you do not pay attention, you would think she is swimming with 4 legs.
http://tripawds.....t-engines/
Also, I remember how fast Jake (Jakesmom) amazed everyone when he was swimming. I think Jakesmom had some videos too.
An other advice from our experience with chemotherapy: tell your vet that you intend to go to a dog pool with Tai. He may not agree with that if Tai's WBC is low.
Suzanne and Oslo
Thanks Suzanne! Yes, Caira Sue was amazing at swimming. Before her amp she LOVED the water....which was interesting because she never came near it until she was 4 (we used to live in the desert). She learned by watching the other dogs swim.
I was scared to death to take her swimming! But I knew it was something she loved, knew other dogs had done it on 3 legs and was ready to hep her learn how.
I actually took her to a river (In Zion nat. park) and slowly tossed the ball further and closer, further and closer. She had this look of shear terror the first time she was off all 3 legs in the water! I felt horrible. I then kept throwing the ball where she would only be in chest deep. Then something weird happened, an 8 yr old girl came bounding down the river, having a blast. I don't know if Caira wanted to join in her fun or save her-but she took off after this girl!
Within 30 minutes this girl had Caira Sue swimming across the river, back and forth, back and forth. I wish I could remember that girl's name. It's just in writing this that I have a big grin on my face remembering her and that day. Oh, Caira Sue. I was so proud!
From that day on, she never balked at the water again. Sometimes she got in before I got her life vest on her (ruff wear)...and she would swim crooked. This ALWAYS scared me. But she didn't seem to mind. With the life vest on she swam straight as an arrow. Maybe not as far as she used to, but always happily and with a great big grin.
Thank you for posting this question. It has brought a great smile to me and flooded me with wonderful memories.
Mary
May 2001-Jan 21, 2010.....I'm a dog and I'm AWESOME!..... Always.
I also wanted to add that Caira Sue was a very bone oriented dog as well. She did the same thing...just plopped her bone down and looked up at me all pathetic. It crushed me! But it wasn't long til she figured out how to curve her one paw around the bone and cock it upwards at JUST the right angle to get a good chew goin'. So don't worry...if Tai wants to, Tai will be back to chewing bones in no time!
May 2001-Jan 21, 2010.....I'm a dog and I'm AWESOME!..... Always.
Can dogs still swim with a missing front leg?????????
You bet they can! Not only that, it's recommended therapy! Here is Comet just last month doing her treadmill with her physical therapist. The swimming comes next. She is a senior (11) and never had a functioning front leg - it's deformed. She loves water, too. They may not go in a perfect straight line, but they can use that tail as a rudder (?) and go forward.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Hey Tai, welcome to Tripawds! Oh we can't imagine a Labbie who doesn't swim. And we're betting that you're going to do just pawesomely!
I was a front left amputee, and I really, really dug swimming. Yes, the Ruff Wear Float Coat is a swim vest. Life jackets really help us swim much better. Because we're working out extra hard, we tend to dip down a little when we swim in lakes and stuff. My pawrents saw that the Float coat helped me keep my head above water and not take in so much water when I swam. I'm sure the one you already have will work just great.
We get so many people asking about whether or not Tripawds can swim, we started the Tripawd Dogs Swimming You Tube playlist on my channel.
Here's one of me!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yes, they can definitely swim again!!! My 10 yr old golden retriever Jake went swimming the day after his stitches were removed. He was so happy... I have a bunch of videos of him swimming on his blog at Jake's Journey. The swim vest/jacket definitely helped him with balancing... and the handle on top was convenient to helping him in and out of the pool. Jake was a right front leg amputee...
Angel Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
I'm really starting to feel like I should have gotten Comet's leg removed. Your pooches get along so much better than Comet does. I guess she has to adjust to the weight of the front limb. Her back hips look like they are crooked and have always looked that way. But she got pneumonia when she was scheduled to remove the deformed leg and it took months for her to get well. We then decided to keep it since she batted stuff with it since she can move her shoulder.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
McGwire too is a front amp and has gone swimming since his amp in July (6 months ago!). We got the ruff-wear float coat or whatever it's called specifically because it had an area of flotation in the front chest area that we thought would help him keep above water better and it did. He has never been graceful, in water or out, with 3 legs or 4, so I was worried how he'd do. He didn't have a lot of time in the water before it got too cold, but he did enjoy it. The first time, there was some definite fear, but he quickly settled down. His swim 'gait' was like his new walk, much more bouncy and uneven then before. If your lab loves water, then she'll quickly adjust.
Thanks everyone!!! I'm getting blood done tomorrow but if her whites are good and the vet says it's okay we are off to the pool!!!
Tai – 9 yr old lab. Diagnosed Osteosarcoma Dec 18/09. Front right leg amputated Dec 21/09. Started chemo Jan 7/10. Lung mets discovered Sept 16/10. Valiant to the end on Oct 26/10 when cancer reappeared in a leg and we made the decision to set her free. Forever in my heart where not even cancer can take her from me.
Thanks also to all of those people that told me about their dogs bone chewing successes. I bought a couple of nice big knuckle bones and decided to try again. Tai dove right in and has been knawing for an hour now. Maybe it was just that she needed time to adjust to her new "tripawdedness" before being overwhelmed with new tasks.
Tai – 9 yr old lab. Diagnosed Osteosarcoma Dec 18/09. Front right leg amputated Dec 21/09. Started chemo Jan 7/10. Lung mets discovered Sept 16/10. Valiant to the end on Oct 26/10 when cancer reappeared in a leg and we made the decision to set her free. Forever in my heart where not even cancer can take her from me.
Tai's CBC came back good and her whites were high enough that she got the "A OK" to head to the pool. Starts her first swim lesson on Saturday. Very exciting. Thanks everyone.
Tai – 9 yr old lab. Diagnosed Osteosarcoma Dec 18/09. Front right leg amputated Dec 21/09. Started chemo Jan 7/10. Lung mets discovered Sept 16/10. Valiant to the end on Oct 26/10 when cancer reappeared in a leg and we made the decision to set her free. Forever in my heart where not even cancer can take her from me.
OOoooh, break out the video camera! Congrats!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Trouble sends RooooRoooo's to Tai!
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
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