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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Hi all!
I am currently trying to familiarize myself with what adopting a tripod dog would entail.
Upon a recent visit to a local rescue, I found the most beautiful little 3-legged border collie/brittany mix. The little guy is one of the most loving and active dogs I have ever met. He is 2-3 years old and has lived most of his life in a shelter. I whole-heartedly want to adopt him but my SO is worried about potential vet bills and challenges that we might face by aopting a tripod.
Any advice and/or insight into life with a tripod and potential health issues that may arise would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you! 
Hi and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
Wonderful that you are considering adopting the little guy! Is he missing a front or rear leg?
Here are a couple questions for you:
What is your lifestyle like? Lots of running, hiking or that type of thing? Can you spend time everyday on exercise and training?
Do you have other quad dogs?
It is true that Tripawds are missing their 'spare' leg, but they can live long, healthy active lives. There are some things to consider for the long term health of joints and muscles- certain explosive sports and long endurance activities are generally considered not good for a Tripawd. While they are young many can do these activities, but over the long term it will take a toll.
I recently adopted my second Tripawd, a young pug mix named Elly. At 7 months old she was hit by a car and lost her right rear leg. I adopted her at 10 months old, she is now about 17 months old. She has all kinds of energy to burn, but thankfully it is tempered a bit by the pug in her! We work on core strength every day through exercises, food puzzles, obedience and games.
My first Tripawd, a pug named Maggie, also lost a back leg but in her case it was cancer. Maggie lived almost 4 years after her surgery and we never had any medical issues due to the amputation. She was older and more laid back so the chances of her overdoing things was pretty low 
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
At 2-3 years old, the odds are that the dog lost his 'spare' leg either because of a birth defect or from an injury (most likely an injury). If it wasn't cancer, that's a better thing as far as vet costs. Is it a front or back leg? As far as future vet bills ... I would think that if you keep up his core strength, that he should do fairly well. Tripawds don't really have the long-distance endurance that they used to have - he probably won't want to run a marathon with you. Short walks are best. If you have wood floors, you might want to look into putting down runners or yoga mats, something for traction . If he's a front leg, then raised food dishes are helpful. A good harness is helpful for everyone (you can check them out on the main page under 'gear') - many of us use the Webmaster Ruffwear Harness, it has a handle on the top which is great for helping them in & out of the car.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Thanks for the insight Karen and Donna, very helpful!!
I do have one quad dog, a 5-year old lab. She is very calm but does enjoy going to the dog park every other weekend to run like mad with her friends. I would have time for training and exercise and about two walks daily but only time for more extensive training on weekends.
My lifestyle is relatively active in the summer (hikes, long walks, swimming) but otherwise pretty normal (just regular walks with my lab)
The tripawd from the shelter, Zeus, is missing his front left leg.
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