Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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For those of you who haven't seen the blog, Rosie is our 6month old French Mastiff pup born with a front leg deformity that resulted in amputation. My question here is "Is there a resource for raising a Tripawd right?" Obviously, she is going to be a big girl when she is done growing and at this point the race is on to raise her to be as strong and healthy as possible. I have the obvious concerns about 'protecting' her good front leg since (with luck), she's going to be hopping around on it for the next 10 years. Arthritis, alignment issues, even a strained muscle in that leg would be terrible since it is such a key part of the equation. And lately, as she is hitting yet another growth spurt and having some 'growing pains', I just can't tell if I'm being over protective or not protective enough. So, those of you who started out in the puppy stage, how did you deal with the wear and tear of growing up??
Cheers,
K
janeothejungle said:
"Is there a resource for raising a Tripawd right?"
You have found it, right here! 
Be sure to check out our Tripawds Health Videos. Recent additions to Jerry's health video playlist include some great interviews with animal rehab specialists regarding massage techniques, stretches, and exercises vital to keeping tripawds on their toes.
Rosie is certainly a growing machine! Looks like she even has another dog sprouting from her ear. 
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
"Is there a resource for raising a Tripawd right?"
Yes, it's called "Do as I Say, Not as I Did. A Guide on How Not to Spoil Your Dog as Rotten as Comet." by Comet's mom.
Chapter 1: "Saturday Night Shouldn't Be Donut Night"
Chapter 2: "Really? A Treat Just Because I Went and Checked the Mail?"
Chapter 3: "Is 14 Doggie Beds Necessary?"
Chapter 4: "The Kitchen is NOT a Doggie Buffet"
That's all we're up to so far! More to come…
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.
Okay, seriously...
Right or wrong - I did nothing special, except spoil her. But keep in mind, I didn't see her disabilities - I only saw/see her emotional problems. She, being from a hoarder home made her emotionally afraid of strangers. So, the only thing I've done special is worry about making her happy and safe. Fear has ruled our world more than the inability to walk on 4 legs.
I make sure she doesn't walk in a pot hole or jump off the couch anymore. But that's only because she's a senior. She had full reign when she was younger. I personally think those front legs are tough because I've never had any problems - it was always her back legs that gave her problems. She blew out her knees. But she also danced and twirled on her hind legs.
I get the "Worst Pawrent to a Tripawd" Award!
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.
cometdog said:
I get the "Worst Pawrent to a Tripawd" Award!
Hah! NOT!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
janeothejungle said:
My question here is "Is there a resource for raising a Tripawd right?"
We try to be that resource here, and we'll constantly be adding new health tips and discussions about fitness and mobility for Tripawds, so stay tuned. We will be having a live chat with Dr. Wardman of California Animal Rehabilitation in a couple of weeks, so get those questions ready!
Meanwhile, I would say try not to worry too much. Use common sense. Jumping up into trucks and onto furniture isn't the best for any dog's spine (of course it's hard to stop 'em when they want to!), so when it comes to a Tripawd, you'll just have to be extra vigilant.
I think you'll find that Rosie in time will be able to show you how she has had enough when it comes to playtime or activity. The clues are subtle, and might not even be there when other dogs are present, so you'll just need to remain extra aware of her "normal" behavior versus her super tired behavior. Sometimes it's hard to tell but as you grow together you'll see it'll happen. Plus, big dogs are just darn mellow, so I'll bet you that it won't take long.
Try not to worry. My philosophy is, "let them be a dog" and just make sure they're not going to hurt themselves, just the same as you would not want a four-footer to hurt themself. You'll get the hang of it.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
cometdog said:
"Is there a resource for raising a Tripawd right?"
Yes, it's called "Do as I Say, Not as I Did. A Guide on How Not to Spoil Your Dog as Rotten as Comet." by Comet's mom.
Chapter 1: "Saturday Night Shouldn't Be Donut Night"
Chapter 2: "Really? A Treat Just Because I Went and Checked the Mail?"
Chapter 3: "Is 14 Doggie Beds Necessary?"
Chapter 4: "The Kitchen is NOT a Doggie Buffet"
That's all we're up to so far! More to come…
----------------------------
HOLY COW! We already mastered chapters 3 and 4.... I think we also read the addendum on Monkeyface: "So if I make it, I get cuddles and kisses?" also, "the human bed: why I deserve it and you should sleep on the couch"
Donuts?
Cheers,
Rosie's maidservent
Ha!Ha!
Has Rosie become a permanent member of your family yet?
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.
Thanks for posting this Rosie. I have been considering the same things with Dante as he grows and gets more and more brave every day, and more and more active. I swear this last week he must've grown an invisible fourth leg with the way he's moving around and running and jumping. But with that comes the worries of protecting his other leg like you said and keeping him and his muscles and joints healthy!
munko said:
... the worries of protecting his other leg like you said and keeping him and his muscles and joints healthy!
We all worry about that once our pups lose their spare leg. Maggie told us about the K9 Super Fuel supplement she has used to help build muscle strength in agility dogs. On the Tripawds Nutrition blog we recently wrote about the popular Dasuquin joint supplement for dogs and on the Supplements page, we have also compiled various links for information about glucosamine and joint supplements for dogs.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We all worry about that once our pups lose their spare leg
Take it from someone that has had 11+ years of tripawdness, try hard not to worry about the one leg! The reason I say this is because you are going to find a gazillion other reasons to worry over the coming years!
I'm only speaking from experience, if you start worrying, then you'll start coddling them! Your nerves will be frayed by the time they are a senior.
Plus, if they are like Comet, then they'll be demanding!
Mommy, get off the computer! NOW!
Mommy, get off the phone! NOW!
Mommy since you are up, get me a cookie!
Mommy, I can't get in my bed because you haven't fluffed the cooties out!
Mommy, since you are ready to watch TV, get up and get me a cookie
Mommy, make Rocket move.
Mommy, you've had enough coffee, I'm ready to go to the park.
Mommy, since we are in the car, break out the treats!
And that's just a sampling of our conversations!
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.
Uh oh, I have spoiled dogs by the sounds of those conversations. We don't use treats but we do get talked into doing other things, like snuggling on the couch and such!
Dante is a sweet talker and he knows it, too!
cometdog said:
I'm only speaking from experience, if you start worrying, then you'll start coddling them!
So very true. We recently received some advice from the good folks at California Animal Rehabilitation that the best thing we can do for our Tripawds is to normalize their lives as much as possible. Don't baby. Treat them as normally as you can (while keeping their limitations in mind), and you'll have a strong, hoppy, healthy Tripawd.
As for Comet's demands, well, I"m waiting for her to ask for the keys to her Mom's car!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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