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 dog is a frontal amputee. He gets around ok but I can see that it tires him after a period. And I must consider that as he ages, mobility will be more challenging. It seems a wheel type unit would be smoother on the remaining leg than a stiff prosthetic post. Should I consider one over the other? I need to find something to get him accustomed. Have had him almost 2yr. Your thoughts?
Age: likely 3-5yr Weight: 18#
Was brought to SPCA w traumatic amputation to front leg, vets removed to shoulder
HI Kelly, I'm so glad you asked! And THANK YOU for adopting a Tripawd!
It's great you are thinking about his future mobility needs right now. The best person to assess how to help him stay strong, injury free, and whether or not he actually needs an assistive device, is a canine rehab therapist. They can assess where he strong and weak, and show you ways to get him in optimal condition so that he doesn't tire so easily, or need any kind of device at this point in his life. Plus, the Tripawds Foundation can pay for your first rehab visit so it's a win-win!
We see these mobility devices all over the place right now and it's normal to assume all 3-legged dogs can benefit from them. But we recommend saving that money for a therapy evaluation. The reality is that the vast majority of 3-legged dogs do not need an assistive device until an older age, as long as they are kept in good shape and lean. Our Wyatt, a German Shepherd, did not need a wheelchair until he was 10 years old (and he lost his leg as a puppy). Some giant breeds will benefit right away, but most smaller dogs do well without. A therapist you can check in with occasionally can show you how to keep him as strong as possible, for as long as possible.
Keep in touch and let us know what you learn!
Hello and welcome to you and your pup, what's his name?
You are smart to think about his long term health now. My current Tripawd is a little rear amp Pug Mix (15#) who lost her leg at 7 months old after being hit by a car, she is now 9.5 years old. I adopted Elly when she was 10 months old and she had severe anxiety and fear issues, mostly not related to her accident but she was understandably afraid of cars when she came to me.
I kept her fit and strong and always intended to take her to a rehab vet when I could build her confidence but life got in the way and it wasn't the highest priority. Unfortunately Elly injured her remaining hip in a weird accident about 2 years ago and that forced me to find a rehab vet. They did treatment on her hip and prescribed meds and supplements. I had always done exercises with her but I got a specific program to rebuild her strength and keep her as strong as possible. We now do an annual check up to update meds and exercises.
We play lots of food games and puzzles to work on strength and balance without too much stress on her joints. We also do the sport of Nose Work which is another great low impact game for Tripawds. I have stairs or stools near all the furniture she is allowed to access. And we use a stroller now on every walk- I have a 2 year old quad-PugMutt who needs to go 2 or 3 miles a day and that is too far for Elly. She walks some and rides the rest of the time.
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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