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 everyone,
i need to start by saying this website has been a lifesaver. I would not have made it thru this withput the support, knowledge and stories from all of you. My golden Abby is two weeks post op a front leg amputation for a complete fracture from OSA. This is her second osteosarcoma site. Last year she was diagnosed with nasal OSA. She is doing really well and is using the ramps and hopping around however ..... i am worried about her remaining legs. I had no idea she had a tumor on her leg until she stopped pitting weight on it when it fractured out of no where. The vet did not xray her other legs. Has anyone had OSA occur in more than one leg? I feel like i watch her like a hawk and baby her because i am worried about her getting hurt. I know i need to just let her be a dog at this point. I am also worried about her back legs. She is almost 11. She never showed signs of arthritis but is there anything i can do to help keep her back legs strong. She is on a very intense holistic regimen of about 20 supplements for her nasal OSA. So she is already on fish oil and omegas and other joint supplements. I have noticed that she stands funny since her amputation. I guess that is to help balance her weight. She is a front right amputation and when she stands she kinda leans to the left and puts her back feet out wider than she used to. Is this eventually going to affect her hips and knees? She is not an extremely active dog (she’s an 11 year old golden after all. Haha) and she doesnt go for walks. Only goes out in fenced back yard. Not because i dont want to walk her. She doesnt like it. Even when she was younger she didnt like walks. She isnt a typical golden. She doesnt really like kids or other dogs. She isnt easy going. Shes bossy and vocal and stomps her feet if she doesnt get her way. But shes super attached to me and i love her. I think my dogs have doggie identity disorder. I think my golden thinks shes a pitbull and my pitbull thinks hes a 5 pound chihuahua. Haha. Again thanks for all the advice and support
Haha! I loved hearing yiur description of Abby as a very untypical Golden! Such a delightful gal with her own uniqueness!! 🙂
You're probably gon a hear z "chorus" of us asking you to see if a Rehab specialist can help her. A lot of us have seen such great results. The Tripawds Foundation will reimburse you for the first appointment up to $200.
Abby is only two weeks post amp and is finding the best way to adjust to her new mobility, all while recovering from major sjrgery. A d this early in recovery, it sounds like she is ajrhead of the curve!
The stance you described sou ded pretty normal for a front legger. The front leg tends to be placed more in the center a d the back legs placed for balance. Can you post a licture or video?
As an older gal, she may indeed have some arthritis in her rear legs that hasn't really shown up" yet. It's pretty common in "mature" pups.
It's rare that osteo goes from one leg to the either. It can happen, but rare.
From what you've said, Abby is doing nust fine!!! Quite an amazing gal!! It's hard not to worry abrlut the future, but Abby certainly seems to be enjoying her life to the fullest and has no intention of slowing down.
Continue to LIVE IN THE. NOW. Be More Dog ! BE MORE ABBY! 🙂 🙂 🙂 MAKE EVERY MOME T COU T!!! EVERYDAY IS ABBY DAY!! 🙂
HAPPY TWO WEEK AMPUVERSARY!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
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!
You'll probably notice that Abby is standing, and even sitting, in a tripod stance - back legs a little apart, remaining front leg centered. Murphy did that and most of us think it's just beautiful! 
And they leave the most amazing foot print pattern. It helps them to balance better. Murphy used to run pretty well on just 3, but sometimes he would face-plant ...he didn't really care, he would just get back up and keep running. Most Tripawds have amazing spirit and don't let too much get them down.
Like Sally said, it's pretty rare for osteo to show up in more than one place, but we all worry about it. So obviously none of us will tell you not to worry, you will.
Try massage for Abby's back - she will probably love it. It helps those tight muscles to loosen up. Seeing a rehab specialist is a great idea - they can show you the right exercises to do that will help to keep her in better shape. We put it off for a long time, but I wish we had gone sooner. Just some simple stretches can help. Murphy also benefited from chiropractic adjustments (also done by the rehab vet).
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
Your worries are totally normal and as you've read from Donna and Sally, Abby is doing what Tripawds do. The stance is typical of a front-leg Tripawd and yep, we all worry about things like cancer re-appearing. But know that you are doing lots to ensure she has a comfortable life on three, good job!
Has Abbey seen a rehab therapist yet? If not that's one of the very best things you can do. They will evaluate her for strengths and weaknesses in her body and help you help her get stronger through home exercises. The best part is that the Tripawds Foundation will even pay for your first rehab visit ! That's how strongly we feel that rehab can help a new Tripawd, especially a senior gal. Because of their stance, a Tripawd dog's body will compensate in other areas and you may see soreness in places she hasn't been sore before. But a therapist can help you understand where that soreness happens and how to alleviate it.
If you haven't already I encourage you to read our e-book Three Legs and a Spare , as we have lots of great information that will help alleviate many of your concerns. And you can always post here too, we're happy to help!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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