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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I have a 6 year old lab that we are thinking about amputation because of his severed achilles tendon. There is a surgery that can be performed but it has only a 60% success rate and is $2500. Looking maybe to amputate. This was my waterfowl dog, he is AWESOME and I couldn't see putting him down at only 6 years old. He is great with our kids. Just wanting some opinions on how 100lb (all muscle) lab would do with 3 legs. Thanks Art
Every dog is different, but too many times we hear from people putting their dogs through multiple, painful expensive surgeries only to end up amputating anyway. If Jixxer – if that's his name – is otherwise fit and healthy, he should recover quickly and adapt well to life on three legs. We've had plenty of bid dogs do awesome around here, and others have even continued to hunt, albeit in moderation.
You'll find lots of recovery and care tips in Jerry's Required Reading List, and for immediate answers to the most common dog amputation questions download the new Tripawds e-book Three Legs and A Spare.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome Jixxer and Art!
I had a 3 legged dog for 12 years (birth defect). She was a rescue from a hoarder of 22 dogs and thank goodness she was saved. Better yet, no one even considered putting her down even though most of the dogs that came out of the situation did have to be put down because they were too sickly to save. How she survived the horrific conditions with 3 legs, I'll never know. But one thing for sure is, she was and will always be my soul dog.
Dogs adapt just fine on 3 legs! Just read around (including the stuff admin said) and you'll find out that dogs are fine on 3 legs.
Good luck!
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.
I was horrified when my vet said amputation was the only way that my Rio would survive more than about two months. Granted she's not a REALLY big dog (only about 75 lbs pre-amp), but she is old(er) and other health problems to consider. Still we are two months post-amp, and (I'm truly the last person who would EVER say this) I'm glad we went ahead with the surgery.
You most certainly will have days where the recovery is difficult and you begin to second-guess your decision. But dogs are amazing. They adapt quickly and they just go on with life! "Oh, hey, I guess I just have three legs now. How about a cookie?" They are such resilient creatures. You will find so much inspiration in and appreciation for the canine species should you decide to proceed with the surgery (truth is, you will, even if you don't!).
Good luck with your pup! And our very best wishes, regardless of the outcome of your decision.
Rio's mom and Rio
 |
~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
Okay, 100 lbs of muscle, no cancer, only 6 years old. Art, I'm not a vet but I'd say your boy's the perfect candidate.
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
Welcome Jixxer and Art
He has youth, fitness, no cancer and a loving family in his favor... he should do fine. Keep us posted.
Daisy earned her wings on Oct 22, 2011 at 14 years old
She is now the official greeter at the rainbow bridge
Everyone is guaranteed a welcome sniff and Dalmatian smile
Welcome Jixer! You sound like a ball of energy!
Have you consulted with your vet/surgeon about amputation as an option? What did they think about him being a candidate?
As long as you can keep your weight down (silly Labs, you eat everything!) you should do just fine. But before you go this route, have you done any physical therapy from a certified canine rehab vet? I'm talking about a licensed PT clinic with the proper equipment and knowledge to help you through this (see http://www.cani.....index.html). It's my understanding that in many cases ACL injuries can heal with proper PT but it can take several months of consistent visits. If that is an option you may want to consider it.
IMHO, I don't like the ACL repair surgeries for many reasons, including anecdotal evidence that the metal used in them has been linked to cancer, and that almost every time one leg is done, the other one will need to be done in the near future (this info is directly from a certified PT therapist I know). I'm not a rehab vet or a surgeon or even a medical professional but this surgery is something I would do everything pawsible to avoid, starting with PT.
Good luck to you! Let us know what you decide to do OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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