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 Everyone,
Hi Derek and Kelsey, and Bentley! We are so glad you decided to post, because you are definitely not alone. And, definitely not the first people to have to make this decision for an overweight dog. OurSize and Age matters forum is full of examples. Also see:
https://nutriti.....eight-loss
My first question is, what does your vet think about his ability to get around? If you are in doubt, it's always good to get another opinion from an orthopedic vet who can give him a really good look over to make sure there's nothing there that will aggravate any osteoarthritis issues he may be developing because of his weight.
The best vets in the world have told us that neither size nor age should disqualify a dog from being a candidate. Dogs lose weight really fast compared to humans, if you are diligent about making that happen. Working with your vet on a weight loss strategy is key, and being disciplined about keeping him slim. That will need to continue after he loses his leg if you decide to proceed.
Recovery will have some extra challenges, but thankfully pain medication makes dogs not want to eat, so during those weeks he can continue on his weight loss journey during recovery. Also, working with a canine rehabilitation therapist will be super helpful, and the Tripawds Foundation can even pay for your first rehab visit so you've got nothing to lose.
Once that weight is off, which shouldn't take too long (our Nellie lost 15 pounds after we adopted her, in about 2.5 months), you will see a huge difference in his mobility.
If amputation is off the table, you may want to look into a procedure called cementoplasty, which keeps the limb intact for as long as possible. It's relatively new but showing good promise.
I hope this helps. Stay tuned for feedback from others.
Hello there! I just went through this about 2 weeks ago and some of the same concerns. My Ellie is a Great Pyrenees whose 7 years and also 97 pounds. The vets do want her to lose a few pounds, but they weren't worried about her doing the surgery.
She's only 2 days post op (right forelimb) so I can't really comment on her future quality of life (except she is doing soooo much more already than I expected), but I will say in the 2 weeks I had to wait, she became more and more uncomfortable. I think we had her pain managed well, but it was crazy how fast she basically stopped using the affected limb. I don't regret the amputation one bit just after that.
Hi Everyone,
Thank you for all of your replies. Bentley has been seen by an orthopedic surgeon and the oncologist at the animal hospital that we have been going to. The oncologist had no concerns with amputating his front leg, they said it would be the best palliative thing we could do for him. The orthopedic surgeon said he would be a good candidate for surgery, no issues with his other joints. She was just a little reserved due to his weight but I think some of that was setting expectations from amputation surgery. She said it would help massively if he lost some weight.
We would plan to see a rehabilitation specialist after surgery to help him out. Is there a certain timeline after surgery to start this?
Regards,
Derek
Well that sounds super promising! His care team is well-coordinated, good job on that. And yes, vets always want to prepare clients for the worst case scenario so that doesn't surprise me that she would seem hesitant.
I love that you plan on seeing a therapist for him. Generally most like to see new amputees soon after surgery. I would get that appointment scheduled asap since many practices have waiting lists.
Check out our latest Tripawd Talk Radio , all about rehab for Tripawds:
Rehab Therapy for Tripawds Leads to Better Quality of Life: Tripawd Talk Radio Episode #117
Apu ds like Bentley jas gotten all high fives as far as going a good candidate for surgery! Good job of covering your bases and getting a variety of professionals.
Yea, my Bull Mastiff Happy Hannah was a bit on the "fliffy" side. I think arpu d129 lbs at surgery time. The only way she lost weight was by have the leg removed. I was NOT nearly as disciplined as I should have been when it came to weight reduction. Hers or mine!! In fact her avatar picture has her carry her food bowl. That was her "favorite toy". And I was constantly filling it with a treat because she was so daen cute! Yeah, she trained me very well.You will find it's very jard not to spoil a tripawd. I so meant to say8 ink spite of her "Rubinesqe stature", she did just fine and never had any leg ossues with her remaining legs. Not recommending it....just saying while getting the weight off her (and as Jerry said, that can be done quickly), she should fare well.
Keep us posted and give Bentley a treat for us........a low cal treat of course😉
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS.... If Happy Hannah's banner shows up while you or signed in, you will see she is holding her food bowl while lounging on the porch.
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!
Derek, not sure if this is the norm, but where I had Ellie's surgery they had PT appointments built into the price so they had seen her multiple times within the first 24 hours while she was at the hospital. They sent me home with exercises for her (very light, a balancing one, stretching the spine, and some massage that I believe is to increase lymphatic drainage around the incision).
I'm going to have a follow-up appointment in 2 weeks.
Good luck to you and Bentley!
WOW I love that the PT was built in! VERY cool!! I wish more clinics would do that.
Hi All,
Thank you for all your replies. We have decided to move forward with amputation for Bentley. He goes in tomorrow for surgery. We have been cutting his food back per our vets recommendations and it looks like he is slimming down. I have found a rehab therapist, just waiting to get a call back to get it scheduled. I will keep everyone posted on how things go.
I just finished up Three Legs and a Spare , thank you for writing this and creating this site. It has been immensely helpful Jim.
Thank you,
Derek
We send all our best and tons of pawsitivity to Bentley and you!
Good job getting the rehab therapy team lined up. And thank you for the kind words about the community, that makes us so hoppy 🙂
Good luck Bentley! He'll be in my thoughts tomorrow! I know it is nerve wracking. I look forward to seeing how he's doing. Ellie is a week post-op so we are kinda going through this together 🙂
Healthy vibes,
Whitney
Add me to Bentley's Fan Club cheering him on👏
Slim Bentley is going to rock life on three.
Let us know when surgery is done.
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!
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