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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
nounou said
Thanks Jerry! Yes she figured it out by herself, she's pretty resourceful, also figured out how to in the litter box within the first 2 days
That is super impressive! We would love to see video!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just wanted to check in to see how things were going. Hope all is well 
Hugs,
Jackie and Huck
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
Hi Jackie,
Thanks for checking in on us! Nounouche is finally rid of the cone, it took longer than expected. But everything has healed up nicely now. She still walks around, although it seems a bit struggled at times, I can't figure out if it's a lack of strength or the balance in general. The side where one leg is missing seems to dip which she needs to compensate for awkwardly. I hope it gets better with time. I was wondering if any of you have any great strengthening tips, exercises or advice in how to help her get more comfortable in walking around. All in all, she has recovered greatly but there's still some way.
nounou said
...any of you have any great strengthening tips, exercises or advice in how to help her get more comfortable in walking around.
Yes! Cool Tips for Three Legged Cats is filled with helpful feline rehab and exercise tips.
Purrkins and Feta have also shared some detailed posts about their exercise routines, as have many other tri-kitty bloggers. Check the Tripawds News Blog for cats, feline, rehab or other relevant keyphrases. You can also search all blogs here .
The best bet, however, is to consult with a certified rehab therapist for professional evaluation and an exercise regimen designed specifically for your cat's needs. The Tripawds Foundation can even pay for your first consultation with a certified practitioner (CCRT or CCRP , etc.) from the Maggie Moo Fund for Tripawd Rehab.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello Nounouche and family!
Jet is a rear-legged amp as well, and he usually dips a little as he walks. Sometimes he'll hop-hop-hop-sit. It's actually easier for him to trot/run though. He makes good use of his tail for balance. It's probably always going to look a little bit awkward, but Jet gets around just as well as his 4-legged housemate.
Keeping her at a healthy weight will help too.
Also, the e-book that Admin mentioned is terrific, I highly recommend it (and not just because Jet is mentioned lol)
Brad
Ditto everything that Brad said! Huck is a right rear amp, and he also has that bit of a dip when he walks. When he runs you might not know he had only three legs, lol. And yes, it still pulls at my heart but he is a pretty content kitty. I think the older cats take a bit more time finding their balance after a longer life on four, but they do it just as well. I definitely find that having many throw rugs that do not slide is a plus for the long stretches of floor that Huckleberry uses often.
He has this routine now that I find so endearing but cannot seem to get it on video (it's always when I am not prepared, lol). He stretches himself out on his cat tree by grabbing it with his front paws and pulling back. It is very similar to some of the videos that you have probably run into on the site here. The bottom of the cat tree has rope around the base which makes a perfect grip for his front claws to sink into and he pulls his body stretching forward while standing on his rear leg. He has made this part of his daily routine and does it a couple of times a day at least. He is also very active with Andy, and I think both of those things help keep him limber. I feel very lucky in that sense because with him being formerly totally feral, it limits me on how far I can push him myself, lol. I prefer to keep all my fingers attached to my hands 
I am so happy to hear from you, I have wondered often how you and Nounouche are doing 😊
Hugs,
Jackie and Huckleberry
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Hi Jackie and Dave, thanks for your replies! I actually purchased the ebook a while ago and completely forgot about it. It's nice to hear how both of your cats adapted to life on three legs. What worries me the most is not the dip, which is a bit expected, but rather the compensation with the remaining leg. The remaining leg tends to bend in an outward motion (as if to compensate for the lack of balance) and not held directly under her body, which makes for an awkward movement, I'm afraid this stresses her leg in a weird way.
1 Guest(s)
