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
I have a Parson Terrier/Yorkie mix that is a little over 1 years old. He's a wonderful dog that we took in at 2 months old after finding him in the rain on the side of the road.
Apparently he was mistreated by a man because he has issues around males. He loves me and our 5 children, but it's taken almost 1 year for Bandit to gain any kind of trust and confidence around my husband. My husband has tried to do everything possible to associate himself with good things, like treats and playtime, so Bandit will favor him. Just when we think there's progress, Bandit takes 2 steps back and starts acting weird again. We're trying to be so patient with him.
The other day my husband went out on our back porch and I can out with Bandit. Bandit got in one of his skiddish moods and I guess he thought he needed to run passed my husband on the stairs to get away from him. He ran right under my husband's feet and tripped him up. They both went tumbling down the stairs, with my husband rolling on top of him. The fall broke Bandit's back leg.
This couldn't have come at a worse time. My husband's boss died in a motorcycle accident several months ago and the company is being dissolved. That means he'll be out of a job. We also have 5 children, so we have no choice but to be very careful with money.
I took Bandit to the vet and she said the choices were to have it pinned ($1,200 and up), or amputation ($600). I asked her, while crying so hard I couldn't breathe, if he would have to be euthanized if I couldn't afford any of that. You could tell that was a topic she didn't want to go into, but ultimately that was something to be considered. She tried to push Care Credit on me, but bc of our situation, I can't possibly take on another monthly payment.
I contacted every type of organization I could possibly think of! Most people wouldn't even both to contact me back. I got a hold of Angels of Assisi in Roanoke, Va. They said they could amputate his leg for $85, including pain meds. I would have to drive him 3 hrs there, but at least he can live and I can keep him. I don't see any other options available to us.
This is my main concern: Because of his behavior already due to some mistreatment at a puppy, and then having a leg amputated, does anyone thing his behavior will become worse. This is hard for my husband too. I can't leave the house and leave him out of his training crate bc he won't let my husband know he has to go outside or anything. He has to trust around him, but my husband has not given him any reason too.
I DON'T want to euthanize him, but if it could potentially mentally make things worse...is it worth trying?
I don't want to be a bad pet owner. If it weren't for this bad situation with my hubby's job, we could do credit care and take care of it, but I've heard bad things can happen with pinning anyway.
I just need some advice. Thank you!
I'm not a dog trainer or behaviour expert, but here's my two penny's worth.
Dogs do not blame us for things that happen. You taking him to the vet and coming back later to collect him minus a leg will seem to him just ... something that happened. If he associates anyone with the loss of his leg, it'll be the vet.
I should also tell you that Sid had a rear leg amputated because of a bad break. Being an ex-racing greyhound, his choices were euthanasia, pinning & plating, or amputation. Many, many adoption societies dealing with hundreds of dogs a year with limited resources, sadly have to decide on the cheapest option if they're to save the dog. There are many three legged greyhounds around whose limb could potentially have been saved, if the money had been there to do it.
Sid's racing owner paid for the op on condition that he would be rehomed as a pet. He would have paid for the pinning & plating too - he's a nice guy - but when they got him onto the operating table it was a mess and couldn't be saved. The vet said it looked as if his hock had exploded. So in Sid's case it wasn't much of a choice in the end, and he had the leg taken off there and then.
His trainer said she'd never seen a dog in so much pain as Sid, the night before he had his op. When he came home minus the leg, he took a day or two to adjust and then never looked back. Your little guy's recovery won't be easy, and there will be difficulties, but as people here will tell you, dogs adjust quickly. They don't sit around saying 'where's my leg. I miss my leg. I'll never run again', they just get on with life on three.
Here's the interesting thing. When I take Sid back to the vet - the same one where he lost his leg - he can't wait to get in the door. In fact, rather than standing in the consulting room looking at the door to go home, he'll try to push past the vet to go out the back to their kennels. It's as if he remembers it as a place where he went in hurting badly and came out with a LOT less pain.
I won't lie to you. If you could find a way to get his leg pinned and plated he'll have a better quality of life and avoid many of the problems associated with being a tripod. There will be difficulties. But he won't love you less. Personally, I don't think it will affect his relationship with men badly, in fact, sometimes it actually works the other way round; when they're dependent, they learn to accept more help and allow people closer to them.
I hope that has been some help in coming to a decision. Good luck, whatever you decide.
I want to just add two things. First I am so sorry for your situation, because I know it's not easy. I hope things look up for you soon.
The second is that the smaller the dog, the easier being a tripod seems to be on them. Your little guy, being very little, will find life on three legs a lot easier than my 73 pound Sid! And of course, you can do what I can't; you can pick him up and tuck him under your arm and carry him. He has several things going for him!
I don't have experience with the behavioural problems but what I can do is echo some of Jay's comments. Magnum loved the hospital where her amputation happened. She wasn't as keen to walk into the oncology building after several sessions of chemo BUT she always loved walking into the emergency building and wanted to say hello to everyone there every time we went to see oncology. On her last day she was in a lot of pain from the cancer having spread to other bones but she seemed so relieved when we got to the emergency building. It's as if she knew they would fix her pain.
The one change I saw in Magnum was that she was a more affectionate dog as a tripawd and a little more dependent on us.
Regarding the anti-male issues, I hope you can find some resources or someone who can offer advice on how to help bandit regain his trust in men, or at least gain trust in your husband. Good luck.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Hi Melanie,
First off, you could never be a bad pet pawrent. With all that you have going on, the fact that you have done so much to help Bandit speaks volumes about what a pawesome human being you are.
Behavioral challenges are tough; they can sometimes take years to overcome, but it's not impossible, especially with the type of issues that Bandit has. I know you have your hands full with the kids, and you are to be commended for all you are doing to try to help him. I honestly don't think that one incident like this will create a huge setback with Bandit; like Jay said, dogs don't hold anger in, they don't have regrets. If they did, dogs like Bandit would never be able to get near humans in the first place. If you want more reassurance, please visit my friend Sarah Wilson's dog training community, MySmartPuppy.com. Tell these folks what you told us here and they'll give you some excellent ideas, they're all trainers over there.
I never tell anyone that amputation is right or wrong; but it sounds to me like you are going with your gut instinct, which is to help this poor pup who's had such a hard life already, and keep giving him the loving forever home that you already have. When you go with your heart, you can't go wrong.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I would go for the amputation. I agree that with him being little, it is going to be easier. My Spencer was around 85 lbs before amputation; but even he was up and going a few days later and wanting to run well before the stitches even came out! For Spencer he never minded going back to the vet where his amputation was done. He would jump out of the car, run in, wag his tail for everyone... (going to the vet for chemo was another story, he got nervous there).
And honestly, while Spencer was always a great dog, I think he was an even better dog after the amputation. It was like he was somehow even more appreciative that we cared so much about him. Also, before amputation, he had some issues with men in hats (something to do with when he had been a stray I always assumed); but that was much better after the amputation. (not totally gone; but much, much better. I have no ideas for why though.)
Jac and Angel Spencer. Spencer was 5.25 years old. He fought a grade 3 fibrosarcoma, started on his shoulder. Left front leg amputated in August 2011. 15 weeks of chemo finished 12/22/11 (mytox and adria). Lung mets found on x-rays 12/28/11. Started carboplatin 1/6/12. Went to Heaven on 2/27/12. I miss him like crazy every day. See his blog here: http://spencer.tripawds.com/
I am very sorry to hear about your situation. I have seen a similar situation once with an Italian greyhound. The dog's leg was also very badly broken and the owner could not afford treatment. In this situation, the owner was able to get in touch with an Italian greyhound rescue that was willing to pay for the surgery, but the dog had to be surrendered to the rescue. It was not the best case scenario, but the dog was saved from euthanasia. Depending on what your dog looks like, you may be able to arrange a similar situation with a Yorkie or Parson's rescue. Most specialized rescues are willing to work with dogs that have behavior issues. To me, it sounds like the Angels of Assisi is your best option at this point, but ultimately you have to go with what your heart tells you is right. I wish you the absolute best.
Thank you all so much for your replies! All of your dogs have amazing stories & they're an inspiration. I cried reading these because it was such a comfort. I really do feel better about this decision now.
The lady from Angels is supposed to be calling me today to set up a date. It's been a week Sunday since he broke his leg. I can't imagine going that long with something broken, but he's been a trooper & must have an incredible amount of pain tolerance because he doesn't act like it bothers him. He did try to jump up on me yesterday and slipped and fell over on that side. He yelped and started shaking. It's like he forgot he shouldn't do that! I hope they can get him in soon.
Jay, I agree it will be easier bc he's small, so I can pick him up when I need to. My vet said he was an excellent candidate for this type of surgery. I'm glad Sid did so well with it!
Princess and justjac, I'm so sorry Magnum and Spencer passed. Sounds like they were brave in such a tough battle. Pets are so much stronger and resilient than we are. We can learn a thing or two from them!
Thanks Jerry! My hands are full with kids, but he's like one of them. My husband says he believes I love animals more than people. In some instances, that may be very true! I'm going to visit that website today!!
hhackett, thank you, I never thought about specialized rescues. If Angels doesn't work out for some reason, then I will keep that in mind!
Thanks so much everyone!!
Just wanted to belatedly welcome you - sorry you had to find us. I wanted to echo what others have said - small dogs usually do great on 3 legs.
The recovery period can be rough. If you do decide to go with the amp (you know your pup best and I'm sure whatever decision you make will be right for your pup as it's made with love) just know that it's not uncommon to question your decision during the recovery period. But once your pup is off the pain meds and fully recovered, you'll see the ol' personality return!
Keep us posted,
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
1 Guest(s)
