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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We have a 3 month old lab Santa brought for Christmas we have all fallen in love with her. She fell yesterday and broke her front right leg which after speaking with the surgeon today we found its not fixable so we are left to decide to amputate or put her down I'm looking for any advice
Welcome to Tripawds, you should consider registering as a member so your posts don't have to wait for moderation (after the first one).
I'm sorry to hear about your girls accident, what's her name?
We have several pups here who became Tripawds as puppies and are on the way to living pretty normal lives! Maybe can't go quite as far, or have quite the endurance as a four legger. And there are some Tripawds who you would never know the difference!
I have a friend who adopted a Tripawd rottie when he was about 6 months old. That dog has pretty much only known life on three, and he is in no way hindered from doing what he wants.
The recovery period after surgery can be rough, a bumpy two or three weeks, but we have often seen here that the young pups not fighting cancer really bounce back fast!
I would recomend that you watch some videos on the Tripawds YouTube channel, here is the link to the video page, the YouTube link is near the top: http://tripawds.....om/videos/.
You will see lots of Tripawds enjoying life on three!
Karen
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wow we've been flooded with little puppies lately! You will be amazed by how well these little ones do on three legs! Do a search in the forums for "shine" and "cora" for the newest pups, I believe they are both three months old as well! If you are around tonight, a bunch of us are usually in the chat room and will be around to chat if you have questions!!
The decision to amputate is a scary one at first, but I guarantee after browsing the forums and the rest of the website, the videos and gallery in particular, you will see how amazing animals thrive on three legs and will feel at least a little more more at ease about the decision!
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
Hi What is your sweeties name
Your story is very similar to ours- Kayla broke her front leg at 3 months too she is a mastiff/lab/staffy cross so similar size too. Its now been almost 18 months since the amputation and she is doing amazing, just a normal, sometimes still naughty young dog.
The biggest problem we had was trying to stop her from overdoing it after surgey 
but most dogs take a good couple weeks to recover, and it can be a bit tough.
Kayla is in every respect a normal dog except she hasnt got the stamina she might have if she had four legs, other than that she is awesome, even digging holes in the vege garden!!!
Sarah
Hi,
I am sorry you are dealing with this. Cora is 3 1/2 months now and almost at her month "ampuversary". Cora has some extra hurdles over your pup. She is blind and she was born with a club foot (the reason for her amputation). She is improving everyday and very much acting like a puppy.
It's definitely hard to keep a pup quiet and Cora took some pretty painful tumbles early on. I was just thinking today how pain no longer seems to be an issue for her. Cora's journey is going to be a little slower than your pup's since she has some extra challenges but I know she's going to live a full and fun life. Your pup definitely can.
Chris and Cora
Topher
Vet Assistant (in school to be a licensed vet technician)
1.5 years Oncology department, moved to rehab & sportsmed December 2024
Tripawd Angel, Cora the Determined <3
Hi Nova & family, I'm sorry to hear about your leg! We're glad you found us and we hope we can make this decision easier for you.
Tripawds who start out so young have both advantages and disadvantages but rest assured we know you and your pup can overcome them. Young animals are super resilient and can bounce back easily after surgery...but like Kayla's Momma said, they're SO resilient that recovery can be a real challenge because it's hard to keep a young dog calm enough to recuperate. Another challenge; young dogs are just getting to know their bodies and don't have the same kind of coordination down that an older dog does, so learning how to walk and run and all that on three legs might take longer. Cora's Mom here can tell you more about that.
One of your biggest challenges will be to keep her weight down. Seeing as how she is a Lab, and well, we know how much Labs love food, you will need to manage her weight verrrry closely so she doesn't put on extra pounds. Any extra weight on a Tripawd is very tough on their bodies and will lead to early joint problems, so you'll neeed to keep her thinner than most labs.
I hope this helps. Be sure to check out Jerry's Required Reading List , and let us know what other questions you have OK? Oh and please consider joining so your posts won't require moderation. Thanks!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I would definitely choose amputation over euthanasia for this puppy! Her breed and age should make for a great outcome. After she is healed she will act like any other puppy her age and you will probably forget she is even a Tripawd. My Great Dane was very large at 150lbs and 36 inches at the shoulder and after she was healed she could even run laps around the yard. You will be amazed at what a Tripawd can do!! And the best part is this site will help you through the whole process. You will have lots of support and meet some great people. So sorry about your girl's injury that is leaving you with this confusing decision but your girl will have a happy fulfilling life as a Tripawd. Welcome to Tripawds!!!!
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