Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello, Frankie my black lab was hit by a speeding car 1 week ago tomorrow and the vet thinks his Radial Nerve has been damaged and might not return, there is no deep nerve feeling at the moment?? Does this mean he will lose his leg? will he cope? he has elbow dysplasia and its a front leg thats been hit.. were all so so worrid.. any help would be so good.. thanks
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I'm sorry to hear about Frank's accident- I just read your blog too. How old is Frank?
I don't know much about nerve damage so I can't help you there. I did have a tripawd for almost 4 years, a little pug named Maggie.
It sounds like you are still waiting to find out if the nerve will regenerate. You might want to read through Jerry's Required Reading List or download the ebook Three Legs and a Spare to prepare in case amputation becomes the option. Is Frank in otherwise good health? Does your vet think he is a good candidate for amputation?
I know it is a hard concept for us humans to grasp, but really most all dogs do fine on three legs. The recovery period can be rough, but once past that most of us have seen our pups pretty much return to themselves. You might check out some Videos on This Site to see how well three leggers get around.
All that being said- I hope Frank can heal up and keep his 'spare' leg. But if amputation becomes your option don't worry too much- Frank will still have a fun filled life, and you will have a pup that amazes you!
Karen and the pugapalooza
Hi, Frankie is 4 year old and yes it looks like the nerve is severed and so his leg will hae to be amputated, im worried as he is a highly driven lab and used to 2 x 1 hour walks a day, will he miss his old life,?? if we keep his leg on it will just drag alone and get scuffed and cause a big problem... just now hes still in pain from the accident and crys when lying down so we have upped his tramodol.. 
Usually with radial nerve paralysis after an injury, I give it 6 weeks to see if there is going to be any sign of improvement. Now, if your vet has explored the area or there is a wound where you can actually see the severed nerve, than that is a different story.
If he does need to have his leg amputated, his new life becomes his new normal. I'm not sure dogs "miss" their old life like a human would. They tend to live more in the moment with no regrets about the past. Certainly a one hour walk would be too much early on, but it is something he may work up to later on (with a few breaks here and there). I wouldn't be too concerned about trying to get him to do all the things he used to do, just allow him to be the dog he becomes. If he was a happy dog before, he'll be a happy dog after amputation (once the recovery phase is over).
Wishing you both the very best.
Right hind limb amputated 7/3/12 for OSA, started on alternating cycles of Carboplatin and Doxorubicin and oral Palladia. Single lung met 9/1. Met in the neck muscle removed 9/30. Large mass in sublumbar lymph node 10/2. Rescue chemo with ifosfamide 10/6. Mets to the rib and axillary lymph node 10/21. Started Leukeran and Pred 10/25. Wookie left this Earth for a far better place on 12/4/12. I miss you, Boo, you were my heart.
I'm so sorry you and Frankie are in this tough place, it sounds like he's in a lot of pain. I agree with Wookie, if there isn't an obvious sign that the nerve is severed then a wait and see approach could be best. Rehab after an injury like this can be tough but it's not impossible and we've seen dogs with injuries like this using their leg again after committed rehab sessions over the course of several months. But it does take rehab.
If it's clear that the nerve is dead, then yes, the best thing is to get rid of that bum leg, because it will cause problems. When a dog loses a leg, the dog doesn't have regrets or anger the way a human does, they just want to go on living and have a good time. Many dogs who lose a leg look incredibly happy after the painful leg is gone. It's very simple for them, without any heavy emotions to get in the way. Your life will be "different'" and there will be accommodations you'll need to make but those changes are a small price to pay for having him in your life for as long as possible.
I hope this helps, please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi and welcome to you and Frankie. Sorry you had to find us here.
Once you get through the recovery period (which can be rough) and once he builds his stamina back up, he will still be able to run and play and enjoy life.
Front leg amps have to hop along, so it's easier for them to go at a faster pace. We found with Abby that on-leash walks were never what they used to be. We used to go on 6 mile walks pre-amp, but that was too much for her after. BUT... we started going for off-leash walks and that was much better for both of us. We have a huge off leash park here, so eventually we got up to 1 hr walk/runs with her on the beach. She would run ahead at her own pace while we jogged/walked along behind. She'd stop and rest as needed. She was so fast, people didn't notice she had 3 legs until she stopped.
There's another dog on this site that used to go on 3 - 5 mile off-leash trail runs with his mom once he recovered.
I know it's super overwhelming right now, but there are still going to be lots of fun and amazing times with your pup. You'll see - he'll be happy and hyper and tons of fun and a huge inspiration. Being a tripawd pawrent is awesome!
Hang in there,
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!
Thankyou all so much for your replys and help, wookie there is no way we can see the nerve just now, its because there in no deep vain pain and the way Frankie is carrying his leg that the specialist here thinks the radial nerve has gone. Im using a magatherepy box, put him on protein powder and adding fresh chicken to his feed. Im doing T Touch all over him and he is just getting out to the toilet and no more just now as the accident is still causing pains. We have lost muscle on his sholder already and thats just 1 week ahhhhhhh not good.. On a good point Mr Frank "thats what we call him" is wagging his tail and seems happy.
My friends say hes lucky as im a qualified Trainer ... British Institute of Professional Dog trainers, so im watching for sings of behavioural change and im being very carefull thats his needs are being met. Im totally confident he will bounce back from this even though the path looks bleak and the biggest hurdle is to be made yet. But after reading about others im learning what can happen so i will be prepaired and for as much as possible. The big thing is Frankie is coping well so us humans just need to get over our feelings and copy franks great approach to the accident..
Thankyou so much for you help and im so glad i found this site, i honestly dont know how i would cope without i..
Ann and Mr Frank
Sorry to hear about Frankie's nerve damage. You've already said what I was going to say " The big thing is Frankie is coping well so us humans just need to get over our feelings and copy franks great approach to the accident.."
Dogs are amazing at just adapting to their circumstances/new constraints and getting on with the job of living and enjoying life. Our beautiful Magnum loved to walk more than an hour morning and night and chase her ball before she started to slow up with arthritis and then lost her leg to osteosarcoma. But she adapted to her 3 legs and while our walks were shorter she still enjoyed them and while she still chased the ball we also did a lot of play with the ball while she was seated and we also played "hide and seek" with the balls to exercise her mind. Unfortunately bone mets took her from us but even when they were starting to affect her mobility she just adapted and found so much enjoyment in going to the park and watching everyone else.
Frankie will teach you so much about living. And if we can help you along the way we will.
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/
Ann, he is definitely fortunate to have you for a mum. It never hurts to prepare for the worst as you are doing but we really hope his leg can be saved. If his pain is still severe you may want to get stronger meds while you're planning next steps. Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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