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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Last week our 18 year old Lasa Apsha broke her left front leg. The vets say that its a bad break and given that Chloe has arthritis they do not think fixing it will take and amputation is the best option. This has been very hard to wrap my head around and Im scared for Chloe. I really worry about the initial shock of losing a leg and then her ability to adapt. I keep coming around to this hearing other success stories then I go back to feeling scared and worried that Chloes life will be terrible after this. She is old and sleeps a lot though so she doesnt run around like she used to but I still feel bad she has to go through this. The surgery is scheduled for this Tuesday.
Hi Victoria, welcome. We are so sorry about your Chloe. It does sound like the vet thinks she's a good candidate for surgery and mobility on three legs, which is great. Many senior dogs in our community have shown us that age is just a number (especially smaller dogs). If they are otherwise healthy, there's no reason why they can't have a good life on three.
One thing to remember as you move forward in recovery is that it will likely take longer for her to recover. So don't compare her recovery to others. Stay pawsitive but remember she is on her own timeline.
You want to make sure she has good pain management . Have the vets told you what pain medications she will be on? You want to know the medication, dosage, and frequency.
Be sure to check out our What to Expect articles as well as Jerry's Required Reading List to get some good tips. Also ask any questions you'd like, we are here for you both.
thank you I know we already have gabapenton but I was going to ask about pain meds. The surgery got moved to tomorrow now but I couldnt sleep last night thinking of Chloe. That is good advice that she may take longer to recover I will remember that and be positive for her. I just wish she didnt have to go through this but at least its an option for us. thank you for the support
Hi Victoria, I am going through an amputation with an older dog (13 years). It's been a little over a week since her surgery. I had similar thoughts but I want to assure you that as difficult as the recovery process is, it offers a better future than a lame leg. Hang in there and as I was told, be brave for both you and your dog. Take one day at a time. And a big YES to the pain meds.
Joyce that is so nice of you to offer support, thank you for caring & sharing! 
thank you. Chloe came home today but shes just been sleeping. I think the vet tried to get her to walk but they said she is wobbly. Has your 13 year old pup walked yet? Im hoping Chloe will adjust once she gets some strength back.
Welcome home Chloe! Glad you made it back.
Sleep is medicinal, you need all the rest you can get. I hope today is nice and easy, and you are steady enough to show your mom you can do this! Keep us posted.
I came to visit Chloe tonight. At first she was resting but then she got really reatless and I wasnt sure what to do. I gave her water, tried to help her use the bathroom and nothing was settling her. So she kept trying and trying to get up so for a while I did try to help her learn to walk. She really couldnt do it though. Towards the end of our trying she seems very determined though but then fell on her wound and so that was the end of that. It was sad and hopeful at the same time. Now she is sleeping on me. I am just hoping she will be able to walk again. Its amazing shes trying already but sges not understanding how at this time. Shes really such an angel and a strong girl I feel so bad she has to deal with this but hoping for good results as she gets stronger and heals.
Victoria, how are your parents doing with her as far as sticking to her medication schedule? I'm wondering if it needs adjusting? If she is still restless I would call the vet to let them know.
As the days goes on she will have better balance. You mentioned that your folks have carpet throughout the house, so that's good. Remember you can also help her with balance by assisting her with a sling. You can make a DIY sling and see if she needs the help.
It's verrrry early, she will get there!
Thank you for this note it came at the perfect time. Today Chloe has been sleeping a lot. I think my mom has been better about giving her pain meds so maybe thats why shes sleeping more. I was getting worried bc Chloe cant figure out how to walk at all yet. But you mentioning its very early helps. Maybe she needs to heal more. How long do you think Senior Dogs take to walk? Chloe goes to physical therapy on Thursday which will be good for more information. The good thing is she doesnt seem in pain just tired.
Hi Victoria,
You are so welcome! Did you have trouble logging in? I see you posted as a guest.
Glad your mom is being better about the pain meds. Regular dosing and sticking to the meds is critical for a good recovery.
Yes it is suuuper early and it's hard to say what her recovery timeline will be like. This is a major surgery and her body is working in all new ways. Some senior dogs take longer than others. Is she not walking at all? Can she stand to go toileting? If that's all she can do right now, that is pretty good for a dog her age.
Time and rehab is the best medicine. Try not to worry, she's getting that evaluation on Thursday and you can get a good baseline for her recovery timeline.
Keep us posted!
Oh I must not have been signed in and not realized when I posted as guest. Lately Chloe just sleeps but my mom thinks its from the pain meds. I had felt like she was going to the bathroom better before this. I cant even tell if she really gets up to pee right now. She just seems out of it when we have had her up but I will see how it goes at PT on thursday.
Yep, you posted as a guest yesterday but not today.
Ok yeah, let us know how the week unfolds. I can tell you that sleeping for her is good right now. In combo with the surgery, the meds can certainly leave her feeling tired and sleepy. As long as she is actually eliminating and eating, she's probably on track. Of course call your vet if you suspect anything is really wrong, once you talk to your mom.
We look forward to hearing how Thursday goes!
Hello! My mom said Chloe did #2 for the first time today in a week since surgery so that was one sign or normalcy. However, she went to physical therapy today and they werent that helpful. They said they have never seen a dog 18 that had an amputation and they think shes confused. They are ordering her a wheel chair though so Im hoping that will help. Its weird bc was I was there last week on day 2 I felt Chloe was trying to walk. But that was a night she may not have had as much pain medication. I think its still early only one week post surgery. Has anyone experienced senior dogs taking longer to figure out how to walk on three legs? Im hoping she will after another week or so.
Aww I'm sorry the rehab therapy visit wasn't what you expected. As a first time visit I wouldn't expect any huge amounts of exercises or anything but at the very least some kind of game plan. It seems like it would be really early to put her in a wheelchair though, did they say anything about a plan to get her walking? Also if the team doesn't have any experience with senior dogs on three legs, you may want to consider a different therapy clinic that does.
Yes it is very early and many people lose hope when they don't see progress. it's happening, just not as quickly as you'd like of course. Seniors are slower in general but in time they get there.
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