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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Well hello
What a great site here! I have a new tripawd partner and after three day googled "dog amputees" and here I am. Just finding my way through some of the forums and other parts of the website but already I feel at home and can see this is going to be a big help for the next 10-15 years at least.
I have always had animals as a big part of my life. From '85-'06 I had a run of Samoyeds, as many as three at a time and just loved the breed. In '06 my last Sam, Sacha died suddenly at age 8 from a thyroidal condition and mysterious complications, leaving me and my marvellous American Eskimo bereft. Our family adjusted, as we all eventually do but always kinda wondered if maybe we really should be a two dog unit. We came close a few times but never had the right timing or fit.
So, this past Saturday I got up, like any Saturday morning, got coffee, sat in the living room, opened the paper, my wife Elaine in the kitchen... there's an article about the Humane Society being overcrowded with dogs and it describes an 11 month old Samoyed/Great Pyrenees who was turned in as a stray with a badly wounded and infected hind leg which had to be amputated to save it's life. I checked the Society website and it was described as a totally loving dog, in spite of the abuse and suffering he had undergone. I read the info to Elaine, she checked the website and after a phone call, we embarked (heh) to check him out.
Well, they were right. Elaine and I met him in a small chamber and spoke with an attendant about him for half an hour, we had a meet session when we introduced him to our 7 year old American Eskimo, Yukon... after 10 minutes they already showed signs of bonding and before we knew it we were a two dog family. A two dog seven legged family. So far, after three days, he has adapted beautifully. I think Yukon is in love and Sully (our new family member's name) is so overjoyed to have people who care for him and a forever home that he's on cloud nine. He and Yukon are already inseparable and have been playing outside for most of the morning and are napping now as I write.
Even our 3 cats seem okay...almost. They were used to big dogs since kittenhood so they should be fine. Yukon grew up with our last Samoyed, Sacha so maybe he remembers having a big brother... I don't know.
I swear I had NO idea as I awoke last weekend that I would be a proud new pack leader by evening time...
Sometimes the insane impulsive things we do turn out to be our best decisions if we are open to possibilities and opportunities when they appear.
As I begin this journey with my tripawd, I have received great support and advice from our Vet and the HS but I am concerned about the implications of being an amputee on such a large breed as Sully, who can expect to be over 100 lbs. Also, living in Sask. Canada wher our winters are long and fierce, how can I assist Sully to have an easier time of it on snow and ice?
Thanks people...
Patrick, Yukon and Sully
Hello Sully and Family - Welcome!
I am your neighbour, living over in Winnipeg and spend a bit of time working in SW SK. It sounds as though we are picking up a few more Canadians these days - someone said they are moving to Ontario and newbie Christina said she is somewhere in Canada that snowed.
My pyrenees x collie cross is 'only' 80 lbs, well down to 75 now. But lots of dogs on this website are much much larger than yours, for example, you will see Danes, Mastiff (another "Tazzie"), Cemil (an Anatolian shepherd), Oslo - a large newfie over in Montreal - all weighing close to or well above 150 lbs. They seem to do okay. Dogs put more weight on their fore limbs than their hind (at least when they have four legs), so it is considered harder to adjust to the loss of a front leg. But our dogs manage.
As for snow and ice, I too will experience my first winter with a tripawd (amputation in July). I started using the ruff wear harness this week just for that reason. It should work even better for a hind limb amputee (it slides to one side on my front limb amp). It has a handle so you can help the dog along if needed. I figure I'll have to avoid really icey sidewalks - Winnipeg does not make people shovel the main side walk, so it gets really treacherous.
Genie lives in Edmonton and had a greyhound (well, maybe the greyhound's name was Genie 
), so can tell us more about snow and ice. He used the same harness and a nice fleece jacket. My dog needs a jacket because his fur has not grown back, but perhaps your dog's fur has returned.
Your pack sounds terrific!
Susan and Tazzie 2
Hi Patrick, Sully and the gang, you were just greeted by your neighbour on your right, here is a warm welcome to you from your neighbour on your left. Blessed are your hearts to have decided to adopt Sully.
Yes, I am in Edmonton. Genie was my tripawd and she now lives happily in Heaven. She was a shepherd and hound mix, a front-leg amputee.
Snow didn't pose any problem for Genie, though when it was over a foot and a half deep, I had to semi-lift her so that her front leg didn't get too much burden when her hind legs needed to hop "real" high to carry on to the next hop.
Ice is deadly for front-leg amputees. I've tried RuffWear Grip Traxion booties, not good on ice either, so she ended up going out bare-paws.
She always had the Ruffwear harness (older style) on whenever we went out for a walk. It was fortunate that we just needed to navigate out of the icy/snow patched crescent and a crosswalk, then we were at the neighbourhood park where there were feet of snow in winter. Whenever we approached icy patches, I always had my hand ready on her harness. Of course I had to make sure I secure my landing before I could handle hers! Didn't want to be caught off guard when there were black ice lurking!
I am guessing it would be less dangerous for Sully on snow/ice, since he is a rear-leg amputee. That said, I would not take any chance, harness and your hand will be Sully's safest bet. As Jerry's pawrents said, dogs have three legs and a spare but a tripawd doesn't have anymore spares.
Hugs to Sully.
Jessie
Welcome to the Tripawds community, thank you for joining! Sully sounds like one lucky, loving guy. Keep him fit and trima nd you need not be worried about his size affecting life on three legs. Just look at (another) Tazzie, a 175# three legged English Mastiff!
Thanks again, We look forward to following Sully's adventures.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Patrick, what a wonderful story! Welcome to the Tripawds family, and bless you for adopting Sully, he sounds like a wonderful dog. How did you pick out his name?
My Mom and Dad's new Tripawd and spokesdog Wyatt Ray came from a very similar situation. He has adopted great just like Sully. We dawgs are the most forgiving creatures on earth, dontcha think?
I can't wait to see some photos, what an awesome animal kingdom you've got there!
To address your concerns about Sully's weight, the best thing you can do for him is to keep his weight down. He should be just slightly inbetween underweight and ideal weight (check out this Iams weight chart example). We've been told by a vet that if you think you might be concerned he's too skinny, he is probably just right for a Tripawd.
As far as helping him cope on snow and ice . . . any of you northerners care to offer tips? We are southern wussies down here and don't do much snow!
Patrick, thanks again, it's great to have you all here.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Patrick, Elaine, Yukon, and Sully,
What a wonderful story. I am sure that your kindness will be rewarded with an extremely deep love from all your "pack".
While I grew-up in an area of the country noted for extreme ice storms, I moved to California thirty five years ago. We have used the original version of the RuffWare harness to help Cherry. It is extremely handy on steps as well as getting into and out of the truck and fifth-wheel trailer. Cherry does scurry out of the laundry room onto the garage floor sometimes too quickly. The garage floor can be slippery and while she does "crash" occasionally, her ability to scramble the legs under her is really remarkable. They really do adapt quickly.
As you have heard above, we have some very large breeds that have amputations and are doing very well. Keep the weight just below ideal and you should be fine.
Paws Crossed and Nothing But Pawsitive Thoughts From California,
Bob & Cherry
Thanks all...just a quick note, as soon as I figure out how to post photos I have some great ones to share. Any pointers? Sure is a wealth of info here.
Sully got his name at the Shelter and he was there for several months so he got used to it. I could say it came from Capt. Sullivan who landed that plane on the Hudson River I guess
Be back soon
Patrick & the Pack
The only thing I could add is that you might want to start a joint supplement like glucosomine and chondrotin. We didn't with Emily, also a rear leg amputee and I wish we would have. She now has hip dysplasia on her only remaining hip. Truthfully, I don't know if it would have made a difference or not but I wish I would have given it to her.
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Awe, how blessed you will be with a Tripawd in your life. They are amazing and have so many life changing things to teach us. They teach us to take life a day at a time, they teach us to enjoy each moment, they teach us to appreciate the small things, and most of all they teach us that life is precious, whether you are a dog or human.
Welcome to our little group!
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Hi Patrick and Sully (and the rest of the family!),
Welcome to the Tripawds gang! My Jake (10yr old golden retriever) recently had his front right leg amputated (just 26 days ago). so far he's doing great... and this Tripawds community has been a wonderful source of support and information! There are people here from all over the world!
Sully is so lucky to have been adopted by such loving pawrents... Please post some more about Sully... and maybe some pictures too!!
Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
sachabear said:
Any pointers?
We started the new Tripawds Blogs so members would have an easy way to upload photos here. Since you're not blogging yet, images must be hosted somewhere else online. Here are detailed instructions for embedding photos in forum posts without a blog. Hope this helps. Feel free to ask any photo questions in that topic.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Genie, I mean Jessie (!) - You got me when you said you I was on the right and you were on the left! I am used to looking down (as in south, not as in snobbery!) to the states, so thought I was on the left and you were on the right! Maybe you've been hanging out with the yankie tripawds too long, but it looks like we have a few new canuck cadets.
Let's see, for a tripawd party in Sask, we'd 'only' have to drive about 10 hrs to meet somewhere like Swift Current. Oslo would 'only' have a 35 hr drive. I do remember seeing another tripawd from Sask this summer, but can't recall who it was.
Right or left, we appreciate the diet tips you've been giving recently!
Susan & Tazzie 2
Patrick and Sully,
Welcome. Too bad there aren’t more folks willing to open up their hearts and homes--Sully’s lucky day finally came. Polo is a 9 or 10ish year old Golden Retriever and Tripawd as of 13 days ago (front left leg am--bone cancer). He’s taking it in stride, no worries so far except the whole cancer thing but we’re gonna take that as it comes. Tripawds are tough!
Snow and Ice: What’s that? If it doesn’t involve tea, I’m lost (Florida). Maybe you could fashion mini ice climbing boots or something? Safety? We bought Polo a boot (canvas / rubber) for his front paw--I read about compression soars, thought I’d try it out. It provides traction on tile and wood, which does get kind’a cold. Actually, we’re not completely winter-free here in North-West Florida.
Photos: Once you start a blog, you can add photos with using the “Posts” and “Pages” options from your “dashboard”.
I enjoyed reading about Sully and your pack.
Polo and Mike
Polo Jones, Golden Retriever, Shalimar FL
Cemil says big dogs can be successful tripawds too. We live in California, so ice and snow aren't part of our experience (we did have torrential rains today though); can't help you there. I can say that Cemil needs a little more rest because it takes more effort to get around, but he's a front-leg amputee. Rear-leg doesn't seem to take the same energy. I bet you'll find that Sully is normal in every way except appearance.
Welcome to our community. You sound like a wonderful dog-loving family, just like the rest of us.
Mary and Cemil
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
Hi Sully!
Our dog Tazzie has been a tripawd for almost 14 months and she has adjusted fairly well. She is missing her right front leg which I think is a little harder than losing a back leg, so we do limit her access to stairs. We use the Ruffwear harness to help her get into and out of the van and she wears a Ruffwear bootie daily to prevent pressure sores on her remaining front leg. She also has rear foot booties which she only wears if it snows (not common here near Seattle).
I would agree that it is important to keep your dog lean and I would certainly add a glucosamine supplement to help prevent arthritis. About 9 months after surgery Tazzie started getting a stiff back so we now take her for acupuncture treatments every 5 weeks or so and that has helped quite a lot. She is a bit older for a giant breed (7 years) so she already has arthritis in her knees and remaining shoulder. Hopefully your dog won't have these issues for quite a while.
Pam and Tazzie
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