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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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lab pup with broken leg
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Member Since:
6 August 2011
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6 August 2011 - 7:05 pm
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I have a 17 month old lab mix pup who broke his back hind leg very severely. The vet put a pin in the femur and he did very well with surgery--this happened the last week of May. He is a VERY active dog and he refractured part of the femur four weeks ago. He was at the vet on crate rest while we were on vacation for 3 weeks. We have had him home for two weeks with a schedule for "rehab" of waking and house rest--no playing,running, or jumping. (difficult!!) He has done well with that, but he still puts no weight on the leg--only "toes" and it seems that the leg is misshapen. The vet told us he may need to have his leg amputated if it doesn't heal well. We are very concerned that this will happen. He just lets the leg hang now and most of the time walks on three legs. We don't know if we are expecting too much too soon with the leg in getting the muscle back or if the injury was just too bad to heal. I would appreciate hearing from anyone with any experience in this type of injury. We are taking him back to the vet on Monday, if possible. He has an appointment Aug. 20 for xrays and she was expecting him to be "back to normal" by then. Doesn't look to me like it is going to happen. He is such a sweet boy--we just want him to get better and if that means three legs, we'll deal with that, but we hope it doesn't.

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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7 August 2011 - 12:20 pm
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Welcome, and good luck with your pup! What's his name?

Far too many times we here from people putting their dogs through multiple painful expensive surgery trying to "save" the leg. The usual success rate for bone sparing and other pin type surgeries is about 30%, with a 50-60% chance of infection. And as Jerry's vet told us when we were facing amputation, he was already only using three legs anyway.

Best of luck in the decisions you face. Be sure to bookmark Jerry's Required Reading List for lots of helpful tips and advice.

FYI: Your future forum posts will not require moderation.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Arizona
Member Since:
23 July 2011
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7 August 2011 - 12:57 pm
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While my Max didn't lose his leg due to a break, his situation is maybe a LITTLE similar, his front left elbow joint was destroyed by valley fever. For a while, he did what it sounds like your dog is doing-- walking on three, putting very little weight on the toes, even when given painkillers. After seeing his x-rays, two vets confirmed that amputation would by far be the best option for our little guy.

Max's surgery was on Tuesday, and even though we've had some bumps in the road since then, you can tell that he feels TONS better without the bum leg getting in his way. It's been very rough for me emotionally, but he's gone through all of it with his usual big doggy smile.

We'll be sending good thoughts for your puppy's healing and hope that the vet visit goes well!! 🙂

Julie, mom to Spirit Max the Pomeranian,

the bravest poofle dog who ever lived!

Read a tribute to Max!


Member Since:
6 August 2011
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7 August 2011 - 7:40 pm
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Thanks for the information about amputation concerning our lab pup---his name is Moses! We are taking him in to the vet tomorrow to see what she thinks. I'll keep monitoring this website for suggestions.

Member Since:
14 June 2010
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9 August 2011 - 11:43 am
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Hi, just weighing in - of course you'd rather not amputate your baby puppy, but we had to amputate the right rear leg of our 8 year old lab last year and he is 9 years old today, in perfect health and loving life ... so if amputation ends up being your best option, just know your pup will do great on 3 legs.


Member Since:
6 August 2011
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9 August 2011 - 4:32 pm
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Moses had his surgery today and the vet called to say he is doing well. He has been up and outside  couple of times. We are glad this is over for him and he can get back to being a happy boy again. I appreciate all I have read on this site and what everyone has written in for encouragement. Moses is a great boy....we can't wait to get him home and start helping him adjust to his new way of getting around.

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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9 August 2011 - 4:44 pm
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Glad to here Moses is doing well. Let the healing begin!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Madison, WI
Member Since:
5 December 2009
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9 August 2011 - 9:54 pm
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Good luck, Moses!!! big-grin

Gerry has been a tripawd since 12/16/2009.

He was a shelter dog with a mysterious past and an irrepairable knee injury.

Videos and pics of Gerry's pawesomeness can be found at: http://gerry.tripawds.com

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