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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Hi
I have a puppy that sadly at 4 days old needed his leg amputated. This wasnt something we discussed it was an easy decision to make as Leo's Foot was already past saving and so either he was PTS or given a chance. Of course we opted for the chance for him. He is a pure border collie who now at 5 weeks old is thriving. I was shocked he managed to make it through surgery, and he had a bad reaction to antibiotics but every time he showed us he wanted to live and was fighting to do so. His progress as been amazing and even with his 2 siblings, playing rough he takes it all in his stride.
We are hoping that he will have a great life with us and will continue to surprise us.
Now on to the help part... He is only of course a pup, but he doesnt walk normally more, more around like a crab and side steps, almost like his remaining leg is twisting as he walks. Would you say that was normal for an newly amputee or should i be worried? Bare in mind of course he doesnt know how to walk on 4 legs never mind 3 before this happened.
I expected him to hop about it, but he seems to be more shufflling to get where he needs to, and head butts the floor often, although thats not as bad as it was. I have had border collies for years but this is really out of my comfort zone and so worrying like a new mum at the moment!
Thanks in advance!
Proud Mummy to Leo the Trio
Cant organise a video for you as not sure how so will try and figure it out for you to see
Proud Mummy to Leo the Trio
Welcome to Tripawds, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
Did Leo lose a front or rear leg?
I've never dealt with puppies that young, but most all tripawds I've met here do the tripawd hop. I'm guessing it has something to do with him learning to walk as a tripawd. Is he too young to take to a rehab vet, at least for a consult?
Here is how to add videos to your forum posts. Although YouTube is in the title there are instructions for other sharing sites.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Edit to say: I see from your profile that Leo lost a back leg.
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
I am sorry to hear about your pups amputation. I am not familiar with a fur baby that young being an amputee as Sassy was 6 when she had her amputation due to bone cancer. Part of it might be the fact he is learning how to balance himself and walk. Maybe when he gets a little older seek out a rehab vet who can help you strengthen his core muscles as that will be very important. More people might jump in here who have delt with this
welcome to the community
xoxoxo
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Hi Leo & Mum, welcome! How wonderful he will have a chance at a great life ahead.
We've had many young dogs join us through the years and do very well on three legs. Your comment about how he doesn't know how to walk on 4 legs much less three really stuck out because you are right; dogs who lose a leg this young have not yet learned motor skills, so they often have extra challenges in the early months of life. See:
Dog Rehab Therapy Helps Tripawds Beat the Odds
If you are able to work with a rehabilitation therapy vet, Leo can have an extra great start at life and overcome these challenges faster. You can find a directory of therapists here. Also, if you do go (and we really hope you will), Tripawds Foundation will even reimburse you for your first consultation with the therapist. See:
http://tripawds.....bursement/
We've had many Border Collies here throughout the years. You might enjoy this story about Pogi from way back:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
jerry said
Hi Leo & Mum, welcome! How wonderful he will have a chance at a great life ahead.We've had many young dogs join us through the years and do very well on three legs. Your comment about how he doesn't know how to walk on 4 legs much less three really stuck out because you are right; dogs who lose a leg this young have not yet learned motor skills, so they often have extra challenges in the early months of life. See:
Dog Rehab Therapy Helps Tripawds Beat the Odds
If you are able to work with a rehabilitation therapy vet, Leo can have an extra great start at life and overcome these challenges faster. You can find a directory of therapists here. Also, if you do go (and we really hope you will), Tripawds Foundation will even reimburse you for your first consultation with the therapist. See:
http://tripawds.....bursement/
We've had many Border Collies here throughout the years. You might enjoy this story about Pogi from way back:
Hi everyone sorry trying to get used to forum so try not to laugh at me even if I am giggling behind my screen and realising how stupid I am at this lol.
Leo is such a little star and we bred him and like all our pups we will stand by him forever and do whatever it takes to help him anyway we can.
The other siblings are leaving in January and as soon as Leo can have his jabs we will be doing hydrotherapy as I hope that will strengthen his muscles also.
He is famous at the vets for the youngest amputee that they have ever done so they roll out the red carpet for him and everyone is there to welcome him in.
He does have his own Facebook page not sure if I am allowed to share his link but your welcome to look up Leo the trio with new videos and updates for him so u can see his walking. I accept he will find his own style of doing stuff and I have no problem at all with it just as long as his development is ok in general.
I have also been looking at your harnesses as thinking they may help also but of course being a pup it's hard to buy anything as he's growing like a weed!
He and his siblings were bred for search n rescue and so of course Leo can't do that but he is going to be a trained service dog instead and hopefully although live with me, can visit service men and women who have also lost limbs also.
Thank you so much for all your support Leo is such a little star and we just want the very best for him and anything to make his life easier. Oh I should mention I don't have dogs upstairs at all so he will not need to worry about mastering them at all although life has many stairs so we will have to over come that hurdle at some point!
Proud Mummy to Leo the Trio
Finally managed to get him online! Hope you enjoy his videos! https://www.you.....esgfGsdQ
Proud Mummy to Leo the Trio
Congrats on uploading the videos, you did great! Of course you can share Leo's Facebook page, we found the link here:
Thanks for starting a Tripawds blog for him too! The great thing about the blog is that when people want information about how a very young Tripawd does, they will be able to see how he did and search his blog, so yay!
Were you able to find a veterinary rehab therapist near you? They can really help guide you in the best methods for helping him to learn balance and proprioceptio (awareness of one's body in space). Hydrotherapy is great and a lot of fun but the best results come from mixing a variety of therapies like balance work, massage, range of motion exercises, etc. A vet rehab therapist skilled in multiple areas can help with that and ensure Leo is building the skills he needs to get out there and rock this world on 3 legs!
So happy you're here, we can't wait to follow along with his progress.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Leo & Mum!
I found his FB page and he's pretty cute! I think it's great that he'll be trained to work w/ humans who have also lost an arm/leg.
I'm a bit curious about something, hope you don't mind! What was it about his leg that meant he got the amputation at such a young age? 4 days old only. Wow. Most pups I've read about who have some sort of deformity seem to get it amputated much later. Just curious, not at all making a negative comment. His attempts to move about are actually very endearing. Puppy clumsiness for sure.
Denise.
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
Hi Denise, His cord was wrapped around his leg in the sack well the foot to be exact. When he arrived into the world he was the first born in the litter. She had 5 and he was the biggest. She man handled him a lot, we thought she was stressed with the whole birthing thing so gave her a den place instead. This calmed her down and she settled into feeding.
So far so good, i was given a 10 second window to check all the pups once an evening as she wouldnt even go out to the loo until day 4. So on day 3 i noticed his foot was larger than the other. On close inspection we noticed the cord had acted like a slicer and his foot was hanging on by a bit of muscle and nothing more. So either he was to be PTS or amputation was required.
My Vet hadnt ever read about a puppy being so young having an amputation as apparently most people opt for putting theirs down! Well We dont unless there is no hope and the dog is suffering. Which he wasnt (he was feeding very well and first in every time) so we knew a chance for him was much more important and we would support him as much as we possibly could and the rest he would have to deal with himself.
He has appeared now in the veterinary Journal as one of the youngest pups to have lost their limb but i will never regret the decision.
We only bred this litter as mum and dad are both service dogs. Mum search and rescue and does land and sea rescues, so she is retiring in January officially (at 6 years old) (although she has already stopped of course) So these pups are the next very important generation of search and rescue puppies. Otherwise we wouldnt have considered breeding them at all! 🙂
Proud Mummy to Leo the Trio
jerry said
Congrats on uploading the videos, you did great! Of course you can share Leo's Facebook page, we found the link here:Thanks for starting a Tripawds blog for him too! The great thing about the blog is that when people want information about how a very young Tripawd does, they will be able to see how he did and search his blog, so yay!
Were you able to find a veterinary rehab therapist near you? They can really help guide you in the best methods for helping him to learn balance and proprioceptio (awareness of one's body in space). Hydrotherapy is great and a lot of fun but the best results come from mixing a variety of therapies like balance work, massage, range of motion exercises, etc. A vet rehab therapist skilled in multiple areas can help with that and ensure Leo is building the skills he needs to get out there and rock this world on 3 legs!
So happy you're here, we can't wait to follow along with his progress.
Your so right as even hours of searching for Tripawds puppies i havent found any that were so young so felt it was important to share his story. If one pup gets the chance like our leo then he has already helped another pup in crisis!
Proud Mummy to Leo the Trio
Just catching up!! What an inspirational journy! WOW!
Talk about a dog with a mission, a purpose! Leo is going to jave such a powerful imlact and everyone who jas the privilege of meeting him! He certainly jas touched our hearts!
Your love and devotion is beautiful. Yiu clearly care deeply abput the well being of all your dogs.
Didn't get to see the YouTube video yet as I'm having computer "issues". Did get to see the photos though. ADORABLE!! Soooo cute!!
Looking forward to following the adventures of this very spunky and impressive boy!
Hugs to all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Wow, what a story!
I watched your videos on facebook. It seems as though maybe Leo never learned how to walk in the first place. You know ... puppies crawl first, then sort of wobble, then start balancing better...but he never had that chance to learn how. He looks as though he's just sort of moving too fast, just like a puppy does! lol Maybe if you can sort of fashion some sort of a harness to help him learn how to balance himself, maybe he'd figure it out.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Thanks for the explanation! Poor little fellow, so glad he had someone who would look past the problem and see a solution. I can't imagine he won't figure out how to walk and play and everything else.
Denise.
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
annapyr said
Thanks for the explanation! Poor little fellow, so glad he had someone who would look past the problem and see a solution. I can't imagine he won't figure out how to walk and play and everything else.Denise.
Definitely we bred him so he's our responsibility and so we stand by him forever and will support him however he needs it. Can't just give up on him when we bred this litter responsibly and thus means if one isn't perfect (although he's perfect to us) means we get to be the proud owners of him and help him on his adventures 🙂
i am currently looking into making a harness to help him, and help pull his remaining leg back into the right position as he learns to balance.
Our vet was great and said about pulling his belly up more. It sounds daft but I have always checked for any urine or faeces that would indicate he's dragging more than walking but he's always been spotless! Even being a fluffy ball!
Proud Mummy to Leo the Trio
1 Guest(s)
