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
I am SO very glad I stumbled across this site! Let me share our little story.
I saved Zoe, who is a weimeriner/lab mix, in August of last year. Her previous owner (a neighbor) beat her, rubbed hot sauce and trash on her and broke her leg by throwing her down the stairs and chained her to a tree with a towing chain and padlock (among other things). After breaking her leg, he decided HE was going to fix it himself and forgo the vet. After pleading with Animal Control to do SOMETHING, they finally gave him an ultimatum; fix the dogs leg or relinquish her. Two weeks after he had broken her leg, he took her to a vet 2 hours away in a small town who had to shave it down and pin it. He never returned to pick her up. She was only 8 months old. Luckily, I hadn't forgotten and had kept track of her. Once the allotted time had gone by to be considered abandoned, I went and paid for the surgery myself and picked her up. The pins failed 4 days later. I then took her to a surgeon in our town who inserted a plate into her leg. She did FABULOUS! Unfortunately, the nerve damage from the pins had been brutal. She had no feeling in her foot and was a slow healer. In February she sliced open her back foot and infection set in. We tried to stay on top of it, wanting to save the leg and amputated 2 of her toes. She seemed to be doing better, but last month the infection was back in one of her remaining toes. While we were on vacation, she managed to get at it and basically almost chew the entire toe off.
SO, we go in on Tuesday to discuss our options. We realize if this toe goes, she can't manage with just one and we'll be faced with the reality that we've done as much as we could for her and her leg will have to go. She's an amazing dog after all she's been through and I know she'll do fine. She didn't use her back leg for a long time and even now will pick it up at certain times. It's just ME getting through this. We've tried so hard and to be set back is just so frustrating, but I know we've done all we can and she has experienced SO much love and happiness since she's been with us. She's just so WONDERFUL! I'm having a hard time looking at her because she's so happy and so trusting and so "Yeah mom lets GO!" that I question what the right thing is!
I'm hoping I can just get feedback on others experiences and what to expect and everything else. I know she'll be fine, but it's absolutely wonderful to read and see so many stories of others who have been there and thrived.
Offline
welcome! sorry to hear your story, but if there's a 'silver lining', remember that at least you aren't dealing with cancer too. you will be amazed at how well zoe does on three legs - losing the pain will be a big plus for her. our tripawds have so much to teach us, make sure you are ready to learn and to be amazed. paws crossed for successful surgery and quick recovery!
charon & gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Welcome to Tripawds.
You did a wonderful thing rescuing Zoe, you will be rewarded many times over.
A good place to start here is Jerry's Required Reading List, a compilation of information from this site on what to expect with amputation and recovery.
Another good thing to do is look at some amputation pictures. These will prepare you for what Zoe will look like when you pick her up after surgery.
Conventional wisdom says that rear amps have an easier time than front amps as dogs take 60% or so of their weight on their front ends. Although I've met some front amp pups through this site that get around just fine! It also seems like rear amps take a bit longer to build strength and endurance after surgery.
My pug Maggie was a rear amp. After she recovered she could do pretty much everything she did before surgery except go up lots of stairs. That was more because of her size- only 12" at the shoulder, but rear amps do have more trouble going up on the one back leg.
Good luck with the surgery. Be prepared for a couple of rough weeks of recovery. But since Zoe has been a virtual tripawd on and off she will probably get her balance figured out pretty fast.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Hi Kimberly! I'm also in Colorado. Where are you? What veterinary hospital are you using?
You know, you've done so much already to try to save Zoe's leg, so I'd just be a little concerned that any other "procedures" will just hold off the inevitable. Any time you anesthetize her and do stuff to her, it's rough on her. It will be wonderful if she can heal up with her leg intact, but losing it will not be the worst thing that could happen to her. Anyone here can attest to that.
Good luck to you as you consult and make your decision.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Zoe sounds like a dog that will do great as a tripawd. Wyatt Ray Dawg, Codie Rae, and a number of other rear leg amputees who lost legs at a young age can be found around this site. They all seem to be thriving and don't seem the least bit concerned with missing their "spares." It does mean you end up being more careful with what you let them do, since they no longer have a spare, but otherwise they are just dawgs. We work with German Shepherd Rescue of Northern California, and just three weeks ago had to amputate the rear leg on a young Dutch Shepherd, Riley Ray,who had toe problems similar to Zoe. He is doing fine as a tripawd, but as Karen said there was a rough stretch about a week after the surgery. People around here can give good advice about what to expect with the different medications you will need after the surgery. Some dawgs will get a little goofy, and sometimes there are pain management concerns, but with the help available here (and form the vet) you will do fine.
Ralph and the Oaktown Pack
Welcome to the family. Kudos for never forgetting about Zoe. I hope the scumbag that had her before was charged or somehow reprimanded for his treatment to her.I will tell you what I've told others in your position, once the initial healing is over and you see how well she adjust, you'll wonder why the decision was so tough, and no cancer to deal with , whew-hew, big plus. Being young will help her also, the one thing I have noticed, especially with rear amp is they get to feeling good and start to overdo things, then the remaining leg gets weak, so make sure you give her time to build that leg strength up. Gus had trouble with phantom pain , seems most don't but Gabapentin helped with that. His phantom lasted about 4 weeks but the spells aren't so bad by the time it goes away. Gus was back to his normal old self by 4 weeks, he was a left front, was using the steps the first night, so in no way will Zoe will be limited to what she can do, believe everyone here, try to keep your anxiety in check, us humans have way more trouble with the initial decision than the dogs do. Don't be afraid to ask anything, experience gives the best answers, good luck, Paws up, Spirit Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
Hi Kimberly,
Welcome to the pack! I had the same reservations you have about an amputation. I was scared, and worried, and not sure what to do. Our vet encouraged me (I didn't find tripawds until Holly was in surgery), and I must say it was the best decision for Holly. Once she was past the first few weeks of recovery she has never looked back. I think if she could talk she'd say "Who needed that ole leg anyway?". It was a source of pain for her due to osteosarcoma, and getting rid of the pain did wonders for her.
Whatever your decision, we know you will make it out of love for Zoe.
Hugs,
Holly, Zuzu and Susan
Holly joined the world of tripawds on 12/29/2009. She has a big little sister, Zuzu, who idolizes Holly and tries to make all of her toys into tripawds in Holly's honor. And she's enjoying life one hop at a time!
http://anyemery.....ipawds.com
Thank y'all so much! It really does help just to hear from others who have been through it. With Zoe, it's been pretty much constant care since we got her in August. We've had sporadic stretches of health, but for the most part between 2 surgeries and constantly wrapping and rewrapping her foot (my vet really should give me a job at this point!) we've been in nursing mode for over 9 months. We're exhausted, but we'd do it all again for however long we need to. My only concern is that the infection hasn't spread any further. After taking off that leg we have nowhere else to go.
As for Zoe's previous owner, no. Animal Control did nothing. No follow up, no tickets, no reprimands...nothing. For all they know he dropped her off on the highway and went home. They are not my favorite people right now. He did get foreclosed on and is now living down by the river, but he wasn't the most outstanding member of society to begin with. I'd love to take the plate that's currently in her leg and staple it to his forehead with the titanium screws (among a few other great ideas!) but she's happy. That's what I care about. Her two brothers (my shetland sheepdogs) love her but I think they're ready for some normal time and equal attention loving SOON 🙂
Shari, I'm in Grand Junction. Zoe's first pin surgery was in Paonia and her plate was inserted by Tiaro Rado. Our main vet is Cottonwood Vet and she will most likely do the amputation. I'd go back to Tiaro Rado but at some point cost has to come into play and at this point my free rescue already has a $6,000 value 🙂 Well, she's priceless, but y'all understand 🙂
I love how she does these things on a Friday night, of a long holiday weekend. I hate that I have to wait until tomorrow when I've known since Friday what needs to be done. Thanks so much guys! I really am glad I found y'all!
I'm also worried about her overdoing it. She is full force all the time. Through both of her surgeries and her toe she just keeps going at a puppy pace. We've had to keep her crated for several weeks at a time and the MINUTE she's out of it she runs around like a mad dog! I think because of the nerve damage she can't feel her foot where the infection is so she doesn't realize what's going on or that she should be hurting. She just wants to run! I'm really concerned about how to keep her....slower? 🙂
I have no doubt Zoe fell into a gold mine. Bless you for rescuing her and giving her a great home. She is beautiful.
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.
Sorry for this struggle, but so glad to hear cancer is not part of the equation. Life as a tripaw is very good and you will shortly wonder why you even questioned the surgery. You are wise to have the forethought to limit Zoe's activities. I had one particularly long night because I was not a good pawrent and allowed Alexei to over do it days after surgery. Some dogs just want to go right back to the car rides and walks too early... Bless you and Zoe.
Hi Kimberly,
I'm east of you about 4 hours, I think, outside of Nederland. We should meet in the middle sometime this summer!
What you last said about Zoe really emphasizes that amputation is probably in her best intersest. If she's a 110% dog and has no speeds but "off" and "turbo," you will not want to be dealing with more small issues, like toes. Also, if she has no toes left, will she be happy trying to put herself in turbo? Don't be afraid; she isn't. Let her lead you.
I rescued my Dakota from an untenable situation as well (it's on his blog), and I must say that I believe dogs like these give us a different kind of love than other dogs do. I feel way more responsible for Dakota's soul than I do for the other dog slug on the floor right now, the one I paid for! He rescued me as much as I did him.
Colorado Animal Control agencies vary widely from county to county. I'm in Boulder county, so we have excellent animal control here. More rural agencies aren't as animal-friendly. Doesn't make sense, I know, but that's the way it is. And trying to prove a dog owner willfully injured his dog is an uphill battle anywhere, without direct witnesses. Grand Junction probably looked at how much it would cost to pursue it and decided it didn't make sense. Especially in light of the fact that you were there fighting for Zoe. So even though they knew who did what, without video proof it's hard. The burden of proof seems higher than for human-human assault.
Keep everyone posted on how Zoe is doing, take pictures and post them, and absolutely post as soon after surgery as you can! Otherwise, we'll worry! And we celebrate all kinds of little milestones, so you have to share first pee, first poop, everything!
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
3 paws to you for rescuing Zoe from such a horrible man and the horrible nightmare she has had to endure....
and so sorry you are faced with having to have her leg amputated 
Keep us posted tomorrow on her surgery - know we are all here for you...
Sending pawsitive thoughts your way...
KaCee & Riley
Kimberly and Zoe,
Wow, look at all this great help you've gotten already! Thanks everypawdy!
Thank DOG you found eachother. It breaks my heart knowing that humans are capable of such atrocities toward innocent animals. However, for every one horrible excuse for a human there are countless others like you who are true angels. THANK YOU!
Tripawds spokesdawg Wyatt Ray started out in a similar way. Lost his leg due to the ignorance and stupidity of humans who left him tied up on a rope. The rope got wrapped around his leg and they ignored the damage being done. We adopted him just after his amp. It's taken him a while to get strong but 1.5 years later, he's pretty darn fit and capable of so much more than he was just after surgery.
You've already received such great advice here. I would add to it:
Check out our videos and interviews and the last Tripawd Talk Radio episode with California Animal Rehabilitation to learn about ways you can keep Zoe from overdoing it while allowing her to be the crazy puppy that she is. Believe it or not, with fitness games and other fun activities, it can be done!
Our Tripawds eBook, "Three Legs and a Spare," is another good place to start since she hasn't had the surgery yet.
Hey it's pretty cool you're in Colorado! We are in Red Feather Lakes, near Fort Collins, during summer but in August we'll be working at a ranch in Lake City, which isn't too far from you. Let's meet up!
Zoe, you have such a sweet face. I know whatever happens you'll do just fine and we'll be here to help if you need it.
You look like you can take on the world! Welcome.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Kimberly and Zoe,
Part of your discussion with the vet might be about the type of procedure. When cancer is not involved, the recommendation is generally to perform a "midshaft femoral amputation." where about 1/4 to 1/3 of the femur is left in place and the muscle is left around the bone. This helps give the dogs something to sit on, and cushions the bone. I think it also helps the dog maintain muscle tone in the thigh muscle. They move the remnant leg like it is still there. There are videos on the site where you can see them using the stump. The only problem I have seen with this is during the healing if they happen to land on the end of the bone they can hurt, but I know of this happening once with four dogs. Once they are fully healed this should not be a problem (but full healing of the internal muscles can take a few months). What you have gone through with Zoe is similar to Riley Ray. We spent a month changing bandages, removing toes, and battling infection. With no improvement and no end in site, we knew with an amputation exactly what the result would be; the pain and infection are no longer an issue, and we have a happy dog who has no clue he is missing his spare.
Ralph
1 Guest(s)
