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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Hi, my name is Lyn and my tripawd is Lefty. He is missing his right front leg due to trauma at 5 mos. I agreed to adopt him knowing the shelter had to have his leg removed. He is a sweet boy and I have no regrets.
Wondering if anybody knows how far a tripawd can walk (frolic) before causing injury.
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Hi there and welcome to tripawds.
Here is a link to your first post which you may have missed since the title was changed:
http://tripawds.....38;ret=all
As far as a tripawds, you just have to go at their pace and stop before they get too tired. A flexi leash works well because they can't walk like a normal dog and sometimes need to go fast to build up momentum to walk/hop.
I had a 5 month old tripawd also (12 1/2 years ago!). Comet was born with a deformed leg. At the most in her prime, she could go maybe a half mile. A 5 month old puppy doesn't have the stamina a 2-3 year old does. So, don't expect too much. Or else you'll be carrying a 3 legged dog home!
Best of luck!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
we lost a right front leg to cancer...so we 'hop' more than walk. depending on how lean and fit your pup is, i'd say you should start slow on the walks and let lefty build up strength in the remaining leg and shoulder. there are many other more 'active' tripawds than us, and i'm sure they'll chime in on recommendations.
really great of you to adopt lefty and give him a forever home - a true blessing for both of you!!
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
lyn & lefty said:
Wondering if anybody knows how far a tripawd can walk (frolic) before causing injury.
Every dog is different. The best advice is to take it easy at first and watch for signs of exhaustion. If Lefty sits on a walk, you've gone to far. Cut the next walk's length in half, and build up the distance again.
Walking does not build strength, however, only endurance. So it is important to also do some core strengthening work in addition to walks. Start with unstable surface work on pillows or a balance disc, or consider making your own Buja board. Lefty will be running laps in no time!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Lefty and family!
Like the others have said, it depends on 1. YOUR judgement on your dog's abilities and 2. their personailty. Chloe was 9 years old at the time of amputation and was using all 4 legs equally before then. Her desire to be mobile and our gradual increase in walk length helped tremendously. She was a rear amp dog. We do have stairs in the house, but I feel that going up/down them a few times a day has really helped her strengthen the remaining back leg. Plus we have the luxury of going to the beach and getting sand workouts in.
Mind you it took weeks to get her fully up to speed again (for the most part), but her vet said "it's like she's got two legs for the price of one" in regards to her remaining back leg. After 10 months, Chloe can easily walk 2-3 miles on the sand (running, walking, and standing during that hour long walk everyday). She is definitely one of the more "active" tripawds even for her age (now 10 years old).
So, like I said, assess Lefty's mobility and then gradually work up longer workouts. Also important to improve balance/stability and strength in the remaining front leg. Good luck!!
-Chloe's mom
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
Hi Lyn and Lefty,
With Abby (amp at 15 mo., now 7 months post amp) she can only 'walk' on leash in our neighborhood for about 20 min or so, depending on how hot is, before she lays down in the nicest patch of grass she can find. Our neighborhood is very hilly, and I try to jog a bit with her, as it is easier for her to go faster up hills. (and a killer workout for me...)
When I take her to the beach though, she runs/walks/plays for 45 minutes to an hour with no problem. So, since we live close to a really awesome off leash dog beach, we go down there almost every day. It is so much easier for her to go her own pace (which is quite fast) and easier for me too!
So, as others said already, take it easy, watch how Lefty does, but you might find (once he is fully recovered) that how far he can go will depend on a few different things: the weather, the terrain, the leash vs. extension leash, etc.
Good luck with Lefty,
Jackie, Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
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