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, I've just found this forum when I was looking for information on 3 legged dogs. My dog Toby (a 3 year old English Springer Spaniel) had to have his leg amputated last week after smashing his right elbow so badly that it couldn't be set. He had broken it earlier in April and had a pin and screw put in to hold it together, but unfortunately last week he was coming out of the river and the banks is steep and was covered in ice and he slipped back and smashed his leg on tree root. He then fell back into the water and hit his leg again on the bank as he went in. The vet said the elbow was completely crumbled and there was nothing that could be done apart from amputation.
Toby has been amazing, he's been home with us for a week now and is determined not to let this change anything. He can already do just about everything he could do before. He can cock his leg by balancing his front leg in the middle. He can run and jump and pretty much dance. It took him a day or 2 but he has worked out how to do a u-turn quickly. And worst of all he keeps trying to get up and down the stairs which he shouldn't do as there is a worry he has the same weakness in his other elbow that caused the break in his missing leg.
He's in really good spirits though a little bit clingy. He does get down when our other dog Dougal (another 3 year old unrelated springer) is taken for a walk. But has perked up as we have started taking him on short lead walks. I'm really proud of how well he is doing. He's such a pleasant easygoing dog that he is really taking this in his (not at all slowed) stride.
Wow, only a week in? He is doing great! Not even any problems with the meds or with going potty?
Way to go, Toby!
Glad you found this site. Too bad you needed to, but it's a life-saving resource.
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
Hi Toby! Welcome to the Tripawds site. There is so much information and a ton of support here. We're glad you found it. Our dog Chuy is also a frt. leg amputee and he does just fine. Start with short walks to help him build muscle and strength. The duration of the walks can get longer as he gets stronger. We do swim therapy with Chuy also, so you may want to consider this when the weather warms up.
As for going up and down stairs, if you vet thinks there is a problem with the remaining frt. leg, put up a baby gate at the bottom of the stairs. They make some that swing open like a door, so it will be easy for you to go thru it. If Toby sleeps with you at night, going up the stairs shouldn't be a problem, but going down may. I would get a Ruffwear Harness for him and that way, you can hold on to the handle on it to help him down the steps. Chuy has one and we love it, it really helps get him up or down when he needs it.
Keep us posted on Toby's progress!
Chuy & Eleanor
Chuy, showing everyone that Tripawds do everything 3 times better than regular dogs!
Thank you for joining the Tripawds community! Sounds like Toby is receovering well, we look forward to following his progress.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome TriTobyTops!
I said it before and I'll say it again...I thought I was the only one that had a 3-legged dog before I found this site only months ago!!!!!!! I've been doing this 3-legged business for over 11 years now. (front left dislocated shoulder deformity from birth - still attached leg but functionless and small) So, if you need some answers, just ask.
Comet has always gone up and down stairs. I laugh at the fact she has never fallen but mommy did just a few months ago and was rushed to the ER by ambulance (nothing broken)! Only now am I a little nervous about her coming down the stairs in the house but that's not because of any reason other than I FELL!
As Toby gets older be sure to get the hydotherapy. It's great. Comet is doing it and it helps a lot. She's a senior with many maladies right now. Something that will help now is muscle massages on the remaining legs, neck and back. Just rub her muscles (you should feel some stiffness) It gets sore for them. Comet is like a new dog afterwards.
Best of luck to you - your baby will be fine.
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.
Welcome to our little community, it is one of great support, education and love! Most of us found Tripawds when we were in the midst of trauma, either injury like Toby or the horrible diagnosis of cancer.
It sounds like you are doing a great job of being a new Tripawd mommy, Toby will follow your lead with attitude and activity. My dog, Paris went up and down stairs less than 48 hours after surgery, she was determined. We would have her stay close to us.
Take care and keep us informed on his progress!
Ginny & Paris
Grateful for every moment we had with Paris…..no regrets!
Honoring her life by opening our hearts & home to Addy!
Welcome aboard. It is really nice to get the dogs who have birth defects or accidents to complement the many we have with cancer. Three leg dogs are awesome. They are truely adaptable and know how to enjoy what they have.
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.
Welcome to Tripawds, Sounds like Toby is doing very good, keep it up Toby!!! 
Jo Ann & Tasha
Tasha 8 years old, First cancer diagnosis 6/26/09, Last cancer diagnosis 9/26/09, Amputation 10/01/09, Loving our girl moment by moment.
Tasha lost her battle and became my Angel on May 4 2011. Forever in my heart….
Welcome!
I know it's near impossible to slow down a Springer! I'm sure Toby will join Dougal for walks in no time. Here's hoping for continued good progress.
My tripawd was Peanut, my 6yr old Saint Bernard. She was also a front limb amputee. And she was also an amazing dog... quick recovery, great spirit, and so on. It was great for me to find this site while doing extensive research on osteosarcoma. To know there were so many others out there living life with a 3-legged dog made me happy. Peanut became part of a special class of dogs... the enduring, endearing, strong, willful, life-loving Tripawd. She passed 12/26/09.
I still have my Bubba, a soon-to-be 5 yr old English Springer Spaniel (his birthday is Jan 28). I adopted him as 5 month old puppy, and he was Peanut's companion all these years. He's my 3rd adopted Springer boy. Before them, I grew up with a couple other Springers. The breed is very much loved by my family.
I'm looking forward to hearing of more good news about your Toby boy.
-Melanie, spirit Peanut, Bubba.
~*~*~ Peanut is strength, love, and happiness. ~*~*~ 11/30/03 – 12/26/09
Welcome to the Tripawds family!
Sorry to hear about Toby's accident... but you will see here that 3-legged dogs can do so well after they've healed from their surgery... Once Toby's incision heals and the sutures come out, you should think about getting him a harness. It will help alot when you go on walks, and going up and down the stairs. For now, Toby needs to rest and not overdo it too much.
Looking forward to hearing all about Toby and his progress... and maybe post some pictures of your Toby and Dougal too!!
Angel 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!
Hi everyone, thanks for all the greetings and tips, it's nice to see and hear of so many happy tripawds. Toby got his stitches out today so is allowed a little more freedom and play time. This is a short video of Toby and Dougal playing this evening. It's not great as the camera in my phone isn't great but it gives a small idea of how he's doing.
LOVE the video!!! Toby sure doesn't look like a dog that recently had major surgery!!! That tail was waggin up a storm 
AND he ended up with the ball!
Welcome to our special family - I'm sorry that Toby had such an unfortunate accident, but like someone else said, it's a blessing that it's not cancer related. You are way ahead of the recovery game now and we are grateful for that.
Can't wait to see more video!! We love to see those happy hearted and bring a smile to your face videos.
Happy New Year!
Love Heather and Spirit Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
Thanks for sharing the video, Toby looks great!
FYI: It's simple to embed your movies here in the forums. Just use the insert embedded media button (the smal filmstrip) and paste the video URL you used into the file location field.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Is that ball from PetSmart? Jack has a pink one (well, has had MANY pink ones which are constantly destroyed and magically replaced) that is his little baby. He goes crazy over it, so I totally understand what your doggies are feeling for that toy! Toby looks like he's doing absolutly fantastic! You must be one proud mom 🙂
<3 Laura and Jackers
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