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 all - we are joining as we adopted a English Shepherd/collie/pyrenese mix... He was found near Collins TX and brought to a sheltie rescue - my retired teacher friend connected us. He is around 5 and has a front left leg amputation. Not certain of the the cause, however, hips seem to be compromised so very likely an accident with extended injuries. We live in MN. My daughter who is a senior in high school and I have become the forever humans for our HIRO. He is a great couch potato and we have enjoyed his wonderful demeanor. I am most concerned about mobility as I watch the other tripawd videos and how they fly around... he is pretty stiff, so wanting to figure that out. Will work with massage, need to build muscle as he is pretty thin and then just love him for who he is. Since we live in Minnesota I am thinking ahead to winter needs. My daughter will be off to college so I am trying to plan for what he will need for "winter survival!!" Had great conversations last night on the forum. Looking forward to meeting more friends. Have a super weekend! We are off to the cabin! Looking forward to seeing if Hiro likes the water???????!!!!!! and can he swim.... Will keep you posted. Regards - Debra 
Hi Hiro!
WELCOME and bless you for adopting a tripawd!
I have a front left leg tripawd, too! She's has a deformed front leg which is still attached. But it doesn't function and has no neurological function. She's well over 11 years old now. I've had her since she was 4-5 months old.
You are going to find all your answers here! I didn't have any knowledge of having a 3-legged dog until found tripawds! I didn't even find the site until around August! So, I've winged it for years. Having tripawds.comwill help you so much! Not just for the fact it's filled with tips and resources but because you'll get support! I would have loved support for the first 10+ years! But I didn't get it from anywhere! I point blank asked my vet one day if he'd ever treated a 3-legged dog and he hemmed and hawed and said basically, no.
After you've snooped around the site - let us know what info you need! ('Grey's Anatomy' is coming on- gotta go!)
Hugs to Hilo!
Comet's mom
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.
Hi, and welcome! Let me echo Comet - it is so wonderful that you adopted and even more wonderful that you chose to help a tripawd. They are awesome and you'll never regret your decision.
My tripawd is just a few months shy of 11 years, and I started her on glucosamine several months ago. She was showing signs of arthritis, was slow moving, and stumbled more than normal. We started her on Remadyl but had her liver enzymes go up, so took her off that and opted for the glucosamine. It doesn't give her as much relief as the medicaion, but it has made a world of difference in her mobility.
Most glucosamine contains shellfish and Trouble is allergic to shellfish, but you can find natural supplements without the shellfish.
I am a firm believer in tripawds of all ages starting a glucosamine supplement and sticking with it. They have lots more stress on their joints because of their 'odd' (I mean - special) gate. Happy hopping!
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.
cometdog said:
WELCOME and bless you for adopting a tripawd!
As all the comments above, we too want to welcome you to this wonderful community filled with great people who will share thier collective experience base, give suggestions, and provide support. Most here became TriPawds because of cancer and have that additional fight. However, clearly we all have the problem of taking care of our companion's legs and joint, which are now stressed even more because of of the amputation. I would say that Hiro will do fine adapting and should be able to do almost everything, if in smaller less streneous doses.
As far as the specific question regarding swimming, let me point you no further than Jake. You can view his love of swimming via this LINK: I often use Jake's love for swimming as an example of treating the spirit as well as the body. His swimming gave him a reason for life. Please notice that Marguerite (Jake'sMom – one of our beautiful members of this community) had Jake in a float coat to help him navigate the water. This is as helpful for swimming as the RuffWare harness is for hiking and general mobility. I found Miss Cherry's harness very helpful for getting her into and out of the truck and RV as well as navigating steps. Such devices will help them without making them surrender all independence.
Looking forward to a report on the trip and sending you Pawsitive Thoughts,
Spirit Cherry's Dad
hi hiro, you sound like quite a hairy guy...we need some pictures!! welcome to the family, it's the best place to be for answers, comfort and general laughs and smiles. don't know much about that swimming stuff, but i bet you figure it out pretty quick!! 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
hiro1 said:
I am most concerned about mobility as... he is pretty stiff, so wanting to figure that out. Will work with massage, need to build muscle as he is pretty thin...
Thanks for joining and welcome!
Don't miss our informative canine physical therapy video interviews with Cal Animal Rehab and Two Hands Four Paws dog massage. And be sure to see how Maggie uses Balance Pads and Disks from Active Forever to exercise core body strength. Maggie also uses K9 Super Fuel to help build muscle strength.
Finally, if Hiro does enjoy swimming, it is great exercise but you might consider a K9 Float Coat for safety. The transcript from our recent Ask A Vet Live Chat also includes some great dog exercise, massage and pain relief advice from CARE's Dr. Jessica Waldman.
Hope this helps. We look forward to hearing more about your Hiro!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome to Tripawds ... and bless you for adopting Hiro!
I agree with the previous comments on a good joint supplement.
Also, not sure what part of Minnesota you are in, but Gerry and his Mom are throwing a Tripawd Pawty in Madison, WI on May 30th (I think this is the correct date), if you are interested in making the trek over here to meet some other Tripawd dogs.
Best of luck to you! Hope swimming at the cabin went well! 
Amputation on 11/10/09, due to Histiocytic Sarcoma in left elbow. Angel Harley earned his wings on 06/24/10.
Debra, you're a real saint for adopting Hiro the Texas tripawd! Wow, from TX to MN, he's already had quite an adventure. No wonder he's a couch potato right now!
As for winter needs...hey, you're a planner, that's great! We've written about pawesome winter coats before, and you can always order them if you feel like getting his winter wardrobe ready ahead of time!
We're so glad you joined us, and can't wait to hear how things go. There's some amazing people here you can count on for ideas and support!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oooh – what a mix – english shepherd, collie and pyrennees. I bet he will love swimming, being pyre and collie, at least my pyre x collie (Tazzie) loved to swim.
Is he really that much of a couch potato? I thought pyrenees usually get pretty excited once the doorbell rings, even if they are big lazy lapdogs at other times.
Did you see a picture of Hiro when he was still in Texas, or was he already in MN when you heard about him?
You can probably get lots of advice on winter needs around here. Lots of us are or have had northern tripawds. But for now, just worry about summer. You might want or need a life jacket. Missing a front limb, my Tazzie got pretty tippy when he tried to swim with a big stick or in a current.
Please post a picture so we can see what he looks like!
Welcome to tripawds! You are heros (or should I say hiros?) to us for adopting Hiro - what big hearts you have - Hiro is so lucky to have you in his life. You'll definitely have to post pictures as he sounds like a beautiful boy with that great mix. There's so much great advice here for you...I just want to add that I wish you all the best wiith your adventures with Hiro and hope his mobility gets better every day he's with you!
Kami (Mackenzie's Mom)
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
Welcome from us as well!!!! Good for you for adopting a tripawd....I have noticed in the short time I've been here that there are more than a couple of people on their second or more tripawd!! After the first one it doesn't seem as intimidating!!!
Spirit Cherry's dad mentioned the Ruff harness...that above all is one of the most helpful things you can invest in!! Keep us posted and let's see a picture of your new family member
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