Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Greetings from Senegal!
A week ago, my husband and I adopted a beautiful puppy who we have named Bandit (because he has a black mask!).
Our precious pup is only 4 months old and he was picked up by the only animal charity in the city after some evil excuse for a human being decided to hack one of his front legs off. He had an emergency amputation that evening, stayed with a foster family for a week and now he is home with us.
We have access to 2 decent vets here but the facilities are nothing like they are in the UK and there are a few language problems we have come up against such as the amount of antibiotics and pain relief to give him. The first day we had him, he seemed surprisingly well given the trauma he had suffered but the next day he was vomiting non stop and couldn't even keep water down. We whisked him back to the vet and were told it was a reaction to the high dose of antibiotics and to the pain relief which apparently was toxic to dogs. I had no idea and still feel terribly guilty.
After a couple of days of no medication and daily wound care, he is doing brilliantly and will be having his stitches removed this week.
He joins 4 cats and a little Havanese who thinks she is a Rottweiler! At around 18lbs, Bandit already dwarfs them all and still has a lot of growing to do.
I had never met a tripod dog before but a video came up on my Facebook feed of this shivering puppy with the most horrendous wound and I knew he had to come to us. All my husband and I were concerned with was getting him to safety but now he is recovering from his surgery, it's quite overwhelming at times. Our house is all tiled floors and he has slipped a few times. I've searched for grips to stop rugs sliding around but have had no joy so far. So if anyone has any DIY methods, they would be greatly appreciated! Also the roads are all sand and rocks which I worry will be difficult for him to navigate once he is allowed to go outside.
Bandit has the most beautiful nature which makes what happened to him seem so much worse and he is a young pup so he wants to race around and do puppy things but I'm so worried he will hurt another leg while he is doing it.
I am trying to get passed this anger I have but every time I see him struggle, I just want to burst into tears. That or go to the neighbourhood where he was found with a machete of my own!
Unfortunately, animals don't have much value in Senegal so there is no rehab or physiotherapy available for him. I've read that strengthening his core muscles would be helpful so I'm going to have a hunt around the site and see how I can do this.
Any input on how I can make things easier for him would be greatly received!
liefie said
...there is no rehab or physiotherapy available for him. I've read that strengthening his core muscles would be helpful so I'm going to have a hunt around the site and see how I can do this.
FYI: Loving Life On Three Legs is filled with professional tips, articles and how to videos for strengthening exercises, core conditioning, stretching, massage and other techniques you can do at home to keep Tripawds fit and strong!
While you wait for comments from others, use the Advanced Search above to refine your forum search results with specific phrases, and you're sure to find lots of helpful feedback. You can also search all blogs here .
What is your beautiful pup's name? Please keep us posted...your future forum posts will not require moderation.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi and welcome!
I totally understand your situation - my dog is a Sierra Leonean street dog. She didn't have the amputation until we moved back to the US, but she did have to recuperate from her injury and navigate the world on three legs while she was healing from the original break.
I would definitely suggest the resources mentioned above - that will give you some ideas for exercises and basic information that's useful to know. Second, please don't feel guilty - it is so hard to know what to do when you don't have the same veterinary resources. I had the same problems. You've found the right place and you can come here with any questions and we'll try to help you out. Also worth knowing, people will mention equipment, supplements, etc that you probably won't be able to find - those aren't the most important things for him to have to heal and be strong. Simple lifestyle changes make the biggest difference and you'll be able to do that where you are.
As for rugs, can you find old yoga mats? Maybe ask around the embassy crowd - people often leave them behind when moving back and you can build up a collection over time. Even just a couple will help him have traction in a few places around your house and he'll quickly figure out how useful they are.
Second, your intuition is right. Keeping him from injuring a remaining leg is tricky since he has so much energy. Search the forums for older posts on puzzle games - keeping his brain occupied is half the battle. You can teach him the shell game, waiting for treats, scent games, search games like hiding treats in a balled up towel, how to dig with his remaining front leg, etc. A good thing to start on now, too, is training him to be okay with his paws being handled and his nails clipped. Keeping his nails short is important and it's good to start young and with simple practice. This is how we do it.
Sand and rocks in the roads may be a bit challenging for him, but he should do okay. He might tire faster if it's really sandy or have trouble going down hills when it's rocky, but I think he'll be okay.
And as for your anger, I so understand this. I found living in SL challenging because I had to see animals openly suffering all day, every day. But I hope that others seeing him will help start conversations about animals' value, their spirits and how they should be treated.
From your picture, it looks like he may have a partial amputation. Does he? If so, others might chime in with ideas for protecting the stump.
Thank you so much for your replies. It's a relief to know there are others who are in the same boat!
The scent games and puzzles sound like a fantastic idea. Bandit definitely has a good appetite so i think he will take to them well.
I've started very basic training with him. He's got house training down already and has a beautiful sit! He seems to be very intelligent and made me laugh last night when I told him to go to his bed but it was too far away from our other pup Roxie, so he dragged his bed closer to her and flopped down on it looking really pleased with himself!
We are going to look for short routes that have the most stable surfaces for when we can walk him.
His amputation is just below the knee so he has a little flipper! He can use it to support him when he lays down and stands up.
Hi Bandit and family 🌺
Have you considered orthotics or prosthetics for Bandit?
As he has part of the leg he could probably use prosthetics , it is worth contacting some companies abroad and see whether they could have something custom made for him.
Check whether you could take the correct measurements and email them.
I know tripawds has info on the best companies, I'm sure you'll be pointed to the right direction soon.
Sending you a big hug and lots of cuddles to your gorgeous boy 😘😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
eurydice said
Have you considered orthotics or prosthetics for Bandit...
I know tripawds has info on the best companies, I'm sure you'll be pointed to the right direction soon.
Yes, with a partial amputation you might consider getting a professionally designed prosthetic device. Over time, use of that residual limb can cause orhtopedic issues. But don't rely on any off-the-shelf brace or DIY device.
You will find various posts, podcasts and videos about prosthetics in the Tripawds News blog .
Orthopets will work remotely with veterinarians to ensure proper measurements, fitting, and rehab.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Online
Just catching up on your sweet Bandit! And the visual of him dragging his bed next to Roxie...ADORABLE!!! 🙂
You've gotten great advice from everyone, especially DCJack Sara (DCJack's Mom). She understands your situation far better than most of us. And her precious DC Jack, just like your precious Bandit, won the Puppy Lottery the day you both came into their lives! 🙂 🙂
You can also check out the Ruffwear gear. They have booties, among other supportive gear.
Looking forward to following Bandit on all his adventures and seeine some pictures of this cutie pie!! 🙂
Love and hugs
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!
I cannot fully express how your story warms my heart. Whereas Bandit has suffered from someone who is brutal, he is now with a loving family. Bandit knows it and even moves his bed closer to Roxie!!! 
This site has so many sad stories of abuse, cancer, congenital defects and yet the stories like yours and of all the pets living life to the fullest thankfully balances out the sadness.
I look forward to some photos.
Hugs,
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Stopping by to say hi and welcome to Tripawds. 🙂 You are such kind, loving people to take Bandit into your home, where he clearly knows he is well loved! I can't wait to see more updates and progress pictures!
Hugs and puppy kisses,
Brittnie and Loki
🐾 Loki, Dog of Mischief 🐶
I loved life as a tripawd for over three years following right forelimb amputation due to an aggressive and recurrent hemangiopericytoma. I reclaimed my place among the gods and valkyries in Valhalla on November 11th, 2020. My parents miss me tremendously, but I know they'll keep me in their hearts forever... and don't worry, I've approved my mom's use of my Tripawds account.
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