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
Offline
Hi all,
I have a beautiful, sweet 8 month old GSD. She was abandoned at 6 months of age at a Vet clinic with a shattered femur. Our rescue group decided to try and help her. She had two unsuccessful surgical repairs which ultimately ended in an amputation. This poor baby had three major surgeries within a three week period of time. Through all of this, she has been unfailingly kind and loving although she is somewhat shy with strangers (not unexpected given her age, breed, prior crummy home and having spent nearly 4 painful weeks in a hospital). Her first unsuccessful surgery was done April 29th and the last, the amputation was done May 19th.
Ali seems to have adapted well. However, we have 2 other dogs, a 7 year old male GSD and a 4 year old male Lab mix. Both the boys are very healthy, therefore, very active. The problem we have discovered is that Ali will try to keep up with the boys and ends up dragging herself along if she doesn't get her remaining rear leg under her. We have found several large abrasions on her hock and paw. If she gets her leg under her properly, she will just fly along but more often than not she will drag along or "crab" along, the leg at an awkward angle almost on the ground. This just breaks my heart.
I want to do whatever is the right thing for Ali, we have come to absolutely cherish her. But I am afraid we are too active for her long term health. Her remaining hip is just so so (would OFA fair/poor). We have aqua therapy with her several times weekly, have acupuncture and Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation (chiropractic care for pets) done weekly. She is on Dasaquin suppliments and is fed Innova food. I have crated her to keep her from chasing after the boys, shut the doggy door so they can't run outside but I do not see her getting any stronger or more able to balance/right herself with most of our activities.
I guess my question is how long should we wait to see if she is going to be stronger and more able to keep up with our day to day life. I don't expect her to take the 5 mile hikes with us or run the beach for hours, just be able to manage life.
Oh and we have had a number of people inquire about adopting her. Everyone immediately comments on her great looks. She is a stunning puppy. But without exception, not one of these people have a clue what a work in progress this girl is, what she needs for her to be a well rounded dog, socialization, obedience, etc. They see a very pretty little girl with a handicap and go awwwwww, poor thing, we will take her. While I feel that we are the best for her, I feel we are the worst for her. Any words of wisdom? Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
This sounds very similar to what we went through with Codie Rae (who was eight months old when we got her) during the few months it took for her to gain all her strength. Ali's hip problem also needs to be taken into consideration. Ali will not be able to exercise for long periods. Even as well as Codie Rae now gets around she cannot do it for any long period of time, and we limit her activity to about a two mile walk each day, or if she plays at the dog park no more than 30 minutes of intense physical activity (like playing chase with other dogs). She also gets cranky when she tires, and does not listen, believing she can keep up with all the four legged dogs for as long as she wants. You will need to limit Ali's activity to short periods of high level activity until she fully develops her muscles. It took Codie Rae about four or five months post surgery to get up to full strength. Once Codie Rae reached full strength it was scary what she could do. She can keep up with the four legged dogs, but not for long. We also found that running in a straight line was much better for her to develop her strength, and lessened our fears of her hurting herself. We experienced some minor injuries because of having only one rear leg, but as we learn more about how she handles herself we are doing better. Remember that Ali is still learning how to function on three legs instead of the four she was born with. I felt like it took Codie Rae six months post-op to be functioning "normally" on three legs. It sounds like you are doing all the right things to help Ali. Basically take your time, go slow, and you will need to keep an eye on her when she plays with the other dogs.
Hi Dogmom, we are so glad you joined us, thank you. You have a great girl on your hands, and yes indeed, a real work in progress. I immediately thought of Codie Rae after reading your post, so thank you Martha for being there! If anyone understands this experience, you do.
It's only been two months, so I would say give it some more time. She does need to get stronger, and her stubborn Shepherd pride isn't making it easy with two other dogs in the house to keep up with. In time she should learn to manage her stamina, and you'll also gain a better understanding of what she can and can't do with the pack. Hang in there, she'll make a great addition to the family!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hey there Dogmom - Ali sounds like a real sweetie pie...
Zeus was 10 when he had to have his front leg amputated, obviously a much older boy than Ali is, but he was and still is a very "young old guy". I have a younger Golden too who has more energy than the energizer bunny which is one of the reasons why I think Zeus has stayed "so young". Obviously when we had to amputate, our lives had to adjust...I could no longer take the hour long walks with both my boys and spent some time worrying about making sure Buddy got his exercise and that Zeus didn't feel left behind. Whelp, the bottom line is that they need different amounts of activity now and we've just adjusted. I'll take Buddy on a nice long walk so he gets what he needs - and actually it's so nice to have that one on one time with him...then I'll come back and get Zeus and we hop along as much as he can handle it that day. Sometimes he can go pretty far and sometimes its just too hot and humid and all he wants to do is find a stick and lay in the grass and chew it. So...I always make sure to bring my camera and I'll amuse myself with taking pictures while Zeus tears away at that stick.
I miss the old times of long woodsy walks with them both, but I accepted the new change, soooo happy that they are both still with me and see the pluses in our new way of life - some good one on one and quality time with each of them. It takes a little more time and forces me to slow down my pace of life, but hey - isn't that what dogs try to teach us? To slow down?
I hope you have patience - Ali was brought into your life for a reason and it just make take a little more time to see exactly what that reason is.
Good luck with everything and keep us posted ~
Heather and Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
1 Guest(s)
