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 everybody! I am new to this site, we have a 8 1/2 year old boxer named AJ, two days ago he severed his hind leg while running. We were devastated to find out it wasn't just a pulled muscle or something that would heal on its own. Now we are faced with having his leg amputated soon. AJ also has had both hips replaced when he was around a year old,I am worried that this will put a lot of stain on the remaining hip. Please offer any advice, support or success stories you may have. I am excited to have found this forum and look forward to all the support and advice for our sweet boy!
welcome aj, your future posts won't require moderation. we are so sorry you had this terrible accident - yikes!!! we were front amp folks, dealing with cancer, but i remember the worry of 'can my older pup get by without that leg... dogs carry about 60% of their weight on the front half, so that's good news for aj. it will take time to adjust, and for the muscles to build up - it seems it takes longer for rear amp pups to gain strength. wyatt ray, is spirit jerry's brother, and he is a rear amp GSD, who also has issues with his remaining hip. he will be a great resource for you, i'm sure rene and jim will jump in with suggestions and support. make sure you read the required reading list: http://tripawds.....ding-list/ to get an idea of how to deal with the initial recovery and beyond.
where are you in georgia?? we're in knoxville, and there are several folks in the atlanta area that have had tripawd pups. we'd love to hear more about aj, and of course, we'd love some pictures too.
charon & spirit 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
Welcome and thanks for joining, we're sorry to hear about AJ but glad you found us.
Search these forums and you'll find plenty of success stories about dogs who have undergone multiple surgeries with only one remaining rear leg. One that comes to mind is Max the three legged Rottweiller who had his amputation after hip replacements.
Does your vet believe AJ is a good candidate for amputation? Every dog is different, and we are not vets, but if he is otherwise fit and healthy, he should manage well.
You'll find lots more recovery and care tips in Jerry's Required Reading List, and for immediate answers to the most common dog amputation questions download the new Tripawds e-book Three Legs and A Spare.
Best wishes and please keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi AJ and pack, welcome to Tripawds.
I'm sorry to hear about AJs injury. It sounds like you don't really have an option other than amputation?
My little pug Maggie was a rear amp due to cancer. She was 7.5 years old when she had her surgery and hopped happily for almost 4 years. She did not have any other joint issues at the time of surgery, and never developed any so I don't have any words of wisdom on that subject.
It will be really important to keep AJ's legs strong and his body lean. There is lots of good info here on rehab and strengthening routines.
There are some exercise ideas Here in the Gear blog. Here is another Link to the Gear blog- a couple of repeats but some new topics.
Does AJ swim? If you have access swimming is a great exercise for tripawds.
Be sure you also cover all slippery surfaces for AJ- wood or tile floors, etc. Tripawds need good traction to feel confident. Here are some ideas on traction.
There are some rehab videos here but I can't find them right now. I'll look again later unless Admin or Jerry can find them first.
Karen and the pugapaplooza
Welcome to you and AJ. Sorry you had to find us here. We were also a front amp dealing with cancer in a young pup, so not really the same situation, but I wanted to say that we'll be sending good thoughts out to AJ that his surgery goes well.
Not much to add to what others have already said, but wanted to welcome you and assure you that owning a Tripawd is an awesome thing. Once he is recovered from the surgery (generally about a two week process) he will begin to amaze you.
Rest up before the surgery! When he comes home, you will likely listen for every little sound, whether he needs you or not. Sleep can start to be in short supply after a few nights of that, so rest up!
Keep us posted,
Jackie, Angel 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!
Poor AJ! I'm so sorry you find yourself here with us.
I'm not a vet but I am just wondering, when you say "severed his hind leg", I assume from your title, you mean his hind leg "nerve"? Have you seen a neurologist vet? I know they aren't available everywhere. For me, I'd seek the opinion of one when it involves a nerve.
Here's the good news if you have to do an amputation.......an amputation will be a breeze compared to hip surgery! 
Please keep us posted. I'm truly sorry this has happened to your little guy.
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.
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