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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Morrie is a large (40 lb.) 11-year-old French Bulldog who is a recent front leg amputee. Three weeks post surgery he is doing great, going up and down small sets of steps and getting around well. My concern is that, because his chest is so large, most of his weight is on his remaining front leg and that there is the danger of injury to that leg. He also had a tear to his ACL at age 7 which kept him from being active for almost a year. Does anyone have experience with a large-chested breed (bulldog) front leg amputee? Can anyone give me guidance as to what I can do to prevent injury to remaining legs that is specific to heavy-chested dogs? I am currently keeping his weight down (he lost some after surgery) and encouraging him to walk around the house and in our small yard. At this point (3 weeks) should I be giving him more exercise? We do not have access to rehab for dogs.
Hello and welcome to Tripawds, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
Why did Morrie lose his leg? 40 lbs seems pretty big for a Frenchie? Tripawds need to be on the slim side to ease the strain on joints and muscles.
It is very important to build core strength with Tripawds. It is too bad you don't have access to a rehab facility, but you can do all kinds of things at home to build Morrie's strength. I recently adopted a small pug mix rear leg Tripawd and I spend time everyday with her working on core strength. Most of it is in the form of games and practicing obedience.
I am going to steal some great links that Jerry just posted for another front leg amp member:
Brain games are waaaaay more tiring and beneficial than hard physical exercise. Here are some posts about working out the mind for the ultimate exercise.
Interactive Games for Recovering Tripawd Dogs
Top #BetterWithPets Tips for a Stress-Free Life with Dogs and Cats
Fun DIY Games to Keep Your Tripawd Injury Free
More Interactive Doggy Brain Games
As for physical exercise, here are some ways we work out our Wyatt Ray, who lost his leg at 8 months young, so we totally get where you're coming from:
Try the K9FITBone for Balanced Fitness Fun
Best of Tripawds Gear and Fitness Tips for Three Legged Dogs
Paw Pods Make Tripawd Dog Exercise Fun
Help Your Tripawd Get Strong, Even When Eating
Doggie Rehab Therapy Tips to Help Tripawds Stay Strong
Our Tripawds e-book, Loving Life on Three Legs, also has lots of good tips about mental and physical exercise.
These were targeted at a young tripawd but I think you will find some great information on how to help Morrie stay fit and strong.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Cannot wait to see pictures of Morrie! He sounds adorable!
Would @ove to hear more about Morrie when you get a chance.
You've gotten great links from Karan.
Rosco has transitioned, but he was a delightful front legger Bulldog who handled being a tripawd with great ease. Three weeks is still early so he shouldn't be doing too much. As you will see from the links, strength isn't built up by longer walks, but by strengthening his core muscles.
It takes a @ot of effort to walk on three legs!
It sounds like Morrie is doing really well!
Hugs to all!
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!
Thank you for caring, and for your suggestions. It helped me to realize that, although we don't have rehab (Big Island of Hawaii), there is a lot of information online, and there are things I can learn and do to help Morrie with his recovery. His first "rehab" session went well except he hated the ladder exercise. Even watching his little sister, with whom he's normally very competitive, do it a few times didn't motivate him.
Thanks again, so much!
His avatar picture! OMD!! Sooooo cute! Give Morrie's mug a big smooch for me!
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!
Welcome! I love that you are so conscientious, because yes, deep chested front leggers (especially short-bodied ones) do put more stress on that front leg, so rock on Mom, you're pawesome!
One more link I want to add. Dr. Debbie Gross, aka the Wizard of Paws and one of the first certified canine rehab therapists in the U.S., has an online program you can purchase as well. We did this program last year in our Tripawds Fenzi Academy Course and it was fantastic! Here it is:
http://wizofpaw.....ipods.aspx
Remember to start slow and just a few minutes at a time. You'll be so glad you made fitness and exercise a part of Morrie's life, he will thank you furever! Keep us posted and let us know how it goes.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello Morriesmom I was wondering if you or anyone had any advice on my 11 year old 30lb Frenchie who just went through this procedure as well. Do you have any tips or things I should purchase that I’m not aware of at this point in his recovery? He is 1.5 weeks post op and seems to be doing great. Gets tired easily however I would too! I learned he needs a car seat as balancing on one leg was tricky yesterday. I would appreciate any advice or tips if you have them! Thank You in advance from one Frenchie mom to another!
Bentley’s Mom, welcome. Sorry for the brief response but I am on my phone and wanted to get your post approved so others can see it.
I will chime in tomorrow when I can type better but please consider starting an all new topic so we can learn more about your pup ok?
back tomorrow morning, stay tuned.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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