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
Thank you for the link to the video. This is the company that will be making his brace. It would be great to ask him to speak with Tripawds specifically about braces and knee issues caused by the altered gait in the tripawd - the damage is done now how does their brace help and why is their brace better than the rest.These videos seem to be talking more about prophylactics. I cannot find any research on how effective a brace is for an ACL (and msu called it something else -CCL?) tear in a canine. I would also like to see video of the titration process for getting used to the rear leg brace for front leg amputees. Seeing as our appointment will be today and this information will not magically appear before 2pm, I am now hoping more information will surface for furkid parents in the future in my same situation.
Fyi, the evaluation will be $170 (to start I'm sure). The brace itself will be $800 based on his size. The cost is less and more as weight decreases or increases. I am certain there will be in between costs as well. The company is in Colorado so measurements, molds of the affected area, and video are taken and sent. I have no issue spending this money IF what we are buying will prevent further damage particularly to the meniscus.
Feeling the waters rising,
Rebecca
Hi Rebecca,
First, breathe. I know, I'd feel stressed too. I'm so sorry to hear about the ruptured CCL (it's a "CCL" in dogs, "ACL" in humans). But if you're able, get a second opinion from a certified rehab vet. Surgeons will always jump to surgery to resolve a situation, because it's what they're trained to do. We've known many dogs who have been dx'd with a ruptured CCL only to have it be not as serious as the surgeon thought and managed by rehab therapy. See this post for details:
Treating Soft Tissue Injuries in Pets
Also, the Assisi Loop is a pain management and healing device we are investigating but have heard MANY great recovery story examples about. It's endorsed by one of the leaders in veterinary pain management , Dr. Mike Petty, a founding member of the International Veterinary pain management Association. Stay tuned for more on the Assisi Loop in future posts from us.
If surgery ends up being necessary, recovery isn' a cakewalk but not impossible either. Many Tripawds have recovered from another leg surgery.
CCL ruptures can happen for all sorts of reasons. The Tripawd gait doesn't help and increases the risk but other factors include a dog's fitness level and even neutering can make a male dog more susceptible.
Orthopets is the best prosthetics /orthotics company out there and well worth the investment. What makes them stand out from others is they are one of the only ones with decades of studying the biomechanics of animals, they have veterinary consultants and employees on board and they have the technology behind them. They train their vet reps to carefully measure, fit and train dogs in using their devices. You are in great paws there.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you for the link to the Assisi Loop. I will definitely research this. Will post outcome of brace fitting.
You bet. I'd love to hear more about how it goes.
We have an interview with the Assisi folks coming up soon in the Tripawds Gear blog , stay tuned.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
On June 17, 2016 Bacon left our sides to join his best friend Pablo at the Rainbow Bridge. He gave all he could and let us know he was just too tired for anymore.
On June 16th Bacon lost control of his right back leg making walking, sitting, and standing difficult. He was in obvious pain. To compound matters he had torn the CCL in his left hind leg about a month ago. Due to all he had been through since July, his age, and his current pain experience, we made the very difficult decision to put him to sleep. We are crestfallen without him. Many thanks to the Tripawds community for the support you have all given. We are thankful and Bacon is thankful you let his mama, papa, and brother Hamlet into your hearts.
We love you Bac-a-boo more than words can ever describe. You are our best friend. Thank you for your unconditional love for the past 12 years. Rest in peace sweet boy.
Bacon - 5/13/2004 - 6/17/2016
I am so sorry to hear this, but you can at least rejoice in the 12 wonderful years together. Will be thinking about you.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
So very sorry it was time to say farewell to your boy. He was so lucky, however, to have your love and care and that you loved him enough to know he needed to go.
Wishing Bacon the sweetest dreams. Wishing you comfort in knowing you did all that was possible for him and in the memories you have over 12 years and particularly the last 6 months that you only had because you were courageous enough to pursue amputation.
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Surrounding you with much love and support at this hardest of times. Setting them free when the time is right is the greatest and last gift we can give them but also the hardest. It takes our hearts longer to catch up to the mind knowledge that it's time to love them enough to let them go and the grief we are left with is mixed with the relief we have that they no longer suffer. Bacon was truly a lucky boy to have been such a loved member of your pack. Fly free fly high handsome Bacon! You have earned those Angel wings mighty Warrior.
Linda,Riley & Spirits Mighty Max & Ollie
Rebecca, my deepest condolences go out to you, I'm so very, very sorry. That was a tough, but very courageous and compassionate decision.
Bacon fought so hard to live the life he loved and he did for a long time! You helped him be the best dog he could be all these years and he was a brave soul right up until his last breath. Although you're separated physically right now, spiritually you and he will be forever intertwined and lighting up the world with all of the love and happiness you created together.
We would enjoy hearing more about Bacon and seeing some photos if you're feeling up to it. Whenever you are, we're here for you OK?
There's lots of love coming your way, now and always. Run free Bacon, go be a puppy again.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
My heart goes out to you all. So sorry for your loss of your beloved Bacon! Sending you love and healing energy... lots of hugs as the next weeks come. Stay close to us and lean on us . .... Your tripawds family will always be here for you!
Much love,
alison with spirit shelby in her heart
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Oh Rebecca, I'm so sorry about Bacon! He was such a brave boy and fought so hard. Hugs to you 
Donna & Murphy
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Thank you all for your kind words. Your love and support is felt and appreciated.
3 Guest(s)
