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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We are thinking more and more that we might be ready for a new dog. We are really considering a small dog and actually are going to meet this guy next week:
http://www.petf.....l/22909018
In the end, we shall see if I can do a little dog... I haven't had a small dog since I was a little kid. And for the last 21 years I have only had dobermans. I'll have to see if I meet this guy and feel that he is right for us.
If he is though, I'm wondering... I never thought much about if having a leg amputated might shorten a pups life expectancy. With Spencer obviously his life expectancy was shorter because of the cancer.
this guy is about 2 years old. I'm assuming that his life expectancy won't be any different than normal; but I'm not sure. Does anyone know?
Jac and Angel Spencer. Spencer was 5.25 years old. He fought a grade 3 fibrosarcoma, started on his shoulder. Left front leg amputated in August 2011. 15 weeks of chemo finished 12/22/11 (mytox and adria). Lung mets found on x-rays 12/28/11. Started carboplatin 1/6/12. Went to Heaven on 2/27/12. I miss him like crazy every day. See his blog here: http://spencer.tripawds.com/
I can't give you any clues on life expectancy, but he sure is cute. And at that size, there's still plenty of room for your dobbie!!
Kathy & Harley
Harley is an 8 year old Golden Retriever. Amp surgery for an infiltrative lipoma canceled due to two masses in chest. A rescue, he found his forever home on 3/18/07 and left for his eternal home on 1/09/13. His story and medical history are at http://myharley.....pawds.com/
definitely a cutie pie!! little dogs can live to be quite the seniors, and since the amp was due to a break, that shouldn't be a cause for concern... of course, having a vet check him out first is always best, but maybe this little man is just what your family needs!!
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
Awwww, what a cutie! Thanks for considering a Tripawd! I tell ya, after having a Tripawd in your life, four leggers just seem kind of odd!
Based on members' experiences here, and what vets have told us, the types of issues a Tripawd will encounter as s/he ages are along the lines of more joint stress, but that can easily be alleviated with dedicated rehab therapy, when needed, and of course monitoring activity. With a dog this size, it shouldn't be as much of a problem than it would for, say a German Shepherd. I've never heard of life expectancy being shortened specifically because a dog is missing a leg. In fact I just talked to a vet who had a blind, three legged Tripawd German Shep who lived to 11 years old, and other have lived even longer. Life expectancy just depends on the cards a dog is dealt, and of course a good diet and care go a long way in preventing anything that would shorten it.
Good luck!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh my gosh, he is just adorable, I hope you bond! Little bits are a lot easier to hold in your lap.... size doesn't matter to your heart.
OMD, he is adorable! I hope you fall in love with him and bring him home so that we can all get to know him through you! I've never had a small dog (unless beagles count as small...) but he is darn cute. And there's something to be said for havng a pup you can easily pick up in case of emergency!
Even if he does have a slightly shorter life - it will still be a pawesome life cuz he'll be with a family that knows what rockstars tripawds are. With Abby (seriously screwed on the longevity thing...) I was think that she didn't know that she didn't have a full life expectancy. She just knew she had a FULL life.
This little guy looks like a love. 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!
AngelAbbysMom said With Abby (seriously screwed on the longevity thing...) I was think that she didn't know that she didn't have a full life expectancy. She just knew she had a FULL life.
Well said Jackie, that is a terrific way of looking at things, especially when coping with cancer.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Since he is a small dog you really wouldn't expect many orthopedic problems. Just make sure to watch his weight.
Pam
When do you go to meet this guy? He is cute, for sure. I don't think it will matter much whether or not you want him--your children will decide! How will you possibly tell them "no" after they realize he's totable? He is the perfect size for a doll stroller or a wagon, and he is also perfect to rotate between the 3 of them on the couch when they watch a movie. Makes it much easier to share the popcorn because he'll be right there. You'll just have to make a schedule for who he sleeps with on which nights.
Let us know how this turns out!
Shari
PS-did you decide if you're coming to CO this summer?
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Chuy lost his leg due to injury and does just fine. We just watch his weight and his activity level. If he starts to get too rambunctious, we tell him to settle down a bit. Of course Chuy is a bit larger than your cutie pie. He's 53 lbs and holding his weight for 3 yrs. now. Even after going through FHO surgery on top of his amputation.
We don't expect him to have a shorter life span than normal unless something drastic happens to him. He's a healthy, happy pup, that loves life to the fullest!
Tripawds are the best! You'll Love having that little guy become a part of your family.
Chuy, showing everyone that Tripawds do everything 3 times better than regular dogs!
just a little update... Monday last week I stepped in a hole and tore a ligament in my foot.
I wasn't at all up and mobile enough to have a new dog, so I called them and let them know that I would be out as soon as I am mobile enough if Curly hasn't been adopted yet. I'm getting better each day and am hoping that I might be able to get out there Wednesday.
Jac and Angel Spencer. Spencer was 5.25 years old. He fought a grade 3 fibrosarcoma, started on his shoulder. Left front leg amputated in August 2011. 15 weeks of chemo finished 12/22/11 (mytox and adria). Lung mets found on x-rays 12/28/11. Started carboplatin 1/6/12. Went to Heaven on 2/27/12. I miss him like crazy every day. See his blog here: http://spencer.tripawds.com/
and... it looks like he was adopted this weekend. That rescue actually had 3 dogs I had hoped to meet and they are all off of the site now. I'm happy for the dogs and hope that they got great new homes. I'm just bummed that I got hurt and missed out!
Jac and Angel Spencer. Spencer was 5.25 years old. He fought a grade 3 fibrosarcoma, started on his shoulder. Left front leg amputated in August 2011. 15 weeks of chemo finished 12/22/11 (mytox and adria). Lung mets found on x-rays 12/28/11. Started carboplatin 1/6/12. Went to Heaven on 2/27/12. I miss him like crazy every day. See his blog here: http://spencer.tripawds.com/
Oh, that's a bummer. He was such a cutie. Hopefully he is in a happy home. I'm sure the Right One will come along.
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!
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