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
Hello,first of all. I love this community,i was searching on info about the needs of a 3-legged dog,and came across this incredible site. Which i am glad i did.
Well,the thing is,my dog got hit by a car yesterday evening,he is a big dog,the size of a Golden,maybe a little smaller.
I have him since he was born here at home,we adopted his mom,she was a stray. We know the person who hit him,it was an accident and the person lives right here in the block,she came back asking. Well,he got a fracture leg on the front leg and the second one too. right side both. the back leg,its very unlikely that they can save him without discomfort for him. its literally,shattered.
I would like to know,even if the vet have yet to open him to be sure,i want to be prepared for it. mentally,i think i am...at least enough,its not a big deal to me,he will be just fine,as long as he can be alive and i can give him a good life,i don't care.
He is submissive,not to the extreme,socialized with dogs and people,not aggressive at all. He was an outside dog,and now i want to bring him inside,first of all,so his recovery can be more peaceful and better,and so he can be more comfy now.
My concern is,with one led less,and a fracture on the same side,his recovery will be a heck of a job*for him and us*
So any tips and stuff you can ive me,i welcome them.
He is a one and a half year old. Mixed breed,probably collie and Labrador.
I don't live in the USA,i live in Dominican republic. so,some of the things i can't access but,if you give me alternatives i will search. we have actually a lot of things here and pet stores.
Oh,and my house is a two-story,we have a parrot,chickens,a cat and a very small chihuahua they all get along,except the cat,he can be a little mean ;/
Well,that's all,anything,you can ask! He has no internal injuries whatsoever,we visited him today,he just have two cuts and seems to be doing ok.
Thanks in advance and sorry for the long,long post 
Welcome to Tripawds, your future posts will not require moderation.
Sorry to hear about the accident, what's your pups name?
Is the back leg the one he will lose? It will be a little rougher recovery with another fractured leg- but it is possible. We've had Tripawds here who have had surgeries on one of their remaining legs- of course it is more challenging, but they have come through.
I'm thinking a harness will be really useful for your boy- you can read about them here: http://gear.tri.....g/harness/. Many here use the Ruff Wear Webmaster: http://gear.tri.....r-harness/. There is information at the bottom of the page about where to find a retailer that ships international.
Once healed up stairs are doable for most three leggers. Traction is very important, on stairs and slippery floors.
You should also read through the Required Reading List: http://tripawds.....ding-list/. Lots of info there on amputation and recovery.
Keep us posted on how your pup is doing.
Karen
I think Karen gave you some wonderful advice!
I have a friend whose lab had his legs shot out from under him. One being broken. One being amputated. When I found out that Bud needed to have his amputation, my friend was the first person I called. I asked her is she had any regrets? She said absolutely none! The recovery was hard because he was not mobile at first but they got through it.
Each day was better. The lab was still with his family....living and loving! He is still a happy and healthy dog.
Best wishes!
Awww 
Thanks a lot. His name is Maxi*short for Maximilian* tomorrow they will check his front leg again,as the x-rays came out fuzzy on that one. we visited him two times today,he was wagging his tail and seemed happy to see us. a little drowsy because of pain meds.
It would be a little hard to get him that harness,since the dollar is very expensive here*40 pesos= 1 USD dollar...ouch*
Any idea? i can get a normal harness,but,any tips are welcome. I will keep updating on his progress!.
About him being an outside dog,do you guys think there will be any problem having him inside?,i mean,after he recovers and everything. i had times when he was upstairs and got down just to do his busyness. the only accident i ever had was when he found the training pads my other dog uses,which is normal.
Sorry for the doble post. Just wanted to update. The vet said that they will put screws and that after healing he wont be able to use it. Cause one ligament is damaged,so he will be limping. Its not totally sure until tomorrow but she sounded more sure this time. As long as it gives him no discomfort......
What do you think?
Welcome, and so sorry to hear about your dog's accident.
So is your vet saying they won't have to amputate the rear leg, or are you talking about screws for the damaged front leg after the amputation?
On the harness, someone hear might have one to send to you.
Read about our Hunter at http://superdog.....pawds.com/
7/27/2003 ~ 7/24/2013
Our Super Dog Hunter crossed over the Rainbow Bridge on a beautiful summer day in July, just 3 days shy of his 10th Birthday. He gave us everything since he was 8 weeks old. Hunter was a 14 month warrior of OS. We LOVE and MISS him every day.
For now they are saying that maybe the rear leg can be saved with screws,but thats not sure until tomorrow when they do surgery to him. The front leg was already bandaged today.
sthephanie22 said
It would be a little hard to get him that harness...Any idea?
We suggest using a soft towel slung under the belly if additional support is required in the meantime. A reusable canvas shopping bag slit down the sides also makes a handy temporary sling.
Recovery from amputation with another injured leg will be difficult, but not impossible. Please consult with your vet for specific recommendation, since we are not vets. Confinement, however, will be most important for speedy recovery.
Too many times we hear from people putting their dogs through multiple painful expensive surgeries trying to "save the leg" only to end up amputating anyway. Best wishes, please keep us updated.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yeah,in fact i was in favor of amputating since i know it was sadly the best choice,cause having the leg and being unable to use it,is the same as not having it..... But the dog belongs to my entire family and my dad is very conservative with those things,so he thinks that removing the leg is the most horrible option.
Its uncomfortable,but i am sort of unable to voice my opinion,even if it is my dog and i am the one who cares for him the most*in terms of necessities and affection*,my mom,and brother do love him a lot,but i am more deeply involved with him.
Its so frustrating >__<
Hi there,
Well it sounds like your pup is getting great medical care! No matter what your family decides to do, we are here if you want to ask any questions about recovery and stuff.
One thing you might want to ask the vet is, what are the chances that the leg will heal properly with screws? When a leg won't heal and amputation is needed, oftentimes costs are 2x as expensive than if amputation was the first choice. Don't know if that will affect your Dad's thinking at all but just thought I'd throw that out there. You might also want to show him our videos so he can see how well dogs do get around without that spare leg.
As for harnesses, we do have a Tripawds Angel Exchange where people pass along gear that they no longer use or need. You can also say that you're looking for one too.
Tomorrow will be a big day no matter what way you guys decide to go. Keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I am so sorry to hear about your dog. Looking at his picture reminds me of my first dog, Austin. They look so much alike. If they decided to go with the amputation please let me know. We have a harness that will help you with getting Maxi up and down the stairs. I can send it to you, so just let me kow. You can send it to me by PM and I will get it out to you. Cadence is about 90 lbs but it has adjustable straps so it should work. Keep us updated.
michele
“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.” ― Milan Kundera
Oh my...you guys are so kind!! Thanks a million times!! Leys see how it turns out tomorrow. And thank you Michele for your offer,you are so sweet!. After tomorrow i will see and if we need it i will tell you.
ready for tomorrow!! I will update about whst was the final choice. And how it turns out.
Lots of love and a million blessings.
I also have a harness, a Ruffwear size large. I don't know what brand or size Michelle's is, but if it is a different size you can pick the one you need. Michelle, what do you have? I can send Dakota's out if it's a better fit. The Ruffwear website has measuring instructions so you can get what fits best.
Even if the leg is saved, you will probably need a harness while he recovers.
Just let us know. (I have my harness on the Angel Exchange but it may need to be bumped up.)
Shari
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/
I am a story of trying to save the leg. Bud's rear leg femur fractured due to a failed hip replacement. We had a fancy smancy orthopedic surgeon specialist try to fix it. He wired it back together. Bud endured 3 months of pain trying to get the leg to heal. It fractured again due to a bone infection he acquired as a result of the surgery. We were given no other alternatives but to amputate. As soon as the leg was gone so was the majority of the pain. We could see the difference immediately. I very much regret those 3 months of trying to save the leg. It was all very expensive and we almost lost our dog besides his leg due to the infection.
I would ask your doctor about his mobility and what pain he may have during the recovery and after the procedure.
Best wishes for Maxi in his recovery!
Thank you everyone!! well. the vet said it was worth a shot to put screws on. because his front left leg*the other broken one* will also need screws,so they will do both. my dad said that he will pay it,no matter how much if he can walk again. They will do surgery today,evening.
If i can keep posting up any inquiries i have about recovery and updates with how everything goes,i will : D!!
I have so many questions,but i don't know where to even start XD
2 Guest(s)
