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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I just adopted an 13 year old pit bull shar pei mix named Bella who is missing her right hind leg. Not exactly sure when or how she lost her back leg (I was told it was shattered when she jumped out of a 2nd story window, but I'm not sure how reliable the information was). It was obviosly a while ago, as the people I got her from had her for 5 years and it happened before she was in their care. She gets around great on three legs, except for the occasional flight of stairs, and she doesnt seem to be in any pain.
I guess I'm just looking for any information I can get on tripaweds, things to look out for and such. Espicially concerning older dogs, as she is getting up there.
Also I was told that she occasionaly has seizures, is this a typical side effect of amputating a leg? I saw that seizures were mentioned in some other posts.
I admire you for adopting a 'senior' and a tripawd you're obviously a wonderful person who recognizes a dog with lots of love to give. This site is very useful for tips about owning a tripawd, I found by just reading a lot of the posts it answered most of my questions. As for the seizures it sounds like your dog might have a history of epilepsy and hopefully nothing as sinister as brain tumors. Seizures are quite distressing for both you and the dog I would have that checked out by a vet and get some anti seizure medication. Good luck with Bella she sounds like a gorgeous old girl.
Annie and Butch (with angel wings)
Wow... you deserve a Nice Person Award!!! Good for you. Not only did you adopt an older dog but you got an extra special Tripawd older dog!
I am adopted also. I think that we need extra special soft beds and the very best kind of food in the world... oh, and be sure to tell your pawrents that Tripawds need special extra hugs, too... but that's just because we are extra awesome! We really are just like any other dawg...
Woof,
Pogi!
Thanks for joining the discussion! You might want to consider a harness for helping Bella on the stairs. You'll find plenty of advice in these forums from others who love their three legged dogs – young and old!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Congrats on being a pawrent. I'm so happy Bella found an angel . In regard to stairs she may need assistance. Having 3 legs changes their gait and can put some tension on her neck & spine. How about some supplements like glucosamine and omega. Perhaps a good mutli vitamin as well for seniors. Just run it by the vet first. Depending where the leg is missing affects going up or down the steps. There is a thread on here explaining more. Maybe someone will link it or you can search. As far as seizures are concerned that has nothing to do with being a tripawd. I would ask for her medical records or what vet they were using to find out her medical history. It would be helpful in identifying her issues.
Again welcome ... when you get a chance perhaps you can share some pics of your gal Bella. Thanks for rescuing her!!
Kim&Buster
Kim & Angel Buster
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
–Anatole France
We love it when we see angels take on human form and you are surely winged...how wonderful of you to give her a home when she is unfortunately not everyone's first choice in adoption...she is soooooo lucky!!!
Welcome to our family
Love Heather and Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
You are a saint!!! To adopt a special needs senior takes a heart of gold.
I have a seizure dog who is on medication to control the seizures. He also has bloodwork done every 6 months to make sure the medication is not hurting his body.
I doubt that the seizures have anything to do with the amputation.
You vet should be able to prescribe Bella with some anti-seizure medication. Also keep a diary of her seizure activity for doctor check-ups. Be observant to things she may have been doing on any day she has a seizure....eating, playing, anything different you may have done around the home, ect.
Good Luck!
Janie & Calamity
Janie & Calamity http://www.trix.....gspot.com/
Wow everyon thank you soooo much for your responses. Its comforting to know there is an online community of people who care so much for these dogs. I got Bella a harness for the stairs and it helps her ALOT (and me too cause she a bit of a chunker). I also have an appointment with the vet for thursday to see if we can figure out whats causing the siezures and get her some medication. She thankfully hasn't had any yet.
Also, whats the best type of food out there for her? I've asked tons of people but I get different responses each time. Anyone have a personal favorite?
And as a side note, she snores like crazy, any recomendations there?
And again, thank you.
Katie and Bella
cificapnaeco said:
Also, whats the best type of food out there for her?
Katie and Bella, funny you mention that. . . . before my Mom and Dad knew any better, I was eating commercial, store bought dog food, for the first few years of my life. And I used to have seizures. Not bad ones, but about once a month or so they would happen. When my Mom did some research and learned what was in commercial dog food, she was horrified. She also learned that many dogs have reactions, like seizures, from the harsh ingredients found in dog food.
She switched me to the Bones and Raw Food Diet (BARF), and guess what? The seizures stopped! I never had them again.
You can read more about my diet on my Health Tips page.
When I got cancer, I started losing too much weight on a strictly BARF diet, so Mom started feeding me some Innova "Evo" brand food, and that worked like a charm. It's a meat-based high protein, no carb diet that is very pure and good for dogs. I loved it!
Hope this helps.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi there Bella - mom has me on Royal Canin SO not for the cancer but because I have crystals...which is a lot like kidney stones in people and the SO helps keep them at bay - we deviated when we found out I had cancer, but the crystals came back and they are really painful, so I can't really eat anything else. BUT...mom adds lots of green vegetables and fish oil to my food which is YUMMY for me. I know this isn't a help, but I really just wanted to say "hi"...
Snoring? lol...yeah, I do it too when I fall into a deep sleep. We never did check it out - good question. Mom will have to ask her friend who is a vet.
Much love pal!
Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
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