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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Hey about 30 minutes ago I just hit my 8 year old German short hair pointer with the car in the bushveld. She lost 3/4 of her skin on her left hind leg. The Vet told me she had a 5% chance of it growing back and offered me the choice of putting her out or letting her live on 3 paws. I decided to let her live even though she is a hunting dog, its what she lives for. Can someone please tell me how good the living quality of this dog will be on 3. Will she still be able to run in the bush. And if she can't hunt anymore, will it be cruel of me let her live without the only thing she lives for?
Greetings from South Africa
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Pointer GSP said:
... please tell me how good the living quality of this dog will be on 3.
Thanks for asking, please consider registerring so your posts appear immediately without requiring moderation.
Every dog is different, but you can see what a great quality of life three legged dogs live just by viewing some of Jerry's videos – tripawds can run, play, and swim as good as any other dog. Will she every be exactly the same again? Probably not. She may tire easier and require more rest and water breaks. But will she love life? Absolutely!
Check out the story of Gretchen, a three legged Retriever who continued to hunt long after she lost her leg to osteosarcoma. Hopefully you'll hear from Gus, a farm dog who recently had an abutation and is back working the fields again. And do't miss Maggie's blog! Maggie is an agile cow dog who continues to work agility courses on three legs.
Finally, bookmark Jerry's Required Redaing List for lots of links to helpful amputation recovery and exercise tips and advice.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Pointer GSP said:
And if she can't hunt anymore, will it be cruel of me let her live without the only thing she lives for?
Oh my gosh, we are so sorry, but glad to hear that she survived the accident. Wow.
Admin said what I was going to say, but I want to add that some of the things humans think dogs live for are simply things we enjoy doing because we've always done them. Even if your pup has difficulty with endurance on future hunting trips, please keep in mind that we dogs are so adaptable to new circumstances, we handle things like amputation so much better than any human can. Some dogs can go back to doing the things they loved, however in shorter durations, while others find that hanging out at the homestead and letting people spoil them rotten ain't such a bad place to be.
While the first two weeks of recovery are challenging, as life gets back to normal you'll find that your dog will overcome this like a champ. It sounds as if she's fit, which is a huge plus when a dog becomes a Tripawd.
Here's another great story about Calpurnia, our favorite 3-legged sled dog that may inspire you:
Three Paws, Two Years, No Problem!
Good luck. Keep us posted OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
sounds like your gal is very healthy and has the potential for many happy years ahead. don't define her destiny by her history. she can still run like the wind on three legs - let her show you what she's made of!!!
gayle & charon
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
She had her amputation 1 day ago and shes back today running around how does that even work, I can't believe I even considered the thought of putting her out. She is the same dog she's ever been and still faster than the other GSP. Im going to get her a blog going, she isn't dont with this world for still some time to go!
misty_B_pointing said:
She had her amputation 1 day ago and shes back today running around...
Thanks for registerring, we're happy to hear your pup is recovering well. Is her name Misty or is that you?
PS: Please be sure to log in so you post appear without moderation.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
well hugo, that is GGRREEEAAATTT news!! so glad misty is recovering so well. these tripawds are surprising - the best teachers for us doubting humans. can't wait to hear more about her and you, once you get your blog going. take care, and paws crossed for continued improvements and healing!!!
gayle & charon
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
It is really great to hear she is doing so well but be careful not to let her over do it. Amputation is still major surgery so whether she wants to or not you need to try to keep her calm and quiet for awhile. You don't want her to have a set back.
Debra & Angel Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Welcome Misty! Greetings back from US of A!
So sorry for the accident! I'm so glad she is doing so well! Just remember surgery is a serious thing, so let the recovery go through it's necessary route. Some dogs do very well immediately but crash from pain since they overdid it.
Keep us posted - we need good news around here since our hearts are heavy from some losses this past week.
What's a bushveld?
Comet's mom
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
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