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
Hi all--
Our 2-year-old lab, Buddy, had his left front leg amputated about 18 months ago. Sunday he broke his toe on his right front leg. (We aren't sure how -- we assume he did it jumping off the bed??)
The vets are currently consulting with others to determine a course of action. They are concerned that taping his toes could cause sores on his one good front foot (which is what led to his amputation in the first place -- a wound that would not heal).
Wondering if anyone has had a similar experience. What did you do???
Thanks much--
Buddy's owner
Oh no! That sounds kinda painful. I haven't had to deal with either of those problems, so I can't tell you what I did. However, since you've been down the road of sores that won't heal, I wonder if there are there some pretty obvious warning signs that's happening. If so, I'd be inclined to tape it and watch it like a hawk. I mean, it's strikes me as a pretty easy and affordable solution, assuming it works and doesn't lead to sores. It's worth a shot. If not, what are the alternatives? Would wearing a bootie help? If not for sore prevention, but I have to imagine if Jackson's toes were tapped, no matter what kind of tape was used, he'd eat it off or pull it off as soon as possible. A bootie may help. Maybe even with a doggie sock in there, to help keep the tape intact?
Good luck! Keep us posted!
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Which toe did he break?
Right hind limb amputated 7/3/12 for OSA, started on alternating cycles of Carboplatin and Doxorubicin and oral Palladia. Single lung met 9/1. Met in the neck muscle removed 9/30. Large mass in sublumbar lymph node 10/2. Rescue chemo with ifosfamide 10/6. Mets to the rib and axillary lymph node 10/21. Started Leukeran and Pred 10/25. Wookie left this Earth for a far better place on 12/4/12. I miss you, Boo, you were my heart.
Hey Buddy welcome back! Sorry about the broken toe. Ouch!
No more jumping on the bed, ya little monkey!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
He broke his "little toe" on his right front foot (don;t know the proper name -- sorry). Thankfully, the vet tells me, it is not on a joint, so he will not get arthritis there.
It is certainly more of a challenge to deal with, being a tripawd. Normally I would splint the leg for a period of time, to allow the fracture to heal. But splints can be very hard for a 3 legged dog to deal with, especially if the affected leg is the one opposite the amputated leg.
The reason I asked which toe was affected, is because dogs bear most of their weight on the center two digits. Digits are numbered 1-5, with digit 1 being their dewclaw (whether they have a dewclaw present or not), and digit 5 being their "pinky" toe on the outside, if you will. So the major weight-bearing digits are 3 and 4. It sounds like Buddy broke his 5th digit, so that is probably going to be easier for him to deal with. That being said, being a tripod, he places more weight on ALL of his front digits compared to the average quadruped.
How is he walking on the leg now? Did your vet decide to bandage the paw at all?
Right hind limb amputated 7/3/12 for OSA, started on alternating cycles of Carboplatin and Doxorubicin and oral Palladia. Single lung met 9/1. Met in the neck muscle removed 9/30. Large mass in sublumbar lymph node 10/2. Rescue chemo with ifosfamide 10/6. Mets to the rib and axillary lymph node 10/21. Started Leukeran and Pred 10/25. Wookie left this Earth for a far better place on 12/4/12. I miss you, Boo, you were my heart.
We're always learning something new from you Wookie!
Does that mean that those toes are more at risk of fracture? Would it be safe to say that for a front leg dog, that is especially the case?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
You are correct -- he broke his 5th digit. The first day (Sunday), he had a lot of trouble walking on it. He whimpered and cried, and my husband carried him to the car for the emergency vet visit. Monday he was better and hopping about -- even jumping a bit, as normal. Note he was on Rimadyl and Tramadol by this time. But Monday I also noticed his toe was swollen and looked to be a bit separate from the rest of his foot. So I called our regular vet and got him in for an x-ray.
Today the vet called. They consulted with an ortho specialist (I believe) and concluded that they will splint the leg. We go tomorrow for the splint.
I hope this is a good choice.
I'm open to other ideas, comments, criticisms.
Thanks so much for your help!!
Criticism? No way! You're doing great by seeing your vet and having such a great team on your side. You can't go wrong there.
The splint is going to be interesting, but we've had other dogs here face similar challenges and they did fine. Buddy will too, you'll see. Let us know how they want you to care for him...will he be on crate rest only? Allowed to go on potty walks? Carried? How long will be be in the splint? Will he have pain meds? Share the details when you get a chance so we can help support you in any way we can. Good luck!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yesterday the vet put his splint on, and Buddy can't walk. The vet had to carry him to the car, and my husband had to carry him into our house. We all thought "he'd figure it out," but he hasn't. My husband has carried him outside a number of times to do his business, but he just stands there, wobbles, and lies down.
He's currently crying downstairs while my son and I get ready for school and work. I don't want to leave him, but I have to. Thankfully, I only work part of the day.
This is soooo sad.
I'll call the vet and see what he recommends. I'm sure he'll say to give it time. Which is probably the best advice. But right now it's very difficult to see Buddy suffer.
Thanks for all your kind wishes.
Ohhh poor baby! I know this has gotta be upsetting for all of you. I'm not sure what I would do. Try to stay strong, I'll bet by the time you come home he will be a little more confident on it. How long does he have to stay in the splint?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Ohhh poor baby! I know this has gotta be upsetting for all of you. I'm not sure what I would do. Try to stay strong, I'll bet by the time you come home he will be a little more confident on it. How long does he have to stay in the splint?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
They're telling us 6-8 weeks!
When I got home from work, he was on the couch -- just a few feet away from his dog bed. But when I tried to get him to walk to go outside, he couldn't. I called the vet, and they're telling us to wait and see how he progresses. They think he'll improve by Monday.
It's so hard to see him struggle. And fall over -- over and over.
But we'll stay strong, as you said.
Again, thanks for all the kind words!
That's a long time. Drats! I thought he would be running around by now. Do you have a sling or harness you can use to help him manage?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
AH! I feel very badly for you and him. To hear crying is awful. Poor guy. Yeah, I guess the only thing is to stay strong and hopefully he'll figure it out. Good luck.
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
2 Guest(s)
