Have you seen a three-legged dog? If you haven’t yet, try to visit a local shelter, and surely, you can find one.
You do not get to see a lovely pet like a three-legged dog every day. If your heart has melted for one and would like to adopt, read along so you will have ideas on how to care for this special kind of dog.
What is a 3-legged dog called?
Known as a “tripod dog” or “tripawd”, as what some pet parents call this fur baby, a three-legged dog may have lost its leg due to any of the following reasons:
- Congenital deformities — This can be inborn.
- Leg trauma — This can be a result of an injury or accident. Irreparable dislocations or fractures can be a source of major discomfort, pain, or even disability for your dog.
- Amputation — This can be due to medical conditions like cancer, such as a bone tumor. If left unremoved, this painful condition can spread to other body parts.
- Nerve damage — A damaged nerve may cause a limb to malfunction, hampering your pet’s movement and putting it in danger as the malfunctioning limb can potentially get trapped while your pet is moving.
- All other unmanageable painful conditions.
Are dogs OK with three legs?
A tripod dog is very much the same as your usual four-legged dog. Sometimes, you may not immediately notice that these dogs have missing limbs because they are acting normally like other dogs with complete four legs.
Usually, a three-legged dog has its leg amputated by way of a surgical procedure, but many of them are coping well. Dogs suffering from injuries or other diseases sometimes need their limbs amputated to improve their quality of life.
While it can be disheartening to imagine that your dog will have a missing limb, it is not yet the end of the world for these furry animals. Amputation is a means of freeing them from their suffering and pain and allows them to live normally again like any other dog. In other words, it signifies the beginning of a pain-free life.
At first, for pet parents, hearing the news from the vet that your dog needs to have his leg amputated can be frightening and saddening. Of course, who would want to have their dogs missing their limbs? None of you have ever thought and expected that someday, your dogs will have this kind of fate.
While it can be difficult for you to decide for your pet, veterinary care professionals are more than willing to assist you throughout the process. The vet will also guide you on how to help your dog cope with it and give recommendations for better and fast recovery.
Can a three-legged dog walk?
Perhaps, some of you have seen three-legged dogs happily running around and even playing fetch. Their carefree spirits have sent a signal that they are pretty much-doing good, and of course, being able to run and play means they are very much capable of walking.
Walking at a faster pace is not a problem using their three legs but making a quick or sharp turn can be difficult for these dogs. When it comes to balance, they find it hard to maintain balance while standing, especially on uneven ground, as they can be prone to stumbles or falls.
Can a 3-legged dog live a normal life?
As mentioned earlier, some three-legged dogs can be seen happily running around, playing, and living normally. So long as you help them go through it and adapt to life on three limbs, your dogs will soon forget that they have fewer limbs. The adjustment will be minimal, and they will be able to live the best life.
Helping your pet adapt to the three-legged life
Once your pet has its leg amputated, after-care is very crucial. To lessen the risk of complications, you must strictly obey what the vet says. Dogs with front leg amputation have a more difficult time adapting to their new condition than those with a rear leg amputation.
Post-surgery care
The post-surgery recovery period is usually 10-14 days. During this period, be sure your dog gets the necessary sleep and comfort. Deep-padded bedding will give the comfort your dog needs to recover faster. The soft surfaces will enable your dog to rest easily.
Prescribed medications and painkillers should be ready. If you notice that your dog seems to feel better, never decide for your dog whether to stop its medication or not. Always seek expert advice from the vet. Antibiotics should continue and be taken as advised. By stopping medications earlier than scheduled, you are putting your dog at risk.
Also, daily monitoring of the surgery wound is necessary to check for any discharge, swelling, and possible bleeding. Always be ready with the veterinary care clinic’s contact number should you need to report any of these.
To prevent infection, keep your dog from licking the wound. You can use a cone or any anti-licking device.
Exercise to build strength
Adapting to life with three remaining legs will have to take time. Do not rush for your pet’s recovery and adjustment period.
Even if your dog wants to move around and get back on its feet, do not encourage him to stress himself out. They may fall, especially when standing on uneven surfaces or worse, on stairs, and injure themselves.
Get directions from your vet on how to carry your healing three-legged dog appropriately. Knowing how to handle your dog exactly will keep you from causing your dog any stress or additional pain. Your vet will also be able to give you directions on when you can start introducing some activities.
You and your dog must have lots of patience and understanding. Your dog will not be as fit as before, and walking on three limbs need a lot of effort.
While you may bring your dog for a walk to a dog park, this exercise may take a lot more energy. Better do multiple short walks instead of one long walk each day.
You may also consider an alternative exercise — something that can help build your dog’s stamina and muscles, such as controlled swimming or hydrotherapy. Not only is it good for their leg and joint health, but also be fun-filled. This kind of exercise will help your three-legged pets lead healthy lives without any added stress.
Physical therapy and rehabilitation
As your dog needs to strengthen its remaining limbs and leg muscles, performing regular exercise is necessary. The vet will instruct you when you can start introducing activities that would help strengthen the remaining legs.
With all the given exercises and activities, you have to keep a watchful eye on your three-legged dogs for possible signs of fatigue. Once you notice your pet frequently stopping for breaks, panting, or slowing down, then that is a sign that you need to stop and allow your pet to take a break.
Aside from recommending strength-building exercises, the vet will advise you to take your pet to a dog physiotherapist. To ensure that your dog is getting not just enough but correct exercise, a veterinary rehabilitation therapist is sure to help you on these matters.
Tripawds have very few limitations and a whole lot of love to give. Provide them with the care they need, and they will go on to live long and happy lives, no extra fuss required.
Weight management
Maintaining a healthy diet is the key to having a healthy weight. Too much weight will make it difficult for your three-legged pet to cope. This can also take a toll on your pet’s joint health and can lead to joint problems.
Watch what your dog eats, especially during the first few weeks after surgery. Since your dog does not have much activity during these times, it can be prone to weight gain.
As a responsible pet parent, you should never spoil your three-legged pet no matter how tempted you might be. The vet will assess your dog’s weight and mobility and recommend a therapeutic dog food specially formulated for your pooch’s lifestyle.
Special equipment or aids to navigate around your home
Moving around the house can be a struggle for tripod dogs. They must have missed going up their favorite couch and even beds.
Going to their feeding spot for food and water dishes is no different. If you have a larger dog, there will be a need for you to use a stand for better reach. Taller and larger dogs will have to stoop when eating or drinking, and this will cause them to lose balance.
To help your three-legged pets in navigating around your home, you can install steps and ramps. This way, your tripod dogs will not have the burden of jumping to reach their favorite spots.
If you are much capable of redesigning your home to make it more friendly to three-legged pets, then it would be a great idea. You can place carpets or cozy rugs on slick surfaces to avoid a possible slip or fall.
Monitor their interaction with other dogs in your home
Their playmates or four-legged peers may not fully understand what is going on with your three-legged dog. They may wonder why they have not played with their best friend. You can slowly introduce your three-legged pet to other household pets again, but make sure to keep an eye on them to ensure their safety.
Are there also three-legged cats?
There can also be a three-legged cat, and the reasons for having a missing limb are the same as dogs. Younger and male cats are most likely to lose a limb due to road accidents.
Caring for a three-legged cat is similar to that of a tripod dog. In addition, to food and water dishes, you also need to place their litter box and scratching poles within their reach.
Your cat may have litter box issues as they consider going toilet time a private activity. They may find it hard to dig and cover their poo. Cleaning themselves might also be hard, so you need to come to their rescue.
Most three-legged cats lose their hind legs rather than their front legs, so you would notice that your feline friends would act normally after they have recovered from the surgery. Some even become two-legged.
Felines are quite nimble and ingenious, and losing a leg or two will not stop them from living and enjoying life to the fullest. Just offer everything you can so they can adjust faster and still live safely, happily, and healthily.
A cat can forget that its four legs are already incomplete; it can even attempt to scratch its ear, for example. Whenever your cat feels confident to go out for a stroll in the yard, allow him to but keep a watchful eye also.
Control your cat’s weight. As with their canine counterparts, their weight can affect their movement and overall joint health. Inflammatory conditions such as arthritis can hamper their movement later in life.
Extra weight can strain their remaining limbs and contribute to joint problems. Remember that your cat, no matter how it tries to act normally, will never be the same as other four-legged pets, so they have to maintain a weight that fits their condition.
Adopting a three-legged pet
There are only very slight differences between adopting a four-legged versus getting a three-legged dog and cat. If you think about injuries or ailments which have led them to lose a leg, the shelter must have taken steps to address the issue.
Your local shelter has tripod dogs and cats waiting for a potential parent to give them a furever home. If you plan to adopt one, the shelter staff will surely orient and guide you with their past and current condition, including their ongoing treatment and care needs.
Once you bring home a tripawd pet, allow them to navigate and explore the area at their own pace. Perhaps these shelter pets have never experienced climbing stairs or even go jumping into a comfy couch. To their minds, it is as if they are saying, “Wow finally, this will be our home for the rest of my lives!“
Bringing in a tripawd pet entails a lot of patience. These three-legged pets need to adjust to their new home, and should there be other animals around also, they need to adapt to those around them too. It may take a while before they can feel a boost in your cat’s and dog’s confidence.
Encourage your pets to try new activities. As with any other training, positive reinforcement works. You will soon realize that these tripawds have become pros!
Invest in helpful gear for your pet
There can be instances when a pet loses not just one but two legs, and mobility can be more difficult for them. If you have these two-legged pets, you might want to consider getting your pets prosthetics or investing in a wheelchair. The worse thing is not just becoming two-legged but losing all fours completely.
Professionals specializing in orthotics ad prosthetics have made it possible to make a life for these animals relatively easier. Now, they have successfully created braces and artificial limbs, especially for canine amputees. They are also offering a car seat harness that has wide chest bands for those with front leg amputations.
Summary
Leg amputation, especially front leg amputation, is major surgery. Just the thought of having your beloved cats and dogs lose any of their precious limbs is quite heartbreaking for every pet parent.
Knowing that amputations are carried out to alleviate your beloved pet’s suffering and pain as caused by a variety of illnesses and diseases, however, seemingly gives you a little bit of relief. While you may worry about them having only three legs or worse, just a remaining front limb, think of the other side of the coin. Yes, the process of amputation can take your pet’s precious leg but will allow them to live longer.
Most dogs and cats have lived happily, acted normally throughout their lives, and were able to adapt well. The vet will work with you hand-in-hand, seeing that you arrive at the right decision for your pet, help you throughout the recovery period, and offer you some physical therapy.
To those who want to adopt one from the shelter, getting one will be one of the best life decisions you will make. Give a tripawd some TLC, for it will surely love you back and brighten your life.
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*photo by 371819 – depositphotos