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Message
Anyone have experience with 3 legged dogs (amputees) ?
Posted on 11/12/14 at 9:16 am
Posted on 11/12/14 at 9:16 am
My girlfriend adopted a freshly 3 legged, 7 month old, Schnauzer mix from the Houston SPCA last weekend. His name is Hank.
Hank is probably the nicest and warmest animal I've ever been around. I really do think he appreciates being adopted from the pound and having a loving home. He was at the Houston SPCA for 3.5 weeks. They brought him in via Animal EMT. They aren't sure what happened, but guess he was ran over. It also appeared he had been out there on his own quite a while they suspect because of the fleas and flea dander he had. They decided to amputate his back right leg down to a nub and he's been there healing ever since. Well, til Saturday when we couldn't pass him up.
Surprisingly he's doing really well all things considering. He can fully run around like any other dog. Just doesn't have the muscle mass in his one back leg to play for long. We worry about him running around and sliding around the kitchen and on the hard wood floors. That he might slip and hurt his other leg. We are in the marked for some type or boot or sock to help him maintain traction for that back leg.
Anyone have any experience with a "tripod" or can recommend us a boot of some sort for poor Hank?
Hank is probably the nicest and warmest animal I've ever been around. I really do think he appreciates being adopted from the pound and having a loving home. He was at the Houston SPCA for 3.5 weeks. They brought him in via Animal EMT. They aren't sure what happened, but guess he was ran over. It also appeared he had been out there on his own quite a while they suspect because of the fleas and flea dander he had. They decided to amputate his back right leg down to a nub and he's been there healing ever since. Well, til Saturday when we couldn't pass him up.
Surprisingly he's doing really well all things considering. He can fully run around like any other dog. Just doesn't have the muscle mass in his one back leg to play for long. We worry about him running around and sliding around the kitchen and on the hard wood floors. That he might slip and hurt his other leg. We are in the marked for some type or boot or sock to help him maintain traction for that back leg.
Anyone have any experience with a "tripod" or can recommend us a boot of some sort for poor Hank?
21
Posted on 11/12/14 at 9:18 am to Klark Kent
I think they make some kind of wheel don't they?
Posted on 11/12/14 at 9:20 am to Klark Kent
They tend to do okay once they get used to it. They adjust, just as any of us would to distributing the weight across the 3. Once he loses muscle tone with age, he'll have a problem and he'll probably have joint problems earlier on the 3 remaining legs. He'll pick up kind of a loping/limping style to try to run and keep up, but the ones I've been around in the past seemed to do alright over time and have a decent quality of life.
I would watch his weight, because that will cause the downward spiral - more weight, less activity, less muscle tone, invalidity - etc. Other than that, let him adjust to the world, because dogs are going to do that, anyway.
I would watch his weight, because that will cause the downward spiral - more weight, less activity, less muscle tone, invalidity - etc. Other than that, let him adjust to the world, because dogs are going to do that, anyway.
This post was edited on 11/12/14 at 9:21 am
Posted on 11/12/14 at 9:20 am to Klark Kent
Grandpaw always used to shoot the gimp dogs when we were kids.
Posted on 11/12/14 at 9:23 am to Klark Kent
I have a buddy that has a Schnauzer mix that is missing one of his front legs. He is a great dog. He got used to it. He would slide around on slick floors at first, but not so much now. Good luck with Hank! 
Posted on 11/12/14 at 9:24 am to Klark Kent
Not a big deal. Seriously. I knew a guy who had a two legged dog (one front and opposite side back) that ran around like a normal dog. Was really freaky to see that dog run across a parking lot and jump in his truck.
Posted on 11/12/14 at 9:25 am to Klark Kent
I had a 3-legged dog for years (Chewy). He was awesome and since it was his back right leg that was amputated it was not a problem. His strength in his legs will increase and there will be no need for any type of prostetic.
Dogs who have a front leg amputated struggle because their front legs bear most of the weight. I could run 5 miles with chewy and he was ready to go again 20 minutes later! I miss chewy!
Dogs who have a front leg amputated struggle because their front legs bear most of the weight. I could run 5 miles with chewy and he was ready to go again 20 minutes later! I miss chewy!
Posted on 11/12/14 at 9:26 am to Ace Midnight
quote:
I would watch his weight, because that will cause the downward spiral - more weight, less activity, less muscle tone, invalidity - etc. Other than that, let him adjust to the world, because dogs are going to do that, anyway.
i didn't even think of this. going to have to be very careful about what he is being fed so he doesn't put on extra weight.
Posted on 11/12/14 at 9:29 am to Paluka
Aww, Chewy sounds awesome.I hope Hank adjusts that well.
It's incredible just how far the little guy has come in 3.5 weeks since losing his leg. We were really surprised to see him open it up and run the first time we had him in a yard.
One thing Hank does that gets me every time is he hugs you with one of his front legs. Of course he can't jump up on you like 4 legged dogs, so you have to bend down and pet him. When you do, he wraps one of his front legs around your leg and leans in. Like he's hugging you.
It's incredible just how far the little guy has come in 3.5 weeks since losing his leg. We were really surprised to see him open it up and run the first time we had him in a yard.
One thing Hank does that gets me every time is he hugs you with one of his front legs. Of course he can't jump up on you like 4 legged dogs, so you have to bend down and pet him. When you do, he wraps one of his front legs around your leg and leans in. Like he's hugging you.
This post was edited on 11/12/14 at 9:30 am
Posted on 11/12/14 at 9:31 am to Klark Kent
We had a pack of dogs and out of the pack of dogs we had a three legged one named Chester.
Chester was the fastest dog we had. Never gave up. He was also the sweetest dog out of the group you seem to have an appreciation for us taking him in when nobody else wanted him
Chester was the fastest dog we had. Never gave up. He was also the sweetest dog out of the group you seem to have an appreciation for us taking him in when nobody else wanted him
Posted on 11/12/14 at 9:34 am to Klark Kent
They adapt just fine.
Posted on 11/12/14 at 9:36 am to Klark Kent
Put him on wheels or take him out back and you know....
Really the only humane thing to do.
Really the only humane thing to do.
Posted on 11/12/14 at 9:39 am to Klark Kent
friend had one growing up. he was a great dog and im assuming lived a long life after we graduated.
+1 to you for taking a dog others would pass on. Dogs are better than people and its not even close.
+1 to you for taking a dog others would pass on. Dogs are better than people and its not even close.
Posted on 11/12/14 at 9:41 am to Klark Kent
My friend growing up had a 3 legged German Shepherd. He got around fine.
Posted on 11/12/14 at 9:44 am to Klark Kent
I had a three-legged dog for a long time. One of the best dogs I've ever had. He could do everything my other dogs could, including digging holes, which was really odd when I found out it was him doing it and not the other dog.
Posted on 11/12/14 at 9:44 am to Jim Rockford
quote:
My friend growing up had a 3 legged German Shepherd. He got around fine.
I have a 4 legged German Shepherd and it gets around just fine.
Would recommend adding the 4th leg to your friends dog. (They can run faster and catch more squirrels)
Posted on 11/12/14 at 9:45 am to Klark Kent
quote:
Anyone have any experience with a "tripod" or can recommend us a boot of some sort for poor Hank?
My dog was ran over by a car early in it's life and spent 8+ years on 3 legs... it could still run really well and never showed any signs of struggling.
Posted on 11/12/14 at 9:46 am to BT
quote:
Grandpaw always used to shoot the gimp dogs when we were kids.
Posted on 11/12/14 at 9:48 am to Klark Kent
Posted on 11/12/14 at 9:48 am to Klark Kent
My wife adopted one.
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