About Me
Links & Resources
Image from Cassie’s Three Legged Dog Club
Animals are amazing, most of us know that I think. Whether it be the unconditional love they give, the ability to brighten up any day, or making awesome videos to entertain us on the internet, the world is a better place with animals but especially our pets. You know what else is incredible about them? Their ability to adapt to life’s changes (unfortunately not 100% of the time); specifically I want to talk about amputees – or more affectionately known as tripods.
Severe distal humerus fracture
Pets may only have 3 legs (or even 2!) for just a few reasons; some are even born that way. Whether it be cancer, irreparable injury, or congenital (from birth) as the cause, they have a remarkable capacity to adapt to their new lives. Sadly, many animals are euthanized rather than undergo a limb-sparing surgery. For many people, the thought of a pet losing a leg or being “disabled” is more than they can bear. Certainly, not every patient is a candidate to undergo such a procedure but for those that are, the emotional aspect should not dismiss the idea. Let’s look at both sides of the coin.
To finish on a good note, we’ll look at the cons first. The immediate post-op period does take some adjustment and there is a difference between front legs and back legs in terms of recovery and ultimate mobility. In my opinion, losing a front leg may be easier especially in terms of using the bathroom (much harder to balance without a second back leg!) but in time, most animals will learn how to move around wonderfully. Additionally, missing a leg will put added stress on the opposite side which can potentially lead to some joint problems or make arthritis seem worse – hence, it is important to keep these patients at a healthy weight. Your pet may also experience a phenomenon known as phantom pain, which will make them feel as though the limb is still part of the body. Lastly, things may seem cosmetically unattractive to you….let me assure you, Rover won’t care what his surgery site looks like. He’ll just be happy for treats, belly rubs, your assistance in learning to walk again, and being alive.
So why should you adopt a tripod or consider having an amputation surgery done on your pet if one is recommended? One main reason: the procedure is done as a way to eliminate pain (after the recovery period) from conditions such as nerve damage, non-reparable fractures, or bone tumors. A pain free life is a good life! That’s really THE reason to elect for that surgery. Sometimes cost for a fracture repair may be too much or the prognosis for recovery will be poor and amputation will be brought up. Aside from relieving pain, this may be done to preserve the bond you have with your pet; rather than euthanizing them, you can still let them live out their natural lives by your side. There’s so many intangible benefits as well!! They won’t hold a grudge against you for making this decision because you’re removing the pain. If they are 3-legged and awaiting adoption in a shelter, they will love you just as much as any pet with four legs. And if you’re feeling really ambitious, you can help them set up their own social media accounts to share their story & to help advocate for other tripods!
my own tripod Louie
Three legged pets often have an interesting story and are natural survivors. Losing a leg is not a death sentence; it’s a second chance at a renewed life. I’ve seen this with my own cat. Louie is a laid back, happy, fluffy speed demon who outruns our other cats and adores my wife who actually performed the amputation. He’s also an excellent mouser. So if your veterinarian brings up amputation as an option in treating your pet, don’t rush to a decision without considering all angles. For more information, including a broad support network, visit tripawds.com
Disclaimer: Blog posts my contain opinions which are my own and do not reflect those of my current or any former employers. I was not compensated by Tripawds.com for this post but I do enjoy their community!
Don’t forget to subscribe by email to get new posts delivered directly to your email! Also check out the daily happenings and more on my Facebook , Twitter , or Pinterest pages.
Advice , Cancer , Cats , Dogs , Surgery
advice cancer surgery veterinary
Natalie August 11, 2015 at 9:41 am Great post!! My tripod cat Alex couldn’t care less about his missing hind legs, and nor do his (spayed!) kitty girlfriends. He is still devastatingly handsome and does all the things any four-legged cat would do… apart from jumping up on the counter! Reply
August 11, 2015 at 9:41 am
Great post!! My tripod cat Alex couldn’t care less about his missing hind legs, and nor do his (spayed!) kitty girlfriends. He is still devastatingly handsome and does all the things any four-legged cat would do… apart from jumping up on the counter!
Tripawds Community August 11, 2015 at 5:17 pm Aww thank you so much doc, it’s truly the biggest compliment we can receive when we are recommended by a veterinarian. Thank you for taking time to write this fantastic and insightful article about life on three legs, we agree with every bit. Reply Dr. Ryan Llera (Post author) August 24, 2015 at 9:09 pm No problem at all! I have my own tripod I need to get him to write a post for Tri-pawd Tuesday I refer clients to you when we discuss amputation as the work you do really helps to break down the stigma that people worry about if their pet becomes 3-legged. Keep up the great work! Reply
August 11, 2015 at 5:17 pm
Aww thank you so much doc, it’s truly the biggest compliment we can receive when we are recommended by a veterinarian. Thank you for taking time to write this fantastic and insightful article about life on three legs, we agree with every bit.
Dr. Ryan Llera (Post author) August 24, 2015 at 9:09 pm No problem at all! I have my own tripod I need to get him to write a post for Tri-pawd Tuesday I refer clients to you when we discuss amputation as the work you do really helps to break down the stigma that people worry about if their pet becomes 3-legged. Keep up the great work! Reply
August 24, 2015 at 9:09 pm
No problem at all! I have my own tripod I need to get him to write a post for Tri-pawd Tuesday I refer clients to you when we discuss amputation as the work you do really helps to break down the stigma that people worry about if their pet becomes 3-legged. Keep up the great work!
Your email address will not be published.
Author
Website
Notify me of follow-up comments by email.
Notify me of new posts by email.
Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. I do not send advertisements or give away email addresses.
Join 15 other subscribers
Email Address
The Hairy Truth About Hairballs
Dog Parks – The Good, The Bad, & The Furry
Live Life Like Your Dog Would
Xylitol & Dogs Don’t Mix
3 Out of 4 Ain’t Bad (or 3-Legged Pets)
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
Advice
Cancer
Cats
Chronic Health
Dogs
Gastrointestinal
General
Geriatric Pets
Holiday Seasons
Personal Pets
Pet Nutrition
Preventative Health
Routine Health
Skin
Surgery
Toxicity
Uncategorized
« Jul
Sep »
Dr. Ryan Llera on Live Life Like Your Dog Would
Karen Pagratis on Live Life Like Your Dog Would
© 2015 Dr. Ryan Llera – Kingston Ontario Veterinarian
Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑