Dog Amputation

Depending upon the cause of your dog’s limb amputation surgery and whether or not there was an underlying disease or other condition at fault, you are going to have to work with your veterinarian or another specialist about rehabilitating the animal so that he can get back to good health and emotional stability.

Exercising A 3 Legged Dog

Most often, dog owners are going through the experience of their lovable pet having a limb amputation for the first time, and hopefully the last. What is common among these people is that they should not exercise their dog once it is back home and getting used to living with three legs. This could not be further from the truth.

Amazingly, dogs pretty much forget that they are missing a limb altogether within a week or two. These doggie “tripods” (as they are called) can jump around, run, swim, play, and even climb stairs just as good as other dogs. They adapt very quickly to getting used to having only three limbs.

Not only is it a delight to see your dog back to normal, except a hop or a limp (of which the animal does not notice after a while), watching this quick healing process take place is also an uplift to your emotional experience.

Take Care And Watch Out For Your Dog

Although your dog will bounce back to normal as soon as possible, and with vital energy and excitement, you still need to take a bit of care and use caution to help him prevent injuries, at least at first.

For example, dog amputees with prosthetic legs installed face great danger when it comes to slippery floors. This hazard can cause your dog to have a terrible fall or possibly knock the prosthetic limb off in the process if he has one. To prevent this from happening, it is wise to replace any hard surfaces in the house with rugs or, better yet, have a carpet installed for long-term security.

Another situation to keep an eye on after limb amputation is your dog’s remaining healthy limbs, especially the leg, which is the opposite of the amputated one. Dogs can live a long and healthy life with only three legs, but of course, if another of their healthy limbs starts to decline in any form or fashion, this can cause a serious mobility problem.

You need to make sure that his other limbs are strong enough to hold the extra weight. Watch his movements daily and make sure that he is not getting slower or weaker. Should this happen, you must use a harness, if necessary, anything that can help remove the extra weight. It is better to utilize a harness and keep his healthy legs strong instead of creating a situation where the dog will be immobile for the rest of his life.