Recently, my friend Sami sent me a news story about advances in prosthetics for Tripawds. I wasn’t able to post that video here, but I did find another one on YouTube.
As you know, Tripawds usually get along fine on three legs. We can run, jump and play like other dogs, and we honestly don’t care that we are missing one of our spare limbs. We here at Tripawds are dedicated to showing humans this is true.
So when I heard about these new prosthetics for dogs, I had to wonder; are these prosthetics really necessary? Who are they really for, dogs . . . or their humans?
I know that prosthetic tests being done on dogs may eventually help humans and other animals that can’t function with missing limbs, and that’s a good thing. But if these prosthetics become a mainstream thing in veterinary medicine, how will that affect Tripawd acceptance in the eyes of humans?
Most importantly, how do you all feel about prosthetics? Would you get one if you could?
Expense aside….I like the idea of having a choice. Eisen is too big and too heavy for me to pick up and getting in & out of my SUV is tough. It would be much easier for him to balance on and I think overall would cause less stress and strain on his legs and joints. Also, he might not ‘wipe out’ as often or at all….
You know, I never thought of it like that. That makes a lot of sense.
Say Hi to Eisen, by the way. Hope he’s doing great!
xoxo
Jerry, Rene & Jim
I have a MinPin who lost his whole back leg do to lack of care from his previous owner after a car accident. He has some balance issues and I am doing research now to see if there is anything that can be done to help him out. He can run ok and jump a little but has a very difficult time climbing and can not turn around on things that are very soft or uneven.
JB, you are a saint for taking on the responsibility of your beloved MinPin. How long has he been a tripawd? Perhaps he just needs more time?
We really suggest talking to others in our Forums, for more advice and tips on how to help him get used to life on three legs. You’ll get lots of great advice there!
Thanks a bunch for finding us.
xoxo
Jerry
I think if Sammy had been able to have a prosthetic leg, he may have been able to live longer, because his back wouldn’t have been torqued like it was… but that was my Sammy. A special boy with a lot of problems.
I do think most prosthetics are for the people, putting themselves in the dog’s place. But the thing is: Dogs just don’t have the self pitty we humans do. They just get on with life… Oh, to live like a dog!
How successful would this be in a very large (tall) dog? A Borzoi who is extremely tall and requires both front legs just to sit or stand from a laying down position may need amputation at or just below the shoulder after a viscious attack by a German pointer.
Any idea of the cost of the prostetic and rehab and the time it would take for the dog to full adapt to a protetic device?
I say skip the prosthetic and amputate! Just search the discussion forums for all the wonderful things our three legged friend Borzoid has to say about life on three legs!
That’s really great, but my great dane of 4 yrs just had an amputation and now after 6 months is not walking, does not want to get up and falls. Yet for the first 6 months she was doing well. I would appreciate a device to help her walk. Have you ever carried a 135 lb dog back from a walk after they fall and afraid to get up. If we love are dogs and go to the extreme of amputation how is a prosthetic anymore extreme. Let me see, my baby unhappy on the couch, putting her down ( which she has beaten cancer 6 months now) or letting her enjoy the next years with assistance. It’s not a tough decision. If your dog is your life, you will do all.
Thanks for your input. Bless you for taking such good care of your pup and best wishes for finding the help you need.
The only reason we would look into a prosthetic device for our three legged pit bull, Bella, is to help her remaining front leg with the weight bearing strain and the eventual, potential future problems this might cause. We couldn’t care less about her appearance; it’s what makes her special and unique and she gets a whole lot of inquiries and attention from her “condition”. Wouldn’t ever hesitate adopting a tripawd again.
Right on, Pamela! We agree, and can see how prosthetics could be useful for dogs with hip displaysia and back problems. And yeah, the attention tripawds get is just mind-blowing, isn’t it? Gotta love the way we are making impressions on people, one hop at a time!
monday, april 13, my pit mix, Abby, was diagnosed w/osteosarcoma in her front left leg. Wednesday her leg and shoulder were amputated. She is doing AMAZING physically and her beautiful spirit has returned! She will be undergoing chemo beginning in May. Although she is not overweight and is quite fit for her age (10-11ish I got her from a shelter so I don’t truly know her age) I, too, am concerned with the stress on her other front leg as she ages. I want to make the rest of her life as full and healthy as possible. I am also curious about immunity boosters, etc… Love is blind…it’s not the package it’s the contents. I can hear her coming to check up on me now! Time for some lovin’s!!!
Thanks for the comment Jodi! You should really consider posting your concerns in the Tripawd Discussion Forums. You will find much more advice and help there than we alone can provide here. But you may just be surprised how good tripawds are at building up strength in their remaining legs.
I am looking into a front leg prosthetic for my dog who had a front leg amputation 4 weeks ago, leaving a 2″ stump from inner elbow to stump end, and measures 6″ on back of leg from elbow point to stump end. My dog gets around great, but its exhausting for her. If a prosthetic would help her I’d certainly like to find out where I can get one. I’ve been checking out websites, but don’t feel comfortable with anything I’ve seen so far. Does anyone know where to get a well-made front leg prosthetic that will actually work? Thanks
We normally recommend against prosthetics, since as you suggest, many don’t actually work. But with such a limb remaining your pup may be a good candidate. You might want to consider contacting a veterinary prosthetic specialist. Some of the most advanced resources in the industry for veterinary prosthetic research and development include the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine and the Colorado State University Animal Cancer Center. You will also get much more advice and feedback in the Tripawd Discussion Forums than we alone can provide here in the blog. Start a new topic about prosthetics with any questions and to keep everyone posted about your findings.
Hanson is a two year old pug who was born with a deformity and is a tripawd. He has only a stump (with a couple of nails on it), on the right front. For two years he has managed to get around even better than his two sisters, and get into more trouble as well. Unfortunately, now that he is full grown, we are noticing that the one good front leg he has is turning inward so he hops with it using a “scooping” motion. Also, we notice that his back is curving a little. He also tires more quickly. We are now looking into prosthesis for him because we feel, because he thinks he can jump from anywhere etc, that he will injure his only front leg. The three pugs do get a lot of attention, of course mostly Hanson, but it’s not about looks or attention, it’s about his health. His sisters would finally love to go for a walk with him, without him tiring one quarter of the way.
This is one of the reasons we recommend amputation, even for pups born with deformities. By attempting to keep using the shorter leg, Hanson may have developed spinal issues, because his back is not meant to twist so much every time he steps. But we are not vets. Please consult Hansen’s doctor, or consider getting a profession al opinion in our Ask A Vet discussion forum. Thanks for commenting and best withes to you and your pack!
My Niki had her amputation today and I’ve been researching prosthetics for her she’ll have a bit of a stump that quite possibly we can fit her for a leg. My hubby’s a bit of an inventor and he’s working on a scheme for a leg that may actually function for her. It’s not about the looks here it’s about the fach that she weighs 100lbs and at 4’11” and 120lbs it’ll be very difficult for me to lift her in and out of the car when I have her out with me. My hubby works evenings so the walking and driving her places falls on me and when he’s not around to help what am I supposed to do for her. Standing up her back reaches my hip os that doesn’t leave me much leverage to lift her when needed. And if it’ll save her back then I’m all for it. We amputated to relieve the pain of bone cancer only to have her develop back issues due to the amputation makes no sense if there’s something we can do to help her not to do it.
We are all for anything that helps too! But we have yet to hear about canine prosthetic solutions that are actually helpful. Best of luck with that homemade limb. Please report back in the Tripawd Discussion Forums with the results.
You may be surprised how well your big dog does on three legs. Just check out Tazzie, a three legged English Mastiff weighing in at about 175 pounds!
My baby was just diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her left rear leg 2 days ago. I’m devastated and trying to find what to do that is best for her. She is a Rotweiler who is 12 yrs and 3 months old. She is in very good shape for a older dog but having only 3 legs I’m worried will create to much strain on her hips and her other rear leg and even her spine. I’ve just started researching and hoping to get some solid advice and options for an older dog. She’s my best friend in the whole world. Help! Seems like a prostectic would help keep her balanced and a better option not to get one if possible because of her age.
Thank you for any of your suggestions!
Robert, we are so sorry to hear about your Rottie. Your fears are valid, and lots of us had them at first. But if your vet believes she is a good candidate for surgery, then that’s a great sign. If you are still uncomfortable a second opinion is priceless. Make sure the surgeon is knowledgable and has the facilities to handle amputation. See our review of “Vet Confidential” for tips about what to look for: http://tinyurl.com/lw3glw
About her age; we have dogs as old as 14 here, and lots of our senior dogs include big pups like yours. As long as a dog is in good shape and isn’t overweight, they usually do just fine.
Prosthetics are new and not always useful to the dog, but if this is something you want to consider you’ll need to discuss it with your surgeon as the amputation has to be done in a way to allow a prosthetic to fit properly.
We recommend visiting us at the Tripawd Forums to talk with others who have been there.
Many hugs going out to you. Good luck.