three-legged dog

[newtron]

Our 2.5 year old boxer mix is getting her back leg amputated today. Her femur was shattered, and we just cannot afford to attempt to fix it. My wife and I are concerned because we love to hike and camp in the mountains, and we always take our dogs with us. As a young three-legged dog, will she be able to take part in these activities in the future? Does anyone have any experience with this type of thing?

[lankeela]

Westcoast Pools have a list of pools they have supplied:

http://www.dogpools.com/animalrehab/centre.htm

I used to work for them when they trained greyhounds, which is where they got the idea for selling the pools to other dog owners/kennels, as other trainers were interested in swimming their dogs. This then gradually increased to other breeds and they now have a big trade stand at Crufts each year and run training courses for vets/vet nurses etc.

[alfieblue]

Me too - lots of hugs and tickle tums. :o)xxxx

[paddywak]

happy to hear everthing seens to be working out OK, as Alfieblue says give her lots of loving on behalf of all Abers

[bensmum]

Glad to hear she's doing well newtron. As others have said animals adapt pretty quickly and I'm sure you'll be surprised at what she can manage. I regularly look after a 3 legged cat - she has had 3 legs since she was quite young and is now 20 bless her - she still gets around very well.

[newtron]

Thanks everyone. We're giving her lots of love . I think she is more annoyed with the inverted lamp shade on her head than the fact that she has lost a leg. She is still very sore though. The vet left a large portion of the thigh muscle to help with her balance, and it's all bruised up and swollen.
Poor girl! Thank you again for all your support.

[LoftyLottie]

Just read your news and would like to add my best wishes and say how happy I am that all went well.

Love Lottie