About to have a 3-legged Chihuahua

**Princess12** · 11-08-2007, 12:54 PM

Well... long story short, my chihuahua broke all of his toes on his front left-hand paw 3 months ago. They still have not healed, and according to the vet, they more than likely never will. So... our other options are: (A) Amputation or (B) Orthopedic surgery to have them pinned and plated. Seeing that option (B) runs well over $1000.00, we are opting to have a 3-legged chihuahua.

How do small dogs cope with only having 3 legs. I've seen larger dogs do fine, but I have never seen a dog his size with only 3 legs. Any advice and/or suggestions?

**The Ninja** · 11-08-2007, 01:55 PM

Give it away and get a new dog. 4 legs > 3 legs

**speedminded** · 11-08-2007, 01:57 PM

Name it Tripod!!

**Princess12** · 11-08-2007, 02:13 PM

Calling him "Tripod" is a must, but I can't give him away. Plus... like you said, 4 Legs are Better than 3, so I probably couldn't even give him away! J/K

**VIP Style** · 11-09-2007, 08:50 AM

I would give him to a shelter, someone will adopt who is willing to pay for a operation. i wouldnt amputate the dogs leg.

**Spectic Tank** · 11-09-2007, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by VIP Style

I would give him to a shelter, someone will adopt who is willing to pay for a operation. i wouldnt amputate the dogs leg.

Do you honestly think that if he went to a shelter in need of surgery he would get adopted? I mean, there are hundreds of healthy dogs put down every day.

I think you're doing the right thing. I've seen many dogs adapt to life with only three legs, its not too uncommon. Good luck...I hope everything turns out for the best

**BlkCD5** · 11-09-2007, 10:14 AM

So the idea giving away your pet is an option just cus its not the same anymore

. Unless you have an extreme lifestyle change, giving the dog up shouldn't be considered. That is one of the main problems with pet owners today. My pet bites the **** out of sometimes and won't go back in its cage. Maybe i should just give it away to some random stranger that he will never get used to.

**Princess12** · 11-09-2007, 10:17 AM

Allow me to Clarify: The idea of giving my dog away was a JOKE.

Thus the "J/K" following my response to the idea of giving him away in a previous post.

I'm having his leg amputated. I was just asking if anyone has any experience with a small dog with only 3 limbs.

**CSquared** · 11-09-2007, 10:18 AM

Def post pictures/video of the dog hopping around.

Edit: I mess with my dog sometimes and put his leg through his collar... He hops around tail wagging like he's had 3 legs all his life... I think your dog will adjust fine

**Princess12** · 11-09-2007, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by CRAMERIZKING

Def post pictures/video of the dog hopping around.

No doubt... He's had a cast on it for 3 months and he hasn't used it at all, so it's fairly comical to watch him now. (Especially with the HUGE cone collar on his head)

**Spectic Tank** · 11-09-2007, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by Princess12

I'm having his leg amputated. I was just asking if anyone has any experience with a small dog with only 3 limbs.

I have never owned a three legged dog but my friend had a terrier mix that had a leg amputated. The dog didn't miss a beat, just the same for any other dog I've seen with three legs. Your dog will be fine, and will be much more entertaining to watch run around the house.

**Princess12** · 11-09-2007, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by Spectic Tank

I have never owned a three legged dog but my friend had a terrier mix that had a leg amputated. The dog didn't miss a beat, just the same for any other dog I've seen with three legs. Your dog will be fine, and will be much more entertaining to watch run around the house.

Thank you! I hope he does fine, and he's bounced back extremely well from everything else.

**speedminded** · 11-09-2007, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by Princess12

Thank you! I hope he does fine, and he's bounced back extremely well from everything else.

yeah! who would have ever thought it would recover from being in the dryer for 3 minutes?!!

j/k!!

**Princess12** · 11-09-2007, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by speedminded

yeah! who would have ever thought it would recover from being in the dryer for 3 minutes?!!

j/k!!

LOLOL... Thanks Jason!

+1 if I can!

**BlkCD5** · 11-09-2007, 10:51 AM

my bad

**Frög** · 11-09-2007, 10:52 AM

i have 3 legs... i never had a problem with it..

**Princess12** · 11-09-2007, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by BlkCD5

my bad

Forgiven!

**JessAlba452** · 11-10-2007, 12:47 AM

While working in a vet clinic I noticed that sometimes you just don't notice that a dog is missing a leg.

It's kind of funny, because the dogs don't always walk with a limp!

After the surgery they will stumble a few times, but don't worry. It will take about a week for them to learn and a little longer to build more muscle in the other legs to accommodate for the missing appendage.

Your chi-chi will be just fine

Edit: Large or small dogs don't seem to be slowed down by having 3 legs. Forgot to add that info.

**Princess12** · 11-10-2007, 08:00 AM

Originally Posted by JessAlba452

While working in a vet clinic I noticed that sometimes you just don't notice that a dog is missing a leg.

It's kind of funny, because the dogs don't always walk with a limp!

After the surgery they will stumble a few times, but don't worry. It will take about a week for them to learn and a little longer to build more muscle in the other legs to accommodate for the missing appendage.

Your chi-chi will be just fine

Edit: Large or small dogs don't seem to be slowed down by having 3 legs. Forgot to add that info.

Thank you for the input! I really appreciate that!

**The Ren** · 11-10-2007, 08:04 AM

/hun I have worked at vets for close to 7 years and im a registered tech.. your chihuahua will never know the difference.. trust me

**Princess12** · 11-10-2007, 08:12 AM

Originally Posted by The Ren

/hun I have worked at vets for close to 7 years and im a registered tech.. your chihuahua will never know the difference.. trust me

Thanks Ren! I completely forgot you worked at a Vet Clinic.

**rickgiblin** · 11-10-2007, 10:07 AM

my pup is gonna have 3 legs... hes at the vet rite n0ow getting checked up on. so probibly in the next week or 2 it will become a chi-chi"tri-pod

**The Ren** · 11-10-2007, 11:44 AM

I dont currently but did for along time.... suprisingly now I work at a promotions and marketing firm lol

**rickgiblin** · 11-10-2007, 12:35 PM

update... now the vet took x-rays and says its healing fine and that it will be fine in 2 weeks for no more cast... wtf, i want a second oppinion, anyone know of a great vet or vet shop?

**Princess12** · 11-10-2007, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by rickgiblin

update... now the vet took x-rays and says its healing fine and that it will be fine in 2 weeks for no more cast... wtf, i want a second oppinion, anyone know of a great vet or vet shop?

Um... Yeah... I'm pretty pissed off. 2 days ago, they were scheduling to have his leg amputated, and now we take him back today to have his cast fixed since they put it on wrong on Wednesday, and they tell us that he should be perfectly fine in 2 weeks! WTH?!?!?!?

**imbosile** · 11-10-2007, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by d-ninja

Give it away and get a new dog. 4 legs > 3 legs

LOL that was mean

**The Ren** · 11-10-2007, 01:57 PM

there are some here in braselton..

**Gutling** · 11-10-2007, 02:11 PM

ha ha go ahead and amputate anyway, done gone and got your hopes up

tripod wont fit if he got all four

**Princess12** · 11-10-2007, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by The Ren

there are some here in braselton..

Which ones in Braselton do you recommend? How is the Best Friend Clinic on 211? I may end up taking him to Jefferson.

**The Ren** · 11-10-2007, 02:14 PM

best friend is the one i used to work at

Dr. Youngblood is the doc i would ask to see though..

**Princess12** · 11-10-2007, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by The Ren

best friend is the one i used to work at

Dr. Youngblood is the doc i would ask to see though..

Well that works out lol. Are there any others that you know of that may be a good second opinion?

**The Ren** · 11-10-2007, 02:23 PM

friendship springs is good...its right off of spout springs in hoschton about 4 miles away from best friend

**The_ CaneCorso** · 11-12-2007, 08:44 PM

I saw a 3 legged cat that ran fast

**GIXXERDK** · 11-13-2007, 12:32 PM

My neighbors dog has 3 legs, hes like a beagle mix, pretty small but not as small as yours. I would assume smaller dogs can cope with 3 legs better than larger dogs.

**The Ren** · 11-18-2007, 06:17 AM

Any new news? If it makes you feel any better.. My cat had surgury yesterday.. he ate a peice of those feather cat toys and it got stuck in his intestines on thursday.. they did surgury last night.. Im not even going to begin to tell you how much this is costing me.. but I chose to have the animals and its my duty to take care of them... not to mention he is only 10 months old...

**Pebbles** · 11-18-2007, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by The Ren

Any new news? If it makes you feel any better.. My cat had surgury yesterday.. he ate a peice of those feather cat toys and it got stuck in his intestines on thursday.. they did surgury last night.. Im not even going to begin to tell you how much this is costing me.. but I chose to have the animals and its my duty to take care of them... not to mention he is only 10 months old...

awww..is your cat ok now?

**The Ren** · 11-18-2007, 08:26 AM

I havnt heard from the vet this morning yet.. but he called me at 9:30 last night to let me know he is recovering fairly well... Im ganna go visit today but more than likely I wont get him home until mid to end of the week when they know his body is working ok and there is no other obtructions.. just to give you an idea I think my bill is somewhere right now around 22-2500.

**Wurm** · 11-18-2007, 08:36 AM

i say take it out back and treat it like old yeller

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