Do you intend on getting a pet in the shelter home and that three-legged beauty keeps looking at you? You might have taken care of other pets, but are you equipped to take care of a three-legged pet?
Although they are normal and can perform the same activities an average four-legged dog can, there are some things you have to consider when adopting a three-legged dog or tri-paws, and they include:
Paw Health
Dogs sweat through their paw pads; this means their pads are often wet, and they are prone to slippage. For tri-paws, falling and slipping should be avoided as a fall or slip can cause damage to their overall health. Their paws may also become swollen due to the amount of pressure it carries. To solve this, you should invest in nail grips. Nail grips are non-invasive, comfortable, and safe products that help three-legged dogs avoid injuries and promote comfort by allowing their paws to breathe.
Weight Balance
For three-legged dogs, maintaining a healthy weight is paramount because any gained extra pounds can affect their balance and movement negatively. They are unlike four-legged dogs that can evenly distribute their weight to balance their whole body. This gained weight in tri-paws can concentrate on a particular limb and cause muscular and skeletal problems.
Food
Their diet should contain foods rich in calcium and other additional supplements. They have an entirely different diet from normal dogs because their bodies require extra nutrients to function since a part of their body is missing.
There are specific foods and supplement mixtures available for sale that provide a tri-paw most of what their bodies need to function correctly.
Safety
Although they can perform virtually all activities a four-legged dog performs, they still require extra care, attention, and safety. The way their bodies react to slips, falls, and friction is different, so, as a new parent, invest in anti-slip and anti-fall materials like padded rugs and carpets.
Type of Harness
There are harnesses, dog ACL braces, and collars made specifically for tri-paws for routine walks. These harnesses are designed to equally distribute the dog’s weight and allow for simple movement. The rings are placed in the center for easy leash attachment that does not tamper with their tugging and pulling. They are anti-choke and non-invasive and designed to make the dogs comfortable.
Elbow Hygroma
Elbow hygroma is a prevalent joint condition that affects dogs. It is a fluid-filled swelling above the dog’s joint and is usually non-painful and results from consistent trauma or weight applied to that bony joint. They are sometimes mistaken to be tumors but actually aren’t and often occur in big dogs with weight issues.
For tri-paws that have tension-filled joints, there may be a consistent appearance of elbow hygroma and may require therapy or surgery if it grows out of proportion.
To prevent the occurrence of elbow hygroma, invest in padded flooring that helps distribute the weight rather than concentrate it on a particular joint.
Diseases
Losing a limb because of health, accident, or other related causes is a tough job for the dog’s mental and physical health. This event takes a toll on the body and forces it to restructure its operation. Tri-paws are prone to bone-related diseases and even cancer; osteoarthritis, rheumatoid, and obesity are also a few of the diseases that affect this set of pets.
As a parent-to-be, there should be a constant visit to the vet for regular checkups, diets to maintain their weight, supplements to protect their bones, and exercise to keep them fit.
Gadgets
There is some equipment designed to make three-legged dogs’ life better, and some of them include wheelchairs, pet ramps, and anti-slip socks.
Conclusion
Adopting a three-legged dog is one of the best things to do. You are not only giving them a home, but you are also giving them a new life that will positively affect yours. Although they need special care, they will provide you with special love in return.
