Your Questions: 'How would I cope with a three-legged dog?'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Q. I have been longing for a dog for a long time, so we went to our local rescue centre and found a gorgeous puppy! We couldn't wait to get her home, but then the centre rang and said there was something wrong with one of her legs and that it would have to be amputated. I don't know if I can cope with a three-legged dog…
Mary, via e-mail
A. You hit the nail on the head when you said "you" couldn't cope with a three-legged dog. As humans, we tend to over-dramatise things, panic and worry too much! The beauty of dogs is that they don't do that. That's what makes them so wonderful. You will have to make a few adjustments, but only to make her comfortable. My grandmother had a three-legged dog and she was as normal as any of the other dogs in the house. "Tripods", as they are called, can live a very long and happy life.
If you still want to commit, I would ask the centre if you could let her recover in her new home, when she is discharged from hospital. It would be more comfortable for her to be in a home environment. When she first comes home, she'll have to take it easy and, of course, you will have to watch closely for any signs of redness, swelling or infections. Wooden floors can be a hazard. Non-slip rugs and mats will solve this problem, if that's the case. Something that will also help your pup would be to invest in a raised water and feeding bowl. You can get these, along with a raised bed, from online pet stores.
She may need help getting to her feet, but once she gets going you won't stop her running around! As for exercise, start off slowly and on the lead until she builds the muscles on her other legs. Make sure the walks are gentle, as there could be a possibility of stressing the joints which can lead to arthritis. Watch for other dogs knocking her over. You can find out lots more from handicappedpets.com.
Remember that if an animal shows signs of distress or discomfort an early visit to the vet is always recommended
petscorner@independent.co.uk
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments