Advice on Missing Rear Paw

Please post questions about pets who are expected to undergo amputation or who have already undergone amputation here, as well as pets born with missing or incomplete limbs.
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PawlessinMKE
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Advice on Missing Rear Paw

Post by PawlessinMKE »

I just adopted a lab mix puppy that is missing a rear paw. He gets around fine for the most part and can climb stairs and run and only occasionally uses the leg momentarily for balance. He's otherwise happy and healthy.

The vet is recommending amputation but I'm wondering if anyone has had any luck with any sort of dog boots or prosthetics or any other solution. Again, it's just the paw and the rest of the leg is still present so at first blush amputation seemed pretty severe.

Thanks in advance for your help.
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critters
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Re: Advice on Missing Rear Paw

Post by critters »

:whale: Yes, people have done prosthetics. None of my monsters have ever used them, but we used custom splints. I suggest trying all your local orthotic and prosthetic companies to see if they're willing to help, because follow-up would be much easier. If not, then there are companies that only do critters via mail order. CarolC may have the link, but there was somebody here who made a prosthetic out of a soft drink bottle (I can't remember if it was 2 liter or 1 liter).
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CarolC
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Re: Advice on Missing Rear Paw

Post by CarolC »

I tried to contact Lindsay who posts as lindsayanng. She and her husband have a beagle named Cappy with a prosthetic who has been on TV.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFdmfe0wZyY

They had a website at powernubby.com which looks like it was taken down. Lindsay's email was through the website and with the site taken down I don't know how else to contact her, or I am sure she would advise you on the practicalities of having an active dog with a prosthetic.

They have videos on the Powernubby youtube channel, some youtube links are in this post. Cappy is a front amputee, but the thing it is impressive how well the prosthetic stays on and how much he can do (his leg is pretty long). The Roll Out video is incredible. There used to be a way to contact someone on youtube, I don't know if there still is. You could trying commenting on one of their videos.

http://handicappedpet.net/helppets/view ... 980#p70980

Here is an archived copy of the Powernubby website, some of the photos are missing but the story about getting him the prosthetic is there.

https://web.archive.org/web/20100115071 ... nubby.com/

Here is an article about Footsie, whose leg looks the same length as your puppy's. Just click the link at the beginning of the message to see photos. Footsie's prosthetics were done by a human prosthetics maker.
c_news_footsie_pic2.gif
http://www.handicappedpet.net/helppets/ ... 086#p47086
Another article about Footsie
http://www.cbsnews.com:80/stories/2004/ ... 4713.shtml

Here is another rear amputee named Hoppy with a prosthetic hind leg
http://www.handicappedpets.com/gallery/ ... /index.htm

Hethmar in this post said her dog had used his prosthetic legs for 3 years (both his hind paws were injured) and gets the occasional blister
http://handicappedpet.net/helppets/view ... 112#p83112

I have a disabled 3-legged dog who was missing one hind leg. On the other hind leg the knee does not bend and her hip had been broken and they discussed amputation. I decided not to because she was partly using it in spite of everything, so they did an FHO and saved it. In her case it was the right decision. She has her own way of getting around and she can at least scratch the back her neck somewhat, which must be a wonderful thing for a dog, and she seems happy.

You might try posting on tripawds.com if you haven't already, they also have a forum.

https://tripawds.com/forums/

There are a number of places providing animal orthotics and prosthetics, if you would like links just ask. Or they can be made by a local provider who makes human devices but is willing to work with a pet, like critters said.

P.S. The dog critters is mentioning was Kuma. In this link to the news article the photo doesn't show, but below is a copy of the missing photo that the awesome newspaper staff found for us.

http://www.dailyemerald.com/archive/v10 ... brity.html

Kuma.jpg
PawlessinMKE
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Re: Advice on Missing Rear Paw

Post by PawlessinMKE »

Thanks so much for the thoughtful reply and links. It's helpful for us to know that we aren't the first people to go through this. I love the videos and inspiration. I think we will try and find a prosthetic solution and see how he adapts to it before we go the amputation route.
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critters
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Re: Advice on Missing Rear Paw

Post by critters »

I think that's a fine idea. Amputation is always an option if he has trouble later on, but you can't put it back. :mrgreen:
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CarolC
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Re: Advice on Missing Rear Paw

Post by CarolC »

Hi PawlessinMKE,

If you receive a notice of this post, it's because there is another puppy in the same situation who could use your advice. Perhaps you could explain what you decided and how it worked out? :) The other puppy is here:

viewtopic.php?p=113782#p113782
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