front leg amputation
 

I have a 5 year old, 5.5 lb yorkie, harley who was severly bitten by a much larger dog at a humane society dog walk event. They tried to save the leg and put the bones back together but the damage to the vascular system, muscle tendons and nerves was just to severe and after a week his leg had to be amputated to limit the infection risk to him and make sure he would be ok. He had 24-7 care from a specialty clinic and I am know they did all they could to save the leg first and then to save him.
Yesterday was his first day home and he will be crated for 2 weeks to make sure the incision heels properly. if anyone knows what to do to help him adjust or has any success stories I would be grateful for the information.
thanks,
harley's mom

He'll be Wonderdog before you know it...
 

Harley Mom,

You'll be surprised how well he'll get along.
When we were small, my father knew we what a dog. He went to the shelter and brought home Glaze. He was about 4 years old and only had three legs. He had been hit by a car and my father was the biggest softy in the world. I guess that's why we grew up always pulling for the under dog.. lol

Harley will be up and about in no time.

He'll amaze you.

Take care... Kathleen.. Mom to My Little Girls: Punken Pie and Breese Be Be

Oh Poor Harley..it must have been awful for him but the good news is he will adjust and learn to walk and run again.

I grew up with a 3 legged cat and he could climb tree's and catch mice.

I also have one of my rescue's that does still have his leg but it was kicked out of the socket so he can't put weight on it and he runs with 3 legs. I also know I have seen video's on U tube with a dog that doesn't have any front legs and walks on his 2 hind legs...it is just amazing to see.

You might have to have a sling a first to help teach him balance but he will amaze you on how well he will get on.

Did the other dogs owner help you with any of the bills? It really does scare me having these little ones around big (even nice) dogs...it takes so little to hurt them.

These will all give you faith and hope..and you will know it was worth it. These bring tears to my eyes...these animals are unbelievable..

When my Max had the two broken front legs whether they were in casts or just healing the gangarine and waiting for surgery, This little 2 lb baby would just hop around the house on his back legs following me if I forgot to pick him up. A dog with three legs should get around pretty darn good. When you take him out of the cage for the first time to go potty, you're gonna have to stay close until he gets his 'new' balance. Then he should get around great. Prayers to you and your baby.

So sorry for your poor baby. I've seen many of them on the animal rescue shows and they do so well, it's amazing. the great thing about dogs is they do not lie around feeling sorery for themselvexs, they just get on with their lives.

Do not make the mistake of pampering him, even though you will want to. It would be the worst thing that you could do for him.

One thing I am sure of is that dogs are amazing! This will bother you much more than it will bother him. I have long thought that the greatest gift my dogs give me is to remind me to live in the moment. They seem to take things like this in stride. But that must have been very scary for you both and I'm sorry he has lost his leg but glad that he is ok....

Your little guy will be fine. He had his front leg amputated in June and to see him go now, you'd never know. He does lose his balance sometimes, like when he tries to lift his leg to mark; he will fall over. Long walks are out, he gets tired quicker. We do watch him a little more closely, but we can't slow him down, give him the chance and he will run like a crazy man. We did restrict his movements at first, but he let us know when he was done with laying around. I have never had to deal with a 3 legged dog before but now that he is healed, he is like my others. Only thing, because we babied him so, he still expects this. In fact he is layiing on my lap now, so I'm typing one fingered. One thing I did was to massage around his stump. 2 reasons, so I wouldn't be put off by a stump! and because you can tell it feels so good. You'll both be fine.

Sorry, I meant to say my Moses had his front leg amputated in June. I have a picture posted of him under photos, it is on page 28 and the title is My Baby Dogs, if you'd care to see what he looked like almost 1 month after surgery.

I am so sorry that Harley and you are having to go through this trauma.

Best wishes to Harley in his recovery! Keep us posted on his progress.

Welcome to YT. Sorry to hear what happened to Harley.

What wonderful encouragement! I am so pleased to read all the positive comments that are being given. I do hope that msmason, the OP, will read these posts.

My goodness, how terrible. I am sorry.

Animals are resilient. Chester jumped off an 11ft high deck while he was under the watch of my MIL. He broke a few bones in his foot and had to get put in a cast. He was only about 5 months old at the time. After they got home, they were downstairs in the basement trying to email me pictures, having left him upstairs to rest. They caught that little bugger halfway down the stairs, and he hadn't even had his cast on for more than a few hours! He got used to it pretty quick. He was running around like a wild banshee in no time, his front right leg just flailing in the the wind, lol.

hi and welcome, i saved my sonnys life from a breeder at 9 weeks old, the mom chewed his back foot completly off , it was chewed to up passed the dew claw, the vet said to wait to see when he fully grown to see how he copes. now he is 1 yrs he copes well only thing is he constantly hits it off theground, i try to cover it, worse case sinario is to remove the leg. when i cover it he wont walk or anything if anyone has any ideas on what i cud use as a fake foot i wud appreciate it. he is so happy and healthy otherwise, keep us posted on ur little one

Good Morning.. Here's Breese.. My Miracle
 

Hello again,

The girls and I are putting up Christmas decorations this morning but just thought I take a break and see any updates.

After posting yesterday about my three legged dog, Glaze, I thought maybe this would be an inspiring.

My little Breese was born with birth defects. The vet felt that the Mom was caring too many puppies when she was pregnant. She was the runt of the litter and he felt she didn't have enough room for movement. Her little back legs had been tucked most of the pregnancy with caused problems with both her back legs. The legs from the knee cap were twisted side ways and she had a difficult time standing and walking correctly.
I had gone through LP with Tuffy when she was alive and knew this Specialist who preformed her surgery. I decided to take Breese to see him and get his recommendation. He felt she had been crowded out also during the pregnancy.

Well, I knew this was going to be expensive and just found out I had gone into remission. I knew the savings were getting a little low but as they say, People first... That includes my little girls.. Mind you she was only 2lbs. 8oz. when she had this procedure done.

The doctor went in and removed knee caps, reposition the lower legs and then pinned everything in line, and her little legs were straight. I carried her for 6 months, take about one spoiled baby, that's Breese. I sometimes call her Be Be because she is so small. She only weights about 3lbs. 7oz. but she is amazing.

I'll sent some pictures of both my girls when I can figure out this darn computer hook up.

I'm asking my new son-in-law to set up my Yorkie Profile for Christmas.

Well, I better get back to decorating or I'll be lost...lol

Everyone have a great day and take care.

Kathleen... Mom to My Little Girls: Punken Pie and Breese Be Be

I am so sorry about your baby. How tragic. FYI, I have met Faith the 2 legged dog. Faith lives in Gainsville Tx. Praying for a speedy recovery.

That made me shed some tears, what an amazing dog. Your so lucky to have been blessed with meeting her. :)

sorry to hear about your little one.. I feel you pain . . Mine will be blind in her right eye after a fight with her sister a week ago .. i think we feel worse then they do .. i keep saying aww im so sorry and she just wants to run and play .. if only we could forget and move on as easily as they do ... hugs to you and a quick recovery ....