How Can Quality of Life Be Extended for a Dog with 2 Legs?

Can a Dog with Only 2 Legs Live a Good Life?

“I met a very sweet Whippet-Pit Bull mix who was rescued from an abusive home. Her front left leg was amputated to her shoulder, and now her right shoulder is acting up. Her current vet says she will need to be put down when her other shoulder goes out. Do you have any suggestions to extend her life?” – Jenny

I am not sure about what medical issue caused her to lose her left leg, nor what is going on with her right leg.

However, I can tell you that there are plenty of dogs who can survive and lead a great life with only two back legs. It is not ideal, as dogs carry more than half of their weight with the front limbs. It is also sometimes difficult to adapt. Younger dogs are able to adapt a lot quicker than older dogs. But since she is a Whippet cross, it means that most likely, she is an athletic dog who will learn to move her body based on her limitations and do okay.

Wheelchairs for Dogs

It is common for veterinarians to make up a cart for dogs who have hind limb paralysis after a spinal cord injury. Even older overweight Dachshunds will learn to adapt to them. For front legs, it is a lot more common to bone cancer or a generalized degenerative joint disease that is going to cause her to lose the function in her other limbs). If there is something else going on, a wheelchair may not be a good option.

You did not mention how big your dog, is but if she is a medium-sized pet, as I would expect for that cross breed, you should have no trouble finding a wheelchair that will be fine for her weight. Here is a cute video of a tiny dog adapting to a wheelchair after being born without front legs:

You should expect her to take some time to adapt, as she is not a puppy like the dog in this video.

A Prosthetic May Be Another Option

If for some reason a wheelchair is not an option, and if the amputation is only partial, some inside dogs also do okay with a prosthetic. This really only works well with inside dogs. The dog would need to be in the house most of the day, and the prosthetic is put on when you take her for a walk. Ninety-seven percent of the families of dogs with a prosthesis are usually happy with it, and the dogs adapt very well. (1) However, there are few long-term complications with this option.

I would suggest discussing prosthetics, harnesses, and other options with your regular veterinarian before making any decisions. If there is not a justifiable medical reason to NOT use a wheelchair, you should get a second opinion before deciding to euthanize the dog.

You can definitely extend her life, and more importantly, maintain the quality of her life if you look into these options. I hope to hear that her shoulder is doing better!

Source

Wendland TM, Seguin B, Duerr FM. Retrospective Multi-Center Analysis of Canine Socket Prostheses for Partial Limbs. Front Vet Sci. 2019 Apr 5;6:100. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00100. PMID: 31024938; PMCID: PMC6460115. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6460115/

This article is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from your veterinarian. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

© 2024 Mark dos Anjos, DVM