My dog has had her back right leg amputated due to breaking it badly. She is 11kg and a Small Westie x Mini-Schnauzer. What size dog wheelchair would she need? Also, could she then use her back left leg with this?

We’re sorry to hear about your dog’s amputation. Dogs often adapt surprisingly well and quickly to being tripod. 

However, with a rear leg amputation, the knee (stifle) of the remaining leg can often be put under excessive amounts of pressure, resulting in cruciate ligament issues later on. Obviously if a dog’s already missing a rear leg, maintaining the health of the remaining leg is a priority. This is where a wheelchair can be incredibly helpful and Zoomadog has helped many rear amputee dogs get up and about again with a wheelchair.

If a dog’s a rear amputee you will order a normal rear wheelchair using the measurement as if your dog had both rear legs intact. Rear wheelchairs depend on a dog’s front legs to move. The left back leg will be down and able to move, maintaining muscle tone, but momentum is generated by your dog’s front legs. 

At 11kg, that puts your dog in a small wheelchair (breed is taken into account here too). To ensure the right fit you’ll also need to measure your dog’s ATR (armpit to rump) and back leg measurement (not fully extended, but as if standing normally. You can measure your dog’s remaining leg while she’s lying down). See the diagram for guidance on how to get these measurements.

You will then need to add an Amputee cover (small) to your order. This will go over the leg ring of the missing leg to help support where the leg would have been, for comfort.

It’s recommended you check with your vet to see what the best time is to introduce your dog to the wheelchair after surgery. The site where she’s been operated on might need some time to heal.

Read how dog wheelchairs can transform your dog's life

Read more here: https://zoomadog.co.uk/collections/dog-wheelchairs