Tripawds Three Legged Dog & Cat Forum Archives
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat. Explore 17+ years of forum archives for stories and answers to questions about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery. Enjoy fresh discussion and connect with members in the new Tripawds Support Circle.
Join The Tripawds Community
Register your free account to join the Tripawds Support Circle. Connecting with members and getting the support you need is now easier than ever with the Circle app!
✅ Easy Photo Upload
✅ Direct Messaging
✅ Subscribe to Topics.
✅ Live Chat and much more!
Forums Locked: Search archives for answers & join Tripawds Support Circle to keep discussion going!
Log In
Members
1:07 pm
Team Tripawds
Administrators
25 September 2009
Offline
Viking Queen said:
My options
7. Ask your vets what they think about using a full body support type sling like the AST Get A Grip for carrying Charley up/down stairs (if that is possible).
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I read the measurements, but want a recommendation: I got the large Ruff-Wear harness for him and it fits him. Would I go for a large in this?
What I did for yesterday and today is put his other harness on and the Ruff-Wear over it. Two harness, since the other one supports the belly area. Let me know which size and I'll buy it. However, when you send it, could you throw in a winning lottery ticket, or two?
"I don't know where I am."
1:44 pm
Team Tripawds
Administrators
25 September 2009
Offline
Viking Queen said:
I got the large Ruff-Wear harness for him and it fits him. Would I go for a large in this?
With the Get-A-Grip being made by a different manufaturer, we recommend you please follow the fitting instructions from AST:
Small: Girth = 22” – 27” (56cm – 68cm)
Medium: Girth = 27” – 34” (68cm – 86cm)
Large: Girth = 34” – 42” (86cm – 106cm)
We also suggest you get a profesional opinion if you have concerns about using the harness to lift a dog with spinal issues.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Dang it! You know I want immediate gratification! Now I need to go find a measuring thingy...
Side note to all you procrastinators: If you filed a personal extension on your taxes, your return is due today!
This public service announcement is made by VQ: Tax Accountant Extraordinaire!
"I don't know where I am."
I just found a metal one, and it must be uber manly 'cause I had a heck of a time bending it around his chest. Because absolutely nothing can be easy: 34". Nice. 
At least I didn't set him on fire...
"I don't know where I am."
3:37 pm
14 August 2009
Offline
Neuroticism has turned you into a comedienne! I hope you don't set him on fire!
This public service announcement is made by VQ: Tax Accountant Extraordinaire!
Thank you! It's going in the mail! I hope you don't charge $675 like mine just did! (my old accountant only charged $250 but he retired this year because of an illness)
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
5:15 pm
Why don't you have the fire king install one of those lift chairs- you know that go up and down the stairwell. My uncle in LA had one and he would ride up and down with at least one pug on his lap. And he had a split level too. You could probably teach Charlie to operate it himself. And if you got it prescribed by a doc you could do a tax write-off 
.
I hope the meloxicam helps Charlie- glad to hear the evil C is no where to be seen.
On the bright side- the Vikings may not be doing too well, but at least you aren't from S.F.- how about those 49ers 
.
Karen and the pugapalooza
p.s.- those metal tape measures are made not to bend, at least outward. If you need to use that tool incorrectly again try bending it with the numbers on the inside, mark the girth with your finger, then unwrap and read the number. Or measure his chest with a piece of string or rope and then use the tape measure. Or just order one of each size harness and see which one fits. I can't believe you are still reading this- I'm out of stupid ideas!
11:36 pm
VQ –
I'm so sorry you guys are going thru this. I understand. My dog has been having some serious issues with mobility this week. Its been brutal to see him suffer. I've found no humor with things, only pain as I would do anything to stop it.
This sounds like a nerve issue to me. I've been to specialists all week and our problem appears different than yours but my guess is the stairs are the issue. I know of two other tripawds who've had similar issues and it came back to stairs on the stress of being a tripawd using them.
I don't know if there's any way but can you work out something, maybe build something like a large wood box with fake grass for Charlie to go potty inside and avoid those stairs. He would just stay upstairs. I've been carrying my dog around but he weighs 55lbs so this is possible although hard for me since its just me. Not a long term solution but nec for now until some mobility could be regained.
Also perhaps install a winch with a line to literally crank him up vertically the stairs. We had one on the back of our boat for our dingy and it could lift 150lbs. Put Charlie in a harness and just crank him up? West Marine carries several of these motor lifts and they are not big at all. The top bar literally folds over to a smaller size.. It depends on your levels and what your want. Unfortunately, the problem will most likely resurface if he uses the stairs again.
I wish you all the best. I understand full well how hard this.
Jenna
12:58 am
14 August 2009
Offline
VQ - I totally missed the previous page with your vet visit! I thought you were still working your way to vet in my previous post.
WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! No cancer!!!!!!!
Back problems sounds good to me! Sorry about circa 1970's split level pad. But you gotta admit, the Brady's house was really cool looking!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
12:26 pm
Vet Expert
Vets
Members
23 August 2008
Offline
How many stairs does Charlie need to go up at a time? I looked into telescoping ramps for Tazzie and some of those can extend pretty far and can support a lot of weight. I think that the best brand is called
Solvit but I am at work so I don't have time right now to research it but I had found some good deals on Amazon. We also have a split level house but we were able to move our bedroom and big tv downstairs and we basically lived down there the entire time Tazzie was a tripawd (we only went upstairs to use the kitchen).
Pam
4:07 pm
From my understanding, the problem for them is also the going up and down on the steep angle. I don't think a ramp would help her in this situation. It would be difficult for a human to walk up that steep angle as well.
I am very sensiive to this problem right now because my dog is going thru a similar thing. Its really hard and frankly - I don't understand the joking part.
When they are like this, they are hurting. It just breaks my heart to see it as I would do anything to take it away.
10:19 pm
Team Tripawds
Administrators
25 September 2009
Offline
tazziedog said:
I looked into telescoping ramps for Tazzie and some of those can extend pretty far and can support a lot of weight. I think that the best brand is called Solvit ...
Brilliant minds must think alike, we found this Solvit ramp that extends to 87" and supports 300 lbs.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
12:13 am
14 August 2009
Offline
Zak's mom,
I'm so very sorry to hear about you are having problems. We know it is very difficult so please don't think badly of us for joking. Having humor can be a coping mechanism that eases the emotional pain.
We try to offer support and wouldn't want to upset anyone. We have so many tears here and understand how hard it is and want our furbabies to be free of pain forever.
Hugs to you during this very difficult time,
Comet's mom
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
8:18 pm
Team Tripawds
Administrators
25 September 2009
Offline
Zak's Mom, Comet's Mom summed it up, in times like this, all we can do to get through these hard situations is to try to make each other smile. Hugs coming your way.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
2:39 pm
I understand.. This was sensitive to me because I'd been carrying my dog for 6 days when I wrote that post. He was in pain and I felt such sympathy for VQ's situation.
I didn't want her situation to be taken lightly because its a real issue when they can't move. Heartbreaking because you don't want to see them suffer. We all get that.. and, for some things, humor is excellent coping method. I think it depends on the gravity of the situation and making sure the focus remains on helping with the problem as best we can.
Thanks so much for the kind reply.. I hope Charlie is doing much, much better today.
All the best!
2 Guest(s)
