Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Crazy Novak! I'm glad he didn't do any damage and checked out OK at the vet. Whew!
Yep, time to train your boyfriend. The 3-legged life is a learning experience but you'll all get on the right track together.
Novak IS doing amazing, we are so hoppy for him!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Ok, so staples, those damn staples!!! My boyfriend let Novak in the evening(friday) for about 15 min, forgot to put the cone and then came back and the just 1 day new staples were again opened!!! So he called me, I said to bring him back to me, so we did staple him aaaaagain and then he stayed at work with me for the remaining of my shift. The, went back home and went to bed with Novak, Novak didnt do anything but sleep and then I woke up with those staples open again!!! So...they are not holding at that part of the incision, so I brought Novak with me at work, again... LOL all day today(saturday) and we did suture, 4 I think and added staple to that LOLOL My vet was like, its holding, I said, NO, put some more LOLOL I dont want to staple him everyday! I brought his bed at work and he slept all day with me at work, clients were asking about him a lot again, so I did repeat myself a lot today, but everybody was in love. He's a sweet boy, he's relaxe even with the clients, pets, etc... he can sleep. So now, I hope that is the end of that. I was suppose to remove staples on day 14, but the area that opened will need more time, but everything else is closed.
I let him in the yard with Vega...for the first time...bad idea, they were running and playing....sorry guys, cant let you play yet, but they are missing each other, for sure. Will have to wait a bit longer. I dont know how to control the return back to "normal", free in the house, free in the backyard, free with the other dogs, etc... any suggestion to how, when how long to do it?
Eeeek! He's really putting every surgery scenario to the ultimate test! Glad you got more staples put in.
As fro when and how long to let him get back to normal....I don't have 2 dogs so I don't know firsthand what those challenges are like, others can guide you on that. But because his incision has given you problems, I'd want to wait as long as possible before letting him do any more rough play or running around. I know it's gotta be tough for all of you!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Everything is holding on now, fiouu LOL Suture are more secure than staple. Today, we had a birthday party at home, so he was on his 3 feet more than usual, but he's great, great shape, great attitude! Now he's sleeping tight. I still don't let him play or run, but Im anxious to let him....he so wants it. Other saga, the cone is too old and bended a bit so he could reach his incision and lick it....yep...so I took off right away when I saw him and got a bigger one. Glad to have the key to the clinic, I can go get anything at anytime. So now, he has a BIG cone and knock me with it all the time LOL Can't wait for all this to be over with. I know, im complaining for nothing, because seriously everything is going so good with him. When I read other stories, I feel very lucky that we dont have any complication.
OMG reading the last post and Im like, yep, that didnt last long LOL They were plenty complications after that 14 days post op. Everything is good now regarding the oesophagus, it is stable for a bit over a month, he's eating soft, but no regurgitation problem, he can eat faster and a bit more consistent than before, so much more easy to deal with. My routine is well establish regarding his feedings and as well of the brand of food. He still has the stricture, it will stay forever with him 🙁 but it seem that maybe the inflammation has gone, so he can eat more things like mini piece of cheese, apple, etc...
Now, I have to attack his exercises! His muscles are weaker than just after the surgery, but, he was not doing a lot because of all the complication we had. He seem to have loss muscle mass on his rear leg and it is sinking a lot...after a walk, he has difficulty getting up the stairs, he bumps a lot, crash a lot. I found a disc for only 15$ at a fitness depot, I will go buy one more. So im feeding him on that. But, I really need help on what exercise I need to do, how often, how long, etc... I was suppose to go on one of my work clinic that was in the process of being bought, but the deal is still not done...so no access to this rehab clinic with my employee discount yet. Next step is to buy a peanut fitpaw and ask for exercises that I can do here at home.
Today, we went on a walk, I need to walk him alone, so he doesn't injured himself cause he's running like a crazy dog with his pack. Alone, he's more relax, sort of LOL
Oh and I really need boots that will stay on! Im buying, losing a lot of boots and I don't like any of the confort of all that I tried so far. I know here, that you recommand the ruffwerar, but at that price, Im scare to lose one if I buy them.
So photos from today
I made him get up the log with my help, that boy will do anything I ask 
and so glad for the harness, wow, when it was time to get down, he "jump" in my arm and carry him down with the harness(he's only 47 pounds). I wanted to take a picture on that, so up there, stay, clic and done! Such a good boy!
As you can see, the fur is almost all back!
Here is a pic of the disc that I bought for only 15$ 🙂 its small, but Novak can fit on it.
Oh gosh! I missed all the incidents with the staples and cone! Ugh! So glad all that's behind you now! 🙂
This post makes me soooo jappy to jear how well he's dping...and YOU are dping...with the "new normal" feeding routine. You have been through such a extremely stressful time and you have stormed through it!! Good job!!
Jerry and others will chime in on strengthening exercises you can do. The Tripawds Foundation has a reimbursement program for some of the first visit is you able to find a Rehab Specialist.
These pictures are absolutely beautiful on so many levels! Novak is such a handsome, handsome, stunningly handsome boy! 🙂 He looks so proud and so Regal on those logs! He looks like he's posing from athe place of strength.
And that close-up...PRICELESS!!
You BOTH are doing such a great job of just getting on with enjoying life! Keep it up! 🙂
Lots of love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
WOW he looks fantastic! And you are doing some pawesome exercises with him. Remember to keep the disc under the front paws in order to work his rear leg.
OK, have you downloaded Loving Life On Three Legs ? There are tons of fitness tips and exercises you can start with. Also see:
DIY Canine Rehabilitation Therapy for Tripawds Course
As for the boots, did you measure his paws? See if they fit this free pair of Ruffwear boots in our Angel Exchange:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks, I will go and download the book. Can I put a balance disc under front feet and back leg at the same time?
For the boots, Novak is 2 1/4" width, I dont understand the post in Angel exchange, its an old post and if still available, its only one boot?
He looks awesome! What a great job you have done throuout all your setbacks. You truly are his champion. You knew he could do this and have worked so hard to get him to his new normal. He really is a stunning boy. I can only imagine how much work goes into his grooming alone. I have no doubt in another couple of months you'll have him muscled up and back to where he started from!
Oh anyway those boots wont fit, too large.
I can have those one at work at cost price, around 50$, what do you think? http://www.rcpe.....oduct.aspx
Ok, so I got the boots at cost price from work and tried them today, I love them and so far so good. They stay in place really well and they don't turn on the paw. I tried them without socks. The fitting is a bit off because I order medium size and their package contains front and back feet boot, larger in front and smaller on back feet, the idea is good, but Novak has really exactly the same size front and back. The back seem more fitted on him. So maybe i will use the socks on the front ones the make them more fitted.
Here are some photos
So I can recommand them, It got them for 36$ so not bad at all compare to the Ruffwear. Only time will tell if they will survive long enough.
Hope you never get tired of us saying how stunningly handsome Novak is, because henis!! He's such a good looking boy
He's a excellent model for these vooties! Thanks for sharing the photos AND the good feedback! 🙂
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
He does look fantastic! He has the most beautiful, intelligent face. And the boots look great (sorry, I know that sounds ridiculous... nice boots, Novak...). Seriously, it isn't easy in my experience to find boots that fit well and stay on and don't turn. And he models them perfectly.
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
So because of his oeasophagus stricture, its better to make Novak eat standing up, head up and of course, because he's on 3 now, I think that he feels more comfortable with elevated bowl. I was not finding one at a reasonable price, so today, I found a small table at Ikea for 20$ and I made the hole myself and tadam!
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It need to be stain and protected correctly, but that it perfect for him.
Perfect! And he gets his balance exercise at the same time. What more could you ask?
Kathi and the Turbotail April Angel...and the Labradork
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
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