Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone, I'll save the beautiful story of my tripawd, but need your help on a progressive issue. She is 5-6 years old and is missing the front right leg (since she was about a month - so not new). As she's aged, she gets tired more easily, which makes sense. However, she is now to the point where we can only walk to the end of our very short street before she refuses to walk (and I have to carry her 40lb butt back). Does anyone else experience this and what solutions have you found (i.e., dog stroller , wagon, bike stroller, etc.)?
Thanks everyone and hop on,
Chrissy
Hi!! What's your girl's name, she's lovely!! Has your vet weighed in on her increasing tiredness? 5 or 6 years old seems young to me to be declining due to age. I wonder if she is having some pain somewhere.
You might also consider a rehab consult. We got one for Fallon to see how we could help her be/stay mobile following her amputation and they would be able to assess her and give you suggestions and exercises on how to keep her mobile. Plus Tripawds can pay for the consult
Fallon 8/28/06--9/6/18. My Heart.
Fallon's left front leg was amputated due to osteosarcoma on 10/11/17.
Nothing But Love in Her Heart - dawn3g.tripawds.com
Thanks @dawn3g my beautiful little trouble maker is named Shasta. They say just keep up on the glucosimine and such, but I agree. Right before I saw this, I left a voicemail for her first rehab consultation. I am so glad the Tripawd Foundaiton reimburses you for it, because long story short, my tripawd was the reason I moved to a nonprofit job - I can use the help from the foundation lol
Hi Chrissy and Shasta 🌺🧛♀️
That’s a good plan, seeing a rehab vet !
You may also want to take a look at Clare and Meg’s thread 🚴🏻♀️
Meg’s got new wheels and her Mom is updating us with photos and videos, showing her progress!
Not saying Shasta needs wheels at this stage but if one day she does this thread provides enormous guidance.
I’m not at the computer today so cannot copy link but hopefully somebody will or failing that I’ll do it tomorrow.
When is her appointment ?
Hugs and cuddles 😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Actually I just realised Clare’s thread is just after yours here at the Hopping Around forum ...
😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
chrissyreval said
...what solutions have you found...?
The absolute best solution is to consult with a certified canine rehab therapist for a professional evaluation, treatment recommendations and an exercise and stretching regimen designed specifically for Shasta to keep her fit and strong. Visit a CCRT or CCRP and the Tripawds Foundation can even pay for your first visit from the Maggie Moo Fund for Tripawd rehab. Please do not self-prescribe a wheelchair as more harm than good can be done by using one too soon, or by improper fitting. Search the Tripawds Blogs to find much more helpful information about rehab, including starter exercises you can do...but a professional opinion is best!
Shasta will thank you...she is beautiful. Please keep us posted.
PS: Just noticed your next reply. Thanks for doing your homework!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Love Shasta 's avatar. She's a beauty!
Six years as a front legger does, indeed, put extra wear and tear on her remaining legs, back muscles, shoulder muscles. She may not be "old" per se chronologically, but her sweet tripawd body can certainly "age" faster than a four legger.
The suggestions about seeing a Rehab Specialist will do wonders for Shasta! Just doing simple things like building core muscles...their tummy muscles.....can do wonders.
When a tripawd sits down they have already overdone it..So good for you for recognizing she's tired and not try and force her to walk back. Maybe, for now, just walk halfway down the street so she can walk back on her own. Give her a little rest period before the trip back.
Really glad you found this site. The information on how to care for a tripawd is such a gift to all of us who want to preserve their quality as long as possible.
As you navigate through the site, you'll find ways to monitor Shasta's activity while letting her still be Shasta, If she's had a life of fast running, quick stops and turns, chasing balls with quick stops, jumping up and down for frisbees, or even jumping up and down on and off sofas and in and out of cars...all of these things put a lot of stress on joints, especially over several years.
Your Rehab Vet may suggest hydrotherapy. That seems to be one of those things that works for some dogs, not all. It keeps the pressure off his joints and helps properly adjust his gait.
You obviously have so much love and connection with Shasta and that's why she has done as well as she has for so long! ❤ You might also ask the Bet, or the Rehab Vet, about incorporating Rimadyl as a daily dose. Shasta may have a bit of soreness from arthritis that may be present.
Keep us posted in her progress. And give that sweet girl a scoop of ice cream! 😁
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!
Megs wheels are arriving tomorrow <-- the link to Meg A Star and Clare's journey with new wheels. You are getting good advise here so I cannot add anything to that but if you had a hard time finding the article which shows Meg learning how to use her new wheels, now you have it 
Sounds like you are proactively doing everything possible for your beautiful furbaby, she is beautiful!
Since a month old? Wow! What happened to her? That is definitely one of the younger surgeries, she is lucky to have somebody that has taken such good care of her 
Good luck in your journey, I will be looking forward to hearing more!
Jackie and Huckleberry
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
paws120 said
Megs wheels are arriving tomorrow <-- the link to Meg A Star and Clare's journey with new wheels. You are getting good advise here so I cannot add anything to that but if you had a hard time finding the article which shows Meg learning how to use her new wheels, now you have itSounds like you are proactively doing everything possible for your beautiful furbaby, she is beautiful!
Since a month old? Wow! What happened to her? That is definitely one of the younger surgeries, she is lucky to have somebody that has taken such good care of her
Good luck in your journey, I will be looking forward to hearing more!
Jackie and Huckleberry
Thank you EVERYONE! She actually is a rarity. She was a rescue from a bad rescue group (they were classifying themselves as a 501c(3) to receive grant funds) and really just hoarding and abusing. She was a month old when she stuck her paw through the cage and the dog next to her bit it off. She was never given proper care, just stitched up (which is also why she has a nub to her elbow joint, aka her chicken wing). She's a rockstar and has truly changed my life! I actually found this group when researching about if I should adopt her.... obviously, I found the right resource. Thank you everyone for all the advice. I CAN'T wait to get her in next week to a rehab vet.
Oh my dog... poor baby!! Just bitten off.. wholly crap! I love the chicken wing identity though, that's adorable. Cannot wait to see pictures!
It does my heart good to know that we've helped in any way.
I hope the rehab and strengthening of her core muscles give her relief. I have not gotten to that step yet. Huckleberry was a young feral cat in top condition so thank goodness for that. He is still very active and we have kitty trees and they torment each other all day long 😅😂🤣 He has gained a bit of weight though because he's not out hunting and just surviving anymore so we need to watch that, which we are. It seems excess weight can really hinder them and add undue stress to the remaining legs.
Keep in touch and let us know how you do please!! Sounds like a few changes may be just what you need.
Jackie and Huck ❤️
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
P.S. pictures please!! Gotta see more of that beautiful baby!!!
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Gosh, what a start in life ...
Luckily you found each other and now you found us ☺️
All we need now is pictures and an update after you take her to rehab 🤸🏽♀️🏊🏻♀️🚴🏻♀️
Hugs and cuddles 😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Hi everyone! Shasta did amazing at the PT vet! The pain was not in her front remaining leg, but actually in her neck and two spots along her spine. He pointed out the pinched nerves and how much pain my poor girl was in. I almost cried!
He performed a spine adjustment, deep tissue massage and stretch, as well as laser therapy. She seems to still be a tired pup but we are hoping on small improvements. Once the pain is down, we will work on an ongoing plan and to strengthen her core.
I can't explain how educated and thankful I am for y'all and the vet.
I'll add pics once I can figure that out lol she has the BEST pics from the vet visit!! How do you add pics on here?
That is wonderful news, yay!!! I am so glad that worked out for you. If you start a blog here and add pictures to the media library you can post them here.
Big hugs ❤️❤️❤️
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
chrissyreval said
How do you add pics on here?
Here are detailed instructions for adding photos to forum posts . If you don't already share photos online somewhere, you can start a free Tripawds blog any time and upload them there. Need further help? Post in the Tech Support forum and we'll be happy to help!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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