Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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So Mav's taking some serious face plants lately just from crazy puppy time. He hasn't injured anything but his PT suggested some chest protection until we get him to slow down a little with some more propreaception exercises. Its close to impossible to find anything in his size (26 pounds) that also protects his amp site and is light weight enough for summer use. I keep him very lean so he has almost no protection there to keep him from injuring a rib or scraping the skin. Any suggestions?
Mandy and Mav
Maverick is a wonderful miniature australian shepard born with a malformation of the front right radius/ulna, amputation performed on 11/4/13 at 6 months old. Follow his story at mavericksjourney.tripawds.com.
Wow that's interesting, never heard of a need for this kind of thing if you can believe it. Where exactly are the abrasions happening?
I'm curious to see what others suggest because really I can't think of anything that he would be able to wear all day during warm weather. The Get A Grip Harness is all I can think of but even that seems like too much for this need.
Anyone have ideas?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Bubble wrap and duct tape?
Does Mav wear any type of harness? The only thing I can think of is adding padding to some type of harness. Or maybe a snug fitting tee shirt with padding on the chest and amp site, but that might be warm.
Interesting problem, I haven't really heard this before. Good luck finding a solution, and let us know if you find something that works.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
I just had another idea, try searching for chest protection for hunting dogs. I remember a friend of my uncle's had something for his bird dog that covered his chest, it looked sort of like a reverse harness. Maybe you could modify one of those.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
I didn't really want to be the first one with this issue but I guess we're going to take lead on this one, lol. The problem is that he goes so fast he sometimes can't get his remaining front foot to brace himself during a stop. Of course he tends to do this on the one patch of cement in the yard... I need to work something to cover the side of his chest (where his leg used to be) as well as under. I have his webmaster harness but I try not to leave it on him inside since he plays rough with his sister and I don't want them to destroy it. I found something that would be perfect during cold weather since it's for sled dogs to prevent harness rub but they don't make them small enough for Mav. The hunting dog plates would work well for underneath but not on the side. I may have to juryrig something... This is going to require more thought. I'll keep you updated!
Mandy and Mav
Maverick is a wonderful miniature australian shepard born with a malformation of the front right radius/ulna, amputation performed on 11/4/13 at 6 months old. Follow his story at mavericksjourney.tripawds.com.
Well, Mav can't be the only dog out there with this issue. So if you come up with something who knows, you could have a new business on your hands! Let us know what you come up with. Meanwhile I'll post something in Twitter to see if anyone has any ideas.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
What about a dog rash guard? A quick Google search shows a couple of possibilities by Body Glove and Playa Pup. You would still have to do some modifying (closing one arm hole) but they provide more coverage than most harnesses. They are lightweight and designed for summer use, plus if it is a hotter day, you could soak it down with water to help keep him cooler without the fabric stretching out. If the fabric is too thin, you might be able to just sew an old washcloth or something like that into the area over his amp site for some extra cushion. They definitely come in small enough sizes (and fashionable colors, too
).
You could also look at the Ruffwear Swampcooler but that would certainly require some more modification, since it has sort of largish arm holes. It is also a heavier material that is really intended to be soaked with water - it is kind of like a spongy shirt - so dry, I would think it might be too warm after a while but it is a light color that would help reflect heat away from Mav's dark coat.
Those are all great ideas for dogs that don't play as rough and tumble as my guys do. I need kevlar to keep up with them, lol. I buy new shirts every month it seems like. I have an email out to a guy that makes hunting dog vests, their website says they modify their designs upon request so I'm hoping they can manufacture one without the right arm hole. If not, I may have an idea for a design involving the padding for heavy duty backpacks. I may have to involve my mom and sister since they're the artistic ones with needle and thread in my family. I'll keep you posted!
Mandy and Mav
Maverick is a wonderful miniature australian shepard born with a malformation of the front right radius/ulna, amputation performed on 11/4/13 at 6 months old. Follow his story at mavericksjourney.tripawds.com.
Okay, so I found someone who can modify a chest/belly protector for me at no additional cost. Yay! I'm going to have it made and do a trial run. If it works well, I'll give you guys the website so anyone else with this issue has somewhere to go 
Mandy and Mav
Maverick is a wonderful miniature australian shepard born with a malformation of the front right radius/ulna, amputation performed on 11/4/13 at 6 months old. Follow his story at mavericksjourney.tripawds.com.
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