Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi,
It is Koda's 8th birthday today and for his brithday and Christmas present we got him the Ruff wear K9 Float coat so that he can go swimming in the heat we are in down under. However I wanted to check with the people here who u have used the float coat as to its best fit as the lady that sold it to us seemed to think that the 2 pieces that meet together underneath the dog should overlap to create the bouyancy from underneath, however Koda has such a big chest that his only just touches it does not overlap, so I was wondering if any other dogs have worn the vest and if it fits them in a similar way.
We tried the medium and it went no where near Koda's size and the large is the one we went with as it just meets together under neath under his belly, however wouldn't want to go any longer as it is already hitting his back legs when he sits. Koda must have a weird body shape but I haven't mentioned this to him:) So I don't want to go the extra large as it will be too long but this morning the lady rang me to say that she was worried he wouldn't have enough bouyancy under his chest due to it not overlapping, but I am hoping some people on here have had a similar experience with the float coat where each side under the dogs belly only just meets......
Look forward to hearing from you all as I can't use it if I have to exchange it and I want to get Koda in the water as soon as possible so will be happy to use it if people on here have similar experiences where they don't actually overlap.
Storm and Koda:)
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On Codie Rae, a German Shepherd, the vest does not touch underneath. From watching dawgs swim with these float coats the actual floatation support is primarily at the shoulders. Having the vest overlap underneath makes no difference, and if it does the coat might be too big. I would be more concerned with having the float coat fit snugly so it doesn't move around on the dog. We followed the sizing instructions from Ruffwear and it works great.
Ralph
Sounds like Koda's K9 Float Coat fits perfectly. As long as the pads meet underneath the chest, it should provide ample buoyancy. I agree the extra large seems like would be too big. Can't wait to see Koda swimming!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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Thanks!!! I just needed someone to concur and I am happy with that:) As long as it still works if it just touches underneath and other people have had dogs wear it successfully like that I am happy:) We are going to hit the beach!!!! Can't wait!!!
Emily HATED the water so we didn't have a float coat but I did want to wish her a Happy Birthday!
Debra & Angel Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Hi Koda's Pawrents!
Jake's float coat barely touched underneath... but it definitely helped him alot in the pool! I think that the floating devices are higher up on the sides... so it may not make a huge difference if the bottem parts touch or not... Jake's Journey.
Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas Koda!!!
Angel Jake and Wolfie's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
I am surprised. I thought the plus of that brand was that the sides did meet underneath. Maybe I assumed it was too small on Tazzie. We used a different brand, which we obtained first, that did overlap. It was a big large, but did not slide around. Anyway, it sounds like these different styles work.
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