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
Hello!
I am back (and hopefully in the right forum) to prepare for some gear/material needs for my soon-to-be post-op pup, Willow. I was browsing the gear page and saw a bunch of different harnesses that are catered a little more towards amputees and was pretty set on the Ruffwear Flagline as I liked all the leash points and handle. Looking more into those, I came across the Front Range which might be better for us as she is a smaller dog around 17 lbs so I am not sure a handle would be needed as I do not mind picking her up and it seems like an easy on/off harness compared to what we have. Before learning about her upcoming surgery, we had a harness vest from Petsmart which feels a little tough to wear around her neck and chest (see here), and just started her on the Easy Walk harness. Harness advice is welcome!
Next, I wanted to check if the bed we have for her already will be good enough for recovery (Top Paw® Orthopedic Mattress Dog Bed). I was a little curious if the fabric might bug her wound area at all and if there's a better fabric to maybe cover the bed for a while that might be better during recovery.
I saw that there is a Rehab foundation through Tripawds which I would love to learn more about as I am definitely interested in taking her to at least an evaluation when she's feeling better. I am located in South Jersey and would love recommendations in the Gloucester County area if possible.
Are joint supplements or special diets to be expected after this surgery?
Any other tips post-op are very welcome as well! Thank you!
12:10 pm
Team Tripawds
Administrators
Helpline Hosts
26 April 2007
Offline
Hi Chris and Willow!
It's great that you have time to prepare.
Have you seen our Tripawds Recovery Shopping List article? You'll find that very helpful. Also, our e-books library contains many great articles and "best of" resources but you can find that info here too if it's not in your budget, which we totally get.
I would agree that for a smaller dog, if you don't need to pick her up very often, the Front Range is fine. We like the Flagline because of the handle, and how it allows us to assist a dog who needs it. But if she is small enough for you to pick up as usual, she'll probably do fine with the Front Range. I would avoid the Easy Walk, you don't want to modify her gait any more after she loses a leg (which is what those harnesses do).
Yes Tripawds Foundation can pay for your first rehab visit with her. Book now so that she can get in right after surgery. Generally therapists like to see new patients no more than 10 days after surgery and there tends to be a long waiting list in many places. The therapist can also guide you on joint supplements and nutrition specific to her needs, but you can also poke around the Tripawds Nutrition blog 's best articles for some insight. Our Eating Healthy Forum also has some info on what other members have chosen for their dogs.
Hope this helps! Ask any questions you'd like, we are here for you and Willow.
Hello jerry!
The shopping list was VERY helpful! There was a lot on there I had not even thought or heard about like the fibery food and "spike" liquids. It's funny that the cone alternative was here too because my girlfriend and I saw very similar suits this weekend and thought they could be a good idea. Luckily we already have some potty pads from when we brought her home a month ago and did not return yet and we are taking care of the hard floor areas as we speak! The 6" advice on the raised feeder was also very helpful information as I was wondering what height would be appropriate.
I will have to look into rehab centers around where I live and start calling.
Thank you!
1:16 pm
11 January 2022
Offline
I have both harnesses. I think the handle is worth having even if you don't use it often. It will cost a few dollars more and it will take you an extra few seconds to get it on and off due to the extra straps.
The most common reason I use the handle is getting Loki in and out of my SUV. The handle means I can pick her up one handed to get her in/out, so my other hand is free to hold my keys or water bottle or whatever else I might need. She likes to jump out of the car, but I don't want her joints to take the impact of landing, so the handle lets me glide her down after she launches herself - again, one handed.
The other time it comes in handy is if I need to restrain her. Loki has an incredibly high prey drive. I have no doubt she'd get out of the Front Range harness to go after a bunny. The extra straps make the Flagline more secure. If we're out for a walk and a bunny goes hopping by, I grab the handle while Loki pulls and screams, but can't actually go anywhere.
My quad-pawd wears a Front Range as her regular harness. I also had a Front Range on Loki while she was still growing because I had a spare in the size she needed from when Tempest was a puppy. Once I knew she was done growing I got her the Frontline in the correct size - I didn't want to buy it twice. She's also a size that I'm comfortable picking up and carrying. Just my two cents on the topic. RuffWear makes great quality harnesses though - Tempest's harness is over 7 years old and going strong.
2:19 pm
Moderators
Helpline Hosts
18 October 2009
Offline
Hi,
I second Mischief's take on the handle. My current Tri is a Pug mix rear amp who lost a back leg to a car accident 8 years ago. I'm partial to the Ruffwear Web Master actually, Elly wears it whenever we leave the house. I can get her in and out of my truck with one hand and when we hit some obstacles on walks I can help her over. I also use the handle when we are taking classes or doing Nose Work. Although the Flagline harness has more adjustment points I can't get a good fit with it on Elly. Even though she is small (15 pounds) she has a big chest.
My new quad Pug Mix Callie wears the Front Range. It is a good fit for her but I don't like not having a handle. Callie has ridiculous prey drive and is reactive to everything that moves (we are making progress). She had never worn a harness when I adopted her and she is not a huge fan. I don't like using collars as a leash attachment point for my small dogs (for a few reasons) so I started Callie with a simple webbing harness and now she is fine with the Front Range but I plan to move up to a Webmaster or Flagline for her in the near future. Callie gets in my truck by herself jumping into the front seat floorboard and then seat and then into the back but I always lift her out.
If you are considering a recover suit you might try it on Willow before surgery. Quad Pug mix Callie was not fixed when I got her since she had a litter of pups when she came into rescue. I got a couple cone alternatives and a recovery suit- I assumed she would like the suit better than something around her neck but she didn't. She hated the suit- she didn't like something around her torso...which is also why I think she doesn't like the harness. Anyway- I don't remember if Willow is losing a front or back leg- but <a href="