As more people understand that many of the same physical therapy principles applied to humans can also benefit dogs of all ages and health conditions, more canines than ever are enjoying pain-free lives.

Dog Rehab Gives Spree a Pain-Free Life

Spree is the perfect example of how canine rehab helps. At just a few weeks old, Spree didn’t look like she would have a good quality of life ahead of her.

She was born with a poorly formed skeletal structure that if left untreated would have subjected her to a life of terrible pain.

Luckily, her parent Connie Fredman of Canine Health Resort instinctively knew that she could provide her with a great life through surgery and dedicated rehabilitation therapy from herself and Rogers.

Today, Rogers performs weekly rehab work on Spree at Fredman’s home, as seen in the following video. Spree still has severe elbow arthritis in her remaining front limb and sore neck muscles which is typical for a front-leg Tripawd.

Please note: this video is not meant to be an instructional “how-to” dog physical therapy video, but rather to show how physical therapy can help. One look at Spree’s totally relaxed state, and you can tell she is loving it! Read below to learn more about this courageous dog, and how the dedication of Rogers and Fredman have helped to give her an excellent quality of life against all odds.

Never perform these manipulations on your dog without first consulting a professional canine rehabilitation therapist.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Spree Bounces Back Despite All Odds

As a puppy, orthopedic specialist exams revealed that the best way to help Spree lead a better life would be to amputate her poorly formed front right leg. Spree became a Tripawd at just 15 weeks old.

Several months later, surgeons told Fredman that Spree needed a bilateral FHO surgery, which requires removal of the head of the poorly formed femur, in order to grow a new joint built with the hind leg muscles.

Although FHO leaves a dog without hip joints, the procedure gets the leg to attach to the body by muscle alone, similar to how a dog’s shoulder blade attaches to the body. Smaller dogs like Spree are better candidates for this surgery but some larger dogs can also do well afterward.

Many parents would have given up after hearing this recommendation, but not Fredman. Rogers had already been performing gentle physical therapy routines on Spree and even bathtub swim sessions. Spree’s recovery from FHO surgery, however, had its challenges.

Because she was so young when her surgeries occurred, the brain’s neuromuscular pattern that dogs normally develop didn’t instinctively occur with Spree.

As a result, typical behaviors such as “sit” were extremely challenging. It took four months and two people performing regular rehab sessions just to teach her how to sit properly.

Today, Spree is a happy, healthy adult dog and lives a great life with Fredman’s large pack at the resort. Although Spree requires ongoing weekly physical therapy sessions and pain management with tools such as Rimadyl, Dasuqin, Adequan and fish oil, if you took one look at her you would never know that she had such a tough start in life.

Many thanks to Fredman and Rogers for allowing us to be a part of Spree’s therapy session. If you’re in Northern Colorado, be sure to contact Good Life Physical Therapy for Animals to learn about how she can help your Tripawd lead a better, pain-free life. For boarding care after surgery at Colorado State University, contact Connie Fredman at Canine Health Resort. 

Recommended Reading:

 Tripawds Recover and Relax at Canine Health Resort
When a Tripawd Needs another Leg Surgery
Tripawd Rehab Tips and Videos from California Animal Rehabilitation Center

Wyatt isn’t a Tripawd because of cancer, but when the lump appeared last Saturday, we couldn’t help but have flashbacks to when Tripawds Founder Jerry was diagnosed.

Wyatt is only 2.5 years old, but we’ve seen Tripawds as young as 15 months get diagnosed. After his local vet couldn’t diagnose the swelling, we feared that this awful disease was happening to us again.

Old Shoes Hurt

Fortunately we’re only an hour from one of the best veterinary teaching hospitals in the world, Colorado State University. That’s where Wyatt had three of the hospital’s most experienced soft tissue surgeons looking at his stump this week, trying to figure out where the swelling was coming from.

The wait was excruciating and put us right back into the shoes everyone wears when they first join this community. Wearing them again was painful.

Good News: No Cancer

Tests confirmed he didn’t have cancer, so Wyatt went into surgery on Wednesday for 2.5 hours to uncover the cause. After digging and probing, surgeons concluded that Wyatt’s amputation site was infected from “foreign material” that was trying to work its way out of his stump. The material and infected tissue is being sent out to a lab for evaluation and a final diagnosis.

Wyatt is finally home, high as a kite on Tramadol and looking very spacey, nervous and tired. Here we are once again, taking care of a post-op Tripawd.

We’re a little smarter than we were last time, but it’s still nerve wracking. Wyatt’s wearing a surgical drain that been stitched into his side. The drain looks like a hand grenade and we’re supposed to empty the fluid as it accumulates. This is something new to us.

He’s also on pain pills and anti-biotics, has post-surgery bruising and we need to watch him carefully until we take him back to CSU on Monday to have the drain removed.

The Bad News: Hip Displaysia

We’re thrilled Wyatt doesn’t have cancer, but at the same time, we were devastated to hear the surgeon tell us that he definitely has a good case of hip displaysia.

As a rear-leg amputee, hip displaysia is not going to be easy for Wyatt to cope with as he ages. Some day far in the future, the condition will impact all of us in a big way.

But for now, we are going to take things one day at a time, and enjoy every minute of our young, wild and vibrant Tripawd’s life.

Thank you everypawdy for your concern about this crazy kid. We’ll keep you posted when we have the lab results next week.

Washington Tripawds Meet on Sunday, July 10

Come one, come all! It’s a three legged affair this Sunday when Pacific Northwest Tripawds gather at Lincoln’s place in Snohomish at 1pm. The pawty promises to be an elegant affair with dogs of all sizes and ages!

Please see this Tripawds Parties Discussion Forum topic for details and to RSVP, or visit our Facebook Events Announcement.

Colorado Tripawds Meet on Saturday, July 16

Not to be outdone, the Colorado Rockies Tripawds are pawtying the following week in Fort Collins on Saturday, July 16 at 9am.

The ruckus gets started early because it gets hot here. But there’s a nifty dog pool at the Spring Canyon Dog Park where Tripawds can cool off.

See this Discussion Forum Topic and Facebook Events Announcement for details!

All who attend will get a free pawdograph from the famous Codie Rae, whose appearance in rock star Patrick Stump’s video, “Spotlight (Oh Nostalgia!) has raised worldwide awareness and appreciation for the magic of Tripawds everywhere!

And remember, it’s not too late to order Tripawds merchandise from our Gift Store to show your Tripawd Pride!

From last November’s 2 Million Dogs event in Washington to the Fort Collins Doggie Olympics, if there’s an affordable dog event in our path, we do our best to be there.

Last week we put Tripawds Spokesdog Wyatt Ray to work at the Larimer County Humane Society 21st annual Fire Hydrant 5k Fundraiser and Pet Expo (which raised over $55,000 for dogs in need!).

Our Tripawds display included Tripawds Gear and canine fitness equipment, books, fliers,  Tripawds handmade jewelry and lots of doggie snacks.

The event was extra special because our Tripawd Pal Dakota, his sister Evelyn, Mom Shari and little brother Aidan came to help.

Who could resist sweet Dakota?

We were so hoppy to see that one of our exhibit neighbors was Doug Koktavy, author of The Legacy of Beezer and Boomer.

Doug’s book is one of the best tools for helping pawrents cope with their dog’s serious illness. Read it if you haven’t already, it’s a keeper!

Later the afternoon turned into a Tripawds reunion when Spirit Peyton’s people and little brothers Dillon and Rhys stopped by to say hello.

One of the highlights of the day was meeting Kara Pappas, Development Manager at the Larimer County Humane Society, along with her three legged rescue dog, another rear legger named Wyatt!

Kara was so happy to meet us in person, because Tripawds had been such a great resource for her when recently, a sweet, three legged lab came into the shelter.

Kara wanted to adopt him but she wasn’t sure if a tripod dog would require lots of care. She looked online, and Tripawds.com alleviated all of her concerns. Our discussion forums, blog stories, tips and resources all helped cinch her decision to give Wyatt a furever home.

Hearing stories like Kara and Wyatt’s are why we exist…

To show the world that canine amputees can have a good life and really aren’t any different from quadpawds.

And it’s because of the pawrents like you who contribute your time and financial support that we can do it; from taking the time to share your Tripawd experiences and offer support to new members, to shopping through our blogs and our Etsy store.

Every click, every dollar you spend on or through here makes the world a better place for three legged dogs.

Thank you so much!

As part of our ongoing commitment to show you where your financial support goes, here’s what this event cost Tripawds:

Exhibit Space: $75
Tent Canopy: Borrowed
Sales Tax Permit: $8
Total: $83

You came into my world back in the day, when I was still running and playing and loving life on the road. The stars aligned to bring us together.

The day we met on the Colorado Trail (three years ago this month!), it was heaven on earth.

Ever since that day, I was in love.

You never let life on three legs keep you from doing what you wanted to, from showing your pack who was really in charge!

My pawrents, and all the other peeps at Tripawds, are so sad, knowing that got your wings yesterday.

These silly humans of ours wish we could live forever!

But you and I know that we have more impawtant work to do, more people to help, more places to make better.

We can’t stick around as long as they want us to, but we always leave a part of us with them, in that mysterious place they call their soul. Why don’t you drop everyone a hint to let them know you’ll always be around?

Now that you’re a Spirit Tripawd, you can come join me in this beautiful place, where you can run the trails like you used to as a kid, leading the pack with all four legs.

Maybe you can show me n’ Moose and all of the other old school Tripawds from back in the day how to pull a sled!

Hurry Cali, we’re waiting!

Run Free Forever, Calpurnia! Tripawd Queen of the Sled Dogs!

View this playlist of five favorite videos featuring Calpurnia, Tripawds founder Jerry and spokespup Wyatt:

We are hoppy to let you know that Eisen is still kickin’ cancer’s butt, over three years after being told he wouldn’t survive more than a year. This month, our hero turned 12.

Loosely translated, Eisen means “strong” in German. And strong he is. Since he lost his leg to cancer in November, 2007, he’s defied the odds and beaten bone cancer without any chemotherapy.

Eisen lives in rural Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Here he is with his Mom, Stacey.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Stacey explains that she chose to go the holistic route with her best friend. Under the guidance of Dr. Charles Loops, an acclaimed holistic veterinarian in North Carolina who does phone consultations with clients from around the world, Stacey follows a strict but affordable regimen that you can read about  in our Nutrition Blog.

Eisen’s therapy seems to be working. His last chest x-ray was done in March 2009, and his lungs were clear. Stacey says she has chosen not to do further radiographs. Today, she believes his lungs are still clear, since Eisen shows no outward signs of metastasis.

Maybe it’s a coincidence or maybe it’s proof that Dr. Loops’ unconventional approach is working, but two other Tripawd heroes we know of, Calpurnia, our 15 year old musher dog friend from Denver, and Maggie the Agile Cow Dog from Maine, are both under Dr. Loops’ care, and both are beating the cancer odds by a year or more.

Tripawds’ recent reunion with Eisen occurred just before winter began, as the days were growing colder and the nights were getting long. Even with the cold weather coming on, Eisen still got around great and looked quite hoppy.

As we watched him romping around his acreage with his beloved girlfriend Daphne, it took us back to the days that Eisen and I played together, so long ago.

My pawrents shed a tear, then they said a prayer that all of the Tripawds who get diagnosed with bone cancer will be able to enjoy the same kind of beautiful, long life that Eisen has.

Tripawds sends out a heartfelt birthday salute to Eisen, our dear three legged bone cancer hero!

Canine Health Resort is a healing center for dogs who are recovering from major medical procedures at Colorado State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital (and other local providers).

Founded by Connie Fredman in 2006, this specialty facility provides rest, relaxation and rehabilitation in a down-home environment for dogs who live too far away to commute back and forth for care at this world-famous institution.

Not Your Vet’s Recovery Ward

Set among 75 pastoral, fenced acres with shade trees, a pond, places to explore and a cozy farmhouse where dogs rule, Canine Health Resort is dramatically different from the sterile cages, cold floors and fluorescent lighting found in veterinary recovery wards.

Patients spend days or weeks with Fredman while recovering from conditions like paralysis or amputation surgery. Some are receiving chemotherapy treatments or getting daily rehabilitation therapy. Others have come from as far away as Alaska for the care that Fredman, a 25-year veteran in animal health care, provides.

She’s a regular Florence Nightingale for dogs, handling everything from picking up patients at the airport, to giving daily medications, to driving them to their appointments. Patients of all ages reside in her fully carpeted, handicapped-equipped home and receive all the care they need for a great recovery.

Patients are Loved, but Not Babied

While residents are given lots of TLC and 24/7 care, they are also expected to adhere to the rules of the pack, and quickly learn to fit in with the other patients. Fredman is strict about house rules, which include no free-feeding, and no chasing after the resident cats.

Fredman runs her facility like this because doesn’t believe in babying or humanizing dogs. Doing so can hinder recovery, she says.

“They don’t think the way we do, we can’t baby them,” she advises canine pawrents. “The sooner they’re up, the better they’re going to recover.”

While many pawrents want to sleep on the floor with their Tripawd after amputation surgery, Fredman advises against it.

Just as when human patients have back surgery and are made to start walking the next day, Fredman says this kind of approach is also the best way to get Tripawds to start living life on three legs.

“The dog has to become independent again,” she says. Live your life as you normally do, and if you think you need to sleep on the floor because you’re worried he will have to eliminate in the middle of the night and might need your help, sleep in your own bed but set your alarm clock and then see if he has to go.

The Secret to a Good Recovery

One of the secrets to a good recovery is to find out what motivates your dog to walk and feel good again, and use that as much as you can during recovery.

From car rides to ice cream, the things that lift your dog’s spirit will also help speed up healing, Fredman says.

She also advises Tripawd pawrents to explore rehabilitation therapy, and says that Cosequin and Dasuqin can help prevent and alleviate arthritis related to a Tripawd’s physique.

We hope that more providers like Fredman will pop up around the country, so that more dogs can have access to a higher level of veterinary care when they need it.

Until then, if you’ve ever considered having your Tripawd treated at Colorado State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital but thought you lived too far away, think again; Canine Health Resort can help make that dream a reality!

Canine Health Resort

These pretty pups aren’t Tripawds, but we wanted to help spread the word about them. Last week they were saved from a terrible dog hoarding situation in rural Park County, Colorado.

Calpurnia and her Mom are working hard to help find donations and homes for these dogs. Here’s what they had to say:

“We are dealing with a horrific case of a musher ‘hoarding’ dogs, resulting in 100 dogs (6 mos to 14 yrs) that are now in desperate need of homes. Here is a local news story about the discovery.

Luckily, another musher who lives in the area discovered the situation before it got any worse and contacted the authorities. Amazingly, the dogs seem friendly and well socialized.

All the dogs are “somewhere” safe for now.

I asked what the critical need is right now, and it is money.

Park County is not a big county, and very low on funds. It is costing them to bond these dogs, plus medical care for the critical ones, plus checkups, shots, spay/neuters for the rest.

If people want to donate, they can send it to the Park County Animal Control, flagged for the Sled Dog Rescue efforts.

They can also donate to one of the shelters (listed below in order of need):

If someone wants to adopt a dog (someone with an active lifestyle, with a 6′ or greater fence and lots of patience and time to help these dogs adjust to being pets), they can contact the shelters directly.

The more doggy people I can get brainstorming on this, the better we can get these dogs homed and the love and care they each deserve.”

Please contact:

• Ark-Valley Humane Society, Buena Vista, CO. Tel: 719-395-2737
• Lake County Animal Shelter, Leadville, CO. Tel: 719-486-8951
• Denver Dumb Friends League, Denver CO. Tel: 303-751-5772
• Longmont Humane Society, Longmont CO. Tel: 303-772-1232
• Boulder Humane Society, Boulder, CO. Tel: 303-442-4030

Making the decision to amputate a senior dog’s leg is difficult. Most people doubt that old dogs can get along on three legs.

But Calpurnia, a three legged sled dog in Colorado, is proof that even older working dogs can lead great lives as Tripawds.

Calpurnia just celebrated her two year ampuversary. She and her Mom TC wrote this guest post to celebreate this milestone, and hopefully assist others who are faced with the decision to amputate on their own senior dog.

“It hardly seems like it has been 2 years since my humans made the decision to amputate my right front leg following a diagnosis of a grade 2 soft tissue sarcoma growing in my elbow joint. That was back when I was 12 years old, and still running as the main lead dog on my sled dog team.

My people were very worried about my future at the time, but figured we should at least try amputation to see how I would do. Boy did I surprise them! Mom thought it might be a good idea to update everyone on what I have been up to now that I am 2 years post-op.

I am now 14 years old (although I tell everyone I am still 13). I sometimes have some sore places on cold days, and mom thinks my hearing isn’t what it used to be. But my mind is still sharp, and I keep myself busy. I have had a fantastic few years running with my team, visiting school kids and teaching them that I can still do all the things I did before, training puppies, and enjoying my status as senior girl in the house. I have a soft bed near the wood stove where I keep my aging joints toasty and dream of my great racing days.

Like many athletes, my role with the team has sort of shifted from “star lead dog” to “coach” over the past few years. My humans joke that Dog really is their Co-Pilot now when we go on training runs. I still go, but I have a soft dog bed on the back of the ATV (or in the sled when the snow gets deep enough) where I ride. I can watch my team from my perch, and I give them pointers and howl encouragement at them the whole run. On the steeper or bumpy sections, I lean on my person so that I don’t bounce off the back.

Sometimes, if I am feeling frisky, mom hooks me in the line so I can show the new puppies a thing or two. I am a good coach, and after a run I make sure to sniff each team member to tell them how well they did.

I have had my share of medical issues, but they are mostly related to my getting older. One of the hardest things was a year ago when my humans learned that I could not breathe right due to something called laryngeal paralysis – or paralyzed vocal chords. I couldn’t move my vocal chords out of the way when I was breathing hard, and it made it very hard for me to breathe when running. I had throat surgery to fix that, and now I have to be very careful that I don’t choke on food or water, since I can no longer protect my airway the way I am supposed to.

I also have had some pain related to pinched nerves, so mom has to make sure I stay active and keeps my weight down to a trim 33 lbs. She tried doing massage and chiropractic work on me, but I really prefer not to be handled like that and will stretch myself when I want to.

I hope that those of you senior dogs out there keep me in mind when considering amputation. I was a healthy older girl going into this, and am doing really well still. None of us will live forever, but these last few years have been good for me, and I hope to continue living life to the fullest and not let my people worry about the “what ifs” that may be down the road.

Right now, life is good. My team had a good run today, I even ran a little bit with them, our water buckets are clean and full, we will get meat tonight for dinner, and the sun is shining making nice sunny places on the snowy ground for me to lie in.

My heart is filled with love, and my mind is content. I really could not ask for more.

Lots of love,

Calpurnia

Here’s a favorite movie of ours, when Calpurnia and Jerry met back in May, 2008:

Click here to view the embedded video.

My pack met Peyton and his people at the Morris Animal Foundation’s K9K walk they attended in Estes Park, CO a few weeks back. He was just a couple weeks out from his amputation and looking great! Just see for yourself …

Stay tuned to Wyatt’s blog and maybe he’ll get around to posting the video of all the fun he had at the dog park after the walk!