Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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My cat Lamar had his back left leg amputated when he was a little kitten (before he came to me). He's 2 years old now and seems to have injured his back or pulled a muscle or something. (I've been posting about it here.) He's been a bit of a mess for a couple weeks. He's doing better with medication and I'm looking into acupuncture and maybe some sort of rehab. I think he may have gotten tweaked by jumping off of somewhere, so I'm also trying to make the house better set up for him to avoid doing it again.
I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions or information about how tripods do with stairs. He's always gotten up and down fine, but I'm wondering if doing it a lot might cause strain on his back. I was thinking about putting in a Lamar-width, carpet-covered ramp up the stairs, but I don't know if that would really make much of a difference. Just thought I'd put it out there.
Thanks a bunch!
Have you checked the Tripawds Gear blog yet?
You'll find various posts about ramps and steps, including one specifically about building cat ramps...
Remember, Safety First with DIY Ramps for Cats and Dogs
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
My tripawd Mona is a front leg amputee and she loved going to a vet for chiropractic treatments. She started a month after her amputation and I've taken her in a few times since. I'm sure the right vet could determine the problem and help tweek things if necessary and provide some advice. The vet gave me some massage techniques for Mona and range of motion exercises (which Mona does on her own anyway).
I don't think stairs should be a problem but boxes and steps may be useful for spots that are higher up. I can't see how a cat with one front leg would feel secure going down with a big butt pushing the weight forward. Perhaps it would work on a slight incline or for a short distance. Does anyone have a video of a tripawd cat going up and down a ramp?
I hope your cat feels better soon.
Here's photos of Mona's first and last chiropractic treatments (she fell asleep and snored at the first one):
Hi
I have been reading all about Lamar today and his tribulations..poor baby/ poor mama. I am glad he seems to be doing better and that there was nothing too sinister going on.
I had a three-pawed cat ( front amputation) who became a two-pawed cat ( back amputation) and I built her a ramp to the bed out of wood which I then covered with a carpet. She loved it and had no problems propelling herself up or down it with only two paws. I wish I had built it for her when she had three paws. I think ramps are a lovely aid for our feline friends and I know she was very grateful so I would definitely look into it.
very best wishes to you and Lamar
Joanna
Joanna it is so nice to hear from you. Thank you for being here to share your experience, it means so much to others to know that they are not alone and can learn from what others have been through. I hope you are well.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yes Joanna, good tomhrar from you jndeed❤ And always puts a smile on our face to hear anything and everything about Three Paw☺
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!
I know this is late to the thread but just wanted to tell you that my boy is a left rear amputee and loves his pet stairs. we have 7 sets throughout the house, some two steps and some four steps high. He will actually "ask" for the steps to be moved if he wants to join us in the dining room chair or another room.
I don't have any ramps, never tried them since we had success with the stairs right away.
Rusty "The Bunnyman" adopted us in 2014. Aug/Sept 2017, back left leg amputated (HSA cancer). He remained cancer free over 900 days. Cancer returned as of emergency visit on day 931. 15 days later, he gained his wings 04/18/2020 due to congestive heart failure. He will always watch over his fellow tripawds and their hoomins with Head Scritches and Sand Paper Kisses.
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