Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello all.
Don't tell Rusty that I am posting this question as he would much rather lounge around in his sunbeam all day but...
I have seen various blogs and forums about the necessity of strength building for our amputee babies however most of them seem geared towards front leg amputees for the kitties. Does anyone have anything suggestions for our rear leg babies?
Thanks
Gina
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.
Did you look at these in the rehab for kitties forum?
How to keep your cat fit, healthy and happy
FELINE PHYSIOTHERAPY AND REHABILITATION
Food puzzles are great for any amputee.
Feta is a rear leg amputee, and her other rear leg was not working so well she has great tips on her site.
Hard PT Work Paying Off (Slowly)
Feta went for Rehab too, and you could take Rusty he would have to know then;) He can do some of these in the sunbeams!
Free Rehab Checkup for Cheesecat
Let us know what you try and works for you. Maybe Krun (Karen will pop in and give you more tips) Â
Chin scratches to Rusty!
Holly & Purrkins
Maybe Krun (Karen will pop in and give you more tips)
That's me!
I do lots of core strength exercises and games with TriPugMutt Elly, I'm trying to think how to translate them for cats. Some of what I do with Elly involves tricks or obedience training. For example 'roll over' is good for the core as is 'sit pretty' (although I don't do sit pretty much anymore as I worry about her back). If you could get Rusty to stay in a seated position while he reaches for a toy or treat- that would engage his core.
I love food games and puzzles. Puzzles like twister make her balance on two legs for short periods and engages the core. Food toys that dispense treats when they get knocked around are good too. Elly used to get her breakfast in this mushroom shaped toy. I find though that she figures toys out and I have to rotate to keep them interesting.
We also do balance exercises on fitpaws and discs. The picture below is from a class we took- we don't have that much stuff or space! You can use firm cushions- the idea is that a moving surface makes them work to keep their balance. You might have him follow a toy across the couch?
Here are a couple pics:
Elly on the balance equipment at class:
Elly playing Twister:
Elly with the Holy Roller Ball:
We don't do this one much anymore because she just lays down with it.
We do a modified nose work game where I hide treats and she looks for them.
This works for me because Elly is food motivated- and she likes games. Depending on what we do she gets 1/3 or so of her daily calories playing games or doing Nose Work so I'm careful to keep her normal meals on the small side.
Good luck with motivating the sun miser!
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girsl
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Â
        Maggie's Story          Amputation and Chemo
Thanks guys! I know I can get Rusty to play “Mousey” which involves him rolling on his back, using his paws to catch the Mouse on the string and chasing it for short bits of time.Â
I guess this is a start! đź‘Ť
i will take a look at the links and videos.Â
Gina
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.
That sounds like a great start to me! Good job Gina!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks, Karen & Elly
That sounds great to me too Gina! 
A balance pad would work the same for Rusty as it does for Purrkins. The wobble disc also. That took more to get Purrkins on; I got both on Amazon. Start slow and use what you have at home first see how it goes.
Using a sofa cushion would work the same as Karen said, making the surface wobbly enough to move his core. I got Purrkins to even eat on his balance pad. Purrkins is food motivated too, but I had to take away so much of his food we cut back on our sessions. He is always hungry he claims!
Food puzzles are great the problem I had with those is I don't feed dry food, I used freeze dried treats. Now I cant use those because Purrkins brother cant have them.🙄 Plus ours were plastic that caused chin acne on Purrkins 🤷‍♀️ I cant win.
If you use food You will have to have a hungry Rusty for him to do for you;) That is how I get Purrkins on his stuff something yummy Bonito flakes, doesn't he love temptations? Treats will make Rusty move and that is how you start. Know you have to deduct those calories from your daily intake. If you are watching his weight.
I would have it made if we did not have to keep track of calories & if we feed dry food, it would be easier. You can use a toy precisely the way Karen explained like your mouse on the string and have Rusty come across the sofa or bed to get it. Purrkins loves to play in the hooman bed. We do that makes him use his core and when he pounces no pressure like on the floor. The bed is memory foam.
We started using his love for q-tips instead of food to get Purrkins moving. He will stand for his q-tips & move for it.
I think you will have to tell Rusty he is getting treats or new toys;) Start slow and keep sessions short see how it goes.
Cats do not get enough credit they are smart and will do, we just have to figure out what will motivate them usually food!
Good luck! Love to see what you try. Sorry Rusty shhh
Hugs,
Holly & Purrkins❤️
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