Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Baxter was really sick when I first brought him home, but when he came in he went right into the living room and jumped up on my love seat. It was like he knew exactly where it was. The first time I brought Rocky into my house, he went all through it sniffing everything he could. Baxter never did that.
For some reason, it hit me harder this year. If I didn't know any better, there were times these last few days where I would have sworn I went back in time to three years ago. We all know three is a special number, so I'm chalking it up to that.
I think a week or two after Rocky went to the Bridge, I blogged about the greenway we walked at sometimes. I took Baxter there for the first time today. I think he enjoyed it more than Rocky ever did.
David and Rocky (and Baxter now too!)
Rocky had his right front leg amputated on Valentine's Day 2017 after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma.
He joined the September Saints on September 3, 2017.
He is the toughest, bravest, sweetest and best friend I'll ever know.
Awwww, you are soooo right, three IS the magic #! As for taking the angelversary harder, I think that it just comes down to everyone's individual timeline. Plus, with the upside down world we are in now, feeling that kind of grief is to be expected. Those were great times you and Rocky had together, and of course it makes sense that you would miss it now more than ever. Hope that makes sense.
Otherwise it's pretty cool that you and Baxter are making so many fun new memories together. Now, that greenway will forever be known as Rocky's Place. I see more good times ahead for you two.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for refreshing my memory on the loveseat thing. I k ew Baxter did "something " when he first cam home that seemed as though Rocky had whispered in his ear, "When you first go I to uour new furever home, go straight to the loveseat. That will let Dad know I guided you to it and that I'm still watching over everyone."
Lpve the greenway jaunt with Baxter♥️
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!
What's up everyone? It's been awhile.
I'm back with dew claw questions. So Baxter has torn the dew claw on his right front leg three times in the past (always in April). I was pretty sure he tore it again last night. As luck would have it, his annual check up was today. So when I dropped him off, I told them about the broken dew claw.
When the vet called to go over everything, she said the dew claw was fine. She said the skin might be a little loose, but otherwise everything was secure. And she said all his nails were pretty short.
He's not in any pain from what I can tell. He lets me touch it, and it does feel pretty secure. But it sticks out more than it used to (see picture), so I'm kind of at a loss what to do.
Another pic, comparing the two dew claws:
David and Rocky (and Baxter now too!)
Rocky had his right front leg amputated on Valentine's Day 2017 after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma.
He joined the September Saints on September 3, 2017.
He is the toughest, bravest, sweetest and best friend I'll ever know.
Hmmmm....it does seem to be in a position that would make it prone to injuring it. So glad it doesn't appear to hurt him.
But the sticking put like this is new? Prior to this latest "episode" it's been more in a "normal" position?
Can you tell of ot's swollen more than the other one? Just thinking of it os that's what's maki g it stick out further....maybe?
Don't know David, maybe some others will have better insight. I do know that sometimes the dew claw is removed when torn so much taking it off is the answer. I had that happen with one of my dogs.
Well, at least we got to see a picture of Baxter....sort of! I
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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'm pretty paranoid about him tearing it now since he's done it so many times. I always check his paws when he's been out chasing squirrels. Everything looked fine until last night. It doesn't seem to be bothering him; he's not licking at it or anything like that. But it clearly doesn't look right to me.
I emailed the vet's office tonight to express my concern. I guess I'll see what they say. But otherwise, I'm not really sure what to do. If it's not bothering him, I don't want to put him through anything unnecessary. But looking at it is like nails on a chalkboard to me, and I'm worried that it sticking out like that could make it easier to injure.
David and Rocky (and Baxter now too!)
Rocky had his right front leg amputated on Valentine's Day 2017 after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma.
He joined the September Saints on September 3, 2017.
He is the toughest, bravest, sweetest and best friend I'll ever know.
Hi David,
Are they attached with bone, or detached with just skin? The photo looks like they are attached, and in that case they usually don't remove them. If they are detached, removal is fast and simple. When we neutered pups, we always checked the dewclaws and asked the owner if they would like them removed when we did the surgery if they were detached and just hanging there.
If they are attached, best thing I can tell you would be to make sure they stay short, even if you need to trim them more often than the other nails. Do you cut his nails or dremel them? I find the dremel a lot easier, and it smooths them a lot more than trimming. That may help to stop them from getting caught up on things.
If you decide to dremel and have not yet, Amazon has a great cordless one made for animals. It was very reasonable and one charge will give it enough power to do all 4 paws. I was thrilled to get one without a cord. Makes it TONS easier.
I bought mine 2 years ago and it is still like brand new. I hope this helps.
Handsome paws Baxter 
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
Hi Jackie!
I'm pretty sure they're attached. I'm not really looking into having them removed, it's just the one on his right paw is sticking out more now than it was even a few days ago. In the past, that's a sign that he tore it but the vet says it's not torn this time. I hate to question the vet, but I guess I am. Although Baxter seems fine, so I don't know. Does the one on his right paw look off to you?
I've never trimmed his nails. I have a hard enough with my own ... lol. Usually every couple of months I take him to get a bath and have the groomer trim his nails then. How hard is it to dremel? I'd worry I'd mess something up and end up hurting him, that's why I leave it to the pro. And I don't like nails.
David and Rocky (and Baxter now too!)
Rocky had his right front leg amputated on Valentine's Day 2017 after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma.
He joined the September Saints on September 3, 2017.
He is the toughest, bravest, sweetest and best friend I'll ever know.
David it’s good to hear from you and Baxter. I have no idea what to think but remember that it is OK to question the vet and if you want to be extra certain the dews won’t be an issue, find another for a second opinion. Nothing wrong with that and it might put your mind at ease.
We used a Dremel on Wyatt’s paws after many years of struggling with mail trimming. It has a guard so you can’t overdo the trim but if you are nervous and the groomer is working then why not stick with the routine?
Now let’s see a full pic of your handsome pup!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Jerry, always trying to help even during tough times. Thinking of y'all.
Quick update: I heard back from the vet office this afternoon. They said if I bring him back Monday, the primary vet will take a look at it. The vet who looked at it yesterday is new. I'm sure she's fine, but I've never met her. The primary vet was spot on with Rocky and his OSA, so he's built up a lot of trust with me. One way or the other, I'll feel better with him looking at it.
Baxter is currently begging me for his walk, so it's clearly not bothering him. But it doesn't look right to me. I think I've got a reputation for nitpicking over his care but I'm fine with that.
Anyway, it was three years ago this month that I found Baxter (tomorrow is the exact day I saw him online for the first time). So this is his birthday month. And he may have gotten a HUMONGOUS bed for his birthday.
David and Rocky (and Baxter now too!)
Rocky had his right front leg amputated on Valentine's Day 2017 after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma.
He joined the September Saints on September 3, 2017.
He is the toughest, bravest, sweetest and best friend I'll ever know.
OMD! Happy birthday handsome Baxter!!! Love that picture, my heart needed some good.. thank you David.
Ok, it is easy peasy to tell if they are attached. the bone of the dewclaw is either attached like a knuckle or hanging by skin which you can pinch between your fingers and feel nothing but skin which is detached. Detached is a simple snip and suture. Attached is more complicated.
With that said, I think Baxters dewclaws are attached by the photo I saw. And yes, that nail is sticking out a little funny. Does it appear to be painful if you manipulate it?
The dremmel that Rene spoke of would be a lot more appropriate for you, especially if you don't like nails. I had a friend that hated nails.. I remember clearly, especially after your post and I giggled. Not that you are funny... lord please don't think that.. it just brought back really good memories of a really good time in my life.
The dremmel that Rene is speaking of has a guard on it. Makes it really hard to hurt them. There are a lot of vets that do that now too. It is a little bit extra than a 'regular' nail trim but well worth it. My husband has very thin skin. Every time i 'clipped' Rosie's nails he would end up bleeding because the cut is so sharp at first. Think of it like buffing but taking length off at the same time. It is much harder to hit the quick with the dremmel because you can see it coming. I see Baxter has black nails..yes. Those are the hardest to trim without quicking them and if that happens it hurts and looks like they are going to bleed to death so .. probably better to leave it alone. Kind of like me and electricity, lol. I am afraid of it and my husband has always said if you fear it, you probably don't need to be messing with it.
You could (if he would let you) just use a good emery board to smooth them off a little at a time. Some dogs dont mind, some do. They usually catch if the nail is too long more than because of the 'dew' itself so unless it is abnormally long (doesn't look like it just from photo) keeping them short is the way to go to stop them from catching on stuff. Keeping them smooth with dremmel or filing should help a lot too. Think about if you had a sharp edge on your nail... it would catch on everything. Your shirt, hair, socks.. you know? Smoothing it down and keeping them trim really seems to be the easiest way out of this.
I am sorry this took so long and plus I wrote an encyclopedia 
Work was a bear today and I finally have some relax time.
If I can help in any way at all, reach out to me ok? I have trimmed more nails than I could ever count. The good, the bad, and the ugly, lol (hear the song?? )
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
There's the birthday boy! Hoppy Birthday Baxter! 
You really scored when your pops found you on the Interwebs. What a team!
David thank you for the kindness, it's much appreciated. I'm so glad you are seeing another vet, you have a great relationship with that practice, which sounds like a keeper. Let us know what they say. This is an odd situation I've never encountered so I'm learning here too.
Jackie your encyclopedia of nail trimming is wonderful!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
jerry said
Jackie your encyclopedia of nail trimming is wonderful!
Rocky's dad said
Jerry, always trying to help even during tough times. Thinking of y'all.
Agree on voth counts♥️
HAPPY GOTCHA' HAPPY BIRTHDAY HANDSOME BAXTER!!! You have a wonderful new bed and you look jist as comfy as can be! The bed is really nice, but ,surely you. shall have cake and ice cream too!🍨🍰
Thanks to your Dad for posting the great picture of you snuggling on your bed. You are just so darn cute!!!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS Ahout out to your Granddad's sogs!
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!
Thanks Jackie for the explanation! I think I know more about nails now than I ever wanted to ... lol. Yeah, I'm probably better off letting the groomer handle it.
I've been gentle with it, but Baxter doesn't have any issue with me touching that claw. Doesn't seem to be bothering him at all. Now I'm wondering if maybe it's growing back crooked; I seem to remember them telling me that was a possibility after he broke it the first time. Hopefully he doesn't do anything to it this weekend and we'll get it resolved Monday.
David and Rocky (and Baxter now too!)
Rocky had his right front leg amputated on Valentine's Day 2017 after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma.
He joined the September Saints on September 3, 2017.
He is the toughest, bravest, sweetest and best friend I'll ever know.
It's really good that it doesn't hurt him! If it is growing crooked and it is healthy, probably even a better reason to keep them short. I don't know what your groomer charges for nails, but a lot of vets will do it for a very reasonable price. And I don't know if the vet or the groomer is easier, but a dremmel in between grooming visits might just do the trick for you.
I am glad it doesn't hurt, one less worry right? Happy Gotcha Day/Birthday Baxter!! I can't believe it has been three years.. wow!
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
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