Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi All,
We officially adopted Nemo, a 14 week old, male Chi-Jack Russel on Mother's Day. He is a whole whopping 3 lbs (with collar and tag). He is a left front leg amputee and that isn't slowing him down. 
He is a tiny little thing. We managed to find him a collar (6 inch) that barely fits him. The smallest harness we were able to find was 9 inch girth and he is swimming in it.
In my research, mostly through reading the forums here, it isn't a good idea to put him on a leash without a harness. But because of his size, I feel like his is missing out on opportunities. I am trying to do most of the training here at home, since I realize that most puppy classes require them to be on leash.
He is really shy and takes a about a week to warm up to anything new.
Anyone have any ideas on how to help get my little guy out and socializing? Or at least getting used to being out of the house and not carried?
Not to mention all the other things going through my mind for example:
- The curve in his spine. Is that normal? Our Vet didn't say anything about it at all when we took him last week.
- When will he be considered "healed" and off "restricted activity"? How will I know?
- When he runs he kinds of kicks out his legs. Is this normal?
I feel like a new paw-rent, although we have a 9.5 Quad Terrier/Pom (whom we have had since she was 8 weeks) at home as well... *L* I know I am not the only one who has been in these shoes and that it comforting. 🙂
Any ideas? Thoughts?
Thanks for reading 🙂
Julie and Nemo
Drat, I just wrote a response and went to post it but I got dumped off the site.
So...
Have you tried a cat harness? Don't tell Nemo but you might find something to fit him until he gets bigger. My first Tripawd Maggie was a small pug who weighed 4.5 pounds when she was 12 weeks old. She ended up being around 17 pounds when she was full grown.
I would encourage you to get Nemo into puppy classes if at all possible. My current pups both missed the critical socialization time in their first few months and it has been a struggle to get it back. In fact my quad Pug Obie does not interact with other dogs, I got him when he was 4 years old and he had been neglected and not socialized. I adopted Tripawd Elly when she was 10 months old and she also was not socialized. She was hit by a car at 7 months old and surrendered to a rescue group. She spent the next 3 months recovering from her amp and in a foster but wasn't really socialized. When I got her she was skittish and very slow to trust. We have done tons of classes in the last 2. 5 years and I have worked at getting her comfortable in her world. She has made great progress but there is still lots of work to do.
Besides classes I have taken Elly to stores that allow dogs- I like HomeDepot because there are lots carts and noises and things that had scared her. I started taking her only during quiet weekdays, she now can handle busy weekends. Pet stores are good too but more chance of running into other dogs. I take her to different parts of town and walk where there are people and traffic. She was understandably afraid of vehicles when I first got her, now she if pretty much fine with anything but loud motorcycles.
In general pups are healed 2 to 3 weeks post amp surgery. Activity levels need to be ramped up slowly with lots of work on core strength and balance.
Tell us more about the curve in his spine- is it always there? How do his legs kick out? We have a Rehab Reimbursement Program here that you might look into. You can have him evaluated by a certified rehab vet and Tripawds could pay you for the first appointment!
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Hi Juile and Nemo! Welcome!
Anyone have any ideas on how to help get my little guy out and socializing? Or at least getting used to being out of the house and not carried?
Not to mention all the other things going through my mind for example:
- The curve in his spine. Is that normal? Our Vet didn't say anything about it at all when we took him last week.
- When will he be considered "healed" and off "restricted activity"? How will I know?
- When he runs he kinds of kicks out his legs. Is this normal?
I second Karen's suggestion about a cat harness. Check out the Kitty Holster.
It sounds like you are describing the Tripawd hop for a rear legger, kind of like a bunny hop right? If so, yes, that's relatively 'normal' but it's an indicator that he is not getting full extension of his back legs. And when a dog doesn't do that, problems can arise from tight muscles in the leg and rear. The c-shaped spine is another sign that he's hunching up when he walks, and since he is showing it already I would seriously consider getting him into rehab therapy. When a dog loses a leg at such a young age, they have additional challenges because their full mechanics of body movement, balance and proprioception (awareness of one's body in space) haven't been developed.
A rehab therapist can help pinpoint his challenges and educate you about the best ways to exercise him and ensure that he doesn't injure himself as he grows. They can also guide you toward knowing how much exercise is enough.
I hope this helps.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Karen,
I didn't even think of a kitty harness.
I really want to get him into classes... I didn't do that with my other and I can see that was not a good idea. She is not good socially. 🙁 I am taking him to puppy socials. Our first one was last week and he sat in my lap the entire time. The volunteers said that was normal and to keep coming back, eventually he will realize that it to be fun and will play.
I have been taking him out on the weekends to stores and out to parks and where ever I go, but I usually carry him.
He is about a month post op. I assume that a Rehab therapist would be our best bet for help in core strength and exercises? Does anyone on the forums have any ideas?
The curve ...
The hump of the curve is toward his amp side.
Head
C
Tail
This is the best representation that I can make for you since I still haven't found a way to add pictures... *L*
I don't know if it has always been there. It really showed up after his amp. He will lay on both sides, but prefers amp side up.
The kicking of Legs...
His front leg, at times, will go out in a circle (circling counter clock wise). It only happens when he runs and not all the time.
His hind left hind leg, he won't always use when walking, and there is a small bunny hop at times when running.
Oh wow! A reimbursement program!?!?! That is amazing! I will definitely take a look at this program and see if I can find a certified rehab Vet. Recommendations are extremely welcome 🙂
Thank you a million times over!!!!
Julie and Nemo
Hi Jerry,
Thank you for the recommendation! I will take a look at it soon. 🙂
I am starting to think that rehab might be the best for him at this point. I am going to start researching. If you or anyone out there has recommendations I would forever be eternally grateful. I am in the the South Bay in California. However, I would like to let you know that you, the forums, and the members here have been so helpful already!!!! 🙂
Thank you a million!!!! 🙂
Julie and Nemo
Julie I'm so glad you are finding the forums helpful! And you know what? You are in the BEST place for rehab! OMD please please please go see Dr. Kramer at BARC in Torrance.
http://beachani.....rehab.com/
We had the pleasure of interviewing her several years ago when she was at her first clinic in L.A. See:
http://tripawds.....m/tag/care
And she is GREAT! Very smart, forward thinking and super knowledgeable. In fact she will be our special guest on Tripawd Talk Radio next month. Go see her and tell her Tripawds sent you. I can say without a doubt that she would LOVE to help Nemo!
Meanwhile do check out the Tripawds Gear blog and Tripawds Downloads blog for lots of tips on core strengthening exercises .
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Jerry,
I am so bummed.... I am in Northern California/Silicon Valley area... Torrance Is about 350 miles from where I am at. 🙁 I didn't realize that there are other areas that have a "south bay" *paw to head*
I will check out other forums and gear while I am looking for a place to take Nemo.
Julie and Nemo
Oh you are still in a great place for care! Stay tuned, I will post some suggestions tomorrow.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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