Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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At the suggestion of the collective wisdom from this community, I got Jasper a thunder shirt today. To say she hated it is an understatement. She tried to chew it off. I put her in her crate and ran out to get food (she loves her crate usually) and she was howling, barking (Basenji yodel, I am guessing) and my neighbors texted me. I told them they could take her out of the thunder shirt and see if that helped and I would be home soon. Sure enough... silence.
It's rather warm here and the shirt is like a jersey. DO you think she was too hot? She clearly doesn't like to wear clothes (uh oh...that's an issue... lol). With the 4th coming up, I am worried - even though there is NO way for her to escape my home BUT she won't go outside when she hears fireworks. She spooks. I am getting her the calming diffuser and spray this week. Someone at Petco suggested I get her some lavender. I am honestly tempted to give her 1/2 a benedryl.
Any ideas? Will she learn to love and accept the thunder shirt? The dog on the box looks so peaceful.... should I give it another chance?
Thank you!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Hi Alison, I have a thundershirt for Tanner. I bought it hoping it would help with his craziness in the car, but it didn't. However, it does help calm him down at home. He becomes like a wet noodle. I think he feels safer at home and so he can relax here. I'm betting that Jasper is just scared of it. Can you try putting it on her for a few minutes at a time, and maybe giving her some treats while she has it on? That way she may start to equate wearing the shirt with good stuff happening. I bet if you put it on only while you are there that she'll be less scared also. She may have been hot also, it is like a blanket.
I think if you just work with her a little bit at a time, she'll realize that clothes aren't as scary as she thinks they are right now.
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
I agree with Elizabeth. Maybe work her into it slowly. I'm actually trying one for the first time for the 4th as well. My big guy is terrified of fireworks, so our trainer let us borrow one big enough for him. Finn doesn't seem to have a problem with it (he wears clothes occasionally) but Domino was not happy that his brother had that weird thing on and tried to pull it off of him! I'd say put it on for a few minutes and take her mind off of it, play time, treats whatever you can. Then take it off and try again in a few hours.
Cassie and Domino
“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.”
Domino had his left front leg amputate on May 13th 2014 after being hit by a car. He's now living a happy healthy life on three legs :)
We tried the Thundershirt as well on Wyatt Ray . He is an odd-duck, it did not work for him (he really, really hates close touch & smothering) despite giving it many tries for a few weeks. But, we did work closely with the Thundershirt instructions and even spoke with the mfr's customer support line many times for tips and ideas, they're great about listening and offering support, I'd give them a call before you give up on it.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
okay.....I jave no experience with the shirt, soof course, will chime kn anyway!
This is what...two weeks...three weeks now? And you didn't even "like" her mich the first week and were pretty surenyou would return her. And now, after being in her "home" with yoj for two weeks (and ot wasn't til 2 1/2 weeks tjat you conveyed to her she could stay with you and she could call you madre), she's been moved to yet another "home".......OMD.......I cannot imagine what's going on in her insecure little brain!!!
Soooooooo, my one cent worth...just "let her be" u til she can get back jnto her home with you. It may be that the thunder shirt will just take a little time, but for mow, maybe not introduce her to too mich too soon that startles her. Sne will get ore secure and ore ck fident! This is still just so early for her.
It's strange how thu derstorms, firworks, etc. startle some dogs and not others. I'm not fearful of thunderstorms at all, so I kmow my dogs dkn't pick up any fearful e ergy from me. Yet, I've had siblings raised by me since puppyhood...one will be fearful, the otner not.. A d in the same sibling group, I kne who would just panic as soon as he even "sensed" a storm hours away...and his brother could sleep right through it, mo problem!
Alison, you REALLY are doing a great job with Jasper Liky! I applaud your commitment to her and to maki g this relatio shil work! Shelby k ew you needed a dog who would give you challenges just like she did kn the beginning!! That Shelby always had a great sense of humor!
And you always keep yours no matter what!! Good job girl!!
Se ding you love always!!
Sally and Napoy Hannah
BTW...you have great eighbors!,
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 haven't ever used a thunder shirt. How about Rescue Remedy this week? Its all natural. I use it when I cut Jazz's toe nails since she had her leg injury. You can get them at a health/vitamin store.
Hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Well it would appear it was probably too hot for her! I put it on her this am. since we had to go in the car to my friend's house for her to spend the day there due to the construction and she was calm as all get out. She was snuggled up and did better in the car. She still sits on the floor in the front seat under the dash which I think is odd but if she likes it there, more power to her. I do have leather seats so I think she slides too much otherwise. But she didn't look as spooked or scared (*until fire trucks went past us)... poor thing. She spooks so easily. I kept talking to her and smiling. I am sure the cars thought I was a nut job since if you look in my car, you can't see the floors!
Fingers crossed ...
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
They will just think you are talking on your phone!
Things are sure lLooking up for the two of you. Once she gets comfortable with the car, whole new worlds will open up for her.
Kathi and Murphy
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
There can be an adjustment period with them and the calming can manifest in a lot of different ways. Some dogs go from freaking out to "life is good!" while others are just better able to find a way to cope with the stressor and there are some who just don't do well with it at all. Amy doesn't like thunderstorms and I will use a Thundershirt with her when I am home but I don't like to leave it on her when I am away for a few reasons: I don't want the shirt to get caught on something and freak her out, she also seems to run a bit hot so I don't want her to have it on longer than necessary and feel like she is overheating. Next time you have a little time, put the Thundershirt on her and walk or drive her to someplace where you can get her a little ice cream cone or some other super special treat. Someone else mentioned Rescue Remedy, it is great stuff, I've used their people products and was impressed. There is another company called Blackwing Farms that you should check out. A lot of human based essential oil blends have things in them that aren't so good for pets but Blackwing Farms specializes in making blends for pets to help them work through a variety of issues - a lot of the descriptions on their web site sound sort of similar, so it might be helpful to call and discuss what you are working on with Jasper and what they would recommend. (You might want to get a bottle of Permission to Enjoy for yourself, too - it is great stuff, we keep it on the desk at work and whenever one of us is having a crappy day, we just mist ourselves and it really does help lighten the mood.)
Please consider reading our compression shirt tips and reviews in the Tripawds Blogs:
Thundershirts Soothe Nervous Tripawds
How to Protect Incision Site with Compression Shirt
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
The Thundershirt works amazingly for my dog Yorrick, but did nothing for my sister's dog.
When working in the animal hospitals we found mixed results. Some owners said that it worked miracles for their nervous dogs, while others said that it did nothing.
The nice thing about Thundershirt is that they don't guarantee results, but they do have a money back guarantee. If it doesn't work for your dog, send it back for a refund!
Benadryl is a nice alternative. Ask your vet about dosage.
Right rear leg amp due to injury from unknown cause (but don't tell her she's missing her spare...yes HER!)
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