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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Hello all! This is my first time posting on the Tripawds forum! We adopted a sweet little lady who was attacked by a dog and lost one of her front legs. We are having a heck of a time finding a harness that will stay on her. She is a skinny little gal and can just slip right out of every harness we get her! She is easily spooked when other dogs are around and she can bolt. I just want to make sure she can get her proper exercise and not get harmed in any way by getting loose. Any suggestions would be quite helpful, thanks!
Hi and welcome to Tripawds, you future posts will not require moderation.
We have several harnesses in the Gear Blog, the Ruff Wear Harness is very popular here. There is some info there on which harness is right for your pup.
If you do choose to order a Ruff Wear read the instructions carefully. The sizes are based on the size of your pup, not her weight.
What is your girl's name? You are awesome for adopting what some would consider a special needs dog. My guess is that you will have much more trouble with her 'spook' behavior than you will with a three legger! I have a quad-pug I got from a rescue, and the skittish behavior he has is quite a challenge.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Thanks Karen! Welcome Biscuit!
Wyatt (aka: Houdini Dog) has never slipped out of his Webmaster harness and Jerry always wore his. The Ruff Wear harness is very form fitting and was originally designed for search and rescue dogs, to help them onto ski lifts. While it can have a tendency to slip around on a front-legger, this is purely aesthetic and easily adjusted. When fitted properly it should do the trick.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I used the Ruff Wear harness on Trouble who was a front amp. It was one of the best tools I had for her. It fit nicely and the handle was a lifesaver for me. It was so much easier for me to lift and assist her, or just steady her when needed. She was 56 pounds and it made it so much easier for me to get her in and out of a vehicle.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Hey all! This is my first post:
I just adopted a 35 lb. husky with a trashed front-leg from a car incident that her previous owners never had fixed. There's nerve damage to the elbow, unset fractures, & muscle atrophy so the rescue group scheduled & agreed to pay for an amputation.
However, 5 days into my care I noticed a limp on her back leg that turned out to be a cruciate tear (ACL). The vet did a basic suture surgery on that knee first so she can (hopefully) have 3 good legs to stand on after amputation.
My question is, has anyone with a front-leg amputee used an EZDog/JuliusK9 type harness as well as a Webmaster? I'd like to learn (1) which is generally best for front-leggers, and (2) which is better for regular lifting (stairs, car, etc) since her rear leg will never be 100%?
Thanks, and I'm grateful for all the tips this wonderful community offers!
~~Chilly's Dad
Hi Chilly's Dad,
Welcome! Your future posts won't require moderation.
A while back we wrote this post, "Which Harness is Right for My Dog," which discusses the many reasons why we love the Webmaster. We have tested both harnesses and found that as an all around assistive harness, the Webmaster beats any other hands-down. It works on both front and rear leg amputees (we've tested on both) and provides enough leverage for you to help your dog in many different situations.
The EzyDog Convert harness is a fantastic all-around walking harness. It has a useful handle on it but because it doesn't cover as much area as the Webmaster, we don't consider it an assitive harness and wouldn't recommend it in your situation.
We haven't tried nor heard of the Julius harness yet.
Hope this helps! Thanks again for joining, we look forward to following along with your Tripawd adventures. You are pretty pawsome for adopting Chilly!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yeah! Thanks for adooting ChillY What a sweet face pretty girl"
Thank goodness you've come into ner life! You will have aond deeper than you could ever have imagined!
Omce Chilly has recovered fullly from BOTH surgeries, ou will be amazed at how well she will do! And sh'll feel so much better with that troublesme leg gone!
Please kee js posted and as surgery nears, everyone will chi e i with specific advice....like get scatter s if you have hardwoods
comuter crashing...gotta go
Best to you,
Sally ad HappyHannah
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 don't mean to be a negative nelly, but I've tried all the harnesses on Tripawds and more, and Barret could back out of each one of them. I think it is his body shape (Think grehound chest, but miniaturize the rest of him. I'm thinking about designing/making my own harness that will custom fit his shape. Each dog is different, so you'll have to try out lots until you find the best fit.
Good luck, Heather & Barret
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
Not negative at all Heather, we need all the feedback we can get here. Barret is a Houdini dog! The Web Master is one that we've found to be pretty "Houdini-proof."
Yes, we agree, odd sized bodies are hard to fit. A lot of folks will get a harness and then have a seamstress customize the straps to fit better.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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