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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Finally today Wolf is a tripawd!
But even though he can manouver around, he still needs help with swimming, running, and doing all that other stuff. (We might be able to hike with him on vacation.) Do you guys have any ideas to help him? You all propably have expirience with this. Thank you!
Cameron
Wolf-- you have one great name-- I can tell you are going to fit in great around here. Many tripawds are keen hikers, swimmers, runners, etc. once they have fully recovered (two months, maybe?). Just take it slow; it takes a lot of stamina to hop around the block-- I know-- I tried it!
Scout: January 31, 2002 to November 7, 2011
Scout's diagnosis was "poorly differentiated sarcoma"; amputation 1/11/2011. Scout enjoyed 9 fantastic years on 4 legs and 9 glorious months on 3 legs. If love alone could have saved you…
Cameron,
There are many tools to help Wolf get around, many mentioned or available through this site. Lots of people rave about the handled-vest that Jerry often wore, and we ordered the swimming vest for Sammy. He beat us to the punch, though, and chased a ball into the ocean before we could even get the vest on! Lucky for us, he still swam like a fish. We were worried he might swim in circles!
These tripawds are amazing.
Beth, Spirit Smilin' Sammy and MB Wiggly Wrigley
Smilin' Sammy, March 16, 2004 – Dec. 5, 2011
Golden retriever, diagnosed with osteosarcoma in September 2010 — right front leg amputated November 2010. He fought valiantly to stay with us; but a second diagnosis of osteosarcoma, this time in his left front leg, was more than our golden warrior could overcome. He loved his pack — and everyone else he met.
We loved him even more.
Thanks for the pennies, Sammy. They helped.
Hi Cameron,
Glad to hear Wolf made it through surgery- that is a scary time!
Wolf might need help now to walk and get up stairs and in and out of the car- but just wait! Once he is healed up and the stitches come out he will be able to do most everything just like any other dog.
Wolf is a front leg amp- right? The Ruff Wear Harness might be useful for him- it helps to get in and out of the car, or in especially slippery places. Plus- I think it looks really cool on dogs! But Wolf is just a puppy still I think. You have to be careful about the size. If he needs help right now with balancing or walking you could use a re-usable shopping bag with the sides cut open. That way you have a sling with handles, you could even cushion it with towels.
Keep us posted on how Wolf is doing.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Hooray for successful surgery! As others mentioned, he should be able to do most everything he did before, but he'll need time to build up his stamina again.
Also, front leg amps have to move at a fairly quick hop to keep their momentum going. With Abby, I found we were both much happier if we went to the off-leash park to walk so we could both go our own pace. She could go for an hour there, but only for 20 min on-leash in our neighborhood.
Hope his recovery goes well. Don't be surprised if there are ups and downs or if he seems depressed. That's pretty normal!
we're here if you have questions,
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Well this is great news!
My best advice is to take it slow and don't expect too much too soon. He may want to go out and run wild but it's not in his best interest to let him. Remember that he needs to get his strength back or he'll wear himself out far too quickly. Have you watched our CARE videos about post-amputation care and rehabilitation ideas?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Congratulations Wolf!
I know you are a very handsome tripawd boy! Now, just remember you had major surgery...so a little TLC is what you need right now!
Sending you super speedy healing wishes!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Welcome Wolf and Family! We loved our Ruffwear harness for assisting with walking and our Floatcoat for swimming. Take it easy and don't overdo it!
Spirit Samson was Spirit Tripawd Daisys four legged "brother" and ruled as the self proclaimed head of the Monkeybutt Federations East Coast Division. Lady Chunky Monkey stayed from Oct 2011 and left for the bridge in Apr 2012. Miss Perdy is left and has some big pawprints to fill.
Do you have what it takes to be a Monkeybutt? Find out more at the Monkeybutt Federation
As others have said, take it slow. After Rumbles' stitches were out, we started super short daily walks. I slightly increased the distance each day. Some days he was up for the extra and some days he was not. He took a lot of breaks, plopping down on neighbor's lawns until he felt rested enough to continue. You'll find patience you maybe didn't have before! 🙂
Thanks to all for answering Cameron's questions. She has really changed her attitude about Wolf's new status as a Tripawd thanks to you all! Question: can you see his picture? I'm not very good with computers and not sure his picture loaded. We will have to eventually get some post surgery pictures up as well. Wolf is doing amazingly well, though I'm worried about the pain once the fentanyl patch is taken off. His bandage was removed this morning per the vet and I put on a t-shirt (great idea - thanks) but am concerned about him using his back paw to scratch at the stiches. The cone-of-shame doesn't really help with that. Also, wondered if it was typical to have no bandaging at all this soon post surgery. It seems like having tegaderm or some other covering would help protect the wound. Thanks so much! Eileen
Wolfgang Amadeus Dog said
Question: can you see his picture?Also, wondered if it was typical to have no bandaging at all this soon post surgery.
I can see his avatar photo, is that the one you're referring to?
The majority of Tripawds do not have bandages covering the wound. Weird, I know, but it's a matter of vet preference. If he is bothering his stitches, talk to your vet about getting a bandage put on properly. You want to be sure the wound heals so you don't want to cover it too tightly. Some pawrents of rear leg amps have tried putting a t'shirt on backwards on their dog, with the arms going over the remaining rear legs, the tail through the neck, then tying the open end up into a knot.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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