Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I adopted a front leg amputee. She was abandoned and had been hit by a car. Her remaining leg was strained and had a tumor just above the ankle. That was removed but has weakened that leg. She struggles to get around. She is young about 2 years we estimate and in excellent health otherwise and a bit under weight.
I need advice on what type of support brace I should be looking for.
1. One that can be left on most of the day.
2. And a second one that can be used so she can walk with us a few meters to our doggie play area for half each day (maybe a splint??)
I live in rural Paraguay, there are zero rehab vets and zero specialist vets which is why I joined this forum. Trixie has only been with me a few days, she came from a private rescue shelter (we don't have government ones here) run by a young a recent vet graduate. The veterinary expertise with Trixie's case is very limited. [Image Can Not Be Found]
carolina said
carolina said
I adopted a front leg amputee. She was abandoned and had been hit by a car. Her remaining leg was strained and had a tumor just above the ankle. That was removed but has weakened that leg. She struggles to get around. She is young about 2 years we estimate and in excellent health otherwise and a bit under weight.
I need advice on what type of support brace I should be looking for.
1. One that can be left on most of the day.
2. And a second one that can be used so she can walk with us a few meters to our doggie play area for half each day (maybe a splint??)
I live in rural Paraguay, there are zero rehab vets and zero specialist vets which is why I joined this forum. Trixie has only been with me a few days, she came from a private rescue shelter (we don't have government ones here) run by a young a recent vet graduate. The veterinary expertise with Trixie's case is very limited. [Image Can Not Be Found]
I have followed the instructions and tried several times and the photo's will not upload.
https://tripawds.com/forums/technical-support/adding-photos-1/
Do you know what type of tumor she had removed at 2 years of age? Her remaining front leg looks crooked or malformed which would not be typical of a tumor removal. I wonder if she had a fracture that healed improperly; do you have xrays of the remaining front limb?
The best harness I have found here in the States to help dogs get up and walk is the RuffWear harness which has a handle on it and is comfortable enough to wear all day. A brace may need to be custom made but if you just need a carpal (wrist) brace you can try TheraPaw or Hero braces.
She is a very cute dog!
Pam
Hey glad you got the photos uploaded!
Thanks for the great info Dr. Pam!
Caroline, there are online rehab therapists you can work with so don't give up. See:
How to Get Tripawd Rehab Virtual Consulting at Home
Also, here's an interview with Hero Brace's founder, Ben:
Everything You Need to Know About Leg Braces for Tripawds
Trixie is adorable and so lucky to find you for her human. We are so glad you joined us!
tazziedog said
Do you know what type of tumor she had removed at 2 years of age? Her remaining front leg looks crooked or malformed which would not be typical of a tumor removal. I wonder if she had a fracture that healed improperly; do you have xrays of the remaining front limb?The best harness I have found here in the States to help dogs get up and walk is the RuffWear harness which has a handle on it and is comfortable enough to wear all day. A brace may need to be custom made but if you just need a carpal (wrist) brace you can try TheraPaw or Hero braces.
She is a very cute dog!
Pam
Thanks Dr Pam,
I am waiting to hear back from the vet.
I made 3 very short videos of Trixie walking this morning. One from in front, one from behind and one when she was tired. She can only go a few meters and then has to stop. She'll not move much the rest of the day. The panting was as much from stress as exertion, she has major separation anxiety.
I could not upload the videos to the free wordpress blog so I had to use a friends website (I'm not on facebook, etc) - I hope no one is annoyed - I am not trying to promote anything, I'm trying to give you as much information about Trixie's serious walking difficulties.
T
jerry said
Hey glad you got the photos uploaded!Thanks for the great info Dr. Pam!
Caroline, there are online rehab therapists you can work with so don't give up. See:
How to Get Tripawd Rehab Virtual Consulting at Home
Also, here's an interview with Hero Brace's founder, Ben:
Everything You Need to Know About Leg Braces for Tripawds
Trixie is adorable and so lucky to find you for her human. We are so glad you joined us!
Thanks for the links, I tried to link 3 very short videos of Trixie walking from the front, behind and when tired to show how much difficulty she has. I couldn't get the video to upload on the free wordpress blog site so I used a friends website - I hope I'm not offending anyone but I really wanted to show Dr Pam the severity of Trixie's problem so I can help her. She's so sweet and really wants to live and play!
She definitely does have weakness at her carpal (wrist) joint. It looks like maybe she has some ligament damage there; I know it is very difficult for you to find vet care but if somebody could take an xray of her front leg even just from the elbow down that would be very helpful. TheraPaw has several different options for carpal braces; for a tripawd it is nice to try to leave the foot free so that she has better traction . If she has elbow problems then this brace will not be as helpful.
You can still get the RuffWear harness to use when you can walk with her until she can build up strength. It seems from the videos that her back legs are working okay.
Pam
Hey there. You are not offending anyone, promise. You can also use YouTube if you create a channel there.
She does look tired. Does she pant when she is quiet and laying around or just when she's trying to walk?
jerry said
Hey there. You are not offending anyone, promise. You can also use YouTube if you create a channel there.She does look tired. Does she pant when she is quiet and laying around or just when she's trying to walk?
Hi Jerry, she was stressed and tired, I made her hobble a bit more than I like because I needed to film her.
I take the dogs to a garden next door for a daily play and change of scenery each morning but I have to leave her behind for a few minutes before I can return and carry her. That really stresses her, she's calm at home on the back verandah with the other dogs - she hates being left out!
tazziedog said
She definitely does have weakness at her carpal (wrist) joint. It looks like maybe she has some ligament damage there; I know it is very difficult for you to find vet care but if somebody could take an xray of her front leg even just from the elbow down that would be very helpful. TheraPaw has several different options for carpal braces; for a tripawd it is nice to try to leave the foot free so that she has better traction . If she has elbow problems then this brace will not be as helpful.You can still get the RuffWear harness to use when you can walk with her until she can build up strength. It seems from the videos that her back legs are working okay.
Pam
Thanks, I'll find out where I can get an x-ray of her front leg. Should I also get the back legs x-rayed while I am at it?
In summer I will try to get her to swim in my neighbors pool with me for exercise but it's too cold now!
Am I right in thinking the Double back Full body harness is best for her?
Am I right in thinking the Double back Full body harness is best for her?
https://ruffwea.....ck-harness
I'll hop over to your other topic to discuss the harness question OK? That way we can keep the mobility questions on target for Dr. Pam. See ya there!
tazziedog said
She definitely does have weakness at her carpal (wrist) joint. It looks like maybe she has some ligament damage there; I know it is very difficult for you to find vet care but if somebody could take an xray of her front leg even just from the elbow down that would be very helpful. TheraPaw has several different options for carpal braces; for a tripawd it is nice to try to leave the foot free so that she has better traction . If she has elbow problems then this brace will not be as helpful.You can still get the RuffWear harness to use when you can walk with her until she can build up strength. It seems from the videos that her back legs are working okay.
Pam
Dr Pam, I don't have the x-rays yet (we may not be able to get them) but I have more information about Trixie's injuries.
The tumor was TVT, she wasn't sterilized. Her amputated front leg had multiple fractures and had become infected.
Her remaining front leg had a fractured wrist, all the muscles and tendons were torn apart.
I'm starting to understand why she was so terrified before she came to my home, she was likely left and tormented with her injuries.
If possible hip xrays are always helpful just to see if she is strong enough in her back end. I just really want to see if she had an ole fracture in her front leg that is not healed yet.
Pam
tazziedog said
She definitely does have weakness at her carpal (wrist) joint. It looks like maybe she has some ligament damage there; I know it is very difficult for you to find vet care but if somebody could take an xray of her front leg even just from the elbow down that would be very helpful. TheraPaw has several different options for carpal braces; for a tripawd it is nice to try to leave the foot free so that she has better traction . If she has elbow problems then this brace will not be as helpful.You can still get the RuffWear harness to use when you can walk with her until she can build up strength. It seems from the videos that her back legs are working okay.
Pam
Dr Pam, I have the X-Rays. I don't know why they made so many copies but in case there is a difference I have included them all. The machine was an ancient hand held gadget and they had trouble finding large enough mats to place under her!
There are 13 images in the following link:
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