Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Bosco has developed a pressure sore! Any tips on how to help him? We are trying to keep him on softer surfaces but he likes the carpet which I suspect is the primary cause. We caught it early. It’s not red or cracked yet and we want it to heal. He is a front end amputee and favors putting his weight on his front elbow where the pressure sore is located. It’s easier for him to move that way. We want to try to avoid any antibiotics if possible (for a good reason but I am not able to discuss it.). Our vet looked at a photo of it today and doesn’t think he needs antibiotics. It’s really not too bad but I know they can get much worse. Anyway, I would love any advice from the tripawd community.
Eurydice had the same problem ...
I found a solution when I met Joulia and she created a shoulder protection for my girl, she wore it at all times when she was lying down.
It is tailor made so you’d need to get specific measures.
Please let me know if you need more info on this.
Sending you hugs and cuddles 😘😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Ouch poor Bosco! Unfortunately it's not all that uncommon, especially in front leg Tripawds. Here are a few bits of information that may help you find something that works for him:
Elbow Protectors Eases Pressure Sore Problems
Options for Treating a Dog’s Elbow Hygroma
Try Silver Sulfadiazine for Elbow Wounds and Hygromas
Also, you don't happen to live near Oklahoma State would you? They are actively recruiting dogs with hygromas to participate in a new kind of therapy, free! See:
http://tripawds.....nd-healing
And Teresa, refresh my memory about the custom protector that Eurydice had. Do you happen to have any photos of it?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yes I would love info about something custom! My vet suggested dog legs but I don’t think that will work with his harness. Thanks Teresa.
Jerry, no we are not in Oklahoma. But I am going to read up on the other info you suggested. Thank you so much. I’m real worried that this might turn into an infection and mess up his cancer treatment, not to mention he is uncomfortable. I feel so bad for him. The poor dog has been through so much already.
thank you both!
Oh you could certainly put Dog Leggs on underneath a Webmaster. Not a problem there as long as there's a little bit of play in the harness strap lengths.
Oh one more possible treatment:
How Manuka Honey Helps Heal Wounds
Try not to panic. You spotted it early and are taking action! Good job!
Let us know what you find that works.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hey there 🐾
This is the thread concerning Eurydice's elbow protection.
Eurydice's one worked beautifully, I used it whenever she was lying down, only "downside" is we need to keep an eye so this stays in the right position (if they move around a lot whilst lying down we'll need to get it back into place)
The material is stretchy and antibacterial, it was created for human use in hospitals.
I can post photos of the elbow protection itself if you want.
I found, with my baby girl, applying cream was never enough because she was very large and with one single front leg all the weight lies on this one elbow.
Let me know if you want Joulia's contact, she is in the UK but she may be able to prepare the protection and ship it to you if you are able to give her exact measures of your cutie pie.
Sending you hugs and cuddles 😘🐮💫💫🌟🌹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
I would use Dog Leggs or other padding on the elbow as well as a topic antibiotic. Mupiricin is best because it penetrates deep tissues but you could also use Silvadene or even Neosporin.
Pam
Hi, thank you everyone for the information. I think I am going to strongly consider Dog Leggs. The pressure sore got a little worse so I added neosporine because I had it on hand. That’s looking better but it’s not healed yet.
Im going to give Bosco a few days and see how it goes. His back and neck went out. He is in pain and we are managing that with meds and pt. He has an acupuncture appointment this afternoon. I am very worried about him.
Just catching up on this thread. I would certainly recommend Dogleggs. My Meg had a non healing wound on the point of her elbow (this was pre amp) and they were absolutely brilliant for protecting the area and holding dressings in place. They'd be fine with a harness. The material is very soft and could just be worn underneath.
Ditto Jerry on the manuka honey. Also, as you mention the acupuncture, does your therapist also do laser treatments? These can be helpful at promoting healing and also relieving discomfort. But the no 1 thing is to protect the area to stop it getting worse.
All best to you and Bosco,
Meg, Clare and Angel Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Meg, yes she does laser therapy too. We ended up doing laser therapy at his last appointment even though there is concern it can cause the cancer to grow more quickly. His upper back and neck seems to be a muscular issue so the laser was helpful. Unfortunately he still looks paralyzed otherwise. I’m expressing his bladder too. My husband and I are very worried because we have seen very little improvement. Just trying to take it one day at a time though.
Oh, I am very sorry to hear Bosco is going through such a rough path 🙁
You are doing all you can, sweetie, and you are wise in taking one day at a time.
Sometimes that is all we can do until our babies get better.
Sending you hugs and cuddles, you are both in my thoughts and prayers, hoping hard for an improvement soon 😘😘💫✨🌟🌹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
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