Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone,
Well, Bo has come home (finally, after 3 weeks) from UGA. He has been home 3 days and is doing well. We have cordoned off stairs and put rugs and runners all over. He is great at going up the ramps, but not so sure about going down.
Bo's left front leg was amputated. Because his right front leg is compromised, both the UGA vet and our home vet have recommended not stairs EVER. This is a bummer,but we will make adjustments.
My question is, can front leg amputees go through doggie doors? The fact that the door is elevated about 8 inches off the floor makes me wonder if he will be able to raise the right leg high enough to get it through the door. He will be wearing
a flexible cuff on his right leg.
My husband says we can't cut the door opening all the way to the floor. That would compromise the integrity of the door and it would warp. (Men tend to be so logical sometimes).
I know we are weeks and weeks away from having to address this, but we're trying to get a head start on making things easier for Bo.
Any suggestions would really be helpful.
Thanks,
Donna
I have to run back to work but here are a couple of posts about doggie doors:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Chloe is a rear amp tripawd and she was able to figure out the doggie door thing even though it is about 2 inches too short for her! Your Bo might need a little speed to 'get through' the door, but as long as the door isn't too short (like it is for Chloe) he might be able to. And if there is a way to prop the 'flap' open so you can work with Bo just going through the frame initially (when he gets to that point in recovery) that might be worth trying.
Please keep us updated on his progress and if you figure out a way to resolve the issue!
-Nicole and Chloe
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
He should still be able to go through it. I wrote a post about it the first time I saw Abby do it, post-amp: http://poochsmo.....sible.html
It was about 2 weeks after her surgery. It's like digging - it's possible because they can use their core strength to momentarily keep that lone front foot off the ground. So when he's recovered, he ought to be able to hop right through the door like he did before.
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!
I haven't had the chance to read everyone's replies so I apologize if this is redundant. Roxy is a front left leg amputee. The day we brought her home, two days after surgery, she hopped in the house through the kitchen and before I knew what was happening she was out the dog door. I worried about that issue a lot prior to the surgery because she was a stray that hadn't been with us a year yet and she had trouble telling us when she needed out. The dog door was very important at that time. But she took care of it before I had a chance to worry once we got home. Hopefully your pup will do just as well.
Leslie
Wow! What great stories.
I'm encouraged. Jerry, the forum recommendations were so helpful.
We've decided to get the x-large door and lower it to about 2 inches above the floor. We'll brace the door.
We already have planned the ramp.
We have 3 other dogs and I'm thinking that "peer pressure" will help.
I've been reading other posts and must tell you that "misery loves company". I'm joking, but it's such an emotional roller coaster. I'M THE ONE HAVING SUCH A HARD TIME. It helps to know others are experiencing the same feelings. Bo seems to be taking it as it comes. What a lesson we could learn from our little friends!
Between the elbow replacement which was 1 1/2 years ago and the amputation, it has been a long journey for him. Yet,
he is such a trooper. He can be really stubborn re: going outside to use the bathroom, but if a friend or the mailman
stops by, he is up and ready to go. I've found that loading him and one other dog (his pal) into the car and taking them
to a "special potty place" helps.
I've had so many friends who don't understand why we haven't "just put him down and out of his misery", that is really
great to be able to come to this forum.
Bo is now pain free and may have 3-4 more years of quality life. It will have all been worth it.
Must scoot...duty calls, and calls, and calls.
Thanks to you all for helping solve the doggie door dilemma.
D
So glad this place can help you get through the rollercoaster ride!
It's so weird how people are the ones with the issue about amputation, isn't it? Only the brightest ones understand that dogs don't care about a missing leg!.
We're here to lean on when you need it.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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