benny55 said
Thank you for adopting this sweet tripawd.  Jow long has she been in your furever home?  Actually  keeping weight down on a tripawd is a good thong as far as their joints, mobility, etc.  Obviously  if she needs to put on a little weight because  she was undernourished  when you adopted her, that's  another thing.

Absolutely  ditto everything Karen said.  Hopefully  you can get her evaluated by a Certified Rehab Spec quickly and proceed from there.

Here's a link to help adding photos.   adding images  

If you jave any issues, PM karen or myself, se'll exchange emails  and we can post pics for you.

Hugs

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!

  

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) and the veterinary expertise with her case is very limited. We all do our best here but it is nothing like in America or the UK. 

I really need some suggestions for support braces given her only front leg is damaged. She is with several other rescue dogs who accidentally knock her when excited. I'm concerned of further damage but can't separate her due to her distress.

The regular vet is a recent graduate who runs the rescue center from her home and she is overwhelmed! Our focus and donations are targeted to sterilization first and foremost. I have had bad experiences with the other "vets" around here.

Trixie really wants to be with us and a wheel chair is not possible at this moment due to shipping costs (I hope to have a DIY soon). She doesn't like a sling, it also excites the other dogs wanting to play tug of war.... but I'll keep trying with our DIY options.

It is really a case of knowing if I should bind/wrap the lower leg or maybe put on a splint(?) to reduce stress on it for a few hours each day.

She is such a sweet heart.

krun15 said
I understand your limitations.  I admire you guys for trying to make your world a better place!

I am not a vet and can not offer that type of advice, and I've never used a brace with any of my dogs so I can't even offer personal experience.

We do have a forum called Ask a Vet where you could pose your question.  Dr. Pam is our only vet on this site.  She may have some ideas for you.  Be sure and include the limitations you are facing.

Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls

  

Thanks I'll try the Ask a Vet section! It's thanks to the young vet, her time and our fund raising sterlized 500+ cats and dogs last year including abandoned animals and those belonging to people who are very poor but try to take in as many as they can.

jerry said
From your other post:

Am I right in thinking the Double back Full body harness is best for her?

https://ruffwea.....ck-harness

Hmm. We did review the Doubleback a while back. It can work OK on a front leg amputee, better than on a dog missing a rear end. But honestly I'd probably not use it for her since it's more helpful for dogs who need rear-end support because their back legs are unsteady. I think the Ruffwear Flagline is a better choice for her.

Also:

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!

So I'm curious, how much activity is she getting while she's there? Is there a lot of running in a big open yard? She will need more rest breaks than the other dogs so it's important to nudge her into frequent rest breaks if you're not doing that. Also, consider something like a dog stroller or wagon where you can wheel her over there, it'll save your back.

  

Thanks for the Flagline suggestion. I'm going to have budget limitations so a homemade cart is an option later. At the moment she and I are bonding so carrying her is a joy. It's also helping the other dogs get used to her getting 'special' attention without all trying to climb up into my arms at the same time! LOL!

Her back legs are good and I don't want them to become weak from lack of use. She is not really mobile but wants to be (the videos I posted are linked below). I want her to be with her new pack and enjoy some normalcy - she was incredibly stressed and fearful at the shelter and is now transforming beautifully into a bossy girl! My goal is to get her to enjoy a few short periods each day off her mattress and with her pack. That may require a brace and/or a wheelchair . My fear is not being able to afford a front leg wheelchair they all seem to be USD400+ then I have to ship it to Paraguay and pay duties. That destroys my sterilization donation budget for a very long time and it's a terrible dilemma for me! While our young vet has the energy and time to sterilize so many cats and dogs (often having to trap stray cats) I want to keep donating to the costs, it's made a huge difference in the number of puppies and kittens dumped at my gate and surrounds in the last 2 years. 

I am so glad I found the Tripawds forum, everyone has been incredibly kind and welcoming. I'm learning a lot and it will end up helping other animals, especially as I intend to adopt more tripods in the future.

http://reclaimi.....e-walking/