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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
My dog Chloe had her amputation about a week ago and I will be moving 400 miles away from my parent's house (where she is currently recovering and I am with her everyday) in a week and a half. The property manager and my roommates at my new place will allow Chloe to live there, however the vet recommended she recover another 3 weeks to allow ample time for recovery (understandable). It would be better for her to live with me since I only have class twice a week as a grad student (will not change considerably even in the semesters to come), which means I have the rest of the time to be with her.
I would appreciate any advice anyone has regarding these concerns :
1. I will probably have to put her outside in the L shaped, grassy, level, and 7' fenced backyard on the days I do have class because I will be stuck on campus all day. My roommates also have work and class and I have no idea if they are willing to watch her once in a while (if they are free on a day I have class). I was thinking of getting her an Everlasting Treat Ball with the chewy inserts and maybe some greenies once in a while for her teeth. I was also thinking of hiding a few things around the yard for her find. I would leave a squeaker for her, but she probably would drive the neighbors nuts with that. Any additional ideas or experience with this?
2. There will be carpeted stairs in the townhouse (about 12). I have already decided that I will be limiting her "freedom" to roam the house for her own safety (meaning going up and down stairs whenever). This probably means I stay in the living room most of the day when not in class (downstairs) and keep her in my room with me at night (upstairs). I was also thinking of getting one of those ruffwear harnesses to help her up and down the stairs, but I do have the capability of carrying her if need be. Staying at my parent's isn't a better option because they have wooden stairs inside, no dog door meaning she would have to be outside 5-6 days a week during the day and she wouldn't have as much care or attention. Anyone with a tripawd live in a house with stairs and/or have experience with a similar dilemma?
I have been worried over how and where best to care for her because there is no easy solution no matter where she lives. I will be leaving soon and I hate not knowing how she will do for those few weeks without me. If any of you have ideas/recommendations for me, I'm all ears!!! Thanks!
PS. I keep a brave face and heart full of love around Chloe so she continues to recover well.
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
Hey Chloe and Mom, you've come to the right place for some tips and advice. Your concerns are understandable but we feel they're manageable. And your frame of mind about how to handle the upcomming living arrangements is perfect, you have a good grasp on how to make a good recovery. Here are some of our thoughts about making it even better:
Stairs:
I lived in a house with 18 stairs. As you can see in this video of me climbing and descending stairs, the Ruff Wear harness was extremely valuable in helping me get around. After a while I did learn how to go up and down by myself, by leaning against the wall. My Mom wasn't crazy about that, but I wanted to show her I could do it, so I did.
Staying Outside:
As long as you know she can't escape and she has a nice, safe place to lounge around, she should be fine. The Everlasting Treat Ball is a PAWESOME toy for dogs when they're alone but I do not recommend Greenies when she is by herself. Greenies are tough treats that don't break down and can be a real choking hazard. Stick with things you know she can't destroy like these toys we recommended in our Gear Blog.
You have a great attitude! By keeping a brave face and truly believing that you can get through this together, you will!
What school are you going to, by the way? Congrats!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Chloe's mom,
Definitely get her a Ruff Wear harness… that will help you help her get up and down the stairs at the beginning… Keep her restricted to the botton or upper level when you are not home… The first two weeks she shouldn't exert herself too much as she is healing from her surgery… I think it's a good idea to leave her some treats and toys while you are away… (though I really hate the greenies… bad experiences with that) but also (if she is a front leg amputee) make her wear a T-shirt or a cone so she doesn't start licking at her incision… Very important!
Wishing you and Chloe all the best… Sending you lots of big fat hugs!!
Angel Jake and Wolfie's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
Thank you both for the advice against the greenies, I had no idea how bad they were since she has only had a couple in her life (sometimes the groomer would give one out afterward). I forgot to mention that I have to move away Aug 14th and won't be able to take care of Chloe for the other few weeks of recovery at my parent's house (she gets her staples out before I leave though) 🙁 This is partly because I have to move all the rest of my stuff in before school starts. Plus there will be 2 full carloads so no room for her, she needs to heal in a familiar environment (might be stressful for her to move), and the vet recommended she stay at my parent's for at least an additional two weeks after I leave. Pros/Cons: I get to settle into the house and tripawd prep it while she recovers, but I will miss her like crazy.
Thanks for the great advice, I will be sure to look into getting a Ruff Wear harness and additional gear for her soon!!
-Chloe's mom
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
I was first going to ask about whether but now I see Monteray Bay so probably not an issue …
She'll probably like being outside. I would just add based on my experience that even healed, she may feel a little vulnerable for a while. My dog, Ajax, lives in NYC and he's doing great 17 days post amp but there is a definite difference in how much/little he relaxes depending on what is happening around him: for example, we took him to a friend's house in CT w/ a big yard over the weekend, and he was great; we came home and one of his friends (female lab, same size as him, they usually play rough together) came over to the apt and he got very stressed. So just know that if she seems a little anxious it will improve over time.
Also, I want to second the note above that says make very sure the yard is secure, because she is vulnerable (either to her own anxiety or the neighbor dog)
That all sounds scary but I don't think it will be – I think it will be fine! We also have the cooler jacket (can't remember what its called) that I would put on Ajax if he is going to be outside for a long period of time, but that is because he's black, and it's hotter here. If you're interested, though, I think there is a link on the gear section of this site.
In response to kazy55,
The yard has a 7' fenced enclosure, it is flat, grassy and the only weather considerations would be in the winter when the rainy season kicks in. There is a dog next door (shared fence), so I was thinking that after Chloe and I got situated up there that the neighbor, their dog, Chloe and I meet a few times in a neutral area so they get familiar with one another. They don't have to be friends, just get along well enough to possibly not bark at one another all day. I do not know that barking will necessarily happen, but it is an option if they do. Plus she will only have to be outside for ~8.5 hours by herself a couple times a week. The rest of the time she will be inside with me 🙂
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
kazy55 said:
We also have the cooler jacket (can't remember what its called) that I would put on Ajax if he is going to be outside for a long period of time, but that is because he's black, and it's hotter here. If you're interested, though, I think there is a link on the gear section of this site.
It's called "the Swamp Cooler" and Wyatt Ray loves his! Very cool item, especially this week. However, Ruff Wear does advise not to leave it on Tripawds while they're going to be unattended for a long tiime. It's perfectly safe I think but it could potentially get caught on something and stress them out.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
nbobco said:
In response to the admin about my school, I will be taking classes at the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (in Moss Landing, Northern California)
Oh SWEET! OMG that is such a beautiful area. We are originally from San Francisco, we LOVE that part of Cali. Since you'll be so close, you MUST go to a NorCal Tripawds Pawty when Chloe is all healed up. Yeay! Another pawtier!
Good luck with the move. It'll be hectic but very, very neat. We're so hoppy for you both. Let us know how we can help OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
1 Guest(s)
