Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi! Now we are moving into the rehabilitation and "living on 3 legs" stage!
perhaps I should be starting a new post but new to the forum and haven't quite figured it out yet. I searched for "Toe Grips" in the forum, however, I didn't see anything come up. I was wondering if anyone has ever used or heard of or know if Toe Grips are effective?
One of our vets recommended these for Akira's rear legs. She is 13 years old and after front amputation one of her rear legs is dragging a bit. We have rehab scheduled to begin this Friday (massage and then water therapy), however, our vet suggested with Akira's weakness in her back legs due to age and now imbalance with amputation that Toe Grips could be a good solution.
We also bought a Lift & Lead 4 in 1 harness that seemed lighter and softer for Akira (she's 17 lbs so on smaller size) and thought it might be good for her, however, it seems to turn on her and perhaps not good for a tripawd? Don't think it was a good choice after all. I noticed you recommended a different brand Ruffwear. Akira's chest measurement is 17.5" so again on the smaller size and our water therapist had a Ruffwear harness that looked too heavy for her. Perhaps there is a lighter weight Ruffwear you could recommend?
Any guidance would be greatly appreciated and of course if I should be writing a new post please do let me know. Thank you!
Warmly,
Debby (aka: Akira's mom)
Hi Debby,
Here's to Loving life on 3!
Not a problem about your post, we created a new topic for these mobility questions.
I was wondering if anyone has ever used or heard of or know if Toe Grips are effective?
Here are search results for "Toe Grips." We can give you a search tutorial in another post, no worries. I think this product can be good for some situations, but overall, putting carpet runners down in your home is the best solution for traction (click on link for some traction ideas). The toe grips can work if a dog still doesn't use the carpet runners for traction , but most usually will. I've heard the little nail bands pop off and are a challenge to put on, but I've never used them myself so others can give you better insight.
As for the Ruffwear Harness. This harness is our overall best-selling, best-fitting one for Tripawds. At 17.5", Akira's an Extra Small. If you want something lighter, the Front Range is a good solution, however keep in mind it doesn't have a lifting handle on the back. See:
The Best Small Dog Harness That Helps Tripawds Too!
Hope this helps. Feel free to PM me with any posting questions OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I've used the Ruffwear Webmaster harness for both of my small Tripawds and both of my quad-pugs. On the quad-pug side I used one for Obie during his rehab from two knee surgeries, he was 16 lbs and a similar girth to your girl.
I also use the Ruffwear Front Range on Obie now and it is a good harness for him. But it is shorter on the torso and I would not use it for him if he needed much help with balance or assistance walking like when he was recovering from knee surgery.
My current Tripawd Elly wears her Ruffwear webmaster any time we are away from the house. She is just over 1.5 years old, a rear amp and does not need help on the stairs. I love the harness on her and wouldn't use anything else at this point. I can help her in and out of the truck and can hold the handle when she is unsure of her footing. We also take lots of classes and it is a great harness for training.
Elly is about 16 lbs and has a 18 inch girth so by the chart she would wear an extra small. But here is the problem I have with the webmaster and deep chested small dogs... the length of the extra small harness puts the back strap too far back on their torso. The xx small fits the length of their torsos but the chest and mid straps are too short. Unfortunately Ruffwear does not supply the torso length of the harness so you don't find this out until you get one.
My solution has been to make the straps on the xx small longer because the harness itself fits better. Be aware that by modifying the harness you void the warranty to I don't recommend doing it unless you are sure you are going to use it and are willing to make any repairs the harness may need.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Th
krun15 said
I've used the Ruffwear Webmaster harness for both of my small Tripawds and both of my quad-pugs. On the quad-pug side I used one for Obie during his rehab from two knee surgeries, he was 16 lbs and a similar girth to your girl.I also use the Ruffwear Front Range on Obie now and it is a good harness for him. But it is shorter on the torso and I would not use it for him if he needed much help with balance or assistance walking like when he was recovering from knee surgery.
My current Tripawd Elly wears her Ruffwear webmaster any time we are away from the house. She is just over 1.5 years old, a rear amp and does not need help on the stairs. I love the harness on her and wouldn't use anything else at this point. I can help her in and out of the truck and can hold the handle when she is unsure of her footing. We also take lots of classes and it is a great harness for training.
Elly is about 16 lbs and has a 18 inch girth so by the chart she would wear an extra small. But here is the problem I have with the webmaster and deep chested small dogs... the length of the extra small harness puts the back strap too far back on their torso. The xx small fits the length of their torsos but the chest and mid straps are too short. Unfortunately Ruffwear does not supply the torso length of the harness so you don't find this out until you get one.
My solution has been to make the straps on the xx small longer because the harness itself fits better. Be aware that by modifying the harness you void the warranty to I don't recommend doing it unless you are sure you are going to use it and are willing to make any repairs the harness may need.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Thanks, Karen! Really appreciate you sharing your experience and recommendations. I just ordered the xs webmaster harness after calling Ruffwear to discuss Akira's situation. Feels right and looking forward to having it. Akira told our intuitive that she really wants to have a normal life again which for her includes using the stairs. Now I can assist her down them, which is my biggest concern, she moves up the stairs faster than I find out she has snuck to them. 😉
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