Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi Everyone,
I am having less and less anxiety about Barret's upcoming surgery... kind of 
In the meantime I am keeping myself busy preparing my house and getting some necessary supplies I might need for right after surgery.
I've read the blogs about the RuffWear harness and some of the other harnesses available that work for tripawds. Since Barret is smaller than most dogs in these posts I was wondering if anyone had tried a harness like this one for a front leg tripawd: Comfort Harness - Medium - Pink
My gut tells me that it will slip around and probably be a waste of money for him, but it looks soo much more comfortable than the more rugged ones listed on this site.
Anyone have experience with a lighter weight.. or maybe a less expensive harness that they can recommend or do I take the plunge and go for one of the ones listed on the site. Its not that I can't pay for it if it is really necessary, but I have the cost of the upcoming surgery and follow up care to consider too... Why didn't I win the powerball last weekend??
Thanks in advance!!!
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
Perhaps you missed today's Tripawds Gear Blog announcement...
EzyDog Convert Harness Great for TripawdsTripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I used on of those harnesses for Cora. In fact I still have it and could mail it to you if you want. It was ok when Cora was less active but it doesn't work well for helping her over obstacles. It did slip around but not too badly. The biggest issue is that hook for the leash is so far forward that instead of helping support the front it was pulling the front off balance or off the ground. I'm not explaining well.
Topher
Vet Assistant (in school to be a licensed vet technician)
1.5 years Oncology department, moved to rehab & sportsmed December 2024
Tripawd Angel, Cora the Determined <3
Keep in mind that is a "fashion" harness strictly for walking. Without a handle or belly straps to assist your dog, it's pretty useless as an assistive device, which is why we love Ruff Wear's, and why it's priced accordingly. The Webmaster is also very long lasting--we've had ours 3 years and counting and it's still in great shape.
We are just as thrilled with the new Tripawd Convert Harness too, it's durable and great for all dogs but it's mostly a walking harness, not so much an assistive aid. Yes, they are both an investment, but after having tested them over time, they're definitely worth it.
One thing to consider: Barret might not even need one. Not all dogs do. It's most useful if your dog travels a lot with you, or you have a lot of stairs in the house. If you want to wait and see that could be your best bet.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for the input. I don't know if he will need assistance or not yet, which is why I didn't want to invest in the bulkier harnesses at this point.
I am just looking for a walking harness right now until we see how he does. He is used to walking on a regular harness... which I think will be pretty useless after the surgery, I don't like using the flat collar for walking, he has a martingale collar now because of his tiny head (think greyhound head, regular collars just slip right off!) and if he pulls it kind of chokes him.
I know we're at least a couple of weeks away from even starting on short walks, but I think that this "nesting" is therapeutic for me
blackdogcompanion said
I used on of those harnesses for Cora. In fact I still have it and could mail it to you if you want. It was ok when Cora was less active but it doesn't work well for helping her over obstacles. It did slip around but not too badly. The biggest issue is that hook for the leash is so far forward that instead of helping support the front it was pulling the front off balance or off the ground. I'm not explaining well.
Thanks for the detail about it making him off balance. You did explain it well! How big is Cora?
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
And my 2 cents worth.... the first day or two if I tried using a sling (just used a large towel) she just froze up and/or tried to hobble was from it. So you may just want to wait before you invest because you may not need one at all
Glad you're getting "into the flow" with this amputation thing! It really does just become a normal everyday existence (except that the love you two share will be compounded beyond your wildest imagination)!!!
Take care'. Sally and Happy Hannah
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
You're doing great Heather by investigating all of your options!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
My dog never needed a harness. (I got one before the amp, just in case.) Athena came home the day after surgery, and all we really did was carry her outside to do her business and I always kept a leash attached to her collar the first few days to help support her whenever she stood up. After the first week, she was going up and down stairs and squatting to do her business without me hovering over her 'just in case.' When I take her for short walks now, I just use her normal collar and leash.
04/09/13- OSA Diagnosis ~ 04/23/13- Left Forelimb Amputation ~ Carboplatin Chemo (6 total)
July 2006-November 18, 2013
I will always love you, Athena.
Shooter is only about 25 lbs and I chose the Perfect Fit Harness for him as I knew he wouldn't need a lot of help and would be annoyed by the coverage of the Ruffwear. It is sturdy enough that if I have to balance him it works just fine. If I leave it on when he is just laying around it will slip to the side just a little, but goes right back where it belongs once I hook a leash on. You order it in 3 separate pieces and can change them out if one part isn't quite right. Shooter's fit just right so didn't have to deal with that. I just a picture of this harness on a very small dog with a front amp and seemed to fit just fine.
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
fourminipups said
Shooter is only about 25 lbs and I chose the Perfect Fit Harness for him as I knew he wouldn't need a lot of help and would be annoyed by the coverage of the Ruffwear. It is sturdy enough that if I have to balance him it works just fine. If I leave it on when he is just laying around it will slip to the side just a little, but goes right back where it belongs once I hook a leash on. You order it in 3 separate pieces and can change them out if one part isn't quite right. Shooter's fit just right so didn't have to deal with that. I just a picture of this harness on a very small dog with a front amp and seemed to fit just fine.
Pretty much exactly what I'm looking for.. Is that available through tripawds or did you find it somewhere else? I'll have to google that tomorrow! Thanks!!
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
Is that available through tripawds
We have a review in the Tripawds Gear blog , but do not sell it here. They are made in the UK...
Perfect Fit Harness Passes the Tripawds Test
If ever shopping on Amazon, please be sure to start your searches here. Thanks!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
it sounds like you have it figured out, but to answer your question about how big Cora was... hmm... well she was growing. when I got her and first started using that harness she was 15 lbs.
Topher
Vet Assistant (in school to be a licensed vet technician)
1.5 years Oncology department, moved to rehab & sportsmed December 2024
Tripawd Angel, Cora the Determined <3
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