Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi again everyone,
Riot will hopefully be restarting PT next weekend. He's a senior GSD mix, who weighs 103 pounds and is a rear leg amputee. We've had a hard time getting his strength back following surgery. I've been looking at ankle weights, to help him rebuild some muscle. I'll be running this by his therapist of course. I'm just looking for some suggestions from other tripawd parents. Any brands that people have used, and liked?
HI,
to be honest: I know ankle weights only for horses and I am not sure it would work for a tripawd, but maybe I'm wrong 🙂
Rene was nice enough to feature us in a little article about rehab and physio and you can find that here: https://tripawd.....-exercise/
Many of the exercises we did at the rehab you can also do at home or on walks. Manni was a front leg amp but I think the exercises are similar. Hope this helps
Tina
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
Hmmm, I'll be honest, I've never heard of ankle weights being used on a Tripawd to build muscle. Wyatt's therapists have always prescribed gentler core-strengthening exercises as well as stretchy bands. Here's one exercise Wyatt was doing last year:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Ditto the others. I haven't heard of anyone using ankle weights on a Tripawd and I'm not sure adding weight to the ankle would necessarily help to build muscle where it will be most useful to him. The others have suggested great exercises and we do similar ourselves, using wobble cushions, steps etc to build core strength, and also gently building up to balancing on two legs. For a few months post amputation Meg also used an underwater treadmill specifically to help build strength in her remaining legs.
Meg is a front amp, but my Staff, little Pie, had severe arthritis in one of her knees (she was a quadpawd) and the rehab vet had her doing 'push-ups' , sitting and standing repeatedly with her front paws up on a step and her back legs on the ground. We found this very effective.
Does Riot like swimming? Meg loves it and I think this really helps to keep her toned and fit, or just walking in water when it isn't deep enough (even for her short legs) to swim.
Riot looks lovely. Do you know what else is in the mix?
All best,
Meg, Clare and Angel Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Thank you for the suggestions. I'll run everything by his PT. Maybe there's something in there she wouldn't have thought to suggest. Riot can't sit anymore, due to his remaining back knee having some mild arthritis. He's not much of a swimming fan, but his PT has two underwater treadmills that he'll be using eventually. He's a 1/4 Alaskan Malamute. His mom was 1/2 and 1/2. His dad was a German line GSD.
Hijack thread to Clare for a question..or more..
Where was Elsie Pie's arthritis more prominent, front or back, or both?
I ask on behalf of my very senior arthritic baxk snd resr legs. Very stiff.trouble getting up, laying down.
And then there's Mr Arthritis Facotry Frankie... nuff said
Thanks Clare❤❤❤ Always heartwarming to "see" the Pie around here continuing to make a difference 😎
Riot, we'll look for your update!
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!
Hi Sally, Pie has arthritis in both elbows and knees, but most severely in her back legs and especially her rear left. She had a ruptured cruciate in that knee but the joint was so arthritic that it didn’t need surgery as the extra bone growth provided sufficient stability. I’ve got a video somewhere of her doing her push ups on the step. I’ll see if I can find it and post. Then maybe you and Frankie can exercise along like a keep fit video. Lol. You’ll have to get yourselves some good treats in though. Pie wouldn't work out without her biscuits, and quite right too!
love to you, lovely Sally
M, C & AP xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Okay, I've added Pie's exercise video in a new thread, rather than hijacking this one further.
Look forward to hearing how you get on with Riot at the physio. Do please keep us posted.
Meg, Clare and Angel Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Thank you for that. I'll watch it when I get home. I'll definitely keep everyone posted. I'm a bit concerned for him, as he's been panting pretty much constantly for three days. I talked with his oncologist this morning. He thinks we just need to add his second pain pill back into the mix, now that his stomach can hopefully handle it. He did put on 10 pounds in 3 weeks, with his appetite stimulant. He's also a senior, and I know some old dogs just breathe harder. He isn't coughing, still happy to go for a walk, eats once his meds kick in, and loved seeing my uncle last night. He hasn't seen him in 7 years, but he was happy to get attention. Years ago he wouldn't let him touch him. We have an appt Thursday, so they'll give him an extra check then, and we'll go from there.
I always worry when Wyatt pants and he doesn't have cancer! It's good to be vigilant, and I'm glad that your onco is open to ongoing pain control. What medication are you adding in?
What is your weather like right now? Wyatt tends to notice the subtle changes in weather faster than we do, so when it gets more humid he tends to pant a lot.
How neat that Riot has made such progress with being around people! Shepherds can be so reserved when it comes to giving love and attention to strangers, it's really saying something when they do.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We're adding another Rimadyl pill. He seems to do well on that.
The weather here has been getting cooler and drier. I know it says I'm in CO, but I'm in MA. Can't find where to change it.
Yep. The last three years he's been getting better about other people. He's always been well socialized and traveled, but he never wanted people to touch him. He's gotten so much better.
I hope the new Rimadyl dose continues to work its magic.
Oh hmmm, you can change your location in your Forums profile, just click on your avatar and dig around, you'll see it in there. If not let me know.
Wyatt is also touchy about being touched. I think it's a Shepherd thing!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I do too! He has a pretty sensitive stomach.
Yep. I think it's a Shepherd thing as well. Although his half Shepherd brother couldn't love people more. Must be his half Rottie side.
Okay. I found it. And where to change my signature. I've been meaning to do that.
Riot was able to get chemo today. They said his did great. He's back at my parent's now, as I had to go into work again. He needs blood work in 3 weeks, and in 4, we'll do scans. If they look good, we'll move onto his last chemo round! I'm so happy he's doing pretty well. They were unable to find any recurrence on his physical exam, and they gave him a thorough working over. He recognizes several staff embers, and is happy to see them. I was so worried by this point, that I'd be dragging him into the office. Or we'd have given up all together on chemo. We're halving his Entyce dose, as he ate the last two days without it. He turns 12 1/2 on Sunday!
A whole lotta' good news I'm this post!! Makes me smile big...real big!😁
Chemo four done! And I know it lifts your spirits to see how much he enjoys his Vet trips. That's such an important part of the equation when deciding to do chemo, treatment, etc.
And eating without his entyce? YAY!!
RIOT, YOU CONTINUE TO BE A ROCKSTAR!!😎
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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!
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