Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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greetings all!
Vito has always been a water dog, but i'm reluctant to toss him in the lake before i can find out if he'll sink or swim now that he's down a front stem.
The plan is to try him out in a pool, so if he *does* sink, i can save him faster. I'd like to put a water vest on him as an extra precaution, but i don't want to put out all the monies if he's not going to be able to use it past the initial test run. There was one at the discount store with an "AKC" logo on it, and i would be okay with losing that price if he couldn't swim, but to be honest, that vest din't look like it could hold up a bag of air.
So, by chance is there anybody in the greater San Jose (CA) area that might have a vest that would fit a ~60 pound greyhound deep chested dog that I might borrow for an afternoon? I'm flexible on the date as the pool i'm hoping to use hasn't yet opened for the season, and i would be willing to pick up/drop off/leave a deposit so you know i'll give it back.
thanks!
Ah good move, there's a reason why that vest was in the dollar store. We've tested a number of vests and the only ones we find have good buoyancy and enough lift to keep a dog's head up out of the water are Ruffwear's K9 Float Coats. Yep, they're quite an investment, but they literally last years and years (like all Ruffwear gear).
Please don't toss him in the pool. In our own experience, swimming pools freak dogs out more than a pond or lake. Because dogs can't see the bottom of a pool or even feel it, they are way freaked out by it. Our Wyatt Ray is a great lake/river/pond swimmer (as was Jerry) but neither would go near a swimming pool. The issue is something called "The Visual Cliff" and what it comes down to is that with most dogs' depth perception difficulties, not being able to gauge distance to the bottom is terrifying.
Since you're in the Bay Area, why not introduce him to water in a slow and gentle way with a certified rehab therapist? The Tripawds Foundation will even cover the cost of your first consult. I believe you're near Scout's House, an incredible facility I would go to in a heartbeat.
Good luck to you and Vito! Keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I have nothing to add to the vest discussion, but you are in San Jose!
I don't remember if I knew that before now, but I wanted to mention to you that we have a pretty active group of Nor Cal Tripawd packs and we get together at least twice a year in Mill Valley. Many of us have lost our original Tripawds but the bonds we formed on our Tripawd/cancer journeys keep us together.
We would love to meet you and Vito at our next gathering. I will be posting an announcement in Tripawd Pawties soon, but if you are interested keep May 14th open. We usually start at 11 and go until 2 or 3.
Oh wait- do you know about the Tripawds Angel Exchange ? I just did a quick search and found an XL float vest. It's been there for 2 years but might still be available. Here is the thread: http://tripawds.....loat-vest/. You probably need to PM Athena's mom.
Good luck getting Vito back in the water!
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
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        Maggie's Story          Amputation and Chemo
We are in Oakland and have a Ruffwear float coat you are more than welcome to borrow for a short time if you wanna brave the traffic to come get it and return it. We are big float coat fans--they really do provide alot of buoyancy.
And ditto what Karen said--please join us in May for a grrrreat pawtay!Â
Martha, Codie Rae and the Oaktown Pack
Woohoo! Tripawds Rule!
Regulator of the Oaktown Pack, Sheriff of the Oaktown Pawsse, Founding member and President of the Tripawd Girldogs With 2 Names ROCK Club, and ... Tripawd Girldog Extraordinaire!
I've got no info on vests but yes ... hope you can join us at the next pawty!!!! Jasper (my quadpawd) and I like to drive up from LA to join in the fund since my tripawd is now an angel. It was a great gathering last fall. We can't wait till May! (Thanks Karen for the date - we're putting in in our calendar ...)
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
thanks for the replies! I hadn't heard of the Angel Exchange, but will look into it right after i post this.
And thank you Martha for the offer. If i can't get one closer, maybe i *will* brave the 880 to Oaktown 🙂 Was it for the GS in your avi? if so, it would likey fit Vito the MOOSE.
I don't really need a physical therapist to introduce him to water - Before losing his leg he was a mad swimmer! There was no lake, river, reservoir, pond ocean or pool he didn't love. Sometimes the only way to get him back on land would be to physically go into the water myself and drag him out. We did the rehab after the amputation to see about his adjusting to three legs, and to be honest, i really didn't learn anything i didn't already know. The specialist was nice and all, but in Vito's case the money would have been better spent paying down the surgical bill.
I might have come off a bit flippant by declaring i was going to "toss him in the pool", but he actually has been in this pool before. It was specifically built with a sloped ramp in the design because the folks who own the pool also own several dogs and they wanted to be sure there was ALWAYS a way out. (also for any wild critter that might happen to fall in). I would be in there with him - i guess i just want to make sure he's going to be able to keep his front end up and not sink like a rock.
Since the amputation, he has been in the creek a few times, and handled it really well (better than i thought he would) - but it only comes up to his shoulders so he hasn't quite achieved 'total floatation'. My reasoning for putting him in the pool was actually more to limit his options if he *IS* able to swim. I don't want him taking off or catchin a current and getting into trouble . . . and again, if he can't swim anymore, a pool would leave less room for errors than a live moving body of water.
Thanks Karen I appreciate the invite to the Mill Valley meet up. It is a fair way to drive, but i will definately keep it it mind, and will look for details as the time draws nearer.
Just wanted to say how much fun it is reading about Vito and how well he's doing AND how much he lpves the water!! Can't wait to see the video..HINT!!
I love that the pool he's used has a ramp...not jist for dogs but for any wildlife who decide swimming is not their idea of having fun! Very sweet idea! The pool sounds like a great starting point for Vito. You've clearly thought things through. Video!!!! Another HINT 🙂
I do hope you can make the tripawd pawties...such special bo ds are formed. I love in Virginia and we've had several and looking forward to many more.
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR VITO!!!! So good to hear from you!
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!
Check the angel exchange - I think someone just posted one.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016.  Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016.  Lung mets August 25, 2016.  Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016.  Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma. Â
Wherever they are, they are together.
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