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
So I'm trying to figure out how to go about our next vet visits for stitches to come out and chemo. My large dog is very dog reactive and on four legs we we're successful using a halti but I'm worried if she might hurt herself. Same goes for leash and muzzle. She's a front tripawd in her second week of amputation recovery. She did well on 3 for the first couple days but for the last few its doing well at all. Isn't going far at all before laying down and whining. So I guess my question is basically if anyone has had any experiences with a reactive front tripawd and found a solution that was safe, effective and didn't put the dog off balance?
Here's a link to out gear "store" with various harnesses, etc.
It's too early after surgery right now for Harley to wear one as it would irritate the incision. But below is a picture of one on my tripawd Frankie, a front legger, that works fairly well.The harness has a hook to leash up over the back of the harness. Front leggers need momentum snd "hop" at a faster pace than rear leggers. I found the harness Frankie has on works well in "managing" him without hurting him. It does tend to twist as there is no front leg to prevent that. But that is just a minor inconvenience
You've probavly already answered this, but what pain meds does Harley take a d what dose? She definitely sounds like she is experiencing pain. Check with your vet.
Going to fetch the pic of the harness. Be right back!
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!
Try to be patient about her mobility. She looks like a big pup and it's so soon after surgery. In time she will get stronger but for now try not to expect to much. You can help her out by doing gentle balance games and exercises with her. Have you seen our e-book Loving Life On Three Legs ? Lots of good info there for helping her get strong. Also check out our best tips in our Gear blog posts.
About reactivity....well we can certainly relate. Our Wyatt Ray is an ongoing training and behavioral modification project in this household, and while he's better he's not perfect. One tool we use for him quite often, especially at vet clinics, is a Calming Cap. Ask anyone who's been around him when it's on, and it works like magic. He looks ridiculous but all that matters is he calms down And yes, he can see out of it so he can walk with it too.
When it comes to walking, keep in mind that front-leg tripawds do need to walk faster to stay balanced. There's not much you can do about that other than walk faster and of course, keep up the training methods you've been using to help her stay calm and focused on you, not other dogs.
As Sally mentioned, it does sound like it's early in the recovery and she may still need pain meds.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
1 Guest(s)
