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.
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I am beginning to see that my Max (Day 3 post op) will need a lot of help. I would like to purchase a harness/sling to assist him to his feet and with mobility in the coming days/weeks.
Can you recommend something? He weighed 102 lbs on admission and has a large chest. He has lost his left front leg.
Thank you so much.
kaisu said
I would like to purchase a harness/sling to assist him...Can you recommend something?
The Ruffwear Web Master is the best all purpose support harness for most Tripawds. The AST Get A Grip is specifically designed for giant breeds, and the Custom Pet Support Suit is best for heavy and hard to fit dogs. Find complete details and reviews in the Tripawds Gear Shop .
For more help deciding, please read:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you. I will read those. I appreciate you not saying "Use the search feature", although I am sure that must have been tempting. I am still very new in these forums.
kaisu said
I appreciate you not saying "Use the search feature"...
The Advanced Search above does work wonders! And, it can return results from the Tripawds News blog . You can also search all blogs here . Or, download Tripawds e-books for fast answers to common questions if you want to save time spent searching.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just a shout out from another missing front left pup. She loves her Ruffwear harness . She has the padded guard thingy too. I always forget what it’s called. Best wishes for your big guy.
kaisu said
I appreciate you not saying "Use the search feature", although I am sure that must have been tempting.
HaHaHa...another kindred spirit!😉
shubeanie said
. She has the padded guard thingy too.
HaHaHa.....and another kindred spirit who speaks the same language 😎
I do believe the "TC" peiple (Techie Correct) call it a "brush guard"
😂🤣
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!
Yep, it's the Brush Guard which you can read about in our Tripawds Gear blog post,
Web Master Plus Brush Guard Make Best Support Harness for Tripawds
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
That’s the thingy!!!! 
Even though Mitchell is a quad, he is older and does have a time getting around. We have the Web Master Plus Brush Guard which we got here and it has made a HUGE difference for him. There is a nice handle on it, right where the support is most important and I feel like Superwoman when I can heft him up on to his feet with no support and it does not hurt my back!! Admin... I have to do this, heheh... I LOVE this video!!!
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
We recommend the Web Master with the Brush Guard by Ruffwear with all our hearts! I can't say enough good things about this harness...literally saved our lives when we used it with our Dobe, Nitro. They didnt make the brush guard when we first bought it, but we ordered one as soon as they came out with it. It does tend to slip a bit on a front amp, but it's easy enough to adjust it. 3 PAWS UP!!!!
Paula and Warrior Angel Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
Just wondering...being front leg, does it slip around? I'm adopting a GSD (8 weeks old today) who is having her surgery monday. It will be a few weeks till I bring her home. I've been reading a lot of people talking about slipping and difficulties with support harnesses and front leg amputees
Hello and welcome! Thanks for adopting this sweetheart, what a lucky pup.
Harnesses on a front leg amputee will always have some sort of slippage throughout the day, since there is no second leg to keep it in place. But what we've found through the years after member feedback and using it on our own front-leg amputee, Jerry, Tripawds' founder, is that the Ruffwear Webmaster harness has the least amount of rotation on most dogs. As a backup, the Tripawd Convert harness is great for walking and since it was prototyped on a front-leg amputee Rottie, it doesn't slip as much on most dogs.
The trick is to measure properly and keep the straps properly tightened and adjusted. Our Tripawds Gear blog has lots of sizing and adjustment tips, and we are always happy to help too.
By the way, since your dog is losing a leg so young, you'll want to have a good relationship with a canine rehabilitation / physio therapist. Young amputees tend to have a few more challenges since they haven't acquired all of their motor skills to help with balance, and a good therapist can guide you in the proper exercise techniques for him. Tripawds Foundation may even pay for your first rehab visit so do take advantage of the program!
We also recommend our e-book Loving Life On Three Legs , which is a great resource for preparing your home and life for this special guy in order to keep him strong and injury free for as long as possible.
Can't wait to learn all about him!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We purchased the web master pro and brush guard for our forelimb amputation Dane and overall are pleased. It slips some (was much less when he was wearing a t shirt under it) but even when so is still helpful.
My only downside to it is that the side buckles are on the left which means at first we could only get it on our left amputee when he was laying down. Our rehab vet also recommends the help em up harness for large dogs esp if they are having struggles getting their back end up and under them, but I don’t have personal experience w it
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