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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Hi all,
I am new to the group (as of 10 minutes ago). I tried to search to see if this has been brought up before or not. I am still trying to navigate the site, so apologies if this is an old topic. On Xmas I brought home a 3 month old three legged poodle puppy. Technically I am fostering, but I think I am going to fail at that and will end up keeping Cheek. He is the victim of inbreeding and was born without the front left leg. Based on his size now, I am guessing he will be a fairly good sized toy poodle--10~12 pounds or so. I need to get some sort of carry bag for him. He can run and play with my other dogs but there are times when he needs a lift (like down the stairs of our apt. building). I am wondering if other tripawd members have recommendations on a carry bag or sling. I know about the harnesses, but I need something where I can have my hands free to deal with my other two dogs or to carry groceries, etc. I have seen both bags and slings and I just wonder if anyone finds one better than the other. Thanks so much!
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Thanks for joining and bless you for saving Cheek! There is a selection of harnesses in the Tripawds gear blog, but they are – as you may have noticed – assistive aids for providing support when needed.
Thanks again, we look forward to hearing more about Cheek. Please provide us with an update on whatever sling product you get so we can share it with others.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Here's hoping you keep Cheek!
I've got a 38-ish pound lab/corgi mix that has a front leg deformity from birth (we have all concluded). She's a little over 11 years now and I had here since she was about 4mths. She's a product of a hoarder home. I can tell you this...you'll never have a bond with any other dog like you will with a special needs dog. Comet and my relationship is more human-like. It's not easy but the rewards are priceless. I'm sure my family and friends wonder what will happen to me without her. They see how freaky I am when she is sick.
You may be surprised to find out that the stairs will be a breeze for him after awhile. Comet flies up the stairs and gracefully hops one stair at a time coming down. She still does it as a senior.
Best of luck.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Thank you for posting the picture of the AST harness. I did not realize when I was looking at it the other day it could be used in that manner. That is just too cool. Nice modeling Jim & Wyatt!
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Welcome to tripawds. No suggestions for a harness or purse, I just wanted to tell you how glad I am that you are fostering and hopefully adopting Cheek! There is a section on the forums specifically for tripawds not battling cancer. My Emily had an OSA so I haven't spent any time on it but you might be interested. Good luck. You will be in my prayers.
Debra
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Hello,
I have a small tripawd, Maggie is a pug with a rear amp. Last time I weighed her she was less than 16.5 lbs.
Mag has trouble going up stairs, because she is so small, the stairs are at chin level for her. If your pup gets tall enough he will probably be able to do stairs on his own. If so when he gets older going down might be a problem since there would be so much weight (proportionally) on the one front leg. I am being a bit more careful with what I let Maggie do on her own as she is nearing 11.
If you do get something to carry him I would recomend something you can completly close so he can't jump out.
The only time I used any kind of carry thing for Maggie was about 3 months after her amp. I had shoulder surgery and was not able to use my arm for a couple of months, and I could not pick her up from the ground. I got a open ended basket, and put a carry strap on it. Mag would get in when I put it on the ground, then I could lift her with my good arm up on the furniture or into the car. And I only have one other dog to deal with. This idea probably doesn't help much since it still would occupy a hand.
Good luck with Cheek. We would love to see some pictures.
And if you want I can take a picture of the basket (I call it the elevator) and post it so you can see it.
Karen and the pug girls.
Thank you to everyone who wrote to give advice or offer suggestions. I am normally quick to reply to such posts. However, last week we were so stressed out over Cheek I didn't want to jinx myself. We decided to adopt him, but some other people were interested in him as well. Fortunately, it all worked out and he is now ours! I look forward to learning more about having a tripawd dog!
I don't have any advice for a sling type purse for a little dog, but I just wanted to welcome you to the Tripawds family, and congratulate you on adopting this adorable little dog! I hope that you post pictures of your new boy soon!
Angel Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
Now HOW did you get that photo of Wyatt?! Any dog who puts up with that is an absolute angel! (okay, angel on earth - the things we have to qualify for this durn website.) I'd love to see a video of you walking around L.A. carrying Wyatt like that (but please don't). Gives a whole new meaning to the term "on-leash".
ok, sorry to hijack the topic!
With regards to the Ruff Wear harness , how adjustable is it? Cheek is now 4 months old and 3 kg. I am guessing his weight will double but I am not sure on how big his chest will end up. Are the straps adjustable enough that he could wear it now and continue to wear it as he gets bigger? He is already starting to grow out of his current harness. It would be nice to only have to buy one!
thanks!
cheek said:
With regards to the Ruff Wear harness , how adjustable is it?
If you review the Ruff Wear harness sizing chart, you will notice each size has a pretyy broad range of fit. There a five adjustment points and all the straps can be extended quite a bit. Just keep in mind that it is not weight that matters when fitting the Ruff Wear harness , but the girth measurement.
We would also not recommend the Ruff Wear harness be used as a sling, or for constant carrying of any dog. With it's support straps, it is best suited for providing assistance when needed. The AST Get A Grip harness has full under belly support and may be better for actual carrying of a dog. But no dog should be carried in such a way for long perionds of time as such extended curvature of the spine can cause posture problems. A cart or dog stroller would be better if necessary.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
The Ruff Wear Harness is very adjustable. I just got one for our dog Lucky and there is plenty of space for him to grow and gain wait. I have it at the tightest it can get and it fits just perfectly, so my guess is Lucky could gain another 10 lbs and not have any problems wearing it still.
Lucky Amputation 10/29/09 Adoption 12/5/09
Jedi Amputation 12/18/09 Adoption 02/04/10
"I am not afraid, I was born to do this." Joan of Arc
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