Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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It's been 2 amazing months since Baden had his left front leg removed due to cancer. The 1st month he couldn't get back to normal quick enough. By 3 weeks he was outside catching frisbees. While he's able & willing to run across the yard, standing in place or walking seems to show weakness. He can be standing next to you & just fall down. I am looking for some strengthening & conditioning exercises I can with him. Any & all suggestions are much appreciated.
Chuey
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Wow - sounds like Baden is doing great. (He's so cute!)
Running is definitely easier for a front leg amp than walking.
I know there are some links here on the site for rehab exercises to build up core strength - I just don't know where they are. I'm sure Jerry or Admin will chime in at some point and provide them.
Swimming is also good exercise for Tripawds - although ours didn't ever like to swim, so unfortunately we couldn't take advantage of that!
Our Abby liked to do one-front-legged digging at the beach (that's a link to a wee video), which I used to joke was her core workout!
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Hi Chuey and Baden, welcome! You are quite an amazing looking pup Baden, what kind of dawg are you? I see Border Collie or Aussie? If so, that sure explains your crazy energy level!
Angel Abby's Momma is right; moving faster is easier for Tripawds, that's how they keep their momentum going.
Ok, here's the thing; many Tripawds are wonderful Frisbee dogs after surgery, like Kess the Border Collie, but their people are very strict in regulating their activity to avoid overdoing things and making sure they have strong core muscles to prevent injury. Feel free to contact Kess via her blog and ask her Momma questions: which reminds me I've been meaning to ask her about creating a post with some of their exercises they do.
If you are unfamiliar with core strength training, check out today's Gear Blog post, which has lots of links to rehab strength training tips. Also, Maggie the Agility Dog also has some great training ideas here in the Gear Blog. Also, our CARE videos and interviews contain great resources about rehab.
We're not vets, but it does sound like Baden might be overdoing things. Since dogs carry 60 pawcent of their weight on their front legs, use extra care when he's playing Frisbee. My folks were pretty unfamiliar with things like rehab and avoiding injury when I first started out, and we had a pretty bad scare once when we thought I tore my ACL after too much frisbee playing. So use care, throw that Frisbee low for now, and research activities that will help him get strong so he can have many more hoppy days of playtime!
Keep us posted and do tell us more about yourself when you can!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you for your info & links. I will be sure to look st them.
You hit it on the head, Baden is a 7 yr old Border Collie! He was born with double hip dysplasia so his activities have all ready been limited. He can't run an agility course but he can & does herd his people. Activities like frisbee we have shortened the distance & height. He sleeps with one eye open & is ready to jump any sec. Unfortunately his brain reaction is sometimes quicker than his body, resulting in him stumbling. He still gets up & finishes the job! Once we get him more stable, he will be happier. Thanks again, I will post Baden's progress
Baden is a cutie. It goes to show that double hip dysplasia doesn't have to keep a good dog down, not when he has pawesome pawrents!
Good luck with his core strength training.
Jackie, I love that video of Abby. Her determination and skill with one front leg was very impressive and looked like a pretty good core workout to me. 
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
He's a really neat looking BC, I hope we get to hear more about him!
Remember too, that wearing out their brain with challenging games is even more tiring than physical activity and easier on the joints. We play a lot of brain games with our crazy Wyatt Ray, it does wonders for wearing him out while we are at work!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hey there,
I'm a HUGE fan of doing PT work on both my dogs - both 3 and 4 legged(4 legged rehabbed from shoulder injury). Several bonuses:
1. The obvious - it works their bodies and builds that all important core
2. It's low impact
3. The dogs gets lots of treats, so they are happy!
Then we also do a new venue called Wag It Games (http://www.wagitgames.com) and there are MANY exercises that actually help with our PT work. Bet the creator(a good friend of mine) never imagined how much her venue helps dogs physically AND mentally! Most of the exercises can be easily set up at home with homemade equipment. My dogs LOVE LOVE LOVE it!
http://gear.tri.....ty-course/
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
Thanks Maggie, I was hoping you and your Mom would chime in!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
The first thing that grabs attention are his bue / white eyes & his Coloring. The most handsome dog I've ever seen. Even now his missing leg goes overlooked until the second look. Due to his bad hips we are always finding new ways to challenge him mentally as a substitute to some physical activities. His brain is still a sponge like a pup. I can't wait to read all the info so I can get Baden more stable & secure.
Baden's eyes are so neat, I've never seen a BC with that color. Sounds like you are really on top of things since you're already used to dealing with his bad hips. Our Wyatt Ray also has hip displaysia, and only one hip to count on, so it's a challenge.
Maybe some day you guys can meet up with other Tripawds members and give a frisbee demo!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yes, he has unique markings & he knows how to get what he wants with his eyes alone.
Baden gets yucca with each feeding. It makes a major difference in how "limber" his legs are. I also massage n stretch the legs after activities.
Baden would to show off, oops share his frisbee skills.
chuey said
Baden gets yucca with each feeding. It makes a major difference in how "limber" his legs are. I also massage n stretch the legs after activities.
Yucca huh? Wow. Never heard of that. Would you be interested in writing a post for our Nutrition forum? We'd love to get your take on it. If you're interested, PM me and I'll send you the details.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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