Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My husky is a new tripawd (17 days). She lost her left leg and shoulder due to a nerve sheath tumour. She has always been very active and we would slowly like to get her back to that state. Can anyone suggest a good harness for her? I see that Ruff Wear has a couple but I am not sure what would be the best for my dog. She is about 40 lbs.I would like to find a harness that won't slip too much as she doesn't have the shoulder. Thanks for any assistance.
Hi Sadie and family, welcome. Your future posts won't require moderation so post away. How come your pup lost her leg? What's her name? We'd love to hear more.
For harness recommendations check out this post, it will explain the differences:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Roxy is a 7 1/2 year old Husky cross. She started limping about a year ago after twisting her body whilst chasing a ball. Throughout the year she would be fine then limp occasionally. Around October-her limp got pronouncedly worse. We went to a few different veterinarians and a specialist using an MRI found a nerve sheath tumour in the armpit. The only solution was amputation. If left unchecked she would only last a few months.We did the surgery on December 28th and she is improving daily. She loves to go for walks already but I am only keep it to about ten minutes a day. Not sure when she can go on longer walks. Don't want to injure her only remain front leg.We are all getting used to her hopping around on three legs-it was quite an adjustment for me as I felt guilty for taking her leg off and it pained me to see her confusion as to why she didn't have her front left paw anymore.
Very thankful for this site and the information that it has given me.
Thinking about the Convert Walking Harness and wondering anyone's thoughts on that product.
sadie15 said
Thinking about the Convert Walking Harness...
Did you check the link Jerry provided?
The EzyDog Convert harness is a great walking harness that is quick and easy to put on and take off. The Webmaster harness is the most popular all-purpose harness that allows you to provide more support and assistance when needed.
For more info, see:
Which harness is right for my dog?
Best Harnesses for Three-Legged Dogs
EzyDog Convert Harness Great for Tripawds
Help Three Legged Dogs with Ruffwear Harness
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks Jerry. I have looked at the sites that you gave me. I am not sure how much support she will need. I have been taking her for little walks and she trots so fast the whole time,I have trouble keeping up. I am thinking the EzyDog Convert because I think she will be able to get around fairly unaided. She already jumps into my van unaided and even climbed up about twelve steps to get to my son's room this morning. I want to make the right choice so I don't have to send it back. The webmaster harness looks like a lot of harness and wonder if it impedes as there are a lot of straps and material. We want something that will be easy to take off and on.Will have to do more research today.
Just want to welcome you and Roxy to the "family"!
I'm sure you'll find the links for harnesses very helpful.
Remember that Roxy doesn't give a rip about any ole' statistics! She is Sadie, not a statistic!! We talk about BEING MORE DOG a lot around here. Roxy is living in the moment and thoroughly enjoying the bliss of living in the now, in the moment, with you by her side!
Guilty?? Oh my goodness no! You are giving Roxy chance to live her life to the fullest with NO PAIN! You are giving her a chance for more spoiling and loving than you ever thought possible!! Not to mention tummy rubs and treats!!
Yeah, for now, just very, very short walks will doing potty breaks. Many vets say it takes "about" two weeks to recovery fairly well from the surgery itself, and then about one month for all the adjustments to be made for mobility on three legs, muscles, joints, etc. Dogs don't care how "far" they walk. They just care about how many different scents they can catch on a breeze with their human by their side! .ake sure you stop and smell the roses right along with her!
Looking forward to following Roxy's adventures. We would LOVE to see pictures of your sweet girl!
Hugs to all!
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!
Thanks so much for the words of encouragement. I really appreciate the support. I would love to post pictures of Roxy but having trouble doing so. I can't seem to find the way to do it-nor can my tech savvy teenager. Will keep trying.
ROXY IS BEAUTIFUL!!! OMD! ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!! GREAT PICTURE!!!
BTW....clearly you and Roxy are "one"! 
Say whaaat?? I noticed in my post above I said this: "She is Sadie, not a statistic!"
Yeah, clearly you two are Soulmates!
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!
sadie15 said
I want to make the right choice so I don't have to send it back. The webmaster harness looks like a lot of harness and wonder if it impedes as there are a lot of straps and material. We want something that will be easy to take off and on.Will have to do more research today.
We sure appreciate that! My thoughts are:
If your are only lifting her into a low-clearance van and she doesn't go too many places with you, just on walks really, the Convert will probably do just fine. The Webmaster is great for dogs who travel a lot and need to be hoisted up and into higher vehicles and for dogs who need more support. As a dog ages it comes in especially handy.
Here is a link about how to add images to the Forums. Photos have to be hosted somewhere like photobucket, then you copy and paste the photo URL into the popup box here. Hope this helps, let me know if you'd like assistance.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Beautiful husky!
I can only confirm what is being said before. We also have a front leg tripawd (left as well) and we have a harness that is quite similar to the Convert (it is an Italian brand and probably not available in the US) and recently bought the Webmaster as well.
The Convert-like harness is indeed pretty easy to put on and we use it for most of the normal walks. However, Skippie can escape from this harness if he just pull back (happens a couple of times). So in situations where he can get scared (fireworks) or unknown territory we rather use the webmaster. Last weekend we visited my parents and used their car for transport.....it has a high back entrance so the webmaster was very handy since we can lift Skippie up easily (not possible with the other one....only a little support to only lift the front).
We also use the Webmaster for tracking and small hikes in the woods.
So I think in the end you probably would like to have both, but I would start with the Convert :).
Thanks so much for the great advice. I think I will start with the Ezydog Convert and as she gets older probably the Webmaster too. Right now, three weeks since the surgery she is loving her walks and has lots of energy. She jumps up into my van but I carry her out of it.My vet has suggested that she wear a wrist support on her remaining front leg when we do walks to help avoid injury to that leg. Anyone else doing this?
sadie15 said
...vet has suggested that she wear a wrist support on her remaining front leg...Anyone else doing this?
Watch our Orthopets video interviews to learn abut the benefits of orthotic braces for Tripawds, and consider contacting them directly for more information. They make the best!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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