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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Our dog was named Jersey because we LOVE sports. We are from Michigan so Jersey has a U of M Jersey, Red Wings Jersey, Tigers Jersey, and Lions Jersey. She also has a few cute t-shirts. We normally only dress her up once in awhile even though she loves it when we break out her clothes because of all the attention she gets. I put one of her tshirts on today to cover up the stitches and the funky haircut she has going on now for our trip to the vet. I sewed the one leg hole up (front leg) but since there is nothing on that side to hold it up, It is now an off the shoulder t-shirt and keeps slipping off of her. I realize that I may be the only crazy person in this group who dresses their dog up, but does anyone have suggestions on how to keep their clothes on?!
Jerseys are a great idea for all dawgs, we love 'em!
I think what works is to tailor/tuck in more of that side of the shirt than you think you need to when sewing it, in order to make the jersey more form fitting. We've never had a problem fitting sweaters for front-leggers, but t-shirt fabric is smoother/looser and may need to fit more tightly. I'm sure the seamstresses here will have more ideas!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
That's cute that she gets excited about wearing her shirts.
We also used tshirts on Abby to hide her incision and help with catching some of the drainage. (I put OLD thirsts on her until the drain came out.) Size small tank tops worked the best on her (she was a skinny thing!) and I would just gather them up behind her and safetypin it. There's probably a better solution than a safety pin, but it worked for keeping her incision from scaring the neighborhood children once she was well enough to go outside, but not fully healed up yet.
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!
Charley is my 65# Lab who is also a front amp. Charley will sport a sweater or 2 around the holidays and I did exactly what you did...I sewed up the sweater arm hole opening on his amp side (most sweaters are sleeveless with only a slit opening for the arms).
I have noticed that the sweater will rotate on him towards his non-amp side. I do have to watch his only front arm in the armpit area, because the sweater rotating rubs him and almost creates a "burn". Needless to say, he can only play dress up for under an hour and then it comes off.
Hope this helps!
Ellen & Charley
Charley's Blog: CHOCOLATE KISSES
DOB: 3-29-08, male chocolate lab
Dx: OSA L proximal humerus 10-19-10
Amputation: L front leg & scapula 10-28-10
Chemo: 5 rounds of Carboplatin
Video (12 weeks post amp):Tripaw Charley Playing
♥♥♥ Lots of supplements and love!!! ♥♥♥
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