Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Well, I had Manni on the water treadmill twice and stopped after that because he hated it. He looked about the same as Frankie 😊
thing is, I think, the purpose of the treadmill is probably not the same with our two, is it? Manni went in there (ok, was put in there 😊) to build up muscle while I assume that with Frankie it’s to decrease his weight in the water and thus make him use his leg, right? Since I could use obstacles and stuff to build Manni’s muscles I stopped with the treadmill. I am not sure how this translates to Frankie‘s rehab, though. I am sure they must’ve had other dogs before that hated it -so what do they say? And the rehab person: is there another was of achieving the same results? And how many times approximately would Frankie have to be on the treadmill for it to show benefits? Also, just an idea: would not balancing boards, cushions, and that kind of stuff maybe also help? Can you ask her? That’s something you can do by yourself if she shows you how.
So, not much input here either, huh? Sorry. That’s all I can think of. Hugs, tina
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
benny55 said
Just u der seven weeks after surgery and just had his first water treadmill. Poor guy, he really did not like ot at all!! Those hou d eyes were begging me ro make it stop!
My gongases! Those eyes would have me melted in to a mass of “get him out of there!!” Hehehe, of course he knows this and would work me good!
So by the rime he had the 50 minute drive, then pulling me across the parking lot and I to the reception area, doing his non-stop greeting howling to announce he was there, doing some counter surfing on the very tall reception desk...yeah, he was tired! Add what seemed like the lo gest path in the world to get to the treadmill....yeah, he was exhausted! So he happily walked up the ramp to the tank, immediately plopped down and stretched out expecting a massage...he got wet instead! 🙂
Hehehehehe!!! 😂 you made me laugh with this one! Like a king walk g up bus red carpet, expecting his massages and his ladies, only to be dumped in a tank of water! Hehehehe!! 😆 please tell Frankie that I am trying to contain myself and not laugh, but damn that was a funny picture you painted Sally!!!
Gotta give this CoolChill Hound Dawg credit. He kept trying ro turn around in the tank and go WITH the treadmill j stead of AGAINST it! 🙂
He’s not stupid! I would do the same thing! Good lad Frankie!
Maybe I was expecting too much from the first visit??
I think it’s good to have high expectations, it gets us to where we are! You and Frankie both are doing an incredible job!
And the mental picture of the rehab person telling you to walk Frankie slow and then giving her the leash was perfect!!! 😝
Sally, truly darling, you are doing a fantastic job with your big boy! His howling greetings probably throw a few people off! Hehe! The videos are brilliant. He really is trying hard the good boy! You’re getting there Sally!
love to all ❤️
Petra, Stewie 🐾 and his Pride >^..^<
Remember...“live in the moment!“ 
Thank you Michelle, Jackie,Holly, Tina and Thewie!!!! 🙂
OMD Holly! 'The heart 
on Frankie's head...WOW!!! It certainly is visible in thst video!! 🙂 Thanks for pointing it out!! Very special!!
Jackie, I can definitely see the progress and am soooooo pleased!!!
Frankie absolutely has come a @ong way a d is doing soooo well!! He coninues to improve and, just as important, he is HAPPY!
Tina, you are spot on in your analysis of the different ways the treadmill is bei g used for Frankie and Manni. And I think youre spot on also in that there may be other ways to accomplish the same thing. Funny that, as I was absorbing myself in watching Manni's videos last night on his blog, o e of the clips you included was Manni walking on cushions. I k kw the Rehabe et mentioned that at o e poi t for Frankie. Manni is showing the boy how to rock cushion walking!
Manni is still touching lives here!!!!
The "water therapy" lerson didn't really say much one way or another about whether Frankie is a good candidate for this. His Rehab Vet is coming tomorrow so we'll discuss everything further.
Petra, I was laughing right along with you! 🙂 🙂 Your ppsts are always fun!! 🙂
Michelle, hope this thread can help your friend. I know you are a great sulpprt for her.
@Lots of love ro 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!
Sally,
just wondering how he’s doing and how you’re getting on!??
hugs,
tina
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
I agree Tina,
It has been too long since we heard the wonderous adventures of Frankie!!! Sending love, hugs and sloppy kisses through to you all! ❤️
Hugs to you too Tina, I hope you are managing okay? Spirit kisses to Manni the wonderful Wonderdog! 💕
Petra, Stewie 🐾 and his Pride >^..^< 💗
Ditto hope all is going well, more rehab less water treadmill?
Any one bring up acupuncture for Frankie?
FRANKIE IS THRILLED, ABSOLUTELY THRILLED WITH HIS HANDSOME TEAM FRANKIE customized tee!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
That was sooooo sweet of you Holly!!
Thanks everyone for checking in!
SIXTY DAY UPDATE!!!
His Rehab was cancelled last week, and rescheduled for today. This will be our last visit for awhile and Dr. Weedle made sure I had some good "exercises" that Frankie and I could do ON OUR OWN!!
We'll continue walking on cushions and doing sit/stand. She's very creative at developing programs based in some of Frankie's "natural" habits AND devising things I can do on my own! For example, when he tries to jump up in my lap and slams his front leg and chest on me while I'm sitting down, I'm to push him UP (not off) and he naturally pushes back with his two back legs. He pushes quite forcefully against me using BOTH rear legs trying to fight me to get up in my lap.
She donated the Gentle Leader Harness to Frankie so I can practice making him navigate up and down the ramp fairly slowly so he will use that back leg PROPERLY!!
Eventually I'll do "weaving" walking in and out with him on my own. Down the road, I hope to have her back to do stairs when she thinks he's ready.
I'm sooooo thrilled with his progress.:-) Having the GIFT of these home visits TRULY has given Frankie the ability to be Frankie again!! We talk about extended quality time a lot around here. I'm not saying this lightly, you TEAM FRANKIE has given Frankie extended quality time!! Without the Rehab, he would NEVER have made progress and his life would not have been one of quality!!
Never underestimate the positive impact your support and encouragement had (and continues to have) on me and my ability to power forward!
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!
If you scroll back a few videos ago, you'll see that the Assistant was helping me walk Frankie slooowly up the ramp. She was doing a bit of lifting the rear.
These videos are just me "leading" him and he's doing all the walking on his owm. He's not just toe touching or bunnynhoppin/skipping, he's actually putting some pressure on that leg!!
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!
HOLLY!!! Looks like Nurse Myrtle found your tee shirt on Amazon!!! She just loves it!! And she loves you!!
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!
Frrrrrrannnnkie
I have just watched your videos buddy!!!! Well bloody done lovey!!! Well bloody done!!! You should all be sooooo very proud of yourselves!!!
And Frankie, it’s a good thing I’m not staring in your beautiful and all knowing eyes... you would have me wrapped around your paws 24/7/365!!! If I was your pawrents, you would still be on your recovery throne, demanding grapes (😱☠️😱) be tossed in his direction and those 👀 would have me giving them to him!!!
Buahahaha!!! Love Nurse Myrtles shirt!!!!! Definitely Team Frankie!!! 🤣 Brilliant job Sally!!!
Ruv ya! ❤️❤️❤️
Sally! Frankie looks wonderful!!! OMD I can't believe how great he's walking!
Kisses to you sweet boy!
Donna, Glenn, Max & Cooper!
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Looking fantastic there Frankie!!
Sally, that’s great!! Such an improvement! You can see he’s still somewhat leaning to the right but totally using his left paw finally!!! I am glad they gave you so many exercises to do on your own. All of them sound exactly like what I did with Manni in class. The weaving will be really good, too. We used agility poles for that so maybe you could actually just put something like sticks in the ground and go slalom? It’s easier when you yourself have something visual to do that.
Great update, what a relief!!
hugs
tina
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
He is doing wonderful! Loved to see the progress on the last 2 videos. I was beginning to wonder if everything was ok since you hadn't updated for a bit. So worth the wait! Keep up the great work, Team Frankie! Can't wait to see you in May.
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
WAY TO GO FRANKIE
If you don’t mind me asking does the rehab lady feel Frankie can use more rehab? Or are you at the point to just do the home exercises? I think Frankie has come a long way! My concern is the leaning wont that whack his body out and cause further issues?!
I am clueless with tripawd dogs so please excuse my ignorance. I never had to do rehab on our quad dog. Purrkins is whacked out usually every 3 months from being a tripawd kitty and he is so much smaller then the dog. I know cost is always a factor. You know what I am getting at here…..I am just going to put it out here!😬
I see you did not reach the goal for the fundraiser YouCaring - Help Tripawd Frankie get the surgery he needs. if you reached the goal would that make all the difference? Sally you can totally ignore me here 
. Martha if your reading this and Sally doesn’t want to reply maybe you could send another update on the fundraiser IF that will make the difference?
I just was thinking the what if’s and maybe’s…..? BUT if your to the point of do it yourself then GREAT! Just inquiring out of love 😉
Love you Nurse Myrtle in your team Frankie shirt. Keep up the great work!
Love to all three of you!
❤️❤️❤️
YAY thank you for the update Sally, you and the pack have been on my mind. I loved watching him go, what a difference! I'll bet the Gentle Leader will help you walk him sooooo much. It's a great product.
It's easy to see he's putting weight down on his leg now. Kind of reminded me like one time I had a really bad knee issue, and limped around for months. When it was time to start putting weight down on it, I was walking a lot like Frankie. Very tentatively at first but over time I was walking normally again. He will too!
I'm also curious if the cost is the reason why the visits are on hiatus for a while.
We just got contacted by a vet whose three year osteosarcoma survivor is undergoing a hip replacement next week. I'm going to keep in touch with her to see how the pup is recovering. This kind of thing is never easy but you are handling it like a champ, Sally! And Nurse Myrtle and Frankie, of course you are too 🙂
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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