Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Do any of you with front-leg amputees have dogs that are OK doing stairs? I know Ollie won't be able to do them while he recovers, but I'm already thinking toward the weeks and months ahead. It seems that front-leg amps have a much harder time than rear-leg amps on stairs (especially when it comes to going down). Anyone have a stair-success story here?
(Edit: Just realized this probably makes more sense on "hopping around" but haven't yet figured out how to move it ...)
Six-year-old Ollie, a spunky, 55-lb. Australian cattle dog mix, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma May 1, 2015. Front right leg was amputated May 12. Did four rounds of carboplatin chemo treatment, ending Aug. 20. Lung x-rays still clear as of end of September. The rest of our story is still unfolding.
Ok, I will try this again. my last post went away. Our Daryl does not seem to have much trouble. He also has not realized he is missing anything. LOL Ty wanted me beside him going down. I joked that I was his 4th leg. You are correct in down is harder than up with front Tripawds. Are your steps carpeted? If not, maybe some of those individual stick on carpet treads would make him feel more secure. I know Jerry has a video on here someplace showing him relearning steps. I think he is wearing his harness. That would be another option. He is an Aussie mix, so I think he will surprise you with what he can accomplish. They are pretty hard to keep down. Hope his surgery went well. Keep us updated. Lori, Ty & the Gang
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
karenb said
Do any of you with front-leg amputees have dogs that are OK doing stairs?
See these forum search results for "stairs" topics. You can search all forums above, or search all Tripawds blogs here.
It only took a couple weeks for Jerry to get the hang of stairs. We lived on the second floor at the time of his amp, and he refused help after the first couple times we tried to carry him. His Ruffwear harness certainly helped us help him better!
I know Ollie won't be able to do them while he recovers
You may be surprised! FYI: A canvas shopping bag slit up the sides makes a handy sling with handles if you need to assist him before he's all healed up.
It seems that front-leg amps have a much harder time than rear-leg amps on stairs
Front-leggers will have a harder time going down while rear-leggers have a tougher time going up. Once all healed up, they will both do much better with enough strengthening exercises and conditioning. See Loving Life On Three Legs for lots of tips about that.
...this probably makes more sense on "hopping around" but haven't yet figured out how to move it ...
Thanks for noticing! And don't worry, you can't move posts. But we can, and just did... 
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I was recently adopted by a Coon Hound tripawd...approximately 1.- 1 1/2 yr. This dog sails up AND down steps like crazy!! I don't know the cause of his amputation or how long he's been on three legs. I can tell you, my problem ks trying to make him slow down a and not jump off, on and over everything!!
I'll try and get a video later and post it.
Now, my Happy Hannah who had her rear @eg amp. due to osteo, was able to go down stairs but not up.
Oliie is adorable by the way!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Hi ~
We have a ranch house, but Murphy has been in our basement a couple times and our groomer grooms in her basement, and he does fine with her stairs...The last time I took him, he faked her husband out... lol He went down just fine, as if he was going to be the good boy, but as soon as he reached the bottom, he turned around and ran back up! So her husband had to come back up and guide Murphy back down again, but that time held onto the harness so Murphy didn't come back up again...I just had to laugh because it's just so typical of my goofball! No one can tell him what he can or can't do 
donna
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
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