Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Casey is 4 weeks post rear leg amputation and is getting around really well. We are starting short walks (I'm jogging to keep up with his pace) and I'm noticing one of his pads on his front legs are looking pretty pink. I'm concerned there might be more friction on those now with his new balance. Have others noticed this with their tripods? If so, what suggestions do you have? I thought about the booties and don't know if he'll wear them.
Hi Patti,
Great question. Yes, it's pretty common for Tripawds to develop pressure sores on paws because of their altered gait. How long and how far is he walking? At 4 weeks out he should be taking this really slow still. Rehab therapists tell us that a fit, 100% recovered Tripawd should take 2-3 shorter, more frequent walks of no more than 15 minutes each time out. If he's going longer than that, it would probably be a good idea to shorten his walks for now.
A boot is a great idea to try to minimize the pressure sore problem. Ruffwear sells our favorite boots in pairs so you can try them out. It takes time to get some dogs used to them.
Thanks Jerry, we have only been going about 15 minutes. I'll check out the booties.
I've had two rear amp Tripawds and only had one pressure sore issue. My first Tri Maggie developed one between her pads on her one back foot, although if I remember we weren't sure if it was a pressure sore or an injury. It healed up fine and we didn't have further issues but Maggie was a 8 or 9 year old Pug so wasn't hugely active.
I adopted my current Tri when she was 10 months old and about 2.5 months out from her rear amp after being hit by a car at 7 months old. She was fully healed but not to strong so she got a lot of stroller time. I'm wondering if the slow build up to activity helped protect her paws from sores and allowed her feet to get accustomed to her new gait. That's just a theory by the way!
If you do want to try booties and Casey has never worn them before you might want to start with Pawz Booties . They are cheap and come in lots of sizes. Some people have trouble getting them on, they are basically balloons but I didn't have any trouble getting them on my quad Pug who had mobility issues. If Casey won't allow booties then you haven't made a big investment.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls and Boy
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
I was searching around for any existing discussions regarding pressure sores on paws, I'm so glad I found this. Roman is about 6 weeks post-op (front right leg) and now that we're doing more consistent, "normal" walks, I've noticed his back toe beans are getting a little pink and I'm assuming it's from his new altered gait. I don't think he'll wear booties (and I'm too afraid to try him out in booties going down the stairs from my 2nd floor condo). Would a salve like musher's paw wax or something similar (even coconut oil?) help protect his paw pads with his new gait? Any products you all would recommend?
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