Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Millie is getting better so we are doing some longer walkies. But I found out her remaining leg (close to armpit) keeps getting burnt by the chest part of the harness.
We got her the Ruffwear Flagline , at first I thought it’s because the harness sometimes slides to one side(due to missing one front leg), but then I switched to another Y shape harness, still burnt her on the same spot.
Millie is a smooth hair mini dachshund so this might be a short leg dog problem? She did get shaved a little bit from the IV from the surgery so I am wondering if it will get better after her fur grows back.
She got amputation due to being attacked so I really don’t feel comfortable using a collar for walkie since I can just lift her up if god forbidden another incident happen.
Does anyone have any experience with this situation?
I would guess it will get better when her fur is fully grown in. My tripawd wears the flsgline harness and it has very little padding - I totally get how it would chafe if it slips sideways. My other dog (with 4 legs) wears the Front Range harness and it's better padded, so I think it would he less prone to chafing. If you don't care much about a lift handle, the Active Dogs Fleece Harness is very plush and I can't imagine it would chafe.
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So glad to hear Millie is doing well and enjoying her walks.
In addition to what Mischief suggested you might try putting her in one of those little baby onesies or tees. Additionally, if you could find some fleece or extra large padded cotton balls Etc maybe you could wrap those around the harness strap itself to make some forof padding.
One more thought. Maybe you could get one of those dog blankets or coats. Trying to put into writing what I'm visualizing in my head and it's not going well! 😁😂🤣But maybe you could configure some sort of straps around those that you could attach a handle for easy lifting up if necessary.
Let us know how it goes, okay and we would love, love, love, to see video of Millie on her walkies.
Hugs
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!
Hmmm. Can you post a photo so we can see? Here's how adding images works (post them on a photo sharing site, then copy the image and return here to paste it).
I would think it would get better when her fur grows back. You're right, as a front-legger there will usually be a little bit of rotation for any harness, but I've never heard of any kind of abrasions caused by that kind of thing. Would love to see a photo.
I think the suggestion of adding a tee shirt underneath the harness might help. Just make sure the shirt is smooth under the harness - wrinkles will be uncomfortable. I wouldn't put a harness over a jacket for that reason.
jerry said
Hmmm. Can you post a photo so we can see? Here's how adding images works (post them on a photo sharing site, then copy the image and return here to paste it).I would think it would get better when her fur grows back. You're right, as a front-legger there will usually be a little bit of rotation for any harness, but I've never heard of any kind of abrasions caused by that kind of thing. Would love to see a photo.
Yes!
This is her standing, you can see she has really short legs lol...
And this is the burn, close to her armpit
Thanks everyone for the suggestion!
I will put a bandage on her leg for now and have already ordered long sleeve t-shirt for her, HAHA I think I will need to alter the length of the sleeve myself since she barely has legs as a wiener dog....
I am thinking maybe I can DIY a fleece liner for the Flagline harness since thats a pretty expensive harness lol.
Thankfully we are going to my partner's mom's house for the rest of the week. Millie can run in the yard without wearing a harness. Hopefully, her burn can heal soon!
benny55 said
So glad to hear Millie is doing well and enjoying her walks.In addition to what Mischief suggested you might try putting her in one of those little baby onesies or tees. Additionally, if you could find some fleece or extra large padded cotton balls Etc maybe you could wrap those around the harness strap itself to make some forof padding.
One more thought. Maybe you could get one of those dog blankets or coats. Trying to put into writing what I'm visualizing in my head and it's not going well! 😁😂🤣But maybe you could configure some sort of straps around those that you could attach a handle for easy lifting up if necessary.
Let us know how it goes, okay and we would love, love, love, to see video of Millie on her walkies.
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
HAHAHAH! Ok!
Here is a video of Millie when we went short hike with us last weekend!
And this is her on our everyday walkie, before the amputation, she never actually "walk" like what other dogs do, she only runs lol. And now shes back to her old running self.
This dog! This dog is so darn cute!! We always think being a tripawd adds an extra level of cuteness, but Millie takes it t0 a while new level of CUTENESS OVERLOAD!!!
She rocks her tripawd gates and owns it with sich confidence. She jas a lot of power and grace in those short little legs pf hers.
Thanks so much for the videos. Made my day and put a HIGE smile on my face.
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS. Hoi g being "harness free" plus all of the tips, alleviates the soreness. It does look like it would be painful. Talk to the Bet about maybe a cream of some sort (steroid cream??) to help in some way temporarily. Dunno, just throwing it out there.
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!
Hmmm that is an interesting area, are you sure the harness reaches it? Thanks for sharing the photos.
How is she doing now? Any better?
benny55 said
This dog! This dog is so darn cute!! We always think being a tripawd adds an extra level of cuteness, but Millie takes it t0 a while new level of CUTENESS OVERLOAD!!!She rocks her tripawd gates and owns it with sich confidence. She jas a lot of power and grace in those short little legs pf hers.
Thanks so much for the videos. Made my day and put a HIGE smile on my face.
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS. Hoi g being "harness free" plus all of the tips, alleviates the soreness. It does look like it would be painful. Talk to the Bet about maybe a cream of some sort (steroid cream??) to help in some way temporarily. Dunno, just throwing it out there.
Thanks:) We talked to the vet and they recommend just keeping it clean and dry, it healed already, YAY!
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