Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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After reading the article regarding the perils of jumping in and out of cars or off furniture, I'm wondering if I should be allowing my front-leg Tripawd to jump up to catch her frisbee. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you. Connie and Tripawd Téa
Connie thanks for reading our article and bringing up a great question.
Back when Jerry lost his leg, we didn't know anything about joint stress and how to prevent it. We wanted him to just be a dog, so we let him get back to his favorite things, like playing Frisbee and catching a basketball. It brought a joy to him and us but eventually we all paid the price. Jerry had a bad knee injury at one point that required acupuncture. We got very lucky that he didn't blow out his cruciate ligament. It scared the bejeezus out of us. So we went on a quest to find information about what we did wrong, and what we learned is:
High impact activities like Frisbee playing, Chuck-in tossing, Flyball, dog park racing without a break, are considered "explosive" activities by rehabilitation therapists. Over time, these activities will cause joint stress.Â
Many dogs who played these games before amputation will want to do them again. And for the most fit, conditioned dogs, they can probably get by OK. But again, over time, these impacts wear on the joints. For Tripawds who don't have a spare leg, we ask, "Is it worth it?"
Knowing what we know now, we cringe when we look at the photos and videos of Jerry jumping and catching objects. Had we known that he would defy the osteosarcoma odds for two years, we never would have put his joints at risk like that. We got lucky with him, so with Wyatt Ray we don't take any chances. Wyatt doesn't even know what to do with a Frisbee, but we have SO many other ways we have fun together it just doesn't matter.
Having a Tripawd means rethinking your playtime together. It's more our problem then theirs. They just want to have fun in any way possible.
I hope this helps. Thanks for the question, I think I'll turn this into an article at some point.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We learned the hard way with Jerry, and wrote about adapting to the "new normal" by adjusting some of his favorite games, like fetch and Frisbee in Three Legs and A Spare. Spoiler: he ended up with a partial ACL tear due to greater impact on remaining limbs.
Yes, we continued to play. We just threw the Frisbee shorter distances and much lower to the ground, and didn't do it quite as often. Over the years, we've also learned many other ways to keep Wyatt fit and strong. Search all blogs here to find various posts and videos in the Tripawds Blogs , and Loving Life On Three Legs is filled with canine conditioning tips and fun exercises you can do at home.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
hi Connie.... good to hear from you!!! How is Téa doing?
Alison with Spirit Shelby in her heart (and little Jasper too)Â
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Can someone point me to that article on jumping in and out of cars please?
Otis - 121 lbs pre amp - 114 lbs post amp and now 118 lb Great Dane - English Mastiff X. Started limping on 12/24/16. Diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 12/28/16 - amputation of front left leg on 1/6/17. Stitches out and 1st round of Chemo on 1/19/17.  2nd round of Carboplatin on 2/10/17 - 3rd round on 3/2/2017. 4th round was scheduled for 3/22/17 - however due to low WBC postponed - 4th Chemo completed on 3/28/17. Had breathing difficulties, stayed in Tufts ICU overnight. Due for 2 more rounds of Chemo but we are opting to go with homeopathy with Dr. Loops instead.
I believe this is the article Connie was referring to.
http://tripawds.....-116013781
Then this is a link for the gear
http://gear.tri.....pet-steps/
Hope that helps.
Holly & Purrkins
That's it. Thanks Holly!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Well, that crashes my dream LOL I really thought that after the amputation, Novak would be able to play again. He was a champion at that game and its his favorite...but then, I saw how he was after amputation and I wonder how the heck the other dogs that I see in trial can do it?? The goal of amputation was to be able to play sport again. LOL Oh my, I don't know what got through my mind.... the thing is, I was influenced by my own vet saying that he would be great after the amputation...Now, 6 months after amputation, I don't think we will ever play sport, physical sport, Novak is too intense and cannot manage well his energy, so frisbee would problably hurt him... but in the back of my mind, I was always hoping a miracle and that someday he could play. But now, reading it again(its not the first read about that subject) I really have to put it behind me. My physiotherapist also told me to not play...
Im the kind of girl who prefers a short life, but a full life, than a long empty life...sometime, Im thinking he should just do whatever he wants and if it ruins his body, then so be it... and then....My logic takes over...no way, I want him to be healthy happy and to be a long time with me...
Thats the most difficult part for me, the mourning of his frisbee career.
Do you think Novak is any less happy because he is "mourning" that he can't be a champion frisbee player?? And please know this, I'm not being minimizing YOUR disappointment at all, okay? I'm just trying to let you see that is an emotion that belongs to you and, thankfully, not to Novak! Novak certainly is NOT living an empty life!
It must be INCREDIBLY hard for you to not be able to pursue the goal of Novak to continue to be a Champion at frisbee, ESPECIALLY if that was the whole reason for the amputation to begin with! Having read your background with Novak previously about what an star athlete he was and all the incredible accomplishments he achieved, as well as the hopes for his future as a Champion. You must be so disheartened now.
It stinks to be human sometimes!! Ugh! At least it's not a vision, or a goal, that Novak had for himself, so he's not feeling any disappointment or sadness at all! The bliss of being dog!!
I doubt that Novak feels "deprived" in any way, shape or form! He has your love and your companionship, as well as perhaps some spoiling, so he's a happy boy! 🙂
He could certainly still enjoy "playing" frisbee, just not at a championship level. It just means not throwing it as high so his impact when he comes down from catching it is much less.
And who knows, with all the therapy work you are doing and because Novak IS AN OUTSTANDING ATHLETE, maybe his abilities will surprise everyone!
Although you are mourning his Frisbee career (again, I certainly understand your frustration because that foal does not appear doable), maybe you can find another path of achievement that gives you joy and fullfillment! Goodness gracious, look at the incredible success you have had already with his physical therapy! This could definitely lead to other avenues for Novak to excel as the athlete that he is!
Extra 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!
I know that Novak doesnt have any emotion regarding that, hes a dog 🙂 Its me, me only that have that "disapointment" but Im ok, im not thinking about it everyday crying over it... We are happy doing other things together and being just a companion dog. Its just when I read something about it or see the trial/summer coming up that make me think about it. But we will have a great summer, Im pretty sure! Even on 4 legs, frisbee was pretty hard on his body already, we can see that on xrays of his back, so I won't risk getting him hurt, its really not worth it.
You know, 2 of our dogs are hitting the 10 year old this year and one is getting 9 year old and now with Novak not competing, we don't have dogs to really be competitive LOL Vega can still play, but she's older...we don't want another dog just to be able to play, so we will have several years of break from competitive trialing. We will still play, but, we will have to wait a bit till we start new pups... I know that in the agility/frisbee sport, a lot are getting a lot of dogs like chips and we are not like that, we love our dogs first and then the sport, we want to be able to care for them and have time for each and with 4 dogs, its already too much. We want 2 dogs max, 1 each.
And the summer will be even better if you and Novak can make it to the Virginia Tripawds Pawty! Can't tell you how excited we all are thst there maaaay be a possibility!!:-)
We are learning sooooo much about agility dogs, the training rewuired, etc through you. It's also very clear you have raised a lot of champions and know EXACTLY what is required to excel in thst sport. The training and commitment required must be craaaazy hard! And then having a very special dog who is "born ready" for a high energy sport...WOW...what an incredible team and deep, deep bond!!
Okay, in my desire to learn more about the sport.....what is a "getting a lot of dogs like chips"? Does thst mean some people are focused ONLY on winning and will house as many dogs as possible to get a "winner"? And it sounds like these individuals aren't particularly focused on giving them a loving life with companionship. You and Novak obviously don't fit intonthat group at all!!!!
Thanks for sharing this fascinating journey of handsome Novak 🙂
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!
Yes some will have more dogs to perform or a breed that is knowed to perform like a border collie. Some are addicted to the sport and they can't have a break so if they have an older dog, they will get a puppy to always have a dog to train. DOesn't mean they are all bad person, but Ive seen it, people more focu on the sport than their actual dog.
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