Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Well, the last stitches are out, wound pronounced good and signed off by the vet. Just waiting for the fur to grow back now.
We did have a small problem - Cookie decided to have a jolly good scratch, ripped the big scab off and got her hind claw caught in a stitch. At night, of course. So there we are, blood, yellow gunky stuff spread over my freshly changed, white duvet cover, squealing Papillon, middle of the night. So, one wipedown with hibiscrub, new dressing, secured with vet wrap and first thing appointment with vet. What did the vet say? Oh, well done Cookie, a really neat removal. I wasn't looking forward to taking that off. Grrrr.
Still have a problem with the food bowl. If she can get her nose under it it goes flying. The new wrinkle is that if it is too heavy and solid to move, she turns round and sits in it. The little madam has now had countless quick showers of her rump. She would prefer to be hand fed, but will accept my husband kneeling in front of her, holding the bowl about 2" up. I am beginning to think she's hanging out for the golden bowl on the red velvet cushion. I have a couple of ideas and as soon as I get to my sewing machine we shall see.
We did ask about physio or hydrotherapy, but the vet says she has adjusted so rapidly and so well it isn't necessary. Something to keep in mind if she gets a little creaky with time. We are attempting to severely restrict jumping down, and stairs are off limits. Cookie has caught onto this quickly, and now stops at stairs and wails to summon her human taxi.
If she wants attention, she now sits vertically up - the meerkat pose - and flaps her front paw at us. Unbelievably cute.
In general day to day living we're trying to slow her down. Cookie sees no reason she can't carry on as normal, although possibly a little faster as she runs to keep ahead of her humans who keep picking her up.
Most. Adorable. Pupdate. Ever! I love it! And your sense of humour is fantastic. So glad her ripped stitch wasn't anything serious and so timely :0
About the bowl. Are you feeding her with a raised feeder? If not, that could help release your hubby from his butler duties. Regardless I can't wait to see what you come up with via your sewing machine.
Oh and that meerkat pose is really good for core strengthening believe it or not! She's a very strong girl.
As for the physio. Well, we are big fans of it even when a Tripawd isn't having a problem, but do what you feel is best for Cookie, that's ok too. Definitely keep an eye on her to make sure she's not getting too much activity, too soon. For now it would be good to look into a few physio practices near you just in case you need them in a hurry. We often see Tripawds with pulled muscles and strains within the first six months to one year of losing a leg. Even when they aren't hurting, little six-month "tune ups" with a physio who understands how a Tripawd moves can make a big difference in helping their bodies stay flexible and strong. It's one proactive thing a Tripawd parent can do to prevent future problems.
In the meantime you are doing a fantastic job moderating her activity and "Tripawd-proofing" your home!
Got any photos or videos? We would love to see your girl! Here's a post about adding images to the Forums, just holler if you need help.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Okay, I know rhis isn't funny....but this is soooooo funny!!!😁😁😁 You have quite the Princess, and a very smart Princess too!!😎
Shhh....don't tell anyone I said this.....shhhh.....but when it comes to apoiling a tripawd (or any dog for that matrer), I'm all for it!! Not to a point where it's a detriment to their recovery of course,, but....shhh......a little handfeeding is a great bonding time in my -not-very-good-at-tough-love opinion😉😉 She just wants to sit down and have her supper with her hoomans😎😉
Yes, we. must have pics and video.
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!
Yes, there's a reason she is referred to as 'Her Highness, the Imperial Cookie' at home.
Before the op.
And immediately after (the next day)
This is the grievously wounded/stoic warrior look. Still a little dazed from the painkillers.
The food bowl problem is that she doesn't want a raised food bowl (and shows it), but it's too difficult to eat from a bowl on the floor - hence the kneeling human. I'm thinking a fabric covered two inch thick foam pad with a quilted circle depression for the bowl. If I just put the bowl on a pad it goes flying, so a method of holding it in .... ooh I just thought - Velcro! She will protest, it suits her sense of hierarchy to have humans kneeling in front of her.
That's a good point Jerry. I'll ask our vet for a recommendation of a physio, then if she pulls or strains a muscle, or just wobbles a little we'll have someone to call. It's probably worth a visit just so the physio can get a baseline health/movement assessment too. Not for a bit though, it's not even a month yet!!
Hope the photos work.
HRH Cookie is absolutely adoravle!!!!! OMD!!! Soooo cute!!! Made my day!
Can't wait to see the "dinner table" you make for her bowl.
Give that cutie pie a smooch for me!
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!
She has similar markings as my TriPugMutt Elly!
On the raised dish- my first Tripawd Pug Maggie lost a back leg to mast cell cancer. I tried a raised dish with her and she refused to eat from it and looked at me like I had lost my mind!!!
When quad Pug Tani got older she had balance problems and I had to raise her dish or when she leaned in to eat she fell into the bowl. I made a little platform out of a couple pieces of plywood and attached an upside down plastic lid (from an ice cream container I think) which held the bowl in place. I glued a small piece of metal on the plastic lid and it was attached to the platform with a magnet. I still have the platform I think, I can find it if you think it would be helpful to see. I can't wait to see what you create!
Maggie also when through a HRH phase- when she had her amp she spent lots of time at my parents house, she had a special relationship with my mom. They had stairs which Mag had trouble with so my mom started carrying her everywhere, including when Mag needed to go outside. Mag decided she liked the chauffeur service and would wait to be carried in and out instead of doing it on her own which she was perfectly capable of- she had figured out the dog door within 3 weeks of her surgery. It finally got to the point at my house that I had to make sure she went out- I didn't carry her though- and she would do her business then sit and wait for me to come get her!! It took a couple of 20 to 30 minute stand offs but she finally got the idea and was back to going in and out on her own.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Oh those ears! What a cutie!
So now I understand about her reluctance to use a raised bowl. I love the idea you have for the royal pillow, let us see a pic when you have it ready.
Yeah I would have that physio reference ready just in case. And I really do love the idea of getting a baseline reading too.
Thanks for sharing Her Royal Highness' portraits, she is a doll.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
The little madam! I'm so miffed my ears are steaming. Why?
I let all three dogs out into the garden for the afternoon sniff/toilet. The other two trot back in and I stick my head out of the door, just curious as to what the holdup is. She's on her back on the lawn, writhing from side to side, letting out little yips. I panic. She's fallen and can't get up, she's stuck on her back, she's broken the other front leg, she's having a heart attack. You all know the feeling I'm sure.
What was she doing? Rolling in pigeon poo. Grey-green slime with sticky white bits. And the smell, OMG. Knowing my duty as a good dog-mom I pick her up and head for the bathroom, stopping only to appreciate the feeling of slime oozing through my top and onto my skin. Not only did she roll in it, she's ground it into her still healing scar. I ended up using a nail brush to get the last crevices clean.
So after the bath I get the hairdryer out for her (she loves being blown dry) and she begins to forgive me. Last thing before bed, everydoggy goes out again. What does little miss Cookie do? Yep, straight for the pigeon poop. I think everyone on the road heard me screech 'COOKIE' .
So, how much do I need to be worried about infection. The scar is totally dry flesh now, and I'm leaning towards just keeping an eye on it, with a vet visit if it goes red or she gets off colour. And trying to restrain her.
Hehehe... sorry, I'll explain that in a sec.
If the incision is fully healed I would think she should be fine. You might call the vet for a phone opinion and do keep an eye on it.
So my Tri Elly has rarely seemed interested in rolling in stinky stuff. I've caught her a time or two heading to the ground but stopped her- and couldn't really see anything on the ground. Last Christmas time I was out walking with Elly and a dog named Sophie that I dog sit a couple times a year. We were at a little park and I was watching Sophie since she is a 'walking pooper'. Out of the corner of my eye I see Elly start the 'dive' to the ground. I yell 'NO' way too late and pull Elly by her leash (attached to her harness) which actually drags her though the slime which was a generous portion of turkey poop. So, fuming, I'm picking up a trail of poop from Sophie while trying to keep Elly from touching me since she has a streak of poop on her shoulder, side and harness.
At least I didn't have to clean any crevices with a brush!
Cookie sounds like such a character, and stinker (in more ways than one!). It's really great that she is back to her feisty self.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Wow she looks so strong, like she's going to fly away any second! I just want to pet those adorable ears of hers.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Well Miss Cookie, clearly your Mother doesn't understand your preference for "perfume" is different from hers!! Ahhhhh......the subtle fragrant scent of pigeon
....lovely.
That picture is so darn cute! Of course, with Miss Adorable as your subject, how could it been anything other than cute!!
You have quite a bundle of joy...and mischief in that cutie-pa-tootie !
And then we have Elly and Karen......speechless yet again!
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!
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