Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi y'all!
I'm doing as much pre-op research as I can for my girl Skyla. I've got questions re: ramps and whether or not folks feel it is necessary...
We live in a tiny house (that's right, like on TV!), and we have several wooden steps leading to ground level (think exiting an RV). They're pretty big hops down. Do y'all think we should look into an outdoor ramp? We'll have the Ruffwear Webmaster on her for assistance, but I'm concerned that may not be enough to comfortably get her up and down those steps.
If you would recommend a ramp, any specific item recommendations?
We could also add an additional step and lengthen the whole ordeal, with the goal of easing the steepness.
Thanks in advance for any input on this one!
XO Rae & Skyla
Hi there,
I went for the adding steps option in order to ease the steepness. I didn't do this on my indoor staircase, as there just wasn't room. What I did do was add carpet to each step (they were polished wood) to give good traction . With other steps, e.g. there is quite a large step going out the front and back door, i added a half step, a large flat solid step of the type you can buy for people with arthritis etc. I also bought lots of these:
qid=1496578072&sr=8-7&keywords=aidapt+step
(I should add that they are MUCH cheaper in the UK. I include the link just to give you an idea) and used them to build steps up to my bed, chairs, sofa etc. I find these boxes absolutely brilliant. They have a rubber, non slip base, and a cork top and are extremely strong and solid. They also come in several different heights so you can assemble them in all sorts of combinations. My girls have never had the slightest hesitancy in using them, which I think they would with anything flimsier. As an added bonus, we can use them for quite a few of Meg's core strength exercises.
Here are a couple of pics of the steps in action (thanks to Elsie Pie for modelling). I realise that neither reflects your specific situation, but hopefully they may give you some ideas. Meg is a front legger, 33 pounds, and unusually long in the body.
All best wishes to you both. It's great that you are thinking through everything in advance. It sounds as though you are going to be very well prepared for when Skyla comes home.
Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
You should check if Skyla will use a ramp. Some dogs won't- I can't remember what it's called but something to do with perception I think. Tripug Maggie absolutely would not go up or down a ramp- I built several different ones over the years. She also would not go up or down 'floating' stairs.
How much room do you have? To make the ramp a safe and comfortable pitch it might have to be pretty long. And then you want it to be safe and comfortable for you guys. I'm not trying to talk you out of it- just things to consider. I made a ramp when quad pug Tani got to the point that the small steps off the deck were too much. I had to put a rail on it to keep her from falling off.
For my current tripawd Elly I have built small stairs so she can get up on the furniture. Elly is a small pug mix and a rear amp so her challenge is going up, not down.
And Clare- those boxes are great!
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Rae,
You can buy ready made ramps but I think you would probably do better building one. It would be sturdier and you can make it wider than most bought ramps are. We have an aluminum ramp by Solvit for our dogs and we had too work a little to get them to use it but they all got used to it. They like to jump off halfway down though so we have to be right there to make sure they don't do that. Karen has good points about the pitch though--that requires you have enough room. Perhaps wide shallow stairs would work? We have a low deck And built a step for our tripawds to use so they didn't have to jump a foot down to the ground. Of course half the time they jump over the corner of it rather than use it 
. Anyway, thats another thought and would take up less room than a ramp. And I agree with Karen that whether or not you go with stairs or a ramp you might consider a railing so Skyla can't jump off midway. On the other hand Jim and Rene live in an RV much of the year and they use Wyatt's webmaster to help him in and out of the rV and that works well for them. You sound like you are in good shape and could handle helping Skyla in and out so that would obviously be the cheapest and easiest option. Its great that you have some time to prepare and get all your ducks in a row before Skyla's amp. Keep asking questions, that's what we're here for!
Xoxo,
Martha, Codie Rae, and the Oaktown Pack
Woohoo! Tripawds Rule!
Regulator of the Oaktown Pack, Sheriff of the Oaktown Pawsse, Founding member and President of the Tripawd Girldogs With 2 Names ROCK Club, and ... Tripawd Girldog Extraordinaire!
Hi ladies!
Thank you so much for your advice. I'm sorry it took me so long to acknowledge your posts. I've been out of town and time got away from me!
We've decided to modify our existing steps to lessen the grade and give her space to "catch herself" before taking on the next step. Hopefully that's enough to ease her out during post-op. I loved all the feedback on things I hadn't even thought of! Since it seems like most Tripawds are able to take on stairs eventually, we feel that the harness will allow us to give her support as she learns how to take them on.
Monday is surgery day. I'm nervous but anxious to get it over with. I'm sure I'll be pouring over all the great information on here as I'll have lots of time with her the first few days.
Again, thank you so very much!
Rae & Skyla
I also agree. My Otis did fantastic wth steps when he could get his whole body on each step, even right after surgery. Eventually, he did fine on the steps to the second floor. I bought a ramp, but neither of my dogs would use it. (Tess had knee surgery). It was more dangerous watching them try to avoid the ramp. Any dogs will not use ramps unless they had been comfortable using them before surgery.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
My Happy Hannah was a rear legged and never would go UP stairs....down the porch stairs wasn't a problem. It was about eight steps to go outside so she did have a wide ramp with railings to help her feel secure.
Front leggers usually have trouble going DOWN stairs.
And then, some dogs like Otis and like Pofi, have no trouble at all.
I have an adopted front leg Coonhound and he sails up and down stairs like a boss😁
Update when you can. All paws crossed for smooth surgery and smooth recovery. We are here for you
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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