Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

London, UK

Member Since:
15 December 2015

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11 June 2018 - 11:58 am

The MegaWheels Day 6

Thanks everyone for watching and for all your enthusiasm and support. I heard back from Eddie's Wheels and they agree that Meg's gait should even out over time; they said she's looking "awesome" (which I think is American for "brilliant"? winker ) I tried working much more slowly with her this morning, to encourage her to walk, moving her back legs separately rather than jumping off them together. I sent them this video as well, and they agreed that this is a good way to proceed. It looks a lot more awkward, but I think this approach will pay dividends in the long run.

I've also raised the height of the cart just very slightly (about 1 cm/1/2") and will see if this make a difference. I want to take a bit more weight off her front leg, while still having her use it. It's a fine balance to judge. (By the way, those yellow ribbons you can see on the side of the cart? They are attached to the pins you have to remove when you open the yoke to put her in. I was advised to tie something bright on them as they are easy to mislay, when you put them down, and the ribbon was tied round some flowers a friend sent when Pie died. I know it's daft, but I like to think it's a small way of keeping her with us ❤️)

I'll probably leave it a few days before my next update, unless there's anything significant to report, as I suspect it's going to be more of the same. Hopefully our next video will show clear signs of progress.

Thanks again for sticking with us and cheering the MegaStar onwards...

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...

paws120

Member Since:
1 October 2017

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11 June 2018 - 12:16 pm

Looks great Clare! She is really catching on to this so well. I know you see the "hoppy" end but as a whole she looks like this is becoming smoother for her and more natural. There's no more sitting there just looking at you, and given her energy level she will probably work those new muscle groups that she is using into shape in no time. I really like how once you got this where you pretty much want it, that it aligns her body more the way it would be if she was a quad. When I look at Huck (even though he is a cat) he is a little hunkered over, especially if he is not going somewhere quickly. When he runs you would never know he was running on three, but slowing it down makes a huge difference.

As usual, your beautiful Meg-A-Star was a hit and she blazed right through like "what's next mum... a swim? please?? pretty please???" way-cool

Hugs,

Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry

Huckleberry's Blog

London, UK

Member Since:
15 December 2015

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11 June 2018 - 12:25 pm

As usual, your beautiful Meg-A-Star was a hit and she blazed right through like "what's next mum... a swim? please?? pretty please???"

Well actually, yes... She spent two hours in the river this afternoon whatever

You're right re the quad thing, she is basically having to unlearn moving like Tripawd, I just hope it won't weaken her in that regard, as the plan is not (yet) to use the cart full time. I'm pleased you think she's looking smoother and more natural.

Thanks for watching.

❤️

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...

Maggie's Story Amputation and Chemo

krun15

Livermore, CA

Member Since:
18 October 2009

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11 June 2018 - 7:56 pm

Meg is doing really well!

I think you are really smart to have a special, super yummy treat for the wheels. I do something similar with Elly's sep anx training, I read it somewhere when doing research. Right now her very favorite is cheese so I save that just for our sessions. I think I might put dad to work on the liver cake recipe though!

Watching the videos I think Meg is trying to do her normal front amp hop which fights how the wheels work, she now needs to push with her back legs instead of hopping off the front. Meg is such a smarty pants (or smarty bloomers?) I bet she will figure it out very soon, she is already getting better and smoother. Just as she adapted to being a Tripawd she will adapt when she has her wheels.

I'm really glad you are posting your experience here. I've seen some dogs using wheels but have never seen the process of getting used to them.

Karen

Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.

1999 to 2010

benny55

Virginia

Member Since:
22 February 2013

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11 June 2018 - 9:36 pm

To be able to witness every little nuance as Meg "bonds" with her wheels really is a privilege! As Karen said, we see the "end result", but not all the Herculean effort that goes on behind the scenes.

Probably the one we are most familiar with is Cora. Not only is she a tripawd, but she's been blind since birth and has some neurological "damage" since birth. It was a really rough start with the wheels. Lots of fear, lots of tipping over, not an easy adjistment at all.

It really is uncanny how seemingly comfortable Meg is in her wheels. She shows no fear. She's happily wagging her tail. She almost seems oblivious to the fact that she's hooked up at all! Of course , the focus on the licer helps, along with your encouragement and praise! The biggest piece of all this magic thoigh is theTRUST she has with you!💖 The fact that Meg is highly intelligent helps too!

I KNOW that Eddie's Wheels are over the moon happy at her progress soooooo early on! You're attention to every detail of each step Meg takes, and then your ability to convey all the nuanaces to Eddie's, is duch a great example of the power of teamwork😎

I'm really interested to hear what Eddie says about Meg having to "relearn" the sensation of walking with four. Not only with her muscles and gait adjustment, but emotionally too..

With front leggers, some head bobbing and speed, along with an occassionl bunny hop, are all necessary for mobiloty and balance. As others have already noted, this is another added layer to her learning process.

HAHA! Just had an "image" of the staff meetings at Eddie's! They're using the videos of you and Meg as THEIR training video!!😁😊😎 I have NO doubt they are learnot a lot from you and Meg!

BRILLIANT 😁😁😁

Cannot wait to see the next update when you can make time. I know what you are doing is very time consuming , vut we are all so enthralled with this whole process! And PLEASE, don't feel like you need to reply each time! My goodness, with all Meg's Fans that could be an all day job after each update!! We'd rather uou spend your time in training.....and taking Meg swimming!!

Looooove the soaking wet Meg photo!! Such a happy and joyful...and wet dog!

Lots of love

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!

The word BRILLIANT is a much more exciting word than "awesome"! It is so alive!!! So vibrant!! So full of life and color!!

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!

benny55

Virginia

Member Since:
22 February 2013

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11 June 2018 - 9:46 pm

PS Merry Myrtle and Frankie wanted to join you in a shout out to Elsie Pie💖💖

eurydice

Member Since:
21 May 2016

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12 June 2018 - 11:19 am

Darling Clare and Meg 🌸🐾

It is always such a treat to see Meg's pictures and, really, that one of her when she went swimming, is truly beautiful 💗

Your videos are so inspirational, it gets me teary eyed to watch your wonderful bond ✊🏽

You are doing a marvellous job and, yes, as Sally says most certainly Eddie's Wheels are using those for training purposes.

Looking forward to seeing more progress from the Meg-a-Star and Mom 😍

Sending you an avalanche of kisses and cuddles 😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹

Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)

London, UK

Member Since:
15 December 2015

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12 June 2018 - 11:39 am

Thank you for watching.

Karen,

Watching the videos I think Meg is trying to do her normal front amp hop which fights how the wheels work, she now needs to push with her back legs instead of hopping off the front

Yes, I agree. I think this is exactly what is happening. Except... it's happening less today, I think, thanks to Ms Smarty Bloomers (see below). Love the fact that Elly has special separation anxiety cheese ❤️

Sally, I am SO touched by Frankie and Myrtle's Pie tribute. The very definition of BRILLIANT, both of them ❤️❤️ I do so appreciate your taking the time and trouble to watch and respond so fully. Your posts ALWAYS make me grin from ear to ear. ALWAYS.

Teresa, thank you so much. Talking of bonds, I wish Meg and Eurydice could have met 🐮🦊 Though I'm sure Pie is making the most of getting to Angel Eurydice first, to give her the Pie perspective on all the MegaStar's naughty ways. 'You'd never believe, Eurydice, what I had to put up with!' This, between chomps of parpadelle, liver cake and parmigiano reggiano.

Thanks, everyone. We feel very, very lucky indeed to have our Tripawds family cheering us on.

Now I know I said I wouldn't update today, but...

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...

London, UK

Member Since:
15 December 2015

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12 June 2018 - 11:50 am

The MegaWheels Day 7

Today saw a marked improvement (I think) in Meg's walking her back legs instead of jumping off them. I had raised the cart, but I think I actually raised it a little too much, so have lowered it again slightly, so it's just a tiny bit higher than it was. Meg seems quite comfortable in it, and she did a full twenty minutes, which is the longest yet by some way. The only time she protests is when I have to put her in it, and I think this is a psychological thing, rather than a sign of any physical discomfort. 1) She objects to having my will imposed on her (there really is no alternative, as she cannot get in by herself) 2) She knows the more she objects, the more liver cake she is likely to get by way of an apology/bribe. So, there we are.

Don't worry, the video is not of the whole twenty minutes. It's just a very short snippet, but typical of the way she was moving today. I'm feeling pretty pleased at this point 😊🐶

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...