Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Murphy has had two rehab sessions now for this go round. He is definitely showing improvement, and the doctor is pleased with his progress. Just have to reprogram that stubborn Chessie brain to using his rear leg properly. We have two more sessions scheduled and then will re-evaluate how many more he seems to need. The one thing we definitely notice now is that he tends to use his front legs to go from sit to stand, rather than pushing up with the rear. I guess we just didn't realize that he was doing it. This is a work in progress...with lots of "treats". Thanks, Jerry, for the hint about using some of his regular food portion for the day as a training treat.
We did buy a mushing harness for him. His therapy doctor said that it fits well and should be just the thing for getting him to pull the sled properly. The chest takes a lot of the weight and it leaves his shoulders free to move properly. We ordered it from Kondos Outdoors in Ely MN (no affiliation). Including shipping, it came to just about $30, so even if it is used sparingly, it is a good bargain.
Garry is off fishing again today with our nine year old grandson. I will do the exercises with Murphy that I can do by myself, but we will wait until tonight to try him with the harness and sled.
Kathi and Murphy
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Online
MURPHY!! Goodness gracious boy! Your humans are trying to trick you!! Your treats are not treats!! pay attention over there Son!! You're dealing with somepretty sneaky two leggers!!
Chow down Murph!
Hapyy Hannah
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!
You are too funny, Sally. In Murphy-speak, everything is a treat....even that Brussels sprout that fell on the floor the other night. He gets PLENTY of other treats when he's at rehab. We also do have extra treats for when he does things like loading into the car without coaxing. OK...maybe he gets treats during the coaxing, too.
Kathi and Murphy
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
I am familiar with that Chessy brain! Libby was 1/4 chessy and 3/4 chocolate but her personality was all chessy. Sounds like Murphy is doing great. I would love to see more pics of your handsome boy.
Sally...you're trouble! 
Libby loved brussels sprouts too.
Amy & Spirit Libby
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Way to go Murphy. I am glad you are doing better. Keep it up Bud
Hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Wonderful update on Murphy's progress at rehab.
I'm glad he is doing so well.....and yes....treats can be anything for Labs.....hmm...red pepper - now that is a delicacy 
Linda and Tucker
Great report, your homework is definitely paying off. I notice that just like when it comes to exercise for humans, if you don't stay on top of things, the fitness level goes down.
Now I'm going to be watching Wyatt Ray 's butt every time he stands up! It's the same with him though, he's a constant work in progress and I can tell when we aren't being diligent enough about his exercise work, because his remaining rear leg dips down more, and doesn't stay upright as long on walks. It really is up to pawrents to keep their Tripawds fit, they can't do it themselves.
How did the cart pulling go last night? Would love to see pix with him wearing the harness.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We were back to rehab again today. The good doctor is quite pleased with Murphy's progress in the last two weeks. She said that they actually had him dancing with the tech in the tank today. This I gotta see! She also showed us how they do the sit to stand, and I'll try to get a video of it tomorrow. It didn't even occur to me until after we had left the clinic that I had my iPad and could have done a video on that. The sled pulling had a rain delay yesterday, and since he spent the day at rehab today, we will wait to try it until tomorrow.
So far, so good. Now that we have more of an idea what we are doing, things should be easier on all of us.
Kathi and Murphy
PS. The tired little boy headed to the bedroom and put himself in his kennel by eight o'clock tonight. Worn out!
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Here are a couple of videos showing his rehab exercises. The sit to stand one is very short...don't blink. It took almost no time to get used to pulling the sled with the new harness. We will add back the rock tomorrow, but for now we are happy with the way he's moving right out.
Kathi and Murphy
http://youtu.be.....CVEStDrxlk
http://youtu.be.....8lMdtoZuy4
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Thanks for sharing. Keep up the good work Murphy!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We had rehab session number four today. Murphy has improved to the point that we will continue on at home with the rest of his regimen. The doctor says we can send her videos of how he is doing, and she will let us know if she sees anything that requires more in-house work. We may do some hydrotherapy next fall/winter to keep him up to speed on that. We are so fortunate to be able to take him in when needed and to have a rehab vet who is understanding about the distance we have to travel to get there.
Kathi and Murphy
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
I LOVE this! Yes, terrific rehab vets do understand and work with clients to ensure they're doing their homework properly so they can continue doing things at home and avoid unnecessary travel and expenses. They really do have the Tripawd's best interests in mind. Great work Ma!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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