Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Hi there!
Buddy is 2 weeks post amp and doing great.
He refuses to use a doggie ramp or doggie stairs to get into my car. I have a small SUV so it's not a huge jump but I'm wondering if there is anything else out there besides stairs/ramp that may work.
Thanks so much
Julie and Buddy
When Murphy first started using the ramp, we set it up flat on the living room floor, next to a wall. We practiced with him walking on it just on the flat. We used it for loading into the Jeep and into our travel trailer. When we started loading him up into the trailer, he absolutely refused to go in unless he was wearing his harness. He was capable of it, just needed the little bit of extra confidence.
Eventually we got to this point, but he still wanted his harness.
Kathi and the Turbotail April Angel...and the Labradork
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!
Awww Kathi....this brought tears to my eyes, but the warm fuzzy kind. That Murphy...he sure k kws how to continue to I spire a d touch lives! And seeing a snippet of swett happy Gus in the background...yeah, a few tears.
But then I hear that crazy noise your camera always makes and LOL!! That's your "signature noise"!
Julie, another thing you might try is a "pallet" of some sort Buddy can step up onto. You can find them stacked up at any Home Depot, etc. Anyway, get a couple of those and make a solod "stepping up" platform. You'll have to put plywood or something on them.
Hugs to Buddy...and you!
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!
juliedarling said
I have a small SUV so it's not a huge jump...
Do you use a harness to help Buddy? We love the Ruffwear harness for helping Wyatt in and out of our large truck.
You will also find these ramp training tips for tripawds in the Tripawds Gear blog
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I second the recommendation of the Ruffwear harness . Although I will say that my Izzy had a LOT of trouble getting in and out of my Honda Element at 2 weeks post op. However, when she went to the vet for a re-check 2 weeks later, she jumped right in - and out, which scared me (she is a front tri so the landing was tense for me). Iz doesn't really "need" her harness anymore but if I am taking her anywhere that she'll be leashed, it's my go-to. It's really nice to be able to literally "have a handle on things" so that if we encounter a slick floor or a big hop up/down, I can ease the load for her.
Hope Buddy continues to improve. He may seem pretty normal already but it will just get better an better. My pup has amazed me in the nearly two months since her surgery. Go Buddy, go!
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
1 Guest(s)
