Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello,
I'm hoping that my girl Nana can come home tonight after the surgery on 05/04. And the hospital has just sent me the info about the harness which she might need.
Has anyone experienced this harness ? I was thinking to order a Ruffwear Web Master Plus. I've ordered this before for my other girl who crossed Bridge 4 years ago.
Nana is a 8 year old Saint Bernard and about 130 lbs. They say I better have it overnighted since its Friday today.
elle said
Has anyone experienced this harness ?
You can read all our previous Help 'em Up harness reviews and learn why we don't carry it in the Tripawds Gear blog any more.
I was thinking to order a Ruffwear Web Master Plus...
What we call the Webmaster Plus is a new and improved version of the Ruffwear Webmaster that includes their new Brush Guard attachment. We recommend it most as the best all purpose harness
They say I better have it overnighted...
What leg is Nana missing?
We always suggest customers with new tripawds consider the following before expediting delivery:
We recommend not using the harness until the surgery has completely healed and stitches or staples are removed. We have heard of no specific cases where any harness has hampered healing, but we believe direct pressure from the straps may irritate the wound. Please consult your veterinarian with any concerns.
We suggest using a soft towel slung under the belly if additional support is required in the meantime. A reusable canvas shopping bag slit down the sides also makes a handy temporary sling.
Find many more care and recovery tips in the Tripawds Featured Blogs or consider downloading the Tripawds e-books for fast answers.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
The whole tripawds world probably knows that I am a big fan of the Ruffwear Webmaster harness (but I have to admit that I did not try the one your hospital recommended, so have no basis for comparison). Otis is 100 pounds, and the harness allows me to gently help him rise, without any straps cutting into his body, and keeps the lead away from around his feet when I hook it to the top of the harness. He seems to like it too - acts just like it was his old collar and leash in terms of excitement factor, and can do all of his normal doggy things, including rolling in the grass. There are some pictures of him wearing it on our blog - Otis's Photos - Otis and Tess under Final Chemo!!!! While I wish I had ordered it sooner - I waited until after the staples came out, but it wouldn't do any good for a front legger until the staples come out. Not sure on the rear leggers.
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.
Thank you very much for such a quick support and information ! Glad I did ask the question here -I was going to take the hospital's recommendation just because it was from ! I was a little panicked "oh, no~, that's right , I need a harness, it's Friday ! "
Definitely I'm going to spend time to read and explore blogs about gears in Tripawds to choose the right one for Nana, in the meantime I'll use a soft towel. Nana lost her let leg two days ago.
Rear leggers can use the Webmaster after surgery if the straps don't rub the incision (the shouldn't).
Consider using a canvas grocery bag for those first two weeks:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you Christine and Jerry for the info. I adjusted the Webmaster Harness which I have to Nana's size and that's big enough for her and looks like she doesn't mind wearing it. (A sling is not her favorite - she freezes when I use it on her. ) Since her body is long, it doesn't touch the incision part, just perfect. And her regular vet recommends that, too. But I still look for other harness that will support her lower body. She's arthritis and TPLO on right leg.
Hello All,
Not sure if I should start a new thread here or not. I am thinking of ordering the Ruffwear Webmaster plus for Bella. She is 4.5 weeks post amp and still needs help mainly getting in and out of the car - which we will be doing a lot of once chemo starts.
Not sure of the size to order. Her girth is right at 27 inches, her neck at about 19 inches. Her build is similar to a lab, but somewhat smaller. According to the instructions, if she is right "in between" we should go with the smaller size. But it seems like a small would be too small for a 46 lb (was 49 lb before amp) dog. I am quite sure dog sizes are in no way standardized, but we have never bought anything for her in a small size - always large, not even medium.
So if I get the medium, will it be able to adjust down to the smallest size girth in the range?
Thanks for any assistance. Let me know if I should start a new thread.
-Jan & Bella
Murphy was about 50 lbs before surgery and those are about his measurements, too. He wears a medium Ruffwear harness . The straps adjust quite a bit. You can adjust the front strap & both of the side straps. I was looking for a good picture of Murphy in his...this picture is ok, but you can see that since he is a front leg amputee, it slips some. But we still love the handle on the top, and I just tug it back over, no biggie.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Ah, Murphy is SO beautiful! Can't wait till Bella's fur grows back - she only has a little peach fuzz after 4+ weeks and the vet says the chemo will slow the growth even more. Ah well...SHE doesn't care what she looks like! 
Thank you so much for the info. Sounds like the medium Ruffwear harness should fit Bella about the same as Murphy. I am going to order it right away.
Bella is a rear-leg amputee, but I mainly just need something to lift the bulk of her weight into and out of the car, so it seems this harness is the best choice. It should be great for our short walks, too. I don't think the Doubleback harness would be right because she has very little stump and I am afraid it would slip - I don't want to add any pressure to that area.
Thanks again!
Jan
Scott&Jan said
Hello All,Not sure if I should start a new thread here or not. I am thinking of ordering the Ruffwear Webmaster plus for Bella. She is 4.5 weeks post amp and still needs help mainly getting in and out of the car - which we will be doing a lot of once chemo starts.
Not sure of the size to order. Her girth is right at 27 inches, her neck at about 19 inches. Her build is similar to a lab, but somewhat smaller. According to the instructions, if she is right "in between" we should go with the smaller size. But it seems like a small would be too small for a 46 lb (was 49 lb before amp) dog. I am quite sure dog sizes are in no way standardized, but we have never bought anything for her in a small size - always large, not even medium.
So if I get the medium, will it be able to adjust down to the smallest size girth in the range?
Thanks for any assistance. Let me know if I should start a new thread.
-Jan & Bella
Great question Jan, and this is a fine place to post
As you can tell, all manufacturers are different in how they determine sizing. Weight doesn't have a lot to do with sizing. Yes, Ruffwear does recommend going down a size if you're right on the verge like that. Double check your measurement to make sure that she does indeed have a 27" girth. Some people measure directly behind the front legs, but girth is the measurement around the widest part of the ribcage. A medium Webmaster will only go down to 27". If she's any smaller it will be too big. If it is too big, we'll work with you on returning/exchanging it, no big deal.
P.S. A harness is so handy even after healing. Rehab therapists tell us that all dogs should always be assisted getting in and out of vehicles, especially three-leggers.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you! I did remeasure, and depending on how tight I pull the tape, it is still at 27" maybe 27 1/2. So I am thinking a small will just be too tight, especially with the brush guard added.
Thank you again. This is going to be such a help for both of us. Only wish these sorts of things came in other colors - like pink or purple for a girl! 
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