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.
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Our 12 year old lab, Rex, had a front leg amputation back in April 2020. We were concerned about his age and moderate arthritis in his hind legs, but decided to move forward. Fortunately, he sailed through the procedure, recovery, and subsequent chemo treatments. He’s the favorite “neighborhood dog” and quite frankly, he knew his people were out there!
However, lately he’s been struggling to walk on our hardwood floors. We put rugs down in his usual paths back in April, which worked well. Now, I’m pretty sure his eyesight is failing a bit and he’s afraid to step on any of the floor, even a foot or two. The result is that he freaks out and falls, which makes him freak out more the next time...and fall. We can’t cover the entire main floor with rugs, so I’m looking for a good pair of non slip dog boots for “inside only”.
Anyone with suggestions for something comfy and secure for all day wear? Everything I see online is more rugged and stiff soled for outdoor use. He doesn’t need them outside of the house.
Hi Rex and Deb, welcome! Your future posts won't need approval so post away.
That's so pawesome he's getting around well overall! But poor guy must have had a stumble at some point? That can definitely cause fear in a Tripawd on hardwood floors. It's great that you added traction but yeah, sometimes you have to kick it up a notch.
We don't recommend socks or boots as an indoor solution because how many of us can actually remember to put them on and take them off every day? I know I can't!
Instead, have you tried Dr. Buzby's Toe Grips on him? They are wonderful for Tripawds and if Rex is OK with you messing with his paws, you can put them on yourself. Otherwise many vets are pretty good at putting them on. They last a lonnnnng time but the only thing is you need to use Super Glue when applying them on a Tripawd (their gate is so unusual it can cause the Grips to pop off), which Dr. B carries in single-use packets). You may also need to leave his nails a bit longer than usual in order for the Grips to make contact with the ground (we found that was the case with Wyatt Ray ).
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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