Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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The other day I said that Murphy would never be a cart dog. So what happened? Today we took him in for an assessment with his physical therapy vet. She determined that Murphy has been "cheating" on his exercises. He tends to use his front legs so much that the back one isn't doing enough of the work. Sooooo, one of the things he will be doing is pulling a sled! He also has a new wobble board and is running the uphill section of our walks.
We will be going back in once a week to have her check on his progress and run him through the various things they have there. He did the inclined treadmill this morning. Really wasn't sure about that floor moving uphill until he figured it out. He has been on the underwater treadmill before, but not the inclined.
He was terribly disappointed that today did not include the tank. That will wait until he does the whole day session next week. He kept going to the door to that room and whining. Unfortunately for him, it didn't do him any good.
We also came home with a "to do" list, so we will be getting down to business starting tomorrow. Part of this is my fault, as I really hesitated to let him go all out until he had his one year checkup, but now there is no excuse. Obviously, we will be taking videos.
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!
awww Murphy no cheating. I understand what you are saying though Kathi. You 2 will get on the right track. Keep kicking butt Murphy.
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."
Hmm that is really interesting Kathi, thank you for letting us know. It's something I'd love to talk to our PT guest next week on Tripawd Talk Radio.
What are some of the indicators that he's cheating? Did your PT say?
I'm especially curious because lately our own Wyatt Ray seems to have a little weakness in his rear leg and I'm not sure if that's because he's been walking on rocky surfaces over the last month and the rocks are bugging him, or if it's because we're not working his rear leg enough. He gets about 3 - 4 at-home rehab sessions weekly and we focus on that rear end, so I'm a little concerned there's something else going on. His front legs are immensely strong and muscular.
And yes we can't WAIT to see these videos! Thank you for taking the time to record and share them.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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!
I am interested in this too.. Shelby hasn't been using her rear leg as much and I need to get her to use it more. I didn't think Shelby would be lame in her rear leg but she's not using it and it's causing some swelling (aka cankles).
Thank you for sharing!
Alison and Shelby
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Wow Hannah you are quick on the draw!
Draw. Get it?! 
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Hannah! I just know your prayers will be answered.
One of the things that was said at Murphy's exam with the orthopedist was that he would like to see more bulk in his rear leg. We hadn't noticed the leg being smaller than when he finished PT last spring, but we are with him every day. When we took him in this morning, Dr Dowdell said that she could see that the muscles were not as big as they had been. She also commented on the way that he places his leg so far forward when he walks. He does that so the front legs can take the largest load. We had noticed that he would hippity hop when he was walking slowly as opposed to striding out when he goes faster, but didn't realize what that meant as far as foot placement.
She said that while the tugs that he has with Gus do help strengthen the core muscles, he doesn't reach back with the back leg when he is doing that. He is also definitely a front leg swimmer, but then he has always been that way, even when he had two back legs. So now he will be doing things that concentrate the exercise on the rear leg. The tank will be his bonus.
We will definitely keep everyone posted on his progress.
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!
Thanks for clarifying that, I'm going to study Wyatt's gait a little closer tomorrow morning because that may be exactly what he's been doing.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We started out this morning with the Cavaletti course. First Murphy went through it like the old pro he is. Then he showed Gus how it is done. Lots of chuckles on that one, since Garry was actually just wanting to see how Gus would do it. Murph went along for the ride. A while later, he decided to do it by himself, but halfway through he took his ball and went off somewhere else. Didn't get a video of that.
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 KNEW I'd be grinning ear tl ear tje second I saw your post...and you did not disappoint!! I jist love these boys!! And Dad did a great job with the course too!!
Good job everyne!!! Thanks for the huge smiles!!
Love!
Sally and Happy Hannah
PS to Jerry: Yes ndeedy, Happy Hannah got your "quick draw comment
.......she's still trying to explain it to me though!
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!
Fun! Looks like he's got it down, just make sure he's not "cheating" 
Rehab games are such a great way to spend time together aren't they? We feed Wyatt about 1/2 of his breakfast whenever we do them with him, he thinks it's just all about food, he has no idea we're really working him.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I think we may have to widen the space between the bars just a bit. What we could find said 24", so that's the way it is now. Looks like he may need it a bit wider.
Here is the first video of the sled. We are definitely in the learning curve for figuring out how this should work.
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!
Now THAT is really cool, I'm sure he'll get it in no time.
Now I see what kind of cart he's working with. I had this vision of Murphy pulling a big wooden horse cart! 
So when does he get to pull Gus?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
The question would be, when are we going to get Gus to sit still on the sled?
As he grows more proficient, we will be able to add more weight. Garry had a vision of being able to sit on the sled with the cookie tied to the end of a fishing pole.
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 think its pretty cool that your physical therapist recommended pulling a sled as a way to strengthen the back leg. I am curious though, what the differences would be between how a dog uses their body to pull a sled that slides versus pulling a cart which rolls on wheels. You have me itching to write an email to Meeko's physical therapist to ask her what her thoughts are. I really don't know much about it personally because I'm just getting started with draft work (carting). If I find out more info, I'll be sure to share with everyone.
I do know that there are special harness designed for dogs to pull things. They are called Siwash harnesses and its the harness Meeko wears for carting. More info can be found here: http://www.wilc.....nesses.php
I'm only saying this because Murphy may be using the wrong muscles to pull his sled and using a carting harness would ensure that doesn't happen. I would just hate to see any harm come of this new sledding endeavor!
Its so great to see another tripawd hitching up and pulling though! Its definitely an awesome workout and I wish you much success in strengthening the back leg 
Our tripawd is Meeko. Four and a half year old male Leonberger. Certified therapy dog with his CGC. Diagnosed with grade 1 chondrosarcoma 9-16-12. Right rear leg amputated 10-1-12. We also had Casper who was an 8 year old Great Pyrenees diagnosed with osteosarcoma. We sent him to the Rainbow Bridge 10-29-11.
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