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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Perfect Fit Harness?
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NC
Member Since:
26 February 2013
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3 April 2013 - 8:20 am
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Has anyone tried the Perfect Fit Harness that's shown on the Tripawds Gear Blog for a front amputee?

We have the Ruffwear harness but the Perfect Fit looks like it might provide better, more comfortable support under Kermit's sternum. HOWEVER, Kermit has no stump since even his shoulder blade was removed, so I'm wondering if it will be stable enough around his rib cage or slide around even more than the Ruffwear one does.

ALSO, I'm wondering if there would be any use or demand for a Tripawd rental or borrowing program for equipment people want to try or use on a temporary basis? I've found that I have all kinds of things I'd like to try but i might not like to be stuck with something I can't send back after a while or might not need forever.

On The Road


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3 April 2013 - 10:19 am
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Hey Dharma we haven't tried it ourselves but it's big in the UK. I'll ask on the UK Tripawds FB group and ask them to comment here. 

About the rental/borrowing program. Interesting idea! The closes thing I can think of that would serve a purpose like that is our Angel Exchange. We've had many items get passed around from dog to dog before so I don't see why this couldn't work for sharing items among one another.

 

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

NC
Member Since:
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3 April 2013 - 10:43 am
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Thanks!

The Angel Exchange is a wonderful idea, but I was thinking more of a place where several items were available for use, allowing people to "try before they buy", given that some of them are a substantial investment, OR to have for short-term use as in the case of early surgical recovery, when you might need, say, an AST harness for a week or so before switching to something lighter.

Just a thought that occurred when I see the rather large pile of stuff I'm accruing from trying various things for Kermit!

NC
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3 April 2013 - 10:52 am
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Or, for example, I just ordered him a DogLeggs elbow protector, as he's getting a hygroma with some pretty raw skin on it, and it takes 7-10 business days before it ships.  While this is a custom item, it would sure be nice to have one that was maybe not quite a perfect fit but not leaving it totally unprotected in the meantime either.

Nikki and Millie
5
3 April 2013 - 11:19 am
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Hi,
We use a perfect fit harness. Millie is a front leg tripawd and we tried a few harnesses before finding the perfect fit one. Millie is a Houdini, but has never managed to wriggle out of this one! It took us a couple of goes to order the correct size (they exchange for free) and a bit longer for me to fit it on her properly. However, it seems to give her good support and appears very comfy. I'd certainly recommend it!

krun15
6
3 April 2013 - 1:48 pm
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Thanks for your input Nikki.  Please consider registering if you want to take advantage of all the resources here, plus your posts won't need moderation! (after the first one).

 

Karen

NC
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3 April 2013 - 6:35 pm
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Thanks Nikki, I think I'll give it a try!

Montana
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3 April 2013 - 10:38 pm
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That was the harness I chose for Shooter and it is great! I was lucky and got the right fit the first time. Their customer service is excellent and very affordable. I chose this over the Ruffwear as Shooter hates to be covered up and I figured he would get hot in that type. Putting it on and taking it off is a breeze as you never have to move the one leg (for front amputees). My vet even commented on how convenient it is. I give it a big thumbs up!!

Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old. 

Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.

http://shooter......ipawds.com

On The Road


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4 April 2013 - 8:55 am
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Dharma that kind of setup seems like it would require a retail setting in a lot of places. Hmmm.

The one big difference that I think I see between the Perfect Fit and the Webmaster is that the Perfect Fit is not an assist ice aid like the Webmaster, its a Walking Harness. As far as I can tell (correct me if Im wrong) it doesn't give you the ability to lift or assist a larger dog. It is an excellent harness though if you're looking for a walking harness.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Montana
Member Since:
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4 April 2013 - 12:02 pm
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That's true as far as being an aid and more so for a larger dog. For Shooter, at only 27 lbs, it does work when he gets out of the car to take a little weight off the landing (it's a low car) and when we first started taking walks it was enough for me to use the leash to help with his balance and still use it now and again on really windy days although he is strong enough now that they don't bother him as much. I do think the fleece makes it really comfortable as he had never had a harness on before this and it doesn't bother him one bit and he can be a bit of a crank at times.

Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old. 

Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.

http://shooter......ipawds.com

NC
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26 February 2013
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4 April 2013 - 1:13 pm
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As far as the equipment-sharing thing, shipping is easy & relatively inexpensive these days, especially through the post office.

For the harness, the RuffWear one seems terribly uncomfortable to use for support, as the skinny little rear strap looks like it's trying to slice Kermit in half if I have to really lift up on it. I'd prefer more support under the sternum & ribcage OR that it have a sling connecting the two girth straps to support the body more uniformly.

It works fine, but the "perfect fit" one looks as though it supports only the sternum, and as a front amputee I think that's really all he needs now that he's hopping around pretty well.

The canvas bag with the leg hole that we used post-surgery worked great because it held him up along the whole length of his ribcage; the little rear strap of the RuffWear harness just seems a little harsh & uncomfortable -even if it were 2" wider I think it would be more comfortable.

Kelowna, British Columbia Canada
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17 April 2013 - 8:44 pm
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We have purchased and been using the Ruff Wear Webmaster Harness with Tahoe. He is a front leg amp, with surgery that removed leg and shoulder as well. Tahoe loves the Ruffwear harness , right from the first time I put it on him, and now when I bring it out to put on him, he gets very excited.

The thing I really like about the Ruff Wear Webmaster Harness is that it does have the back grab handle which i use LOTS in assisting him up/down stairs, moving across hardwood floors. We hook up with the lease and head out for a hop/walk. The harness is very simple to secure, with two snap buckles.

 

Hope you find the right harness for you.

Stirling and Tahoe

"Tahoe" - Our Amazing Superman and Best Friend.

Dec. 01-03 to Aug. 19-14

Diagnosed with Periarticular Hystiocystic Sarcoma Feb 14-13; Amputation March 18-13, and diagnosed with STS April-14. Tahoe touched so many people while visiting us, leaving a massive void in our lives. Always Missed, Never Forgotten!!

On The Road


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17 April 2013 - 9:32 pm
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Be sure to check out the two new support harnesses we've just added to the Tripawds Gear Shop !

virtua-2med.jpg
Virtua Rear Lift Dog Harness Now Available

zuport_full-2sm.jpg
Zuport Your Tripawd in Front, Rear or Both

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
18 April 2013
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18 April 2013 - 4:45 am
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Just sent back my perfect fit harness as it slipped despite trying different parts. My saluki type has a front leg amputation including the shoulder. Has anyone found a harness that does work on these dogs? Our four leg lurcher has a ruffwear harness and I really like it,do they have any suitable ones?

On The Road


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18 April 2013 - 9:42 am
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The Ruff Wear Web Master is the most popular all purpose harness we recommend for most Tripawds. It will have a tendency to slip around without the other front leg to hold it in place. The new Web Master does not slip as much as the previous version, so you may want to consider it if you have an older harness. Regardless, any slipping around the torso is purely aesthetic and easily adjusted.

Other than that, you might consider a full body harness like the new Virtua from Fusion Pets shown above. Consider reading this Tripawds Gear blog post if you need help deciding Which Harness Is best For Your Dog.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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