Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Winter is almost here in my area and soon I will be covered in snow and ice until May. I am concerned about my 11 year old new Tripawd and looking for ideas for making it easier on him. He will have to go out. How have others managed ice? I have never used any chemicals on the ground and don't really want to now but I am afraid of him slipping all over the place. I have a harness but he doesn't like it so I only use it when I have to.
We don't have snow where I am, but some of our other folks do, and will be able to give you some other ideas.
He may learn to like the harness when he figures out it is helping him in the snow. They are pretty intuitive.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
I'm here in Maine as well and I do use my Ruffwear harness when conditions are too icey for Maggie to navigate on her own safely. I have yet to find a good traction boot for ICE. But I DO wear ice grips on my feet, so I can stay upright while holding onto her harness handle.
Sorry, that's all I have to offer...
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
Thanks Maggies Mom! I know you know what we have in store for us and now I know the reality and can plan.
We were so very fortunate that this past winter was so mild. We only had one snowfall that was even remotely worthy of the snowblower, and we are thankful for that!
We did use the "Safe Paws" ice melter for the porch and walk. I would still wipe Zeus' feet when we came in, but it never seemed to hurt him at all. Even before the amp, Zeus had a hard time in deeper snow - partly because he HATED the snow and would refuse to plow through it and partly because his feet would get so cold that he would just freeze in place and then start picking them up one at a time like he was doing a little dance, and then he would just fall over and we would have to pick him up and carry him in. Our solution was to snow-blow a path through the yard. Our neighbors thought we were nuts. Greg would have to press down on the handles of the blower so that the front came up just enough not to grind the grass underneath. It wasn't easy, but it worked great!
Good luck!
Lisa and Angel Zeus (the Husky who HATED the snow...)
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
We love playing in the snow but we don't really get to live in ice and all that. Here are some other suggestions that might help:
Best Advice for Living with Snow and Ice?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I live in the east bay in CA so we don't get snow. You might try Musher's Secret- I think it's purpose is to protect pads and keep ice balls from forming between the toes- but I used it on Maggie to help with general traction
on slick surfaces.
Lisa- I laughed out loud and your description of Zeus! I hope you guys are hanging in there. If Obie had to face snow he would 'do a Zeus'!
Karen and the pugapalooza
We also used the Musher's Secret and liked it - although I can't give advice on the winter part of how it works. We live in So Cal so preparing for winter means getting out a sweatshirt and jeans. Sorry....
The Musher's Secret was good for Abby for traction on our wood floors - so hopefully it would help on ice as well. And it's a cheap option - and doesn't leave little waxy paw prints behind.
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
If you would like some Mushers Secret, I bought some for Lylee's pads but it didn't work for her on our floors. As we don't get snow I don't need it here, I can send it on to you to try. It's a new full container with just a little dab taken out for our one try with it. Just PM me with your address.
Hugs
Joanne & lylee
http://lyleegir.....ipawds.com
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