Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hey everyone!
I haven't been on in a while, so first an update!
Trucker came home just yesterday, and is the most handsome gentleman you could ever imagine. He's just loving all of the attention he's getting, and is fitting right in with the family. We've decided to rename him "Atticus", as it perfectly fits his gentle disposition.
Now for the issue we're having:
Atticus is still (after 2 years) not entirely stable on his 3 good legs. I think this might have been because he's been living at a rescue and may not have been exposed to different types of terrain (especially stairs, which he is very afraid of). In reading up on Tripawds, we decided to get the Ruff Wear Web Master harness, so that we can help him get around more easily. However, after putting it on, he seems even more unstable, and much less confident. This could be because he isn't used to wearing a harness. It's hard seeing him struggle, but he's taking it like the gentleman he is. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Atticus and Joanna
Oh, that's a wonderful name! That's great news about you finally getting him!
Maybe his back is sore from not having strong legs? When I bought Comet's she had a disc neck infection which is very painful and it was a while before I could use hers. It was like putting concrete on her back. She's fine now.
http://maggie.t.....pawds.com/
By adding strengthening activity to our Tripawder’s(or any dog!) exercise, it has many benefits:
- Improved reaction and control of their body
- Increased trunk and core strength
- Stabilization of weak areas
- Improve balance and awareness of the body’s position in space
- Increase range of motion of joints and lengthening of muscles
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Thanks for the feedback! The harness won't physically cause this behavior, so it might just be a matter of conditioning.
Try putting the harness on Atticus for short periods at a time. Just a few minutes at first, a number of times throughout the day. Ask him to come after putting it on, reward his good behavior and take it off. Repeat. Always put it on before going out or doing things he enjoys. It may take a while, but after a few times in/out of the car, he should learn the harness is a good thing.
It is rare, but we have heard of at least one greyhound who after adorning the harness simply would. not. budge. But apparently Greys are incredibly stubborn, errr... stoic that way.
Please let us know how it goes. If anything the harness should help you help Atticus when needed. Be sure to review Maggie's tripawd stability exercised using balance pads and balance discs.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks so much for the advice, I think some exercise training will do him some good for his balance and overall confidence getting around. Also, he seems like he's warmed up to the idea of the harness, but he's not yet comfortable having me support him with it. I think that will also improve as he gets to know me as "mom" rather than "strange lady who picked me up yesterday."
As far as the stairs go, what's my best bet? I didn't realize that he would be so nervous around them. Earlier I was able to coax him up the stairs, but he was absolutely terrified to come down them. He wouldn't budge, and I ended up having to carry him down (at 70lbs of nervous dog, I'm trying to avoid doing that again). Bedrooms are upstairs, and for now I'm sleeping on the couch so that he doesn't have to make the trek. Is there a chance that he'll never be comfortable enough to use them?
Is Atticus a front leg tripawd? I would imagine going down stairs would be really scary with only 1 front leg. Hopefully, after he gets more used to the harness, he'll let you use it to help him down the stairs and gain some confidence. Luckily, we have no stairs except going up to a loft in our garage and Sadie absolutely hated it the one time I tried to get her to use them (and that was when she had 4 legs!) Best of luck to you, and show us a picture of your handsome gentleman!
Sadie is my 9yr old Rott/Shepherd mix. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right scapula 1/28/10. Our brave girl had her amputation 2/13/10 and her last chemotherapy on 6/6/10. Unfortunately, a tumor appeared in her back right leg and on 10/7/2010 Sadie's earthly journey came to an end. On 10/24/2010 we adopted Ranger, a handsome Rott/Lab mix tripawd (got hit by a car) I think Sadie sent him to us.
http://ranger.t.....pawds.com/
Just a thought, but the fear of the stairs may have nothing to do with three legs. A couple years ago during a hurricane evacuation, we stayed with friends in north TX who have a 2-story house. Trouble had to be coaxed and begged to go upstairs even with the friends dogs running up and down them. Once we got her up, I thought she would NEVER come down. It took me sitting on the steps with her coming down one at a time - and this was BEFORE her amputation. We were there almost a week and she slowly gained enough confidence to go up and down by herself.
And I think you make a great point about becoming 'mom' and not the strange lady that picked me up yesterday. It will take a little time to gain that trust. After we rescued Duke last year, although he seemed happy enough in the new environment, it is only now that I can say with confidence he trusts us to not harm him.
Hang in there, you are going to be a wonderful tripawd pawrent.
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.
you know, i blocked all of our stairs after gayle's amputation - it was me who was afraid of the stairs. after she had her 'sea legs', i still couldn't consider her going up and down those stairs, especially since she was a front leg amputee. a few times, i'd put on the ruff wear harness and 'aid' her in going up and down, and that was very cumbersome for her... so i figured she'd just always stay on the main level of our house. it wasn't until we accidentally let the basement door open, that she figured out how to do the stairs on her own - at her own pace and in her own time. now she does it with ease (still under a watchful eye and not un-attended). so, maybe atticus just needs time to get used to everything, and he will find the ability kind of on his own terms...
charon & gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
I'm in the process of purchasing a harness for my boy; I measured his girth by placing the measuring tape under his arms up and around the top. He is at a 27.5 inches, should I purchase the small 21-30 or the medium 26-36.
Sungam, I'd probably go with the smaller one. Is he a front or rear amp? Sadie is a front amp and I ordered a medium, thought it was too small and ordered a large. It turned out the large was too big even though she measured in that range. The missing leg in the front required a smaller size I think. If it doesn't fit, you can definitely exchange it with no problem.
Sadie is my 9yr old Rott/Shepherd mix. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right scapula 1/28/10. Our brave girl had her amputation 2/13/10 and her last chemotherapy on 6/6/10. Unfortunately, a tumor appeared in her back right leg and on 10/7/2010 Sadie's earthly journey came to an end. On 10/24/2010 we adopted Ranger, a handsome Rott/Lab mix tripawd (got hit by a car) I think Sadie sent him to us.
http://ranger.t.....pawds.com/
I haven't received the Web Master harness yet, but before picking up Charlie, the surgeon said they had some harnesses there at the hospital for purchase, roughly the same price. Given his size and the fact that the hospital (and clinics) all have slippery floors (seriously, why do they insist on slippery floors? I'm thinking rubber flooring...) I asked him to grab one to see how it fit and if it would hit any of his incisions. It is called the Vest Harness. He got the largest size (XXL), we tried it on Charlie to see, and sure enough, it just supported his under side, without hitting (for the most part) any incision sites. He just wears it loosely, just for a little support (he needed that when attempting crouch peeing, upon which he would turn into the leaning tower of Pisa the first two days!). They only had one color in his size: blaze orange, thus ready for hide & seek! (I will totally win this time!)
It has worked well thus far. He was already a 'harness' dog due to a particularly rough Halloween, upon which he pulled so much, choking himself and about dislocating my shoulder. Silly dog...
I was at Target the other day and there was a size M on clearance for about $7.50. Can't wait to see how much the U charged me for mine. 😀 The moral of this story: look around. You might be able to find something that will help 'just for now'. I was truly grateful to find one to help out during the first few days.
"I don't know where I am."
sungam said:
He is at a 27.5 inches, should I purchase the small 21-30 or the medium 26-36.
Sadie is right, Ruff Wear suggests getting the smaller harness for a more active fit when dogs fall between sizes … unless of course your pup still has some growing to do. Then we'd recommend the larger harness so he can grow into it. The smaller one at his current size would give you three inches of slack, which is ideal, if he's done growing. Thanks for asking!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I actually measured him again and now he's at 28.5... Would the smaller size still be the better fit?
sungam said:
…he's at 28.5… Would the smaller size still be the better fit?
Did he grow an inch since you measured last? If so, you may need the larger size so he can keep growing into it. Or, you can always buy the larger harness once he outgrows the smaller one. 
Ruff Wear Says: "In-Between Sizes: Choose the smaller harness for an active, performance fit."
With that said, if your dog is done growing, go for the smaller size. If not, we recommend the larger.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
.
I just got mine in the mail today and as I pulled it out of the box, inspecting it, my mom said "You're going to have to order a much bigger size!!!"
"Um, mom, it's a size large. They don't have bigger sizes."
I then gently explained how the straps would adjust to fit Charlie's big ol' frame...
"I don't know where I am."
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