Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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i have a service dog for diabetes alert who travels with me on airplane trips. I have back surgery and needs a wheelchair especially on LONG terminal distances, such as DFW terminal B. Now that my service dog has lost his left front leg, while they will wheel me around in a wheelchair , what would my tripawd service dog need so we can go together, ie. same speed? doggie stroller ? He is a 53 lb. Labrador. What do you recommend? Thank you for helping.
Hello and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
What is your boy's name?
If you could answer a couple questions we could probably supply some better suggestions. Will you always be using a wheelchair ? How long post amp is your boy and why the amputation? If his surgery was recent how soon is your next trip?
I would think that you could dictate the speed they push you and most tripawds like to hop fast- it is actually easier for them. I don't know airports so I don't know how far you are talking about in your post. It would also depend how far post amp your boy is now. If the surgery was fairly recent then he may need a ride, or at least a few rest stops while getting to your gate.
Another think that would concern me is traction for your pup. As I recall from my traveling days there are a lot of slippery floors at airports. If he gets a ride it should be fine but if he is walking then he may need some type of bootie.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
When Heffalump became a TwoPawd, we went to Lowe's and bought a cart similar to the one shown in the link below.It was extremely durable, easy for him to get in but not so big we could not maneuver it around, and best of all had removable sides so he could hop in and then we could put the sides up and it would contain him and then we would let a side down when he was let out. We put some of those interlocking nonstick mats in the bottom ( like yoga mats but cheaper and thicker) and sometimes his binkies. He LOVED it, it was a cheap and durable solution, we were MUCH more mobile and he went on longer walks this way, and it was easy to get him in the cart, open the front, and let him in/out of the truck then. Since the HeffleMobile, there are many more versions out now with lots of different features and price points. He went to UGA Vet School and they were so impressed, they bought several for their patients.
https://www.low...../999930538
Best wishes and PyrPaw hugs all around!
If you decide to let him walk with you, you could try the Pawz boots for traction . Here is the link for the blog on them: http://gear.tri.....more-848 They're not meant to be left on all day, though, but would be perfect for the walk through the terminal! We've used them for Murphy at the vet's office or anytime he's going someplace with a slippery floor. They are sort of like balloons for the feet, which is why they can't stay on all day - his feet will need air & circulation.
Another solution would be if they took you both on one of those golf carts through the terminal.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
All great solutions offered by everyone!!
REALLY like Donna's idea of combining the PAWZ with riding in the cart with you! That REALLY makes good sense and certainly seems doable as she IS a service dog and does need ro be with you!! GREAT idea Donna!!!
Keep us informed, okay?
Best wishes tonyou!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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!
Hi Donna,rnI found this when I looked for info about service dogs who are tripawds. I have a 70 lb German Shephard service dog who lost her hind leg in an accident. rnshe is five and I have been considering traveling. I have Cerebral palsy and some autism. I think I would use the airports transportation golf cart type thingy. She can handle that, if she has room to get in and lay on the floor. It would all be a bit traumatic for her though. AS a tripawd she is terribly frightened of slippery floors. BC she is big she goes down hard when she falls. So airport floors concern me.rnI have not tried the booties for her. I suppose that would be a training process.rnOn the other hand the idea of flying with her might be better than a companion bc people who work in airports are very considerate of Animals and especially tripawds. I do know how to navigate airports, just havent done it with a tri pawd yet.rnIn the gerneral public, people are taken with my gentle sweet GSD tripawd, and that helps me emotionally too. I feel more accepted. It also gives me a way to connect to a kind employee who might get us through the Airport process that otherwise can be a bit over whelming in my condition. I know I would have to arrive very early and have snacks for myself and Her. and plan time to allow her to do her thing in the grass first. (Where do you find grass at an airport, )rnGoing to the bathroom concerns me a bit. both for myself and for her. I might withhold large amounts of food for short period of time. She is able to hold her bladder for 12 hrs but I don't like do that to her. No long flights for us.rnActually these are all just thoughts. I have never done it. I would love to hear what others know about flying with a Tri Pawd service dog. Is it even a thing....rn
Julia and tripawd said
Hi Donna,rnI found this when I looked for info about service dogs who are tripawds. I have a 70 lb German Shephard service dog who lost her hind leg in an accident. rnshe is five and I have been considering traveling.
Hi there Julia! Please consider starting an all new topic here so that we can follow along. This is a really old topic and I'm pretty sure the original poster won't see your response. Here's some thoughts I have for you:
AS a tripawd she is terribly frightened of slippery floors. BC she is big she goes down hard when she falls.
Please consider having your vet put Dr. Buzby's Toe Grips on her. They are life changing for dogs with three legs, and senior dogs. And they will give her so much confidence!
I do know how to navigate airports, just havent done it with a tri pawd yet.
That would be a long walk for her. If you can train her to use a dog stroller , she might be more accepting of being put on an airport luggage cart to move around the airport. But don't those carts have open areas on the bottom that her paws can fall through? Hmm. Not sure, I don't do much flying.
I would love to hear what others know about flying with a Tri Pawd service dog. Is it even a thing....rn
This is an all new topic I had never considered writing about for Tripawds News. Thank you for bringing it up. Please start a new topic so we can get some ideas flowing OK?
And you are more than welcomed and accepted here, we are ready to help you and your sweet girl any way we can. Thanks for posting a new topic!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome indeed!!! You and your sweet pup are already melting our hearts with your lovely bond and devotion to each other. ♥️. Thank you for sharing your story this far.
t's wonderful that you are pursuing travel options for you and your pup in a way that both of you can enjoy. You've started a whole new thought process for a tripawd navigating through an airport. Hopefully when you start a new topic others may have ideas in addition to Jerry's suggestion
Keep us posted. Sending best wishes to you and your sweet GSD.
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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!
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