Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi all.
I have a new rescue left front leg amputee that is six-month old. She had her amputation on 7/20/2016--a bit over 1 month ago. She's healthy and has recovered just fine. She's working on her walking. She runs, plays, and falls down a bit, but her spirits are high.
Anyway, she's 31#, and will probably end up about 60-70#. Right now, her widest girth is 23", which puts her at a small Web Master harness which I will be ordering today.
Here's my question: should I get the Ruffwear Brush Guard to go with the harness? She does need assistance getting in and out of the car. I have several more vet visits because she is a puppy and doing her puppy boosters. I do alright with her by myself, but we (my husband and I) also walk her, and she will eventually need a lot of exercise. She's a mix of terrier and Irish Wolfhound. So her necessary exercise will eventually include not only the backyard, but taking her out as well. I can order the brush guard later if you all think that's best, but I'd like your opinion on whether or not I should go ahead and get it now if it will help since she is just a month or so post-op.
Thanks so much in advance!
Hi and Welcome! Congrats on your new Tripawd hero! What's her name? I love the breed mix she's from, what a combo!
We've used the Webmaster with and without the Brush Guard. Is it necessary? Not at all, the Webmaster is still the best harness without it. But, here's what we love about this new addition:
it offers gentler support underneath the belly area by spreading the dog's weight across the piece, not just on top of the two straps.
the Brush Guard is also great for front leggers because sometimes they can develop a pressure sore on the chest area, depending on how their amputation was done. Here's an article about this issue, which we published before the Brush Guard came out this year:
Chest Protector Dog Jacket Helps Sensitive Front Leg Tripawds
When the Brush Guard was launched we were thrilled, it solves this issue.
Hope this helps! Can't wait to learn all about your pup. Be sure to check out our book "Loving Life On Three Legs ," for tips on healthy exercise, diet, etc.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
jerry said
Hi and Welcome! Congrats on your new Tripawd hero! What's her name? I love the breed mix she's from, what a combo!...
Hi Jerry. Thanks so much for the information! We got her on Sunday from a rescue that we support a lot (our first rescue from them was in February.) We are into the rescue arena. 
She was named Elsa by the Dallas Animal Shelter--she came in as a stray hit by a car (with bites most likely from fighting while she was out and about.) The amputation was from being hit by the car. We want to change her name--we're not big Frozen fans (we don't have kids.) Our furbabies are our children.
I'll definitely read the article. I also bought the books directly after I posted--I joined yesterday and saw the books and planned to buy them today. What I'm trying to learn immediately is where I need to be with her and what I need to be doing with her at 1 month post-op so I don't mess things up from the get-go.
I'm going to get the brush guard because she's sitting down more as I potty train her and take her out frequently (as I understand it, when she sits as I'm walking her, that means I've potentially overdone it, and we're only walking in the yard.)
Thank you again. Here's a picture of her. She likes to lay on the amputated side. Would love any recommendations on names. For the first time, both my husband and I are at a loss, and I've had dogs my whole life!
We have the brush guard and I really like it. I feel like it distributes the pressure and keeps straps from digging into Otis' chest when I use the harness to assist him. He is a 100 pound front legger, so a lot of weight on the harness.
Otis also sits mid-walk (we are six months post-amp). I just sit with him, and then we go home. Our walks are very short. At one plus month out, you should be taking very short walks right now. She will build up her strength in time. In the meantime, brain games (find the kibble under the Dixie cup, etc.) are a great way to keep dogs engaged.
And I hate to say it, but Elsa kind of fits. (Yes, I have a daughter with a Frozen bedspread).
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Just in case you missed it, here is a video describing the benefits of the Brush Guard...which you can always purchase separately later if desired.
Web Master Plus Brush Guard Make Best Support Harness for Tripawds
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hey there Elsa and family
Terrier and Irish Wolfhound, that's a really funny combination, I am looking super forward to seeing pictures of her as she grows up!
Love her picture with her toys, she is soooooooo cute
I can imagine she is going to grow a lot more, Irish Wolfhounds are really, really tall !
My girl Eurydice is a huge Great Dane (150 pounds and almost 1m to the base of the neck) and we have a ruff wear harness but no Brush Guard.
She does really well without it, the harness slides a bit if she is hopping fast and furious with me attached trying to follow her pace holding the leash but that is no problem.
But, of course, not having tried a Brush Guard I really cannot comment on how much better it is.
Sending you and Elsa lots of hugs and kisses
I actually agree with Christine, Elsa sounds like a good name for a Terrier/Irish Wolfhound mix but my granddaughters are also Frozen fans 
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
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