Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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Thank goodness I have found this site. I am starting this new topic to try to get some more advice.
My dog Kona will be 9 in March. She was recently diagnosed with a spindle cell tumor near her left hip and leg. It is now about the size of a melon. Debulking is not really an option at this point. I am considering ampuation but due to other issues (i.e. finances, toddler, other dog, etc) I am not sure what to do.
One of my concerns is I live in a 2nd floor apartment. The stairs that lead from my apartment into my garage (which is how we go outside) are pretty steep and there are a lot of them. How well do dogs do with a hind leg amputation and stairs? She is about 60 lbs. I also have another 65 lbs dog and a toddler that all go outside with me when I walk them. How do I handle getting Kona up and down the stairs?
We are lucky we don't have to deal much with stairs the few that we have had to navigate Supai has done well. I have a Ruffware harness on her and I can hold on to her (handle on the top) if we are side-by-side to help control her if she slips. Going up seems to be easier then going down. If Kona is a timid dog this maybe more of an issue, If Kona is outgoing and handles challenges well then Kona will figure it out. Currently is she weight baring on the hind leg?
Good Luck
Shaun & Supai
You'll find a lot of topics already discussing stairs in these forums. But the biggest help we found was using the Ruff Wear harness.
This topic includes a video of us using the harness to help Jerry on stairs when needed.
Rear leg tripawds will have it much easier going down stairs that those missing a front leg, while going up is easier for those missing a leg in front. But you may surprised how quickly they all adapt.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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