Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I hope im posting this in the right section ...
Im wondering if this simple thing that Wilson so loves to do, might also second as a strengthening excercise ? He loves going for his car/truck rides, i have built up the floor on his side with cushions on the floor, level up to the seat, and a blanket over the whole thing, so it is a big open space, so if i had to brake quickly he wont go flying down onto the floor (who need those extra couch cushions anyways ?).
He loves to stand and look around, and smell all the farm smells, and see the farm goings on, as we drive around our block, with his nose stuck out the 1/2 open window, but it is a challange for him, as he is standing with one front paw on the cushy seat, and has to deal with balance as we do corners, and brake, and speed up. He was very shaky and unsteady the first few times doing this, but is getting much more ballanced now, but still not super easy for him. Our road is very quite, so i will drive with very gentle swerves, and very gentle on and off braking as we drive, just enough that he is ever so gently having to work at keeping his balance, he changes postion so he can look out every window, so seems to be working most the muscles evenly i would think.
What do you guys think, is this a helpful thing to do ?
Thanks a lot, for any in put !
Brenda
Sounds like a good no-impact, core-workout to me. (But then, I'm no rehab specialist...)
I know it's common rehab for people to stand on wobble boards, so I'd think it would be similar to that and help him build up strength.
Hope he's doing well,
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!
Yes, kind of like the wobble boards. When i first saw him doing it, it made me think of the balance pads, only with the little extra challange of motion. Glad to hear you think its a good idea, im quite happy with it, as its not a chore for either of us to do. Of course we will still do other strengthening excercises as well, but just kind of stumbled across this one.
Yes, Wilsy is doing well, thanks ! Tomorrow will be his big 3 month ampuversary celebration !!! Yay !!!
Brenda
Absolutely, I don't see why not. Walking or standing on unstable surfaces is GREAT for proprioception (awareness of one's body in space). Even walking on couch cushions in the house. I'm not sure if it will help with strengthening but that would make sense.
Your car rides sounds a lot like the concept with a wobble/buja board. If you want to make one of your own we have plans in our downloads blog:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh yes! That is definitely core work at it's finest(and cheapest ) When we take rides on the woods roads, Maggie too, likes to stick her head out the window and stand up 95% of the time. At first, after she amputated, I would make her lay down and rest as it IS a tough thing to do balancing on three legs in a moving car. It used to completely wipe her out...but not now..
If you want strengthening exercises to work - you need to do them at 3 times per week to make a difference. Buja board is easy to make and a great addition!
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
When you finish building it, show us the photos/video, we'd love to see how it works for him. Remember to introduce it slooooowly. Some dogs are a little nervous at first introduction but they do get used to the motion if you introduce it gradually.
And HOPPY AMPUVERSARY WILSY!!!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hey Wilson- you need to cue your mom to something really important.... every ampuversary must be announced so we all can celebrate!! Usually each month is celebrated- but you can pick your time. And it warrants it's own topic in the Shout Out forum. The most important part is the treats- every pup gets treats for an ampuversary.
We just wanted you to know the unofficial rules.
Your pals,
The quad pugs Tani and Obie
p.s. Happy amupversary and thanks for the snacks!
Ha, ha, ok, thank for clearing up the rules for me !!! Its 11:10 pm where i live right now, so still officially almost 1 hour left for all pups to have treats on Wilsy's behalf, he had a ham and cheese sandwich with mom today, and went for his favorite drive, thru Timmies Drive Thru for his favorite Tim Bits, calorie counting on hold for a day !!! ... I also put this in the shout out, thanks for the tip Krun15, will know for next time !!!
Hi Wilson/Brenda!
I just wrote a blog post on one thing that we do - Jack has the Ruffwear Palisades pack (harness + detachable saddle bags). He wears it around the house every now and again, with a small bit of weight in one side or the other, to make him work a bit more. We just tried it on a hike and it worked wonderfully. Not sure how much of a workout it's giving him, but I am noticing a bit of improvement in his balance as he goes about the house.
I love your car idea, definitely going to have to use it in mine now!
Jack - adopted with a crooked leg at 4 months old, managed for six years, and now much-happier Tripawd as of 5/24/2012!
Thanks Jack and Jill for another good suggestion, i dont have anything to gear him up with weights, but may work on it, sounds like a good idea.
On a side note, just thought id mention (read on a different post you posted) that our dogs amp date is just a day apart, Wilsy was the 23rd of May. Happy belated ampuversary !!!!
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