Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello Everyone. Next Tuesday I will become a first time parent to a tripawd. He is an 8 year old Catahoula, 95lbs, named Trouble, who we rescued as a puppy from a kill shelter as he is also deaf. I am incredibly upset about this, but having read numerous forums on your site, I have some confidence that Trouble can bounce back and have a happy life. He was diagnosed with a Spindle Cell tumor on his front leg, and with it being locally invasive, the surgeons have informed us that they could only excise a partial amount, if anything, as it takes up too much of the skin as well. Radiation for us seems like a long route, with a high chance of recurrence. So, we have opted to amputate.
I am trying to get things ready for when he comes home. We live in a side split, so there are many stairs in the house. We will block off all of the floors but the main one, however, I am confused about a harness. Is this something that he would wear right away so that we are able to help him outside (there are two stairs to go out), or generally get around the house? Is there a different one that he would start using once he is healed and we go on walks?
Welcome and best wishes for Trouble!
Have you checked out the Tripawds Blogs yet. Specifically, the Tripawds Gear blog has various posts to help you decide which harness is best for you...
Best Harnesses for Three-Legged Dogs
Which harness is right for my dog?
Matching Your Dog Breed to Tripawd Harness
We recommend not using a harness until the surgery has completely healed and stitches or staples are removed. We have heard of no specific cases where any harness has hampered healing, but we believe direct pressure from the straps may irritate the wound. Please consult your veterinarian with any concerns.
We suggest using a soft towel slung under the belly if additional support is required in the meantime. A reusable canvas shopping bag slit down the sides also makes a handy temporary sling. You will find much more help, support and advice in the Tripawds discussion forums.
For other items, don't miss this must-have list:
The Tripawds Recovery Shopping List
Hope this helps! While you wait for comments from others, use the Advanced Search above to refine your forum search results with specific phrases, and you're sure to find lots of helpful feedback. You can also search all blogs here . Or, consider downloading the Tripawds e-books for fast answers to common concerns and feel free to call the toll-free Tripawds Helpline anytime!
Please keep us posted. Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi there 🌺
I never heard of a catahoula dog before so had to google it and ... I AM seriously in love 💗
A leopard dog, one of the most beautiful breeds I've ever seen, we need pictures of Trouble when you feel up to it💕
As for the harness I respectfully would pass a slightly different perspective to Rene's ...
In some cases, when the dog is too big a harness is fundamental, I would never have made it without one as it was totally impossible for me, or any other human being apart from Arnold Swzarneger (spelling?) to lift her during the first 3 weeks of recovery.
The hospital lent me a soft harness which did not cause any friction on the stitches and I had a tshirt under it as an extra precaution and to protect the wound.
Trouble being much smaller than Eurydice may not need one but if he does make sure the straps are cushioned all the way or ask at the hospital what they recommend.
If you have hard floors you should seriously consider having carpets/rubber underlay/yoga mats placed down to create paths for Trouble to hop on safely, traction is of huge importance for a new Tripawd.
We'll be waiting for your updates and pictures and are here to help and guide you anytime.
sending you hugs and cuddles to your sweet leopard 😘😘🐮💫✨✨🌟🌹
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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