Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hey guys,
It's been a while since I've posted. I've been busy finishing up school and doing my internship to become a certified veterinary technician. While all has been going quite well at school, I've been having some trouble lately with Lucky. Tonight I found a wound on his back leg and after looking at it without touching it, I went in to have a look. Lucky fought me like crazy! I know that dogs are very protective of any wounds, but this protection seemed more along the lines of "hey, don't touch my leg, you humans already took one of 'em." While the wound looks fine, I'm more worried about how Lucky has reacted to having his other leg looked at. Do your guys dogs get protective of their other legs?
My new goal is work with Lucky on his sensitivity to touch around his legs. I'll start slow and use treats to reward Lucky after each time I touch his legs. While this should work with him allowing me to touch his legs, I was also wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how to prepare him for a vet to touch and look at his legs.
Thanks guys!
Lucky Amputation 10/29/09 Adoption 12/5/09
Jedi Amputation 12/18/09 Adoption 02/04/10
"I am not afraid, I was born to do this." Joan of Arc
Hi!
My kelpie is kind of protective over his feet, but only in that he will watch - VERY closely - to see what I'm doing. I 'play' with his feet a fair bit now, whenever I'm sitting with him, or even just patting him, I will make sure to touch at least one or two of his feet, to desensitize him to it. It certainly makes trimming his claws a lot easier if he doesn't fight it 🙂
In regards to suggestions about touching Lucky's legs, if you get him fine with you touching them, get some friends (male and female) to do the same if they're willing, start slow, rewarding him for good behaviour, until you get him used to people touching his legs. It's how I got Zorion used to his feet and toes being handled.
Hope this helps!
Amy
Zorion – my 3-legged Kelpie. Joined the world of Tripawds on May 6th after a bad dislocation and failed FHO. Loving life as a Tripawd. Still capable of working sheep (and horses unfortunately) and loving having a sister now.
Jenny – my 4-legged Labrador. Obedience titled and loving being part of my family again, and enjoying teaching Zorion some manners.
Sorry to hear about Lucky's boo-boo. Glad it's not serious.
When I first came home from the foster place and my parents tried to come anywhere near my feet or face, I would try to bite their hands. It's a year later and I still sometimes wanna nibble but what really helped me know the difference between food and fingers, was my Mom and Dad just laying with me on the floor and feeding me treats while they poked and prodded my feet and hands.
Wyatt Ray Dawg . . . The Tripawds Leg-A-Cy Continues!
Read all about my adventures at my Tripawds Blog
Sadie has a bit of a different problem. She growls and tries to bite one of her back legs! I tell her she shouldn't mess with it because she would not make a good bipawd, but she just won't listen! She is however, protective of her paw pads. I tried to rub some paw balm on them to help with slipping on tile floors, and she would have nothing to do with it.
Sadie is my 9yr old Rott/Shepherd mix. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right scapula 1/28/10. Our brave girl had her amputation 2/13/10 and her last chemotherapy on 6/6/10. Unfortunately, a tumor appeared in her back right leg and on 10/7/2010 Sadie's earthly journey came to an end. On 10/24/2010 we adopted Ranger, a handsome Rott/Lab mix tripawd (got hit by a car) I think Sadie sent him to us.
http://ranger.t.....pawds.com/
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