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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Just a few questions about carts and walking distance for our dogs. I want to see what carts are recommended, I heard Eddies wheels and Walkin wheels were two recommended carts. Does anyone have and like/recommend, Walkin wheels looks pretty easy to use.
Is it recommended to use a cart when dog still has good leg? (Loki is 6, German Shepherd and in great shape, right rear amputated, almost 2 weeks post op.
Once Loki can travel a little greater distance I was thinking that maybe a cart is a good idea on a longer walk? I will not take him great distances, I was just wondering if many of you utilize a cart for your dog (if in fact the remaining rear leg is good. I just don't want to overdo things, I want to protect the other leg.
Also my thoughts were 3 shorter walks each day (and cart on maybe a hike in the woods), what is the time or distance you hike your dog?
Anything else about your training, day, program I would love to hear.
Thank you
Glad to see you are able to post again.
Great questions! Well, we have an article that talks about wheel chairs and when and how they're appropriate:
When and How a Wheelchair Can Help a Tripawd
What we've learned is that in general wheelchairs should only be used when there is a really significant issue preventing the dog from getting around on their own on 3, such as spinal issues. Of course we all want to make sure the remaining limbs remain strong, but the way you do that is by strengthening core muscles and working on balance. A wheelchair will not accomplish that. Have you seen our most recent rehab videos?
As for walks, every dog is different. Some can take longer walks than others but in general rehab vets recommend shorter walks of no more than 15-20 minutes, 2-3 times a day depending on the dog.
We walk our Wyatt Ray 3x..a longer morning walk about 15 min, a lunchtime potty walk of about 10 and then and evening walk of about 15. But when we walk him, we also do things like mix it up; we have him walk over downed tree branches, over curbs, onto boulders, that kind of thing, to use extra muscles and not get his body into the same-ol same-ol. Our e-book, Loving Life On Three Legs , has lots of fitness tips like this.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Jerry, thank you for your response, info, insight, advice, links, lots of great stuff. I will look at that stuff, all makes lots of sense.
My tripod has a Walkin' Wheels chair and we both love it! I love how easy it is to fold up and travel with and also it is so adjustable the wheels can be switched from foam filled to air filled. It is super easy for her to move around in, she is a registered therapy dog through TDI(Therapy dog International) and our visit usually last anywhere from 45-1.5 hours. The chair gives her the support she needs but also allows her to use her remaining rear leg to push with.
We bought an Eddie's Wheels for our Pyr Lily in 2004. She developed some sort of spinal disease (cancer?) and lost mobility in her rear legs. Sadly we had to set her free before she got much use from it. We were able to sell it (through Eddie's Wheels) to someone in TN for a GSD w/ DM. My impression was they were very well made and engineered. I have a lot of more photos if you'd want to see them.
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
You might be surprised what your dog can do without a cart in time. My 11 year old heeler x was very fit and active prior to his amputation due to OSA. He is now a year on and can currently happily manage an hour to hour and a half walk off lead at the forest on fairly steep hills and uneven terrain. We do shorter walks mid week and hit the forest most weekends. He did take time to build up strength and balance, but has coped far better than I ever expected. I do still worry about injury, but ultimately I have accepted that he is already on borrowed time and that quality of life for him involves doing what he loves while he is able.
Great advice Corrine, thank you!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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