Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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HI
I'm looking into adopting a Tri Paw dog. I tried to upload her pic when I joined the site but it hasn't loaded her pic as my Avatar and I can't find the Edit button to change the photo or my timezone!
She's about 18 months old and is a collie cross, small height wise but a little overweight. Getting her on a diet will be no problem and she's young so could adapt quickly. As she looks overweight should I get a front cart to start her with so she can move faster and help her lose weight, or let her get about her own way?
I've got a treadmill so could try and teach her to run more fluently if she bunny hops (haven't seen her running yet), just wondering if getting a cart from young will give her a better advantage so she's more used to being able to do longer distances while she's young and she's probably lose weight quicker if she could charge round the field.
I'm guessing she's got overweight so young as she's struggling to move around well.
Thanks
Sara
Hi Sara,
Welcome! Here are instructions for uploading your avatar and adding images to the Forums.
That pup will be so lucky to have such a great mom who asks all the right questions. I'll try to help answer them:
Since she's not a giant breed dog, she probably doesn't need a cart. Not yet, maybe not ever depending on how well you help her stay fit. Here's an article about when carts are and aren't helpful for Tripawds
When and How a Dog Wheelchair Can Help a Tripawd
I know it might seem like a good idea, and there are doggie treadmills out there, but Tripawds have a special gait and you could potentially injure her by putting her on a treadmill without the guidance of a professional canine rehab therapist. Since it sounds like she has a few things that need "tuning up" you'll want to get her evaluated by a certifed rehab therapist. Here are a few posts that discuss why rehab therapy is so beneficial to Tripawds:
http://download.....m/?s=rehab
And yep, once you get that weight off of her, mobility will be much, much easier! Our Tripawds Nutrition blog has lots of tips.
We hope you become a member of the Tripawds Nation! Don't forget, our Tripawds Foundation Rescue Fund will reimburse up to $100 if the adoption is approved! Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Howdy and welcome!!!
Bless you for taking this sweet, sweet fur-baby. There's an honored spot for you at the Rainbow Bridge.
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
Hi
Thanks for answering. Well the lady sent me some more photo's of her in email which are better than the one I was going to use, She's had a trim and does look smaller now so some of the 'weight' could have been the thick collie coat making her tiny face look smaller..she's Papillon x BC.
I've had another idea as she's so small.... I don't have a bath just a walk in wet room so was thinking how about one of those long inflatable baths for her to use for Hydrotherapy? I can get her a little lifejacket with handle on top so I can keep hold of her, but as she's small doing a few laps up and down would help keep her legs strong as I live quite rurally, have no car and the nearest dog Hydrotherapy pool is some distance away. The entire bathroom floor is wet room flooring so if it did leak it doesn't matter and will just go down the drain or can be used outside in summer like a swimming pool for her (I might even fit in it with her!) 😀
I don't want to jinx the adoption so might wait until I've passed the home visit and paid for her before I put pics up! .. waiting to hear when the home visit maybe as the rescue has to find someone in my area, said she'd get back to me next week!
Fingers Crossed. 
Aww I hope you get to adopt her.
Before trying the DIY hydrotherapy, check out this article we recently published, about the differences between swimming and a water treadmill. Scroll down to ""Vet Rehab Tips for Tripawd Dogs Who Love Swimming."
Hydro is only one small part of the Tripawd rehab picture. You can do so many things to help her lose weight and stay strong, even if you don't have any equipment of your own. Our Tripawds Gear blog has lots of tips.
I really like the way you're thinking about her overall fitness, you'll make a great Tripawd mom!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just catching up! Thank you for giving this sweet pup a lpvi g furever home! And thank you for joining us and gathering all the information. to keep your tripawd fit and healthy.
Wondering if sharing yiur communication with TRIPAWDS would help to shiw the rescue what a competent and caring furever home you will provide! If you have a good relationship with yiur vet, maybe a phone call with him would take place of a "home visit". Maybe even emailing pictures of her new home? Just trying to think of ways to expedite this as you sound like the perfect Mom!
Keep us posted and let us know how we can help.
Love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
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