Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Sammy is new to the three legged game as of November 9th. He is 12 and a 27lb cocker spaniel. We live in Wisconsin and it snowed.. I can't find any really pet safe salt or ice melter. He has ramps covered in outdoor carpet to get outside. I am very afraid of them getting icy. I can only think of sand as a safe traction method but my house will get destroyed if we do that. putting boots on every time he pees doesn't seem reasonable he goes every 2 hours or so. Any advice?
I dread the winter because of this - we have a similar problem. I've always lived in large apartment buildings and have to figure out how to deal with their choice of ice melt / icy conditions because they're never great with treating it.
I have a couple suggestions: Amazon has several pet-safe salts if you want to try ordering online. I always use Musher's secret in the winter for Jack and it works pretty well at protecting her feet, and they also say it provides more traction in slippery conditions. Finally, you could try using just a small amount of sand and wiping Sammy's feet when he comes in. I had a building that used sand instead of salt and I never noticed it being tracked into my apartment.
I shoveled an area in my backyard for Otis. Yes, I shoveled grass. He did ok with that, and at times would head off into the unshoveled area for fun. He really did not seem to have any issues, but since it was my backyard, it was probably easier than an apartment building where ice tends to accumulate at entrances.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
We picked up some stuff named poultrycal from fleet farm last year to use for both Max & Ollie. We also live in WI. I'm pretty sure Paula uses it too for her Nitro. I remember her telling the story about the guy asking her how many chickens she had when she was getting a few bags lol. I think it's used for chickens to eat but works really wonderfully on slippery areas. It's really fine but works great for traction on ice and snow.
Murphy's first winter I came here beating myself up because he slipped on the ice on our deck. I felt like the worst parent in the world! How could we let that happen? We knew it was icy, but we couldn't but salt on the deck, it would ruin the wood. Luckily a couple of days of rest & some Rimadyl and he was fine, but we've never let that happen again.
Last year we bought an electric power shovel to help keep the snow off the deck better. It was too much to try to get our snow blower to the back yard & up the steps lol
I just ordered this to try this year, it was only $10, so I figured it couldn't really hurt to try it: https://www.lak.....d=cat52159
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
I actually use non-slip socks with neoprene outer lining. found those on amazon. they are as easy to put on as socks and really give greater traction and protection from ice melt.
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
Thanks for sharing this Tina! Nice to see you and Manni here in the forums.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Typing in no slip outdoor carpet for ice. into AMAZON pulls up a lot of selections. Use the Amazon Smile link so it can help out the site.
Think. Illy try it. Tha ks for the tip tip Donna
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!
ooohhh, thank you! just ordered one from amazon (yes, smile amazon to go to tripawds, I'm not a slacker!)
Only built the deck over thanksgiving weekend and we've not had much snow (so far) but the deck is icy (north facing - zero sun). I've been worried about Miss Isa with it but have been too distracted by Christmas Stuff.
One thing less to worry about, hooray!
Right rear leg amp 7/12/16 due to OSA. Metastatic lesion on her right front leg, January 2017. Joined the Winter Warriors January 19, 2017. Run free my sweet girl.
we live in Wisconsin too - where are you located? Our vet recommended Chicken Grit that we got at Fleet Farm. Chickens apparently eat it, but its great for traction . Its like small gravel, but it doesnt hurt their feet. We're on our 3rd winter with a tripawd, and I wouldn;t be without this!
Paula and Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
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