Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Riley is still not getting on/off the bed for food/water/potties. We do have stairs for her but are wondering if a ramp might be better. When we carry her outside for potties, she will stand for a few minutes in the sun and then she walks back inside.
Our new vet indicated that an Orthopedics brace might be an option for Riley so I have been looking into that. It seems that they do have some that will redistribute the weight off of her paw- which might help her and save her leg. I can't wait until she gets her examination by the new vet on the 14th so we can get started.
beesmom said
Our new vet indicated that an Orthopedics brace might be an option for Riley so I have been looking into that.
Consider contacting Orthopets, and don't miss our video interviews with their founder discussing the benefits of braces and orthotics for Tripawds.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
admin said
beesmom said
Our new vet indicated that an Orthopedics brace might be an option for Riley so I have been looking into that.Consider contacting Orthopets, and don't miss our video interviews with their founder discussing the benefits of braces and orthotics for Tripawds.
Thank you. I plan to call them tomorrow.
Riley did a little better today. She ate and drank some water! She still won't get on/off the bed on her own but she did walk around a little bit in the backyard when I took her out to potty tonight. She also showed some of her big personality when I tried to get up to go to the bathroom and she ran around the bed "herding" me. Yes, she's a herding chihuahua 
Aww it sure sounds like she's getting her sparkle back. How's she doing today? Did you get a chance to talk to OrthoPets ? I'm going to guess they referred you to a practitioner in your area who works with them?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
jerry said
Aww it sure sounds like she's getting her sparkle back. How's she doing today? Did you get a chance to talk to OrthoPets ? I'm going to guess they referred you to a practitioner in your area who works with them?
It was a fluke. She's back to just laying around now. I am getting the pleasure of feeding her kibble one piece at a time though 
I got in touch with Orthopets and they said I need to send them a bunch of pics and copies of her xrays. They did not refer me to a vet. I can pick up her xrays tomorrow.
I spoke with the specialist that we have been using but they use a different brand of custom braces- a person locally who makes them for humans but also does a side line of pet braces. They said it would run about $800 for the brace from that person.
She did get off the bed last night by herself....but she did refuse to go out of the doggy door. No biggie- I just opened the back door and stood out there while she pottied at 4am. I'm pretty sure she tried to wake me before she got off the bed but I work late evenings and had just gotten into a deep sleep. It wasn't the most graceful exit from the bed- and that's what woke me
-Beesmom
Here's one of her xrays:
I have 5 more but can't figure out how to get them in JPG format so that I can post them.
Oh wow fascinating x-rays. Can you interpret them for us? Just curious.
How is she doing today?
About working with that local person: I would not consider working with anyone who isn't trained in the biomechanics of animals. There are lots of human prosthetics designers doing it these days, but they don't have the background in veterinary medicine.
A brace at OrthoPets will be in that price range as well but it comes with lots more knowledge about the mechanics of a dog's body, which is priceless. We've seen braces go bad here and it's not pretty.
Hope Riley is getting around better today and you can make some progress. We have our paws crossed for you both.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
jerry said
Oh wow fascinating x-rays. Can you interpret them for us? Just curious.How is she doing today?
About working with that local person: I would not consider working with anyone who isn't trained in the biomechanics of animals. There are lots of human prosthetics designers doing it these days, but they don't have the background in veterinary medicine.
A brace at OrthoPets will be in that price range as well but it comes with lots more knowledge about the mechanics of a dog's body, which is priceless. We've seen braces go bad here and it's not pretty.
Hope Riley is getting around better today and you can make some progress. We have our paws crossed for you both.
If we do go the brace route, we will be using Orthopets.
I can't really interpret the xrays but the first set- the one with the R on it- see how the bottom bones are all wavy? That's where the bones are broken. The cloudy white part around the bones is swelling.
On the second set of xrays- the one labeled L is how it is supposed to look.
Normal foot:
Broken Foot:
Sorry, my editing skills are not great but you can at least see the difference between how her bones should be and how they are.
As an aside, her little bones are so tiny and adorable 
Ouch! Poor pup, that looks painful.
I sure hope she gets what she needs soon!
Owwwwww! Oh my I can see that now. Aww give her a smooch from me. I hope that everything works out and she can start to feel better soon.
(Yes, her little bones ARE adorable! So petite).
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
She's on a different med now and seems to be actually getting some rest.
I grabbed their harnesses to wash them and she jumped up pretty quick because she wanted to go on a walk. However, when I take her in the backyard- she takes about 5 steps and then lays down.
I sent the xrays to Orthopets. They want a new set from Tuesday's visit and some ground level pics of her standing.
Ouch...no wonder her poor little toes hurt...
That does look painful and I hope things work out with the brace so little Riley can get back to having fun on her walks.
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
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