To update the situation with Roostar as so many were interested. To remind you all he has cerebral palsy and one hind limb is already disabled. Its is hyper extended but functioning. The other (good) hind leg developed serious problems about 2 weeks ago and it has taken me this long to get an appointment with a wonderful orthopaedic surgeon.

Roostar went in today (now yesterday) for xrays and exam and he his hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis in his hips but they are not causing significant problems *however* he is lame on the good hind leg because he has ruptured his cruciate ligament.

He will require surgery. I am meeting with the surgeon again next week to discuss Roos case further and prepare us and the environment for the op. I will ask the surgeon for advice regarding a body harness to support Roo during this time and plan on acquiring an outdoor (human) wheelchair so he can still enjoy daily 'walks' with the girls without the need to leave him behind to get stressed out. He will be able to admire the world from his throne... well.... if a baby buggy is a chariot surely a wheelchair is a throne.

I have a large dog crate and plenty of vet bed so thats covered. My primary concern at the moment is finding a body support harness that would pass a manual handling assessment with regards to protecting my injured back and that I am struggling with... but I will ask the surgeon about that.

Thanks all for the kind wishes. He is on pain relief and the specialist said no to tramadol. I have complete faith in this vet.

I would add that my camera and the almost daily recordings have proved invaluable. I also went back through Roostars clin hist and as a former social worker I already knew that the paper trail of evidence was valuable but certain bits proved critical in his diagnosing and the prognosis. All three of my dogs were seen by the same vet from when they arrived and while the girls had loose kneecaps, Roo didnt and now does and little bits of info like that make a picture out of a jigsaw. It was reassuring to look back over 4 weeks and see initially an issue with the disabled leg, that then was completely resolved, a short period of no issues at all and no pain relief before the acute onset of his now devastating injury. I dont know how many of you keep video diaries but over the last couple of days when I was in deep despair I was also able to laugh and see things in a clearer perspective. It would be nice to write a post about the benefits that are not always obvious of the video diaries but I am not inclined to do so at the moment. I have been through the wringer today. Maybe someone else could open that topic. Such an important tool all round it is worth its own topic.

Anyways, thats Roos story now.... my semi tripod will be a bipod for a bit and with all the luck and prayers and blessing from Karma he will soon be back to his old happy feet.

Our journey there has just begun. I am gathering around us all the equipment and good kind people for morale support because while I carry Roo on his path to recovery I know there are times when I will also need to be carried. And there is nothing wrong with admitting you are human and asking for support. The road to hell is paved with good intentions and walked most often by fools and martyrs.

We are not heading that way. Thanks again for all the kind wishes throughout the forum.

jerry said
Hey Ribbons and Roo! Sorry I'm so late getting back here! We're glad you joined. We love your enthusiasm and ability to share such pawesome insight with your veterinary medicine background (by the way you'll have to see our post about Clyde the three-legged rabbit!).

Roo and you are both more than welcome to be here and join us. Honorary Tripawds are definitely a part of this family! We have lots of discussions about birth defects and limb deformities in our Beyond Cancer Discussion Topic which you might find interesting and useful.

So I'm curious about what type of treatment you're pursuing for Roo's back leg and what the prognosis is?

Jerry, I took on a rabbit that was a double hind limb amputee. I have a couple of photos and also can find her story if you are interested. Her back feet were bitten off in the nest when she was 2 days old and was left for 5 months with abscessed stumps. After I finally managed to get her out of the grip of the hoarder she was with I was faced with a stark reality and choice. This rabbit has survived for 5 whole months, dragging herself round a urine soaked and soiled floor..... what right did I have to take her life away after she had fought so hard to stay and was actually ill. I had her stumps surgically taken back above the infection, to the knee and she lived on vet bed, running free. She was put to sleep for an unrelated infection. The story of the hoarder with 300 rabbits and her liberation from what can only be described as rabbit hell, he zest for life and the freedom she gained and the other rabbits she lived with.... she was remarkable.

jerry said
Well the day finally came and you made it. Yay!

It's great that the surgeon is optimistic about Roo's chances for a good recovery. As you can tell by Marla and Daisy's story it is definitely possible to successfully deal with recovery on a Tripawd. You obviously have the dedication to give him the kind of attention and care that he needs during and after. Whatever we can do to help make it easier just holler.

Marla and Daisys story is truly inspirational and I know that Marla must have bust her guts with the sheer dedication and skill with the care she took. Their story inspires me because the factor that makes it more critical is that it was a front limb amp. I know they are the toughest.

I have been suspended in stress hell being very much aware of the gravity of Roos situation. Nigel the surgeon summed it up by defining it as life threatening. Dogs like bipedal Hope are the exception, not, by any stretch of optimistic imagination, the rule and because of all the mixed messages and lack of concrete facts it has been very overwhelming.

Normally I am the consummate professional..... I have worked very closely with children and adults who had degenerative/terminal illness and I am usually very good at holding it together until it is convenient to break down but this certainly has had a pretty big emotional toll.

I really admire Marla and her understated pragmatic attitude. She is absolutely right. At least I know what I am dealing with and gosh the 'not knowing' for me is always worse and I really did build myself up into a frenzy waiting for that appointment.

I will try to put aside some lingering resentment because there is a question I want to ask people about their experience of but not sure what heading to put it under.

In a nut shell the problem I want to get case history/experiences of is the use of the support slings/harnesses.

I thought the full body support harness/sling would be most appropriate for Roo but ... if you look at the straps, or strap.... it requires the human to support the weight of the dog while their own body is in a .... compromised position.

I really want to have a sensible discussion about the real risks posed to the humans spine when using harnesses and slings because in the first instance.... I need to find one I can safely use.... but I would not wish my injury on anybody.

What heading would be the most appropriate to discuss slings/harnesses under please because I need to make a purchase as soon as possible.

Thanks.