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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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hip and knee cartilege worn out in rear let that was not amputated.
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Kate Warnock
1
15 April 2019 - 12:41 pm
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Hi, My 11 year old Mastiff -  Brandee -  had her right rear leg amputated in Feb 8th 2018. Just recently this remaining leg would no longer support her. She still tries to use it but is very wobbly and falls lots.       Had x rays and it showed the cartilage in both the knee and hip are worn out.       Unfortunately this leg also had cruciate surgery to repair the torn ligament back in 2015.       X rays also showed that in the 'stumpy" there is evidence of more bone cancer. 

I am wondering if anyone else has had similar issues with cartilage wear and tear. I am struggling with holding her rear up when going out to do her 'business'.  ( at present I am using a towel)   She is 97 pounds and I have really bad knees.  She wants to go go go ( energy to burn ) and I cannot keep up which causes me to lose my balance  and both of us go down.   I do have a wheel chair but she will not do her poo and pee when she is in it.  Is there a trick for teaching her it's ok.. Hope I do not have too many questions. I appreciate any information Thank Brandee and Kate

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Member Since:
24 September 2009
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2
15 April 2019 - 1:28 pm
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Hi Kate and Brandee, welcome. Please, ask as many questions as you would like, that's why we are here.

You two make a great team! It's not easy to support a giant breed dog on three, especially one with some challenges, but so far you have done a great job. I think I might have some suggestions that can help.

You're right, dogs don't like to eliminate while they're in wheels. Our Wyatt Ray , also a rear legger with wheels, won't. So what we do is first we let him sniff around the yard a bit until he goes. Once he does that, then we put him in his wheels if he's up to a longer walk. That seems to do the trick. 

Wyatt doesn't need standing help at this point, but if/when he does, we have his Ruffwear Webmaster harness to aid him. Being that he is also experiencing joint problems in his remaining rear leg, at some point we will need to put his Custom Pet Support Suit on him. This is a great harness not just for steadying him but also to hoist him up with the shoulder strap. You may be interested in our recent Pet Support Suit review from a vet who needs it to help her old boy to get around.

I'm sorry to hear about the cancer's return in the stump. For now, have you considered taking her to rehabilitation therapy to see if they can help with her mobility issues? Acupuncture and Adequan injections are just a couple of things they could try out with her. And the best part is that the Tripawds Foundation may pay for your first rehab visit . Check out the link for more details.

I hope this helps. We have other members with giant breed dogs so hopefully they will chime in soon. Stay tuned! 

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Kate Warnock
3
16 April 2019 - 2:28 pm
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thank you for your suggestions. I had thought about  eliminating before using the wheels. I do have a webmaster lift harness but now that she is weak on the rear leg it does not support in a way that is easy for both of us. I had been looking at the suit as it appears to be what I actually need to ease the strain on my arms and shoulder -yet give her the support she needs.  About therapy. I live in the middle of nowhere. To get her any sort of treatment I would need to drive for over 5 hours and then probably need to rent a motel while having her treatments. This would prove to be beyond my financial means.   I think Brandee would have benefitted from therapy after amputation.   We appreciate your quick response.

Brandee and Kate

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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16 April 2019 - 2:56 pm
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Hi Kate,

If you'd like to PM me your location I can try to locate a practitioner for you. Nine times out of ten I am able to find one when a member thinks that none are closeby. Please let me know if I can help OK?

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Virginia



Member Since:
22 February 2013
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5
16 April 2019 - 10:12 pm
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Your devotion  to Brandee comes shining  through.  She is very lucky to have you as her hooman.

If you can swing it, the "body suit" could be the answer  to your "go, go, go" sweet Mastiff and your back and knees!

I'm  owned by a go, go, go three legger Coonhound  who recently  had cruciate surgery on one of his remaining  back legs.  He had surgery on the other one a year ago.  My back, my knees, my "maturity " all are what  kept me from properly  helping  with his mobility.   I can relate to being pulled down by a strong willed dog!

The body suit helped me keep my balance, have more control  over Frankie and give him the support he needed.  I could stand up straight and save my back.

It is crucial,  absolutely  crucial that you measure  exactly.  I never got the right measurements  twice in a row,  so be sure and get someone to help.

Sending extra hugs to you both!

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!

Kate Warnock
6
17 April 2019 - 4:57 pm
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Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too .. thank you so much for your response.  Yes holding Brandee up is hard for me as I am almost 70, with some nerve damage in my lower back and shoulders, along with arthritis in all the old joints.

The body suit does seem as if it would be a good replacement for the towel. I will be sure to try and get the exact measurements. Appreciate the heads up on that.

OMG I just read about the deer poop-- Ha ha Brandee now at 11 years- suddenly discovered a 'taste' for it..

smiles.... Brandee and Kate

On The Road


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17 April 2019 - 5:37 pm
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Kate Warnock said
.. thank you so much for your response.

Please consider registering to take full advantage of everything Tripawds has to offer – your forum posts will not require moderation, private messaging, live chat...and more.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Virginia



Member Since:
22 February 2013
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8
17 April 2019 - 6:57 pm
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Below is a copy of a couple of videos showing  Frankie going way to fast without the body suit.  Then you will see a video where I have mich mpre condol ocer hom.  Itrealky, really is  very suppor WITHOUT hurting  my back, knees, etc.  It's  jist not a cery good selection due to all the reasons  I spelled below.

And maybe some techie person can come behind me and just "copy the video and leave out the rest of the thread.  So just skip to the video....well...you do need to read the part about the rain, the sandals the slippery ramp, the two bathrobes,  etc 

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!

Virginia



Member Since:
22 February 2013
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9
17 April 2019 - 7:04 pm
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Well heck.  Tried to,post it and said unable to submit reply because it contained  a disallowed Iframe...or something  like that

Maybe rhis will work.....go to page eight 

https://tripawd.....eg/page-8/

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!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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10
17 April 2019 - 10:47 pm
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How's this?

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Virginia



Member Since:
22 February 2013
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11
18 April 2019 - 8:59 am
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Thanks Rene!!   My video doesn't  really do the suit justice.  It really is so much easier  once you get the hang  of it.   In the video I didn't  really have the straps right around my neck, etc.  And I was holding my arm out, not for balance, but to show I didn't  need to hang onto the railing for dear life.    My hunched over position was  moreso ne teying yo ve extra careful  because  of the sandals and slippery wet ramp. 

And again, make sure you measure  accord6 to the directions.  I bet I measured  twenty times and never got the same measurement  twice.  Partly me, but mostly  getting my hard headed  hound to hold still!!

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!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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12
18 April 2019 - 10:03 am
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Frankie, hard-headed? Haha never! 😉

Great description of the video, and measuring tips. Thanks.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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