Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Super Stu celebrated his one Month Ampuversary today. Generally speaking he is doing fantastic. But my concern is not necessarily with Stewie, it's with my husband...!
I am the worry wart when it comes to surgical care etc, so when I tell my hubby that I don't think Stewie should be doing certain things, ie; allowing him to walk too far, just because Stewie wants to! As with a couple of hiccups this last week, Stewie let us know today that we pushed him too far yesterday.
Im not sure how to convey to my hubby, the need to assist Stewie and sometimes that means holding him back. I would hate for something serious to happen before Paul admits that we pushed him too far!
I know that Paul sees a super willing dog that wants to get out and catch up on life, I don't want to sound like a nag when I am constantly saying, no let's not do that with Stewie today...
At what point can I look at Stewie and say, okay we can try for a beach walk today? Are there any good subtle tactics that I can use on my husband, to make him think that it was his idea to let Stewie stay at home for the day!😉
All the very best from Stewie's Mum,
petra
Remember...“live in the moment!“ 
HOPPY AMPUVERSARY STEWIE! Hard to believe an entire month has gone by! You make it look so easy!
Good for you to be a worry wart Petra, it will work in your favor if you can get buy-in from the hubby.
I hate to say it but there are times when a wife needs to be a nag and I think this is one of them. Dogs have an instinct to survive like no other, they will go and go and not stop. In our opinion they do not usually know how to 'self-regulate' and it's up to us to curtail their activity so that they don't hurt themselves so soon after surgery. We often see new Tripawds get hurt when their humans allow them to do too much too soon. If Stewie has already given you signs that he's overdone it, then his activity needs to be cut back to a slower pace.
Here's a better idea: rather than you being the nag, get Stewie to a canine rehab therapist. Having a third party tell hubby what Stewie is capable of at this point in time is probably the best way for the message to sink in. The best part, as you know, is the Tripawds Foundation may even pay for your first rehab visit ! So make an appointment and let a professional deliver the news. That should do it.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you for allowing me the permission to be a worry wart! I am a little stumped though as to the therapy... thank you so much for the offer for the possibility of a free check up, but we live at least two hours from a major city centre! I will certainly ask my vet for any recommendations. I am going to see them tomorrow for blood work.
I guess I will just have to stay on top of things and be sure to put my foot down.
What is the "average" recovery time? By this, I mean the time that it takes them, not just to recover, but to getting back to ones 'new' self? If I can give Paul a few statistics that we can put onto a 'road map of recovery' that might help him a bit. When he had open heart surgery, they gave him a book as to what to do and what not to do on a week to week basis. Otherwise he would have overdone things for himself!
Thanks Angel Jerry & Wyatt's pack, very much appreciate the input. I will inquire with my vet tomorrow.
all the best from Stewie's 🐾 Pack,
Petra, Paul, Spike🐾, Chester 🐾, & Miss Lily🐾❤️
Just one more thought to add from what I've seen here. Some Vets note it takes "approximately" two weeks to just cover from the major surgery itself...certainly sometimes longer. It takes "approximately" one month, or a bit more, for the new muscles that are being used to adapt and "approximately" 'one month to adjust to the new gait and mobility issues. Things can be overdone at anytime with a tripawd, but ESPECIALLY that first month while the dog adjusts to all the changes.
Curious what Paul is doing with Stewie that you feel like is too much too soon. (And obviously it is if he showed signs today!) How did Stu show he has overdone it?
Rest assured that Super Stu can indeed romp on the beach again and have a blast doing it!! We have many videos here of tripawd dogs doing just that! We have videos of dogs playing and running at their dog parks, playing with other dogs, loiving life to the fullest. WWe have cideo of dogs doing agility work and participating in competition!
HOWEVER, everything in MODERATION and in due time!!. Romping on the beach cannot include jumping up high for a frisbee'and landing hard. So you throw it very low to the ground instead. Chasing a ball that requires a lot of sharp turns or quick stops is not good....so you "roll it" on the ground in a straight line.
It's about making "adjustments" but still not having to deprive them of things they love to do. As Jerry said, they don't necessarily "self-regulate" so it's up to us to do that for them. For example, if a dog sits down on a walk that's too long for him, he's already tired and has already overdone it. But if you take him kn a walk....or to the beach.....he can run free for a little bit and then have him sit for a few minutes and chew on a bone you just happen to have with you.....then he can have another brief romp without over doing it......rest.....and then another romp. You could even bury his bone in the sand and he could dig for it....that would help build his tummy muscle core strength!!! 🙂
There are a lot of different videos on here and posts from dogs (and their humans) who have been to Rehab. They've shared their experiences on here with examples of exercises you can do.
HAPPY ONE MONTH AMPUVERSARY STU!!!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 You're showing the world big dogs know how to handle three legs just fine!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 ICE CREAM AND CAKE TO CELEBRATE!!! In fact, I'm gonna have some ice cream right now to celebrate with you...and Frankie and Merry Myrtle get a scoop too!! 🙂
Hugs
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!
Hi Sally
so here's some examples of Paul allowing Stewie to do things his way... while jumping from one dock to the other, Stewie stepped between planks and yelped in pain, we should have been beside Stewie... as well as trying to jump onto the boat, Stewie will do it by himself, but he needs help in the landings... telling me that it is fine for Stewie to walk to the beach and back, when I should have driven him down there and let him walk back... these are just a few examples of what I have had to argue with. It can get a little frustrating at times, when I know there is a better way, if not a bit more of a hassle, but safer none the less.
As far as showing how he over did it yesterday, he was hopping very slowly... I kind of related it to me working out in the gym for a few hours and REALLY feeling it the next day. He went outside first thing and rather than hopping on over to take a pee, he just lay dowm. Also, the last few days, he has been getting up for his breakfast by 9am, but this morning, I had to bribe him to the bowl and even that movement was slow hopping. He is definitely more lively this afternoon and came for his supper on call.
i will try to find videos for Stewie's at home rehab, I am hoping that our vet will have some ideas too. As I have mentioned in Stewie's blogs, our vet team is incredible and we are super fortunate to have been able to have Stewie's surgery so close to home, but out where we are, there are no resources for animal rehabilitation.
i like the idea of walking for a bit and resting before he tells me to. Do you think it's okay to do this daily! I want to make sure we do this the best way we can. Stewie has done so well, I would hate to have to take steps back in order to move forward.
Thanks again for your input Sally, I will let you know how it goes...
We have just finished supper, so my boy is going to get ice cream! ❤️🍦 I will try and get pictures for you. I'm still not sure how to get videos up, but I will do some research.
sloppy kisses from Stewie and gang.
❤️🐾🐾🐾🐾❤️
That silly boy! No....not Stewie...Paul!!!!
I think you are "spot on" in your assessment of yesterday. It's not so much that Stewie can indeed do some of he things you mentioned .....but rather can he do them SAFELY just one month out! Docks can be slippery even for four leggers!
And yes, you've got it! He can certainly walk to the beach, but then driving him back (or vice versa) is the perfect compromise for Paul and "moderation " for Stewie! Walking in sand is hard anyway and exhausting anyway!!
As far as taking walks, you can build those up slowly. Longer walks build up the endurance, not necessarily building muscle. Now, as you know, a front legger needs to walk at a pretty good pace to keep their balance and momentum going. So maybe, at this point, try a five to ten minute walk a couple of times a day. What really important about the walk!! Just letting Stewie stop and smell every bush, every tree and pee on every mailbox. Then maybe find a shady spot to just sit and let Stu smell all the scents in the air. Basically,iit's the kind of walk where Stu is teaching YOU to stop and smell the roses!!
Rene will come behind and fi d all those Rehab video/posts links....or someone who does a far better job at searching than I...and that's a looooong list!!
And try not to worry abput Stu overdoing it, okay? It probably won't be the last! Unfortunately it's very, very common around here!! It happens a lot!! A day or two of rest...some good massaging....and all is good as new!
Stu, the dogs and I had Ben snd Jerry's Caramel and Chocolate swirl in Vanilla ice cream. What did you have?
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS... Someone will come by and tell you how to post video. in the meantime, basically, yiu transfer it onto YouTube...then "copy" to clipboard and then embed in your post.
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!
Thank you my dear for some great advice! Paul really is a SILLY BOY sometimes, but I have much keener words than that for him some days! 😉😂
So in other words, make a 10 minute walk last a half hour or so... i will definitely try the short walks starting tomorrow. I think he will enjoy getting out into his property again! I'll let you know how it goes.
I will keep an eye out for any helpful videos. And as far as downloading onto utube, that is where it is stumping me... I downloaded, it said it was doing it and now I don't know where it's gone to?🤔😼 I will figure it out one of these days!
Mmmmm... caramel chocolate swirl in vanilla heh! Ben & Jerrys no less! Stewie is a bit jealous, 'cause all Mum had in the freezer, was ice cream sandwich bars... not much ice cream after the chocolate layer has been taken off! But he still enjoyed it thoroughly and he thanks you immensely! In exchange for not having any ice cream on hand he got a bully stick to chew on! He was so happy, he even pulled his toys out, which he hasn't done in weeks! He's obviously feeling better heh!? 😂
cheers to you Sally and hugs to your pups!
sloppy kisses from Stewie & gang ❤️🐾🐾🐾🐾❤️
Sally this picture is for you! Stewie had just finished his little bit of ice cream and his bully stick! He thanks you A Lot! 😘🐾❤️
PERFECT! You said it best..."making a ten minute walk last a half hour"! 🙂 🙂
As far as YouTube, when you hit the "home" thing, do you see a @ist on the left where UPLOAD is noted? If you do, tap that and your videos should shownup. Geez,I'm no help. Go to TECHNICAL SUPPORTand see if you see a thread titled how to upload video.
Take video of his walkie tomorrow. The Admin Guy will come along and lost how to upload your video.
BULLY STICKS AND TOYS????? STU IS DEFINITELY GETTING HIS SPARKLE BACK!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 This makes us all so happy to hear!!
Hugs!
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!
I think I got the video thing down!!! I wasn't able to directly copy it from Instagram, I had to send it to myself via mail and then copy the video from there. Technical support was a great help... I will try to refer to it more often.
Thanks Sally!
love Stewie & his pack! ❤️🐾🐾🐾🐾❤️
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR MOM!!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 You did it!!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 Took me four mo ths before I could post photos and videos on my own!
I just swa the photo of Stewie relaxing after his vully stick and ice cream!' Sooo cute!!! Isn't spoiling a tripawd the best fun ever!!!?
And Srumis doing an EXCELLENT job with the steps! He's very cautious and deliberate with the way he positions himself. He's such a smart boy.....and sooooo darn SMOCCHABLE! 🙂
Hugs!
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!
https://instagr.....inA2alBh0/
This is Stewie going for his walk this morning... he really didn't get very far, but I gave him an A+ for trying! He also enjoyed sitting in a different part of the yard too, I think.
He went for his blood work this afternoon and his numbers look fine, so we are going for the full blast of Carboplatin next week. Yay, things are heading in the right direction!
Sally, He really is a Smoochable kind of guy! I love this big fella to pieces... I even picked up some vanilla ice cream today! He would kiss you 👅 for the suggestion!
all the best for now, from Stewie & his pack ❤️🐾🐾🐾🐾❤️
A++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 A++++++++ FOR "DOING" WAAAAY BEYOND JUST "TRYING"!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 Excellent job Stewie!!! Excellent!! Super Stu has a very fluid gait and at a good pace!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
II love how the chair seemed to be a perfect spot for him to veer off into the grasses and do some sniffing around! And I guarantee you he enjoyed sitting in a different spot in the yard! In the world of a dog, a differnent spot in the yard is the equivalent of an adventure to a foreign country for a vacation!! 🙂
Clearly the ice cream is giving him his stamina back!! Others may say differently around here, but my Happy Hannah had me convinced ice cream was a very important nutritional supplement for her well being!! 🙂 That's my story, her story and SUPER STU'S story and we're sticking to it! 🙂 🙂 From the looks of that video Stewie is doing SPECTACULARLY well at this point in his recovery!' ABSOLUTELY SPOT ON!! Keep these great updates AND videos coming!!!
Hugs and smooches to Mr Smoochable! 
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!
Sally, you really do put a smile on my face!
Thank you for that! Stewie thanks you for that perfect grade A+++++! You're right, there was no "trying" in that! He full force going!!
i am really pleased to hear from you that Stewie is looking to be doing so well! It certainly helps to know that he is at the place he should be. That place in the grass, where my chair is so conveniently situated is right where he took a big
!!! Can't blame the fella, but the chair will probably be moved over a bit! 😂 Well check out a different spot tomorrow.
I did manage to ask my vet about stamina training and such, he suggested that due to the fact that it is so hot here in British Columbia,(+40*c) I should probably not push Stewie too far. Plus the fact we just don't know when his lungs could be compromised and it really is okay for Stewie to be a bit of a couch potato right now. I do see his point, but I also don't want Stewie to become accustomed to just laying about. I really am just taking baby steps with Stewie, the last thing I want is to have to carry a 50kg furry dog back to the house! You sure know what I mean Sally, don't you! 😂
Baby spoonfuls of ice cream 🍦 too though, considering the fact that we are supposed to be on a diet right now...! 😂 I figure a little something good for everyone is always a necessary part of enjoying life! Happy Hannah was absolutely right, ice cream 🍦 is a life supplement! Bless her beautiful soul!
Hugs right back at you from Mr. Smoochable himself and his adoring pack,
Petra, Paul, Spike🐾 Chester🐾 & Miss Lily🐾❤️
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