Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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Maybe it would be too painful to deal with it. And the tumor can spread to the body and removing the leg would then be in vain.
A Question to those who have the Flagline -harness: Is it possible to carry the dog down the stairs with this harness? Or what carrying aid is useful?
It would be ideal if it could be done like this (but not with straps over the shoulder):
After having met an aggressive neighbor dog again, I wonder how I can best protect my dog after the operation.
Going quickly out of the way will then not be possible. And the owner of the aggressiv dog ist not cooperative.
The video looks similar to the Custom Pet Support Suit Jerry mentioned. It does not require the legs to go thru any"openings" per se.
While I have a ramp and my front legger tripawd doesn't have to do stairs, I have used this suit when he had surgery on one of his remaining back legs. He needed assistance for awhile so, he wouldn't try and run down the ramp and overuse that leg.
I'm old as dirt, , bad back and knees, blah, blah blah. I was able to assist this 70 lb boy up and down the ramp, keep him at a slower pace and prevent him from putting too much force on the recovering leg. Their are straps to go around your neck and handle as well on the harness.
I know you want answers as to when a dog can do stairs, but as Karen said, every dog is different. Pofi is one dog who comes to mind mastering stairs fairly quickly....and they were very steep and a lot of them.
As far as your Leyla being able to "get away" from that aggressive dog, her speed won't be comprised, or very little anyway. So is the aggressive dog off leash??? Which just I infuriates me if that's the case. Your dog isnt off leash, right?? Would definitely get some pepper spray or some other deterrent. Is there any other possible route you could go? Do you think the other person would agree to keep their dog in of you could kind of give them a specific time yu woild be in the area??? Sorry you have to deal with this.
I know you have a lot on your plate. Let us know how we can help you process everything.
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!
Oh gosh you're the second person here who has a neighbor with an aggressive dog. Have you seen Totem's story? You share a lot in common.
The Flagline is a tool to help you help your dog, but it's not a sling or a "support." It is however very helpful for difficult or challenging terrain.
That harness URL you sent is an interesting one. I'm not sure how it would work on a Tripawd since it has large front leg openings. And it looks hot. I've never seen it here in the States.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank You 🙂
I think I could handle the first days up and down the stairs with a good grip.
Yes, this agressive neighbor dog is always off leash. Leyla would not be off leash after the amputation. This dog lives in the neighborhood and the owner always walks in my street. She is just as evil as her dog, so I think pepper spray would be the only option to protect my dog. So far yelling has helped but I think, that would be too much stress after the operation.
I had to deal with renters with a dog (no fence) who charged my cats in a fenced area and chased deer. I spoke with the renter and some of them responded by controlling the dog but the male bully required other measures - calls to animal control and finally the RCMP because he became threatening.
Please go to the aggressive dog's house and talk to the person responsible. Explain your dog's situation and your concern for your Leyla. Hopefully you will get a good response and you can find a solution. I find it's easier to relate to others if I can find something we have in common, in your case it's the love of your dogs. If it doesn't work then find out the local bylaws and start taking action. Make sure your dog is always leashed so you can't be accused of anything.
Before considering pepper spray you might want to find out if it's legal where you live. In Canada it's considered a prohibited weapon. Bear spray can be used (only on bears) but training is important as is wind direction! I had a co-worker who sat on it in his vehicle - not good...
Another alternative could be a sonic blast horn which would startle the offending dog (and probably yours).
I hope you get some resolution so you can walk Leyla safely.
Kerren
So now the operation will be tomorrow. And I'm sitting here watching videos from dogs with three legs. Sorry, I'm not sure if this is a good life. I am just desperate.
Okay, take some deep breaths. You've been through a lot of stress these past several weeks.
It is completely natural for you be second guessing at this point right before surgery..
Maybe it could help if you can share what specific concerns you have from watching the tripawd videos. Not wire which ones you've seen, but we have soooo many showing dogs running and swimming and even one tripawd competing in "dock diving!
Also, IF you have an option of leaving Layla ovenight at a fully stafed 24/7 clinic fthat is better for her. She''ll be nicely drugged and watched over. but by medical professionals
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!
Wishing you the best. I can honestly say that I have seen plenty of dogs live a wonderful life on three... really. There are a lot of stories in here that will give you hope.
Some have a more difficult recovery, some slide into home plate and never have an issue. Tons are in between those scenarios.
You've got great support from wonderful people here. You will have support through recovery, and what Sally said is true. If you can take advantage of one or two nights at a 24 hr fully staffed hospital, it would be a lot easier on you. The first couple of nights can be kinda stressful with all the hospital meds. If not, ask what to look for and keep in close contact with your medical team. Make sure you ask them if they have 24 hour staff. Some don't.
Please keep in touch. We're keeping you in our thoughts❤
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
Thank you 
"Maybe it could help if you can share what specific concerns you have from watching the tripawd videos. "
For me it just looks not like a happy, healthy doglife. Its ok, if the alternative is even worse. But I'm not sure what would happen without amputation. The tumor (a neurofibrosarkoma) would grow and in a few months it could be painful. And the vet says the tumor soon could grow in the whole body and then an amputation would not help anymore.
But for now she is a happy dog without pain. And it feels terrible to take her leg away.
If she would stay at the vet she would be alone there overnight. And even if not, nobody would sit the whole night by her side, but I will. And I think this is important for her. She does not want to stay alone/without me even in normal situations.
I did a little digging and found a favorite video. Griffin and his mom are amazing. There are ups and downs, especially during recovery. I cannot find a better video to show a happy pup living his best life.
I hope this gives you a smile. I cannot help but smile every time I watch this.
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Thanks Jackie for posting Happy boy Griffin! He is sich a good example of unstoppable joy as a tripawd. Maybe you could pull up some of Meg A star?a
And yes, if not fully staffed overnoght,, then bringing her home is best. Not easy, but doable. Just make sure she has ample pain meds and you have your Vet home phone.
And stay connected here, okay?
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!
Here is our Meg A Star 
These are a lot of photos, it was her 2 year ampuversary video. I think even the still shots capture her abilities and happiness:
I hope these have given you a bit of inspiration. The cancer part really sucks, no doubt. But being a tripawd? We have seen the largest pups rock life on three.
Here is a quick one of Eurydice the Great Dane:
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Fooling around is also what Leyla does best.
Maybe even with three legs. But what if she hurts the other leg? Can we go to a dog park ever again (or some other kind of leash-off-area) or is it too risky to let her run around with so many other dogs?
By the way: I have the Julius K9 3 in 1 Vest for helping her with the stairs the first days. But it seems to put some pressure on the stomach if I try to lift her with that.
https://shop.ju.....-in-1.html
Do you think this is ok?
Here is the sling that I used for my Mitchell when he was having a hard time getting up or up and down stairs:
You can also make one out of a bag with handles as it will be temporary. That has worked very well for a lot of people.
Hope these help!
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
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