Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

Charlie, my nine year old Lab, is a right rear leg Tripawd. Right after his amputation he got a pretty serious pressure sore on his left front elbow. Before getting a custom wrap made, our holistic vet, Dr. Karen Becker, recommended trying Makuna honey. It worked beautifully! Charlie now gets occasional sores on his remaining back "ankle". The honey clears it right up. It has to be raw honey, of which Makuna is a special kind. It is great stuff, with antibacterial properties. I use it on my own cuts too. It might be hard to keep dogs from licking it, even when wrapped, but applying it at bed time might help. Charlie still took the wrap off, but thankfully just a touch of Makuna honey works wonders.

We are EXTREMELY fortunate to live in Illinois, although Dr. Becker has patients come from different states too! She is over an hour away from our home, but worth every minute of travel.  I wish I had taken Charlie when I first learned of her, about a year before his diagnosis of Osteosarcoma. She is such a positive person and an incredible animal advocate.  On our first visit post-surgery she told us to expect new and larger callouses.  She was spot on.  I was so glad for the warning, as I tend to worry too much.  Knowing what to expect is half the battle sometimes.  I should add that we use the honey only when the callouses break and become open sores. I do not think it will help simple fluid filled hygromas that are closed.

I agree, we are so lucky to have Dr. Becker on Charlie's team!!! Thank you   I hope this tip helps Wyatt Ray and others, should they need it.

I thoroughly endorse the Manuka honey.  It should be medical grade for use on open sores - you can actually buy it in a 'gel' form from the New Zealand Honey Shop online. I've often used it, always with great results!

Dog Leggs make elbow hygroma 'sleeves' which I'm told are very effective.   They also make some other interesting things including Surgi-sox torso vests for covering wounds which have an option for front leg amputees.

I have seen DogLeggs pop up in the forums, but I just came across another product online that looks similar - Canine Angels Inc. Canine Elbow Protective Sleeve.  Does anyone have any experience with this product?  Here's a link to their site/product:

http://www.cani.....leeve.html

Cost is an issue for me, and it appears to be less expensive than the DogLeggs.  Actually, I am forever fostering Willow from a wonderful no-kill rescue and cost is an issue for them as well since they have a number of senior and special needs dogs requiring medical care.  I would appreciate any thoughts on this product.

Thank you,

Carol