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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hi, first post for us. Gayle's amputation was mid february, and she's healed up nicely. my question is about the remaining front elbow, which is pretty sore from getting up and down on it. when the surgery was completed, there was a 'scuff', and the hospital said to keep an eye on it. well, it got infected, and our vet was able to get it under control with hydro therapy and antibiotics. it's been stitched up, and is now healed. however, there remains a fluid 'area' over the elbow, due to her constant use of it to pivot up and down.
any suggestions on how to protect/pillow it or such? she had her first chemo on monday, and seems to be ok with that so far, we are very hopeful and appreciate any help or ideas. Thanks!!
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Hi there, thank you so much for joining us here! Glad to hear Gayle is doing well overall.
So about that elbow sore. Yeah, unfortunately it's pretty common for a lot of front leg Tripawds. Not sure what her weight is (how rude to ask a lady!), but oftentimes the Tripawds who are a little fuller-figured than most will have this issue. Is her weight OK? If you think she could lose a little, I would definitely cut back. It will help make her life as a Tripawd much, much easier.
But as for doing something now . . we have seen recommendations like elbow protectors for humans, and adjustable elbow pads from DogLeggs. Another company in Denver, OrthoPets also makes makes custom orthotic braces for dogs. Finally, if you scroll down in this Forum Topic, you'll see a custom elbow brace another member made for their Tripawd.
Another easy thing you can try: if you suspect her bed isn't soft enough, you can upgrade her mattress and lay soft pillows where she likes to sleep. Not that she'll always use them, but at least they'll be there for her. Many dogs will still go for the harder surfaces regardless. Go figure.
We hope the chemo continues to be successful! Keep us posted on how she's doing OK? Thanks again.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome Gayle!
Admin offered up some great advice! I've never in 11 years experience any problems with a front leg tripawd, so I'm of no help. But I do like the hydrotherapy and have experience with that. Love it. I'm not a doctor but doesn't normal fluid go away with exercise? Have you brought up the issue with your vet?
Keep us updated!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
thanks for the recommendations!! gayle's weight is good, so i'm not thinking that's the primary concern here (wish i could say the same...). she's sleeping on our pull-out sofa bed, or the sofa, so the hard floor isn't much concern either (i'm still not letting her try the stair, due to my concerns more than her desires). i've made a padded elbow cover out of foam, which is form fitted to her elbow..the problem is the slipping down. i'm thinking i'll try the round the back strap like the other member did on their's, that should give us some stability. will keep you informed of our progress, and thanks again for the great community - it means so much to not feel so alone!
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Raven and I dealt with a pressure ulcer on his elbow. Here's a forum post about my trials.
http://tripawds.....oing-well/
Prior to that, I tried a few other things that may work for you:
http://raven.tr.....bow-issue/
And finally, the $200 Dogglegs for Amputees that was custom made for him and kept it healthy:
http://raven.tr.....re-tshirt/
Raven was 110#. I also discovered that it took him a while to lay down in a different way over time after the amputation. At first, he'd sort of "thunk" down on his elbow, so it was bad right off the bat. Within 2 months or so, he'd ease down softly, maybe as new muscles developed. The last month, he really didn't even need his Dogglegs any more and it didn't come back.
I hope Gayle's doesn't giver her any more trouble, please update us. 🙂
Dawn
Rottie Raven, osteosarcoma at 8-1/2 years old, amputation in October '09 and in February '10 due to liver mets he went back to heaven where he came from. raven.tripawds.com
Now I have Miles, rottie mix amputee from a shelter and traveled 1500 miles to find his way here through the Rescue Railroad thanks to tripawds.com. miles.tripawds.com
Dawn you rock, great links, thank you!
We hope Gayle's rough spot gets better. Our own Wyatt Ray has one starting up but so far it's been stable.
Let us know what works for her OK?
P.S. We're glad to have you here!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
dawn, thanks for the great info!! gayle's spent the entire day sleeping in the sofa bed, on her amputee side, so the elbow is getting some good rest. the fluid problem is i guess the big thing now. when we went for chemo#1 on monday, the vet was concerned about draining it, not wanting to provide opportunity for infection, etc. i'm gonna give her a call tomorrow if we don't see any improvement by then.
thanks again to all, it's so great to feel like there's a team out there rooting for us!!
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
gayle went to the vet this morning, the elbow was drained. clear/pink liquid seroma . she explained it as being like a blister that was trying to protect the elbow. i made her an elbow pad out of the foam from a shipment of 'gourmet apples'. i cut out one of the 'apple holes', filled the inside with form fitting foam, and covered it all with ultrasuede and criss/cross elastic straps. we were having trouble keeping it from falling down, so i modified it this afternoon (thanks for the pictures/ideas dawn) with a shoulder strap, and that is keeping it in place very well!!
i'd post some pictures of the pad, but i'm not savvy enough to figure out how to get them to stick!!! (so glad gayle's smarter than me...) thanks for the help and hope this fixes our problem.
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
etgayle said:
...i'd post some pictures of the pad, but i'm not savvy enough to figure out how to get them to stick!!!
Here are step by step instructions for adding photos to forum posts. Since you have started Gayle's blog, upload the pictures to your Medial Library, copy the image location, and past that into the image URL using the indert/edit image button (small tree icon). Like so ...
Hope this helps.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
thank you, you are SOOOOO good!!! i'll try to take baby steps into this computer world (i'm a luddite at heart...)
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
I have to ask...what is a luddite?
Pretty fancy strap action especially for not being a pro!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
cometdog said:
I have to ask…what is a luddite?
One who is only slightly more advanced than a troglobite. 
Lud·dite (lŭd'īt)
n.
1. Any of a group of British workers who between 1811 and 1816 rioted and destroyed laborsaving textile machinery in the belief that such machinery would diminish employment.
2. One who opposes technical or technological change.
OH MY! Thanks!
Then I'm one too! I barely know how to run my cell phone!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
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