Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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With amputation, dogs can't lay on their "bad" side comfortably for weeks. So they are always laying on one side. My dog Wiley (amputation one week ago)keeps trying to settle on his painful side but realizes he can't, so he ends up in the same old position. Someone said their dog took 5-6 weeks to be able to lay on the recuperating side. Do I need to worry about bedsores?
Tyler
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Great question!
As far as we know, we've never heard of recovering Tripawds getting bedsores.
Try not to worry too much. I know it's hard, but just take things one day at a time, he'll be OK.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Tyler and Wiley,
Like Jerry, I have never heard of a recovering TriPawd getting bedsores. In fact, I have heard of many who only layed on the amputation side for weeks. As with so much, there does not seem to be a single prefered side, but is much more of an individual response. Cherry layed on the remaining leg side for months before she started to alternate. As long as Wiley continues to move and repositions himself, I would not worry. Just keep his bed dry and cushioned and you should do fine.
Paws Crossed and Sending Pawsitive Thoughts.
Bob & Cherry
Most dogs will move around if they become uncomfortable, before bedsores become a concern. Bob's suggestion for keeping a dry soft bed is good advice.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm glad you brought this up, I was going to post a question about it for Raven. He's 115# and had his front leg amputated 8 days ago. Already, his elbow is raw. I noticed on the 4th day. He has calouses from age on his elbows, no fur. So, the skin is rubbing down and pink and raw. That day, I wraped it with gauze and vetwrap, but it worsened. So, yesterday I tape wrapped a piece of sheepskin to his elbow.
He tends to thunk down on it as he eases down to lay. And props himself up with that elbox of course when not laying flat out. He does actually lay on both sides when flat out. 🙂
Any advice on how to get this to heal now, and how to keep it from worsening long term? I have floors, no carpeting, just rugs, but no padded carpet.
THank you!
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. Â miles.tripawds.com
dsimas said:
... calouses from age on his elbows... Any advice on how to get this to heal now, and how to keep it from worsening...
Check out the products from DogLeggs and OrthoPets Jerry posted here.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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