Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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14th Birthday Foto of Emma.
She has completed her chemotherapy already and the chest x-ray showed no further tumors.
Awww she looks so great! Hoppy birthday Emma! What a rock star 
How did she do with chemo?
I wish we could see the movies but they're not showing up. The easiest way to share movies is to upload to YouTube, then paste the video share URL here in the Forums. Hope that helps!
Sorry about this.
We have uploaded the videos on youtube and here they are:
14th Birthday video:
This professional wheelchair was made especially for Emma, by an orthopedic technician. It takes time to get used to but we can do really long walks again without her back leg getting tired.
Oh these are great, thank you! I loved seeing her out and about.
The wheelchair is an interesting design. I like that she is actually using her back leg a bit while rolling along. This is the sign of a well-fitting chair, according to our Wyatt Ray 's therapist who fit him for a set of wheels. She said a rear-leg Tripawd should use just a bit of motion on that back leg (like moving on a skateboard) to move himself forward and keep that leg strong. She looks great!
Thank you Jerry!
I had to pay 940 USD for the wheelchair and we had to go there three times, to get it fitted. Emma was not happy about it at the beginning and would prefer hopping around. It has taken loads of treats to persuade her. I bought a big bag of dried little fish and they do the trick. But I am under the impression, she is starting to notice, that we can walk longer and have more fun with the wheels.
We can only do short walks of 20 minutes hopping and that twice a day. With the wheels we can be out for 1-2 hours, like we always used to before. How did you use the wheels with Wyatt Ray ?
For Emma the excercise is crucial, to keep her good back muscles otherwise the hip replacements will get unstable.
Emma had two dislocated hips, when she was a puppy. So really she has been disabled all her life. At the same time god has given her the best front legs he had.
You are such a good trainer for her and so patient! Not all dogs take to wheels right away and most need some training before they understand the wheels are a good thing. Sounds like Emma's figured it out pretty quickly.
Wyatt enjoyed the ability to get out and explore with his wheels. Before he got them, I felt like he was depressed because his walks were so short. And I couldn't blame him one bit, his world got so small. But after the wheels we did get to go out and see the world again. Not more than 30 minutes at a time, since he was already 10 at that point, but it was much more than the 10 minute walks he took before and he was so sparkly again when he was using them. They were such a gift to his life.
Emma has overcome a LOT in her life so far! Her story sounds like a lot like our friend, the legendary Angel Spree:
https://tripawd.....-tripawds/
The disabled ones make the most wonderful pets, because the bond is sooo strong. We are so lucky to have a dog like Emma.
Yes Emma has been through a lot and she is just a happy fighter, who really loves her life.
Yesterday and today we walked for just over 1 hour. I let her hop first and I carry the wheels. When her back leg gets tired, I put the wheels on and we continue like that. She doesnt get tired that way and I hope its not too much for her.
Another important question I wanted to ask is about the chemo. Emma has received 4 x Carboplatin and she needed Cerenia for the following three days. No vomiting or anything else, only maybe her back leg seemed more tired than usual. She has finished her Chemo one month ago and she seems slimer and does not look as good as she normally would. Is this from the Chemo?
I also feed her low carb, since she had this cancer in order to prevent any new tumors? Maybe thats the reason, why she has got slimmer.
Whats your opinion on that?
I'm so glad she's enjoying the wheels.
It's hard to say what could be going on with her, but any time an animal with cancer is losing weight and not looking as vibrant, it's always wise to discuss with your vet. A review of her diet would be helpful to discuss, especially since it's been a month since her last chemo session. Many dogs need to have their nutrition tweaked a bit while they're fighting cancer. If you are able to work with a veterinary nutritionist that would give you the best shot at finding out what's going on, and coming up with a meal plan that helps her sparkle again. Here's some links for you to review:
Loooooving that sweet Emma! Ahe is so darn cute and seems to be adjusting to her wheelies just fine!!
Some weight loss could be any number of things, but aging co es to my mi d first with Emma. Often "mature" dogs to geta it thinner seemingly as part of aging (sometimes a yway). Plus getting arou d on..three using a.ot of energy and probably keeps her trimmer these days.
Tha ks for the updalove seeing g her video.
Higs
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!
Emma has an appointent with the lady, who does the pyysiotherapy tomorrow. We have been going there for more than 10 years now to do underwater therapy. Emma used to go on the belt for 40 minutes, every time for many years. After that in recuced to 30 minutes and 20 minutes with the bad leg in the end. The pysiotherapist does not want to continue with Emma, as she thinks it is not possoble on three legs anymore.
I think she just does not have any experience with dogs on three legs.
Can anyone here tell me how this works and how long dogs with three legs can go on the underwaterbelt?
It sounds like the physio doesn't offer different modalities like acupuncture, massage, laser therapy, etc. If the physio didn't refer you to someone else, I would look into a new centre who can offer other ways to keep Emma in shape. Physio is for all Tripawds regardless of age, but not all physical modalities are appropriate depending on the dog's condition, age, etc. The trick is finding a physio who can offer different methods as the dog ages. I'm happy to help look for one if you would like assistance, just PM me your location.
Yeah, just wanted to ditto Jerry that other options are indeed available. . Alth6 the water therapy has worked in the past, other therapies may be more beneficial for a "mature" tripawd.
Let us know how things go, okay?
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!
Thank you, I really appreciate your help!
The pysiotherapist did acupuncture and laser therapy on her remaining back leg. She gave me another appointment in three weeks. How many times do you recommend this treatment? Its just so sad, that we cant do the underwaterbelt anylonger.
I am glad, we have the wheels for long walks now... yesterday we were in the woods again! Emma is so disappointed, when we have to turn around after 10 minutes, as we did really long walks all her life in oder to keep her back legs stable. I put the wheels on, when her back leg gets tired and we continue walking for over one hour! So we are able to do the same big trip, we have done all her life.
How often should I use the wheels? I use them 2-3 times a week at the moment and let her hop for the other walks (40 minutes per day / 20 minutes twice dayly). What do you think is better for Emma?
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