Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Nellie, 10YO 60LB left front amputee 12/1 (see other posts for details, will consolidate to blog when I have time). Healing up well post-op so far, using sling provided by vet to take out for potty break and get from exercise pen or window she likes to lie by to food.
Any tips on how to keep the sling from sliding back towards back legs while hop-walking? I'm trying to give a consistent upwards pressure to take about 10-20lb of weight off, but no matter how much I try I have to have Nellie stop every 10' or so to reposition sling under her chest as it slides back as we move.
Looking forward to have stitches out so I can use a harness.
Fionn HATED his sling. He hated it at the hospital too, but he was able to get up by himself and hop ok on a flat surface a few hours after surgery. I used it at home because we have stairs to go outside. I positioned it back by his hips to keep it away from his incision (rt front amp) and used his collar to support his front end when he had to go down the stairs (up he was fine). I always felt like I was strangling him, but he didn't seem to mind. Other than the stairs, we didn't use it. He would just lay down if I tried. Made me wish for a little dog that could be picked up and taken outside. Good thing I'm strong! The day you can use a harness will be a day to celebrate! Fionn didn't have staples, but I waited about 2 weeks before using one for the first time.
Nancy- mom to the FABULOUS Fionn. He rescued me in 2015 when he was 6.
Right front leg amputation at age 7 for osteosarcoma 10/6/16. Taken too soon 6/12/17. Read about our journey here:
http://fionnsjo.....pawds.com/
Does she still need the sling for help? Many pups are hopping on their own by 3 to 4 days after surgery.
You could try making your own sling out of a cloth shopping bag. Slit down the sides and the handles are built in. It would probably be wider than the sling the vet gave you and not as slippery. If needed you could cushion the shopping bag sling with a towel.
I know some front amps here have used a sling while the stitches are still in using a tee shirt to protect the incision. You should discuss with your vet before trying.
Good to hear that Nellie is doing so well!
Here is a link to Nellie's dad's previous posts for reference.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Hi there ❤️🐶
I am a bit late joining in but just wanted to let you know I used a soft harness over a T-shirt until stitches came out and after I switched to a ruff wear harness .
Sending you a big hug and cuddles to your cutie pie 🐾🐶😘
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
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