Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Anyone out there have any advice about keeping a large bedridden dog clean and dry? My boy is about 90lbs and paralyzed in his back legs, so daily baths just aren't an option. I try to give him at least one bath a week and I am using baby wipes to clean him after he pees and poops, but he is still getting rashes and sores on his belly and groin. I have read that diaper cream is not a good option for dogs since it usually contains zinc oxide. Has anyone else dealt with this before? Most websites assume that the dog is small enough to be lifted and cleaned regularly.
Well, I don't have advice about how to keep a bedridden dog clean and dry, but I do know how to keep a bedridden adult clean and dry and I'm sure it's the same. So first, you want to have him on absorbent pads...you can buy either disposable or reusable pads...they are called "underpads" when they are disposable and you can find them on the adult diaper aisle. You should sponge bathe him with a gentle soap or shampoo diluted in water when you clean him. Use washcloths and after the you clean him with the soapy water you "rinse" over and over with plain water and the washcloths. If you have him on a waterproof pad when you do this it won't get everywhere. Then dry him the best you can...and maybe use a hair dryer on low and cool if you need to. As far as a rash ointment, my vet gave me something for a rash on my dog's belly called "NP & Azium"...I wonder if it might help clear up the rash. It worked on my dog, but his rash wasn't from the same thing.
I'm sorry you're going though this.
Hugs,
Carol
Yeah, I've also had the privilege of caring for humans and dogs who were bedridden.
As Carol said, get the large absorbant pads from maube CVS or Walgreens.. I'm nt sjre if Silas would tolerate the doggy diapers or not, but they do make those.
I'm wo der g kf maybe the babh wipes are actualh causing the rash?
On m dog, I used a groomi g product specifically for dogs in Silas's situation. I'm trying sooooo hard to remember the name of the wipes...they were all natural..aloe and other soothing things...I got them a those high dollar dog food stores that ly sell the realk good foods supposedly. The name wil come to me sooner or later.
I know this is hard, but I also kowit's a labor of love and Silas still jas quality and that's all that matters!
Se ding yo so much love and lots of hugs to you both!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Ohh please give Silas a big smooch from us.
The pads as well as doggie diapers are available in most larger pet supply stores. When you're there you'll probably find things like hot spot spray that might be safe to use in this situation.
You are an amazing, loving pawrent, thank you for all you do. Keep us posted.
Oh I'll put this on Twitter for more ideas, stay tuned.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
There is a product for pets called dry shampoo. I have a hard time finding it at PetSmart but I know it exists. If you ask dog groomers, they should be able to point you in the right direction. An independent groomer might even be able to order some and sell it to you.It's not actually dry, it's a liquid, but it doesn't require rinsing. You spray it on the problem spot and wipe, and you're done. It dries super quick.
Grooming wipes from a pet store or pet grooming salon would also help as the formula in them is specific to pets.
If you have puppy pads or pee pads under your guy, make sure you change them frequently. Also make sure that he has adequate padding under him so that he is not getting pressure sores. As often as you can, adjust his position so that different bones and muscles are laying in different places. This will help with blood flow and pressure sores.
I hope some of this helps! Maybe a vet expert will chime in with even better tips! 
Right rear leg amp due to injury from unknown cause (but don't tell her she's missing her spare...yes HER!)
Read our blog here: http://stevetheprettytripawdkitty.tripawds.com/
And find Steve's new Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/stevetheprettytripawdkitty
stevethetripawdlady said
There is a product for pets called dry shampoo. I have a hard time finding it at PetSmart but I know it exists.
Yes! Here is one dry one we wrote about, it works great:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I've been using puppy pads on his bed and wagon. He doesn't usually have a full on accident inside, but he tends to kind of drip every now and then. Maybe the underpads for people will keep more moisture away from his skin though. I did use the hairdryer on his belly after his bath last night. He loved that experiment so much I think I would keep doing that even if it didn't help. He actually rolled on his back voluntarily when I put the air on his belly. He hasn't done that since the surgery. Do you think that the dry shampoo would be able to handle the mess from a poop gone wrong, or would it just be for wiping him down after a pee?
I think a lot of the problem is that his belly is never totally dry and I have to keep him in a harness most of the time so that I am able to lift and handle him. The combination of the moisture and the chafing from the harness must be aggravating his skin. I'm worried that he might develop a fungus as well if I'm not careful.
I noticed last night that his good leg is also taking some damage. He has managed to tear off part of the ankle pad on his leg, not sure what it's called. The little pad that's between the elbow and foot. And his elbow is raw and scratched. I think it's from when he tries to drag himself along the ground.
The learning curve for taking care of a disabled dog is turning out to be a lot steeper than I expected. But as long as Silas is willing to greet each day with a snuggle and a grin we are going to keep forging on. Any words of wisdom from anyone who blazed this trail before me would be really appreciated though.
First, gold for you for traveling "the road less travelled" with Silas and being his advocate! Clearly he's enjoying his definition of quality.... warm hair dryer vlowing on his tummy...and that's all that matters!! Keep n enjoying the ride Silas!!
I ghink you're spo-on about the chafing, etc. Perhaps a "sheep skin" pad between Silas and the harness....somethi g reall cushy and soft...nlt sure what it would be.
Maube a sock for hks paw?? Search the site...there ought to be tips on here about ways you can
rotect his pads without restricting him or bugging him.
Sending you and Silas sooooooo mich love and support! I KOW he feels so loved...and that's beautiful!!
I'll pack up some ore jair dryers and send them yor way!
Love!
Sally and Happy Hannan
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!
I've had luck getting the mess from poop out of dogs' fur with waterless shampoo. It takes a little more work, but you can do it. Combing and cleaning at the same time helps. I love the image of the blow dryer causing Silas so much happiness!!
What kind of harness are you using for Silas? Have you tried the "Help 'Em Up" harness? A few years ago I spent a year in an animal hospital that had a very solid therapy program and they used the "Help 'Em Up" harness for dogs with little or no mobility in their hind ends. I saw dogs of all sizes use it. I even helped a dog with no back end mobility who weighed more than Silas by using this harness.
The nice thing about this harness is that it has several points of connection, so you can take it apart on the back end without completely removing the harness. That way, if Silas gets a little messy in the back, you can take the back of the harness off, clean and dry Silas, and put the back of the harness back on without a whole lot of shifting your big guy around.
I would definitely take Sally and Happy Hannah's recommendation of a sock for the paw pad problem. They make booties for just that problem, but if you have success with socks, they can be a much cheaper option!
Right rear leg amp due to injury from unknown cause (but don't tell her she's missing her spare...yes HER!)
Read our blog here: http://stevetheprettytripawdkitty.tripawds.com/
And find Steve's new Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/stevetheprettytripawdkitty
I was just going to ask what kind of harness you are using, you definitely want to keep that area dry.
Steve's mom thanks again for sharing your experience. I just wanted to mention that we have seen mixed reviews about that harness for large dogs so just a head's up. I wish there were more good options but we do like the Doubleback and the Get-a-Grip.
That's so cute he loves the hair dryer!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Do you have him on one of those elevated beds? The ones that look like pipes with a canvas/poly cloth strung between them? That would help with urine as it will fall away and dry quicker.
Other than that suggestion, sorry, no other ideas.
Silas is so lucky to have you! You are so dedicated and loyal, as I'm sure he's always been to you! And he's still enjoying life...visualizing him turning over to enjoy the hair dryer is so sweet. Hugs to both of you.
How about trying a Belly Band to catch his dripping urine? Here's a link : https://www.bel.....ybands.net
I've never tried one, (but looked when I adopted Seven because my old boy wasn't house trained when I adopted him) so I can't definitely say it will work, or vouch for this specific brand) but it looks like it might help. I would get fleece if you order...it's softer and dries very quickly when it needs to be washed.
Please keep us updated on how he's doing, and how you're doing, too.
With love,
Carol
Oooh the Belly Band, I forgot about that one, thanks Carol.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I do have the help 'em up harness for him and it has been the only way I've been able to keep lifting on my own without hurting him. Unfortunately, that does mean that he has a band over his belly that traps moisture against his skin. So far the harness has been great for me. My only real complaint for it is that the handles on the large dog version are really small and hard on the hands. I'm getting calluses already from lifting him day after day. I hadn't seen those suspended beds, does anyone have a link for one of those? It sounds like it could be great if we start having to deal with major potty accidents.
I think that maybe one of those knee high athletic socks might be tight enough and long enough to protect his leg. I'll have to try that out and see how much it bothers him. I'm thinking of getting him a quad cart wheelchair which may alleviate a lot of the problems that having him down all the time is causing, and give him back some independence which I know he would love.
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