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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Hi. I'm new to posting, but have been a silent "stalker" of this site for a few weeks.
Does anyone have any good solutions for something to cover up a rear incision while outside for potty breaks. My nine year old Lab Charlie is having his surgery this Friday. We live in a townhome community (no private yards!) so Charlie is likely to encounter neighbors as we go out. There are many children in our neighborhood, as well as some adults who might be squeamish at the sight of his huge incision and possible bruising. I am determined to make this a positive experience for Charlie and do not want his human friends to be frightened or put off or to feel sorry for him.
Has anyone found anything long enough to cover the wound which also allows for normal pees and poops? Charlie is a huge Lab, approx 30" from shoulder to hip, and i am unable to find large enough doggie clothes to cover where his sutures and shaved skin will be.
Thanks so much for any advice.
What I did with my neighbors, who also have a small child, I just talked to them ahead of time -- I knocked on their door, and told them what had happened to Rio. I said I just wanted you to know ahead of time, because it can be a little shocking to see -- I don't want your daughter to be frightened. Then they talked to their little girl about it.
Funny, though, she wasn't the least bit squeamish -- she was dying of curiosity to see once she'd heard what happened. But I think prepping her was the right thing to do.
Micki, Rio's momma
 |
~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
Thank you so much for your story of success, Micki! Great idea! You know it's funny, our next door neighbor has three children who have known Charlie all their lives. She knows he has bone cancer and will soon be a tripawd. She assured me that adults, with their issues and "baggage", will have a more difficult time seeing Charlie than her children. That was reassuring for the fact that her kids won't freak out but also makes me worry about other neighbor reactions. I think I'll leave a little note for everyone whose garage faces ours, just so they know what's going on and know what to expect. I'll probably give a heads up to the dog "parents" we encounter on walks too. Who knows what my mental state will be if I'm not getting enough sleep or if Charlie's recovery isn't smooth. Yes, I'm a worrier, but that makes me a planner too. I like to be prepared as much as possible.
Thank you again!!
For rear-leggers, boxer shorts can be worn (with the tail through the flap) to help keep the incision area clean, but this does not really allow for easy elimination. You may be making too much of this though, the best thing would to be prepared with a response to anyone's adverse reaction to Charley honorable battle scar!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Love love love your comment "admin"!! I am a chronic over thinker! All of my friends call me out all the time. I think you just did too 🙂 Charlie has sported boxers just for fun in the past. He will wear them well!
Just wanted to say that in our experience, people will surprise you with their interest and concern-- sadly, nearly everyone can relate to cancer. Many told us about family members or dogs they had had who suffered from cancer. In the early days (when our walks were short and very, very slow), we had several neighbors stop and and offer us a ride home-- this always made me smile as we were out for fresh air and exercise.
My advice is to prep the immediate neighbors and forgo the cover-up.
Catherine and Spirit Scout
Scout: January 31, 2002 to November 7, 2011
Scout's diagnosis was "poorly differentiated sarcoma"; amputation 1/11/2011. Scout enjoyed 9 fantastic years on 4 legs and 9 glorious months on 3 legs. If love alone could have saved you…
Hi Catherine, welcome to you and Charlie.
Yep, I think you're making too much of it, but if you're concerned, see this post about covering up rear-leg incisions:
Tips on Covering Up Incision Area
You will be AMAZED at how well Charlie handles this, he won't give a hoot what people think. Think of it as a battle scar, and both of you can wear it proudly. And yes, some people will feel sorry for him but you'll learn plenty of good comebacks! See these search results for some good/funny/smart things to say when people ask.
Good luck on Friday.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Okay, so I guess now is the time for me to take a deep breath and just relax......
Thank you for sharing your experience with me Catherine and Spirit Scout. It confirms my theory that people are generally kind and good-hearted. My Charlie has been hopping on three legs due to the pain in his right hind leg for a little over a week now anyway so we have already gotten some questions. Everyone is so understanding and supportive and encouraging to both of us. I am sure it will continue once Charlie is an official tripawd.
Thank you Jerry. I am definitely making too much of it. That is my forte! Charlie is already doing so well hopping along, once the source of pain is gone I am sure he will wow us all!! At least I hope... Yes, it is true, I do not want anyone to feel sorry for him. He is one of the lucky ones. We are fortunate enough to be able to give him every opportunity to be happy and pain-free. I guess today is just one of those bad worrying days for me. I'll keep it calm and positive for Charlie's sake.
And Jerry - THANK YOU for the links. The responses to pity etc are just what I need to read right now. It's as if you read my mind.
As I over-thinking this, I do want to clarify that my concern for a cover was only for the first few weeks post-op, when Charlie will have stitches or staples and possibly dark bruises. I've seen the post-op photos and understand that it could very well be shocking for adults, let alone for small children to encounter at eye-level. Charlie loves people SO much, so I don't ever want anyone to be afraid of him or have someone pull their children away, as I read on other forum posts.
Labbies and Tabbies:
I had the same worries as you, maybe I am equally paranoid. I laugh at my worry now. Our neighbors have a 5 year old girl we had warned them about Brutus and she had written him a get well card and everything. To my surprise she wanted to come visit Brutus this past weekend. I gave up on the t-shirt and wrap, he is a lab and even knows how to take his cone off. She walked in the door gave him a big hug, looked at him and said "you look better with 3 legs" I couldn't help but laugh out loud. Instead her mom burst into tears of poor Brutus. Her only question was if the fur would grow back. After that I let my niece and nephew visit as well ( 2 year old and 5 year old). They had almost the same reaction, big hugs to Brutus and will the fur grow back.
Brutus enjoyed every hug and treat and loved all the attention.
Hope to hear what happens with you.
Awww don't you worry any more! We'll help you through this and Charlie will be a GREAT inspawration to help you keep your spirits up.
I'm glad you enjoyed the links. It's always kind of a shock to hear what some folks have to say when they see a Tripawd, so at least now you'll be a little better prepared with some snarky/wise responses!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
1 Guest(s)
