Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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The surgeon who amputated Rosie's rear leg thought she was doing awesome when we went in on the 15th day and had her staples removed. I asked him about rehab on that visit and he said he thought it wasn't absolutely necessary because she was an active, healthy, strong dog who was in great shape. After considering what he said and reading the posts on here that spoke about how important rehab is for a new amputee, I decided that I wanted Rosie to have every opportunity to get the best care in moving forward as a tripawd. So, I went to a very reputable, very expensive surgical and rehab hospital.
Rosie is a country dog so she is used to traversing up and down hills, over branches and sticks, wooden walkways, stairs, etc. She is 27 days past surgery, I'm still walking her on a leash as per surgeon's instructions and she is maneuvering obstacles on her walks like she has always done. In the house she is hoping on and off sofa's with no issues (I did put short ottomans by each sofa to help her out). It is amazing how quickly she has adapted for a 9 year old dog. I suppose my guilt about having her leg amputated was another reason why I felt the need to go the extra mile and expense for rehab.
After the consultation with the rehab specialist, I decided to go ahead with a 5 visit package they were offering. I've been to 2 visits and I am very disappointed with what they call rehab. Yesterday, when I went they threw chicken on the floor and Rose walked around eating it for about a minute and then they put a 4 inch foam square on the floor and she stepped on and off it for about 2 minutes, then they took her into another room where she walked on a water treadmill for 3 minutes. I was there 10 minutes and the rehab visit was over! I asked her why and she said she didn't want to stress Rosie by asking her to do too much and make her scared. Rosie is active and not scared of anything. She showed no signs of wanting to stop what she was doing and loved lapping up the chicken. When I asked the "specialist" if she could give me exercises I could do at home she said, "not yet" that when the 5 visits were over she would give me some exercises. That's two weeks away!
I suppose you can tell how aggravated I am. I don't think the "rehab" at this place anyway, is worth it. I'm going back tomorrow and if she doesn't give Rose some exercise that challenges her, I am going to tell her that I will not be back. I could do better at home on my own - for free! We shall see how it goes tomorrow. I am going to insist on getting some exercises we can do at home. I don't want to push Rosie more than is safe for her but, I expect her to be challenged a little.
I can see why you'd be disappointed with the rehab experience. We could all put chicken on the floor and call it rehab. Hudson, 18 days post amputation refused to eat with a cone on, so I poured his kibble on a throw rug and he vacuumed up every morsel. Rehab? Interactive play? Or just getting him to eat? Maybe some of both.
I'll be interested to see how your next visit goes.
You have every right to feel frustrated and disappointed, especially after two visits and having signed up for a total of five! I can only share my experience with an at home rehab mobile visit when my tripod had cruciate repair surgery on one of his remaining back legs.
Yes, there was sort of a push, or maybe I should say incentive, to sign up for more visits. I forgot exactly but it was something like if you sign up for X number of visits it will only cost you X whereas if you do it on an individual basis it would cost more per visit.
Anyway, Frankie's first visits consisted of proper ways to massage, proper way to stretch the legs while holding them with the proper support, proper position etc. It also consisted of simple things that certainly would not wear a dog out like going from a standing position to a sitting position and back up again for a couple of repetitions.....all could be done at home.
The treadmill was done at a different place and only after a couple of inhouse visits. Frankie did not take to it at all and the little bit he did tired him out. Some dogs benefit from it and some don't. Just take Rosie's lead.
Actually, with Rosie stepping over logs and branches at home, that is a good therapy.
Of course, you want to do it at somewhat of a controlled manner where she's not jumping way up and then pounding down hard, but more like she's stepping over low branches space appropriately apart, etc.
For whatever it's worth, I agree that if you don't get better results with the next visit you need not continue on and get some rebate back hopefully,.
Actually, I'm going to contact a beloved member of ours named Clare . We had the privilege of following along on the adventure of Meg, who lived life to the fullest. We now have the pleasure of following along with a tripawd she adopted name Ruby. She has shared many exercises that she has done at home.
Adored Meg was quite athletic and adored Ruby is also very strong and athletic. I think you'll be able to relate to both of them. Clare can post some videos of some of the core strength building, etc she did at home.
Stay tuned........
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!
Jeanne I'm so sorry the experience didn't measure up. Did Rosie have any kind of first-time evaluation from the lead therapist? Did they meet with you so that you could properly introduce Rosie and review what you wanted to get out of therapy? If so, what kind of plan did they put in place, if any?
One thing to keep in mind with any new exercises is that what we see as really simple or too easy can be really challenging for a dog missing a limb. Walking on uneven surfaces, whether it's a couch cushion you put on the floor, or a foam pad at rehab, is a way to re-build a dog's balance and proprioception (awareness of one's body in space).
Yes, she is strong and active, but it's really important to start a dog off slowly with a new therapy team so that she trusts them and they understand her personality. Most therapists don't dive in with really challenging exercises on that first visit, they do keep it really low-key.
I know that the visit wasn't what you expected, and it's important to tell them that when you go back so that your expectations can be understood and addressed. If you want homework, you deserve the homework, and a good therapist will automatically prescribe it on request. But you need to set your expectations with the team so don't be shy about speaking up.
I want to add that even though your vet said she is fine without rehab, unless your vet is a therapist, they do lack the background and training to evaluate a dog in the same way that rehab therapists do.
To get an idea of what a good therapy experience is like, check out our tripawd talk episode with Dr. Mandi, "All About Rehab for Tripawds."
Keep us posted OK?
benny55 said
Actually, I'm going to contact a beloved member of ours named Clare . We had the privilege of following along on the adventure of Meg, who lived life to the fullest. We now have the pleasure of following along with a tripawd she adopted name Ruby. She has shared many exercises that she has done at home.
Thank you so much, I would appreciate any information I can get on home exercises. I really want to work with Rosie to make her strong so she will be able to live "life to the fullest" like your friend's dog, Meg.
jerry said
I know that the visit wasn't what you expected, and it's important to tell them that when you go back so that your expectations can be understood and addressed. If you want homework, you deserve the homework, and a good therapist will automatically prescribe it on request. But you need to set your expectations with the team so don't be shy about speaking up.
I suppose after reading some of the rehab experience of other members on this forum, I had high hopes. So many others said one or two visits with a rehab specialist gave them important information and exercises. That hasn't been my experience. But, you are right, I will voice my expectations and concerns and listen to what she has to say. I will let you know how it goes.
Way to advocate! Yes, do talk to them and let them know what you would like to get out the experience. Successful rehab is a partnership so if they know you are eager to participate their approach should change accordingly.
Here are some other tips for you in the meantime:
Try These Simple Starter Exercises for Tripawds
Manni Shows What Safe Tripawd Exercise Looks Like
Sadie’s Tripawd Exercise Disc Mod is Genius!
Try these Tripawd DIY Rehabilitation Therapy Exercises
and also, there is an at-home course that our friend / rehab therapist Dr. Waterhouse made just for Tripawds:
Rear Limb Tripawd Rehab Program
Thanks, Sally, for the heads up, we are long overdue a visit to Tripawds, and as it happens I have actually been writing up Ruby's first visit from the physio, which was back in April, to put on her blog, but like everything else I write it seems to be taking forever. I will now update that later today and post a link here. I filmed the physio (very badly) demonstrating the exercises etc., so I will upload that too.
Jeanne, I am so sorry to hear about your experience – it's so frustrating and disappointing when you are trying to do the best thing by your dog and people let you down, and I LOVE the sound of country dog, Rosie. As I say, I will update the blog later with video's from Ruby's physio assessment (I don't have them accessible on this device...) but in the meantime, here are a few videos of Ruby doing her exercises, which I posted on Instagram. Like Rosie, she is a rear-legger, who lost her leg in late November last year and had not had any rehab/physio when I adopted her in mid-January. Although I have parented a Tripawd before (my beloved Meg, who died last year), she was a front-leg Tripawd, and I've had to learn a lot about the particular needs of rear-leggers. If you check the dates on the Instagram posts, you can see how far post-amp she was. She became a Tripawd on 20th November, and I adopted her on 12 Jan.
Big hugs for you both xx
Wobble cushion (7 weeks post amp)
https://www.ins.....BiNWFlZA==
Turning around on a step
https://www.ins.....BiNWFlZA==
Obstacle course:
https://www.ins.....BiNWFlZA==
Sit stands with front paws on wobble cushion:
https://www.ins.....BiNWFlZA==
Walking backwards:
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Clare, my dear Clare, thank you so very much for taking the time to post these informative videos. Of course, the extra bonus was getting to see precious Ruby show the world how to be cute while exercising!!🤗
I know this (along with Jerry's links) will be helpful for Rosie......and all who are looking for ar home exercises with DIY items.
Love you!!!!♥️
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!
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