Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi all,
Thanks for the awesome replies. Samantha is doing OK today. This morning, about 20 minutes after taking her morning meds, she was laying on the bed and just magically jumped up and ran across the room to me while I was working at my desk. She then hit the hardwood floor and slipped. She didn't hurt herself, but she could have.
The entire ground floor (which is now her only home) is hardwood, and I don't think adding a bunch of runners is practical, because I can't carpet the entire bottom floor, and she is bound to eventually walk (hop) off the rugs like she did today.
I am looking at getting her a traction sock for her front paw - I don't think she needs any for her back paws, but for the front (she has her front right leg amputated).
Have any of you tried this and have any ideas about the grip sock?
(Maybe I should start a new thread, but I kinda wanted to keep it all here since she just came home and our questions are are related to Samantha, but kinda all over the board since we don't know what to expect from day to day.)
Thanks for any ideas!
Buy yoga mats or industrial door mats - the dogs really need the traction , and they do a pretty good job on staying on the mats.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
We just bought her these:
RC Pet Products Sport Pawks Dog Socks
They won't be here until Wednesday, so I won't know how it goes.
I was thinking about an industrial mat for her eating/drinking space once she is comfortable standing and eating. (Also a raised platform for her food.) She stood up to eat the first day we brought her home, but since then, I have just been feeding and letting her drink in bed. (Which is a queen futon mattress on the floor right now.)
I'm not sure how we would cover the entire house with mats, or even afford that. I could imagine placing traction around a few places she wants to go on a daily basis, however that is a large area. I really don't want to limit her to "paths" like she has to walk a maze everyday. It almost seems like it would be easier to put down some carpet (which we can't afford now).
So for now, my plan is to get her the grippy socks and set her up an eating station with a mat and raised food/water bowl. I am 100% open to suggestions, and we are very appreciative of all of them.
Not sure that wearing the socks full time is the best idea - I think most members used them for trips to the vet, or other slippery surfaces. When they get there, check how breathable they are.
If you go someplace like Target or Home Depot, you will discover that the mats are not too expensive (ok, a bit ugly). You do not need to cover every square inch, just a general path to her food, and to outdoors. And it does not need to be a solid, totally covered path. Just enough so that she always has some traction . Yoga mats are even cheaper (although harder to vacuum over). She will not feel limited by the mats - I think you will find that she develops a preference to use them.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
You'd be surprised at how dogs instinctively go to the easiest paths to walk in a home with slippery floors. It's not so much a "maze" but an easier way for them to get around. They know how to take the path of least resistance and it pays off with fewer injuries and more confidence on 3 legs. Imagine trying to walk on an ice rink without ice skates. Ouch! You can get carpet runners for about $11 each at Costco, it's where we got ours.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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