Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My Abby will be having amputation surgery in a few days (front left leg). I've been doing my best to get the house ready for her....runners and carpets on the hardwood floors, Tripawd harness to help her get up the front steps, orthopedic beds in the rooms she sleeps in, raised food and water dishes, pee pads for the back porch so she won't have to go up and down steps until she's healed...but I'm concerned about getting her from the vet to home.
I have a 4-door Focus. There are no commercial ramps that will fit the back door so I'm going to have a friend along who can help her get in the back seat using the handle on her harness. Is this the best way to handle this? I don't want her to bump her incision or hurt herself trying to get into the car with one front leg. I've been placing her front paws on the seat then boosting her butt in, but this is painful for me (back surgery myself) and I'm always afraid I'm hurting her.
Can anyone give me some direction or suggestions?
You're set for surgery day! Good job prepping your house.
Since your car is a low sedan, she shouldn't have too much trouble. The incision area will be tender, so you may not want to use the harness yet (especially if you haven't practiced before). We recommend putting a t-shirt on her, underneath the harness, to avoid irritating the incision if she does wear it.
Most dogs can get into sedans without an issue, even after surgery. The medications may make her a bit wobbly so it's good that your friend will be there. What your awesome friend can do is 1) place a beach towel underneath her belly and then hoist her up with the ends while placing her in the car, or 2) use a grocery bag sling to assist her getting up. Does that make sense?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I was driving a Ford Escape when Murphy had his surgery. I was really worried about how he'd get into the car, too, so I took my son with me (although I did figure the vet's have done this before and probably had this worked out! lol). Murphy just pulled his way out to my car & tried to hop right in! We didn't let him hop in, of course, we picked him up & placed him in, but he probably would have 
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Those good hospital meds are a blessing❤
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
Thank you, everyone! I haven't been this frazzled since *I* had back surgery 🙂 I *did* have a canvas shopping bag in the closet and have cut it down into a sling so will not use the harness until the incision is healed. She is *not* a fan of clothes so the tshirt was not to be considered. Abby's surgery is tomorrow and she'll be at the vet's for 1 to 3 days, depending on how her recovery is. She's already mostly not using the affected leg except as an occasional balance tool. It pains me to watch her drag the knuckles 🙁 We've been practicing with the tripawd harness on the back steps, but will be using pee pads on the enclosed porch instead of going down to the yard until she's healed so I don't have to put the harness on her. My daughter's friend even built a small, gently inclined ramp that goes down the two steps to the porch with carpeting to help her to not slip and she's adjusting to using it pretty well. Thankfully, I'll be able to be home with her until she's pretty much healed.
Sounds like you are well prepared! Please let us know how everything goes!
Keeping you in our thoughts❤
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Abby is a very loved pupper, that's for sure! You have done an excellent job of preparing for her. Practicing with the harness, the pee pads, the gently inclined ramp, the carpet on rhe steps...BRAVO!!😎
When you do go pick her up, don't even draw attention to the incision. She won't be looking at it. She will just be looking at your smiling face telling her what a good girl she is and she's going home!
Deep breaths, grab the chocolate or the wine, or both and update us tomorrow!!!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PA...Hope all is well with your back. ❤
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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