Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone,
I was having a debate with my husband last night about whether to keep Roxy on the main floor at night, where she is not used to sleeping, with one of us keeping her company, or helping her up the stairs to the second floor where she can sleep beside us. If she is alone downstairs she whines to be with her people. So we have been taking turns sleeping on the floor or couch in the living room with her.
I know that eventually she'll be able to do the stairs but it's only been 4 days since the surgery and she's still trying to figure things out.
I don't want to cause her any stress by helping her up an entire flight of stairs (she can clear the deck stairs with the help of a sling but they are much lower profile and wider and hesitates sometimes).
My feeling is that I'd rather have a disturbed sleep on the floor or couch than sleep peacefully but have to carry/assist her up the stairs (and risk a traumatic experience or injury, she is a big dog).
So my question is: How do I know when she's ready to conquer the big stairs?
Thanks!
Mica & Roxy
Boy, that's a tough one. Kermit is a front amp 5 weeks out & I don't let him do more than 2 or 3 stairs and even then I hold the harness. Anything more than that, I pick him up & lug him around. The risk of a devastating injury from a fall just doesn't seem worth it.
Since rear amps do better going down, I'd think that letting her determine when she's strong enough to go up would be best... Is it possible for her to hop up a couple & then carry her the rest of the way? That way as she does a few each day she'll gradually increase her strength & be able to do more.
Glad Roxy,s home and doing well AND has such h caring paw parents!
This sounds soooooo familiar! My big girl still cannot go up the long flight of stairs to go to bed and way to big for me to lift (the stairs are narrow and a little steep....old house)
I slept downstairs with her for almost three weeks! Happy Hannah's recovery was harder and longer on her than some . Her crying and whining at night was more discomfort related for at least two weeks so Ii wouldn't think of leaving her during that time. Going into the third week when I tried to "sneak" upstairs she tried to follow later and only got two stairs before she couldn't go further and it really scared her and it took awhile before I could "situate" her well enough so she could get down! She has a long ramp for outside stairs..which she uses for up and down but she can go DOWN those stairs fine when she wants.
She has a wonderful, wonderful bed especially for big dogs...the Big Barker DOG BED and loves it! I actually slept partially on it with her surrounded by squishy pillows and blankets......be sure an order from link to Amazon fro here as it helps this site.
Anyway.....once I knew she was well healed (and she's doing so well now) , I took the cushion. Off the sofa, put squishy. Blankets o it and she can ow get on that to sleep.....she prefers her Big Barker Bed
the best though!!
She of course at first wanted to go up. It ow she gets treats in er bed and when I say goodnight Sweet Hannah she climbs right in it's her hug and sleeps just fine.
I know it's hard not to sleep with your dog but it beats causing her harm trying to let er go up stairs.....especially this early in the recovery....!maybe later though!!
Okay....that's my 2¢ worth!!
Roxy's in great hands and love that she's doing so well!
Sending you support, 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!
My take on it with Brendol was to let her try what she felt comfortable with while I hung near ready to "spot" her. I slept downstairs with her for 3 nights. On the fourth day, I went upstairs to change clothes and when I turned around, she had followed me. So I knew she was ready. From there on, I always took her sling with me and would have it ready while she went up or down to help her. She needed help on and off for about a week. Eventually, she never needed any help, so I knew she was good to go. It's just one of those decisions you have to make. Like with anybody that we care for and love, kids or pets, at some point you have to let them try and learn. When that time is, is up to you. Good luck, sounds like Roxy is in great hands.
Karma, Brendol and Adelaide
Adelaide is a young tripawd Husky, from an injury. Her amp was on 10/1/12. She has 4 sisters, Aissa (a senior border collie/chow), Maggie May (a puppy Great Pyrenees), Mathilde and Morrigan and 1 baby brother, Bagheera. We are all watched over by our angel Brendol, who was dx with OSA 1/30/13, amp on 2/6/13, and left us on 8/20/13.
You can read their stories at http://adelaide.tripawds.com and http://brendol.tripawds.com
Yeah that's a difficult question, and every dog is different. You really want to limit her activity so soon after surgery to avoid seromas (fluid leakage) and possible incision problems. If you are able to comfortably carry her that could be OK. The goal is to normalize your routines but of course watching her health while you're doing so. It's a very fine line to walk!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Let her decide what she's ready for stay by her side and use the sling and go slow personally I think she would be happier with her normal routine upstairs with you. My rottie was up the stairs the day after surgery I was using a towel as a sling he didn't hesitate because it was his routine to sleep upstairs the next day he went on his own. From my experience keep the activity to a minimum when you can to prevent a seroma which my guy got but I think four days post up she may be ready take it at her pace. I wasn't using a sling a few days after for him to go up but continued to help him go down with the sling and now he doesn't hesitate.
Jackson did 12 stairs on his own, VERY slowly (he knew to take them with care!), on his fourth day. He's a rear amp. I was right there next to him. I praised like crazy! I even sat with him halfway down and up, so give him company and reassurance. When he got to the top and bottom, he was the happiest he'd been! I'm glad we waited to do them, but his happiness was also something that is now unforgettable. If she seems interested, let her try. Be there with her. Have her harness on to pull her back (or up) if she's moving too quickly (or struggling). Are your stairs carpeted? That'll make a difference. Carpeted stairs are way easier! Is it not possible to carry her up to your bedroom?
Ooooh....let us know! Either way, she's in great care! If she does it, she'll no doubt be very pleased with herself!
~ Katy
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Thanks for your advice, everyone!
She is showing interest in the stairs; I may try to help her up them today with her rear support and a pocket full of treats 
. They are not carpeted but we bought single mats for each stair that just stick on for traction
. It's not as good as a full runner though because it doesn't go around the edges.
That's terrific! The stairs shouldn't be a problem after a while, most Tripawds will get used to them. If you have time, post a pic of the way you put the traction down, I'd love to see your steps!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
This is what we have on our stairs. They are cheap and stick on with double sided tape so they are relatively non-destructive to the hardwood.
Ideally I'd like a full runner because it goes over the edges and that is where she is likely to need the traction , but we will see how she does and adjust accordingly.
YAY Roxy!! No stink in' stairs are gonna' intimidate you!! Victory dance!
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!
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