Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Day 9 post surgery and Totem, 4 months old, was his "old" youthful self today...energetic, running, playing with toys. He is scheduled to have the sutures removed this Friday. When he would get all energetic we put a stop to it after a minute or two to slow him down.
How much activity should be allow? I've read recovery takes 2-3 weeks...does that mean we need to discourage high energy time? Or, let him do what he feels like doing? He is still wearing the cone...
Aww that’s great news he’s getting his sparkle back!
Keep activity dialed down a LOT until those stitches are out. And when they do come out, it’s still wise to take things slow and easy. I know it’s easier said than done with a young dog. Our Tripawds bear blog has lots of ideas for interactive brain games to keep his mind busy.
And don’t forget, the Tripawds Foundation can pay for your first rehab visit . Even if a dog doesn’t seem to need it, getting assessed by a PT pro can show you how to keep Totem strong and injury free. This is so important as he ages. Check it out, I think you will find it worth your time and effort.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks Jerry. I seriously doubt there is a rehab specialist in my small town. How would I find the nearest one? The nearest big city is Dallas, Tx.
You would be surprised! About 9 times out of 10 I can find a therapist within a 1 hour drive when someone thinks there isn't one. Private Message me your city and I'll look one up for you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi fellow Texan. Totem is adorable! Happy to know he is feeling better, and ready to enjoy the puppy life!
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
It is 2 weeks post surgery and we have our energetic puppy back. Stitches out but he is still wearing the wearisome cone collar for 5 days after stitch removal. We are so anxious to get that thing off! However, we do not want to take it off and then have to put it back on. There is a small tag of dead skin on a puncture wound that the vet told us to let it fall off naturally. The amputation incision has about 3/4 inch of scab, very dry.
Tomorrow is day 5. We are trying to decide if it is time to take off the collar. Could Totem really mess up his skin healing at this point?
So happy to read this!!! Totem is Totem again!!!
How have the walks been? Has he moved in and is thoroughly enjoying them? How about YOU? Are you confident now and know that you are doing a great job??
If the Vet says it's okay to take the cone off tomorrow, then I would follow Vet's advice. Just watch him like a Hawk. The it of scabbing could be itchy.
Let us know how it goes. Totem is such a little Warrior! So glad you are giving him a lofe full of so much joy and love❤
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!
Totem and walks....Before the attack Totem was not a great fan of "taking a walk." He preferred to graze the trail or road, sit and observe his whereabouts, strain and pull on t he leash. We were making great progress; he was walking for longer stretches and seemed to enjoy prancing along with me while I walked. Then wham...he got attacked.
So, we are starting over. We go out on a leash everyday, but he stops frequently to observe, he still grazes anything he can find to smell or eat, and even one legged he really pulls. His harness was ruined in the attack. I have been waiting for 3 weeks for a Joyride harness which has yet to arrive. He will literally choke himself straining to get to something he spies or smells. I looked at the harnesses on this site and am just confused. He is still pretty small, but we don't know how large he will become.
So....walking is frustrating. I did just replace all area rugs I had taken up so he wouldn't chew on them. The slick tile floors are a problem now that he is scampering about.
Totem's following his own path it sounds like! What a sweetie.
When a dog loses a leg, it requires us to re-think what activities look like for our pup. Walking is good, but there are soooo many other things you can do to keep his mind and body exercised. If walking isn't his thing, maybe scent work is? Obedience, Rally-O and other fun challenges like that may be more along the lines of his personality. Check out Maggie's story for great examples of these activities.
Regarding the Joyride harness or any other "no-pull" harness...we are not fans. Rehab therapists have told us they do not like the way those harnesses alter the gait of a four-legged dog, and especially a Tripawd. That's why you don't see them in the Tripawds Gear shop. The models we carry won't alter the gait, while still allowing you to attach a leash to somewhere other than a neck collar. See this post for details:
What’s the Best Harness for a Tripawd?
The best way to walk without having your three or four-legged dog pull is, unfortunately, lots of time spent training. A head collar like the Gentle Leader is a good option for Tripawds or any dog. Also, keep in mind that all Tripawds walk faster than a four-legger. It's just their way of balancing and getting momentum to move foward.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
It's great to hear that Totem is doing so well!
My little rear amp Elly was quite the 'sled dog' when I first got her. Although she has lots of fear issues she would pull like crazy when she was after something....usually cats. I employed a technique I learned in a training class years ago- it takes lots of patience and consistency. Whenever she would start pulling on her leash I would stop walking and not move again until she stopped pulling and came back to me and then we would walk in the opposite direction. We would walk a few paces and if she didn't pull then we turned and walked in the original direction again. If she went out to the end of a leash and started pulling we would repeat the process. It can be very time consuming and you may not get very far at first. I don't use verbal commands for this exercise and it was not intended to teach her to 'heel', just to stop pulling.
I used a different approach to teach her to heel, I use 'with me' as the command. When we are walking alone I don't ask her to stay with me becasue her most comfortable gait is faster than I usually walk. I do use an extension leash (gasp!) so she can get a head of me, she knows how far she can go and usually finds something to sniff which allows me to catch up. We didn't start using the extension leash until her leash walking was pretty much under control. We spend some time on every walk practicing 'with me'. She pretty much now goes into that mode on her own when we are passing people. She is also a bit dog reactive and will still lunge if I let my guard down so that is something we will probably always be working on.
I don't use collars on my dogs only harnesses. Elly wears the RuffWear WebMaster and my quad Pug Obie wears the Ruffwear Front Range.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Thank you so much for all the suggestions. Jerry, I look at the comparison chart and am even more confused I ordered the Joyride before Totem was attacked, and can send it back if it ever gets here.
I measured Totem's girth this morning at 17 inches. Not sure if we need the lease attached on the back or chest? I don't think he will be a large dog but will certainly continue to grow.
And krun, yes! When Totem pulls I stand stock still and click and treat when he allows the leash to relax. I have tried changing directions mainly because he doesn't seem to care what direction he is headed. Like you, I'm not looking for heel at this point, just no pulling or walking behind me. He is only 4 months old and I often wonder if I am expecting way too much of him at his age.
You can try cheap rubber yoga mats. Also rubber backed bath mats might help. Yeah, times important to have non slip scatter rugs (or some variation) to avoid spills or slips.
Actually, most dogs prefer for their walks to be ones that they can stop and sniff and soak in all the messages the sniffing tells them about who, what was in that spot. And yes, if they can find some sort of tasty rabbit poop, etc, they''ll try and "graze"on that.
Do check out the Gear Shoo and the various Webmasters and see of they will work for you. You can email Jerry (Rene) and she can help get the best fit. There's one best designed for front leggers.
As ,mentioned, tripawds do need a faster gait to help with their. balance and momentum. The suggestion of a longer train lead will help give Totum the "freedom" to "run fast" for a bit before the "tug" starts. Once you get the right harness that will at least prevent the pulling on his neck.
Give yourself some credit, okay. Yoi've been through a lot. He just had MAJOR surgery, while the hardest part of recovery is over, he's still recovering, but at a faster pace now. It's just a matter of patience. There really is no reason to feel frustrated where he is in his "walk routine" right now. He is enjoying himself!😎 That's all that matters to Totum right now. Plus, he's still adjusting to three and still needs to not overdo.
I went to add that Karen's techniques and results with her Elky always amaze us. Elly is truly an exceptionally intelligent dog and Karen is an incredible Master Trainer with the patience and "stick- to-itness" of a Saint!! Their bond and trust took time to build to get these truly miraculous results.
Let us know how the harness search goes. Maybe you can cancel the order for that other one as it has taken so long to get it.
When Totum stops to observe and sniff, use that time to step into your own "Zen space" with nature. See if you can spot birds. Listen for their song and see of you can recognize their call. Take time to look uo at the clouds in the sky.
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!
While I was typoing, I just saw your post. Apologies to Totem for all the sudden misspelling his name!!
Okay, I'm sure there will be differing "advice", but here's my penny's worth:
Totem just turned 16 weeks. He's new to your home. He just had an awful experience (which he seems to be moving past that just fine). He just had MAJOR surgery. He's trying to adjust to three. His "pupoyhood" has been interrupted. I would say layoff any "hard" training right now. Obvioisly you don't want him to develop bad habits, but some of this "walkjng" stuff will probably correct itself a little on it's own once you get the right harness and longer lead.
All his experiences leading up to this make me want to give him a little more leeway as a puppy just wanting to be a normal puppy for a few more weeks on the "walk".
One thing I did do back in the day when I had you ger dogs and was teaching to come (novice style). I had a long leash and one person would call with excitement and joy and clapping and enthusiasm and give a treat and tons of praise when the dog got there. Then I would do the same and the dog would co e running to me and the praise, the treat, etc. Back and forth.
Even of you don't have someone to help, let him go the extent of the leash and before he gets to the end...before he gets pulling....do the same enthusiastic calling clapping, etc
All this just a suggestion for now as he acclimates into his new life as very young tripawd puppy.
❤❤❤
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!
Great tips, Sally! We used a long leash to train Wyatt Ray on recall and it worked great. Plus it was fun!
And THIS:
Actually, most dogs prefer for their walks to be ones that they can stop and sniff and soak in all the messages the sniffing
So true! This is discussed quite a bit in one of my favorite books:
The Field Guide to Unleashing Your Dog
I measured Totem’s girth this morning at 17 inches. Not sure if we need the lease attached on the back or chest?
The Ruffwear Flagline or Webmaster harness will give you the convenience of both. At 17", Totem would probably be OK in a XS for either harness, with a little room to grow.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you all so much! I just ordered a Ruffwear harness for smaller dogs. And, thank you for reminding me that he, and we, have been through a lot. The next milestone is neutering which was delayed because of the surgery. Will wait at least a month before subjecting him to that.
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