Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
I have a Outward Hound Back Pack in either Large or XL. It looks similar to this pic.
It has a handle on top and two side compartments and adjustable belly straps. This was Rugby's and he was a short, very wide around the middle German Shepherd mix. There isn't a tag on it to say if it's Large or XL.
It's just sitting in my dog cabinet full of stuff and since I don't have big dogs anymore (at least not yet - Monkeybaby may get that wide!).
If you have a need for it, then I'll send it.
Offline
Do you think it would fit Miles? He's 70#, but not so wide... He loves to go for hikes. I use Raven's old Large Ruff Wear harness to give him a lift with the handle, but would be nice if he could carry his water and my sweater since I have my hands full with holding on to the leash of a spastic tripawd. 🙂
Dawn
Rottie Raven, osteosarcoma at 8-1/2 years old, amputation in October '09 and in February '10 due to liver mets he went back to heaven where he came from. raven.tripawds.com
Now I have Miles, rottie mix amputee from a shelter and traveled 1500 miles to find his way here through the Rescue Railroad thanks to tripawds.com. miles.tripawds.com
Yes!
Well, I don't know for sure but TAKE IT! It's just gatherting dust here. It's adjustable so it should.
PM me your address Dawn and I'll put it in the mail.
It comes with Rugby hair from about 5 years ago!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Yikes! I would really not want to put that much extra weight on any Tripawd. Reducing stress on their already maxed out joints and spine when they are young will make life easier for them in their senior years. Can you clip his water on your waist & tie your sweater around it???
Arthritis and it's painful limitations in an older Tripawd can be heartbreaking, not to mention financially draining. I would do everything possible to delay it's onset and minimize it's severity.
Miles is young and evidently been a tripawd since puppyhood (probably deformity) and very fit, trim, and energetic. He runs like a maniac around the pasture, my Mom's jack russell cross can barely keep up. His thigh muscles are like a greyhound. I swear he could do agility. He loves to have a purpose, like a working breed, and is so happy to come accompany me for chores on the farm. I think he'd like to carry a bottle of water and a sweater, probably weighing less than an extra pound or two. We don't go far on walks and sometimes I grab his handle and lift while he hops alongside, taking a lot of weight off whether he likes it or not.
I have Miles on glucosamine/condroitin preventatively. I don't know if it helps prolong joints, but I do it. The vet says that activity is good for preventing arthritis (or slowing it's progress actually) as they age. I worry that he'll twist a foot running at liberty in the pasture, but I can't stop him from doing that. When we go for a dog walk, he's on a leash and can't go faster than I can walk, I think that is really good for keeping his muscles strong to support his body on 3 legs. 🙂
I do appreciate your commenting though. I would NEVER have considered such a thing with Raven, he was older and hopping was not easy because he was a cancer survivor and the muscle development was not there. I hope that people see your post and do consider what you said.
Dawn
Rottie Raven, osteosarcoma at 8-1/2 years old, amputation in October '09 and in February '10 due to liver mets he went back to heaven where he came from. raven.tripawds.com
Now I have Miles, rottie mix amputee from a shelter and traveled 1500 miles to find his way here through the Rescue Railroad thanks to tripawds.com. miles.tripawds.com
I realize he's a young, fit dog now, but everyday at rehab, I see middle to older age three legged dogs, who have been that way since puppyhood, debilitated by arthritis simply from the normal activities of an active life.
Activity is absolutely essential and even my, old, arthritic, Tripawd walks in the treadmill for 45mins 3x/ week (and has amazing muscle mass), but even carrying an extra pound or two of body weight can make a difference over time. There is so much of their activity that we can't control….and in the interest of their just being dogs shouldn't….but intentionally asking them carry extra weight in their youth might be costly later.
It sounds like Miles has a life any dog would envy!
Agreed, we don't sell the Ruff Wear back packs for exactly that reason. We do not recommend adding extra weight on our three legged friends. Perhaps, if you're not putting water or heavy items in the pack it *may* be OK, but we never put Jerry's pack on him again after his amputation. Better safe than sorry, eh?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We got it, thank you!! Just posted to Miles' blog. 😀
Rottie Raven, osteosarcoma at 8-1/2 years old, amputation in October '09 and in February '10 due to liver mets he went back to heaven where he came from. raven.tripawds.com
Now I have Miles, rottie mix amputee from a shelter and traveled 1500 miles to find his way here through the Rescue Railroad thanks to tripawds.com. miles.tripawds.com
You are welcome! Have fun cleaning off Rugby hair! He was a shep mix and although we only put it on him a couple of times, well - shep hair is impossible to get rid of. I still have some in deep dark recesses of my house!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Yay! But, hmmm... Miles' last post is about his get-together with Cemil.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
1 Guest(s)
