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Hi Laurie,

I’m a physiotherapist in Ontario and I have a question about a client and I’m wondering if you can point me in the right direction.

I was treating a senior dog for the past year for hind quarter weakness/arthritis. Things were going well until pain started developing to the right shoulder joint. The dog was sent back to the vet and diagnosed with osteoscaroma and under went a right front limb amputation in mid July. I advised my client to go to the Rehab Center we have nearby for treadmill/water therapy. That has helped. Now my client is concerned. We were using a help’em up harness pre op and my client wants to use it post op but I have no experience with this harness with a dog with three legs and my client has been advised they don’t know at the rehab center either. My client is also concerned about mobility as winter approaches. Her dog was quite active, swimming, running on a large property daily. I had discharged this patient at time of surgery but they are reaching out for help again as they are finishing with the rehab Center. Any thoughts or advise would be helpful.

Kind regards,

C.

Hi C.

So…
1. The Help Em Up Harness should still work. It might need to be snugged up a bit tighter. If need be, a piece of peel & stick foam (i.e. like you’d get for lining a soft splint) might help to keep it in place, OR just a chunk of memory foam in the chest piece to keep it from slipping. I think the Help Em Up can accommodate a front leg amputee better than a rear leg amputee. So that’s good.
2. Mobility as a 3-legged dog is a challenge - especially when slipping could occur. So, the owners may need to limit outdoor walks / runs when the sidewalks are icy or snowy.
3. Tripod Considerations: I’d also look into Toe Grips to help with support / stability. Indoor exercise options might be good for bad weather stretches - so perhaps she could go to the pool for some exercise ‘fun sessions’ during these times. I also think that some kind of a carpal support would be good (something simple like a Carpo-Flex Sport wrap by Therapaw - just basic neoprene for proprioception. Manual therapy is great for these guys - stretching out the remaining forelimb, mobilizing the carpus on that side to keep it happy, as well as mobs, myofascial release, & massage for the back. Always check pelvis as well as rear legs.
4. Run-around options: The owners might also consider purchasing a front wheel cart if they want the dog to run. Eddies Wheels makes a nice front end cart.

I think you might as well see the dog again! There is lots you can do for comfort and support.

Best of luck!

Laurie