Tripawd Coon Hound Mix Roscoe benefits from free canine rehab evaluation and at-home therapy thanks to Tripawds Foundation Rehab Grant #197. The consultation, and rehab exercises help Roscoe stay strong and love life on three legs. Read his story, and learn how you can get a free veterinary rehab evaluation for your dog or cat.
Yes! Tri-kitties qualify for free feline rehab too. See all Tripawds who have received free rehab sessions thanks to your support.
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My dog, Roscoe, is a 10 year old coon hound/labrador mix. He had his front left leg amputated due to a bone tumor (osteosarcoma confirmed by biopsy). He had his leg amputated on June 13, about 7 weeks ago. I’ve had Roscoe since he was about 4 months old.
I took him to rehab for the first time on July 10. I initially made the appointment for two reasons; a) because of the recommendations from the Tripawds website (which I am so thankful I found and that you all do this!!) and b) because he initially was barely getting up and not wanting to even take a few steps to go to the bathroom. Fortunately, by the time he had the appointment he was up and moving around far better than I expected.
They prescribed two exercises during my first visit. One is a stretch for the back of his hamstrings and back, the other is for strengthening his core. We stopped after that, because the rehab therapist thought he was getting too tired to continue to anything else.
Hamstring/back stretch:
The therapist had Roscoe lay down in front of me, I would offer a treat in front of him (beyond his front paw) to encourage him to extend his head forward. She said the hamstrings can get tight, so this will stretch them out and the back as well. She said do not let him crawl forward to get the treat.
Caveletti:
This exercise involves walking over Cavaletti Poles or other objects (such as broom sticks or pool noodles). She said to make sure he steps one leg at a time over the objects (rather than hopping with both legs) to ensure he is engaging his core.
I think it’s still too early to tell if the specific exercises are benefiting him. He is recovering more and more each day from his surgery and appears to be doing very well.
She also recommended that I take him for acupuncture and/or chiropractic care. She recommended the stretch multiple times a day and to do the caveletti every other day, while taking him on walks on the days we don’t do it. She said to get him to be active without over exhausting him.
I went to PetVet 365 and saw April Abbey, who I found on the link provided by Tripawds for University of Tennessee Certified Canine Rehab Practitioner (CCRP) Global Directory (under Kentucky).
I heard about Tripawds through a Google search for dog amputations. I was searching to get more information on it prior to deciding if that is how we’d treat Roscoe’s osteosarcoma.
~ Rachel and Roscoe