Tripawd terrier mix Lucy benefits from free canine rehab evaluation and at-home therapy thanks to Tripawds Foundation Rehab Grant #200. The consultation, and rehab exercises help Zoey stay strong and love life on three legs. Read her 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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Lucy, my 13-year-old terrier mix became my dog in January 2022 at the age of 10.5 years by
way of Citizen Canine senior dog rescue where she ended up after her owner passed away.
Having lost my mother to cancer, I could empathize with Lucy’s situation and felt that we would
be great for each other. In March of this year, Lucy developed a soft tissue sarcoma on her front
left wrist, which ulcerated. With no other options, Lucy’s front left leg was amputated on July 1st.
Lucy’s recovery has been anything but easy; an already difficult transition complicated by her
age and stubborn personality. It took multiple days before she would hold her head up, 5 days
post-op before she tried to crawl, 7 days before she could hold her weight with her remaining
front leg in a sitting position, and 9 days post-op before she could get up to the sitting position
on her own.
We were evaluated by Dr. Ihrke at Veterinary Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation (VSMR) of
Homer Glen, IL 10 days post-op at which point Lucy was still not able to stand on her own. I
worked with Lucy 5 times a day to try and strengthen her front leg. Additionally, I supported
Lucy’s back legs using a harness in order to facilitate her moving from a sitting to a standing
position. All this was in preparation for walking independently, which Lucy finally started trying to
do the third week post-op! The techs at VSMR were working on putting together a cart, which I
intended to use temporarily to give Lucy back some independence while working towards
walking unassisted, but it was no longer necessary after she started to take steps on her own.
In the past week Lucy has been able to take a few steps at a time on her own, jump up to her
spot on the couch unassisted, and even climb a few stairs with help. I will continue to work with
Lucy and use her harness to let her practice the motions of going up stairs. Additionally, I will
utilize an Assisi Loop to administer PEMF therapy 2-4 times a day to reduce inflammation, pain
at the incision site, and phantom limb pain which will make Lucy easier to work with. I hope Lucy
will be able to reach a point that we can return to VSMR for them to work with her. I dream that
Lucy will be able to enjoy walks the way she did before, but most of all I wish she will reach a
new normal.
~ Taylor and Tripawd Terrier Mix Lucy