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Hi Laurie,

I have a question for you: any advice on rehab for a 60kg Mastiff who just had a radical forelimb amputation (including scapula) due to bone cancer? He had surgery yesterday and is having a hard time figuring out how to stand on three legs. Any tips would be appreciated.

P.

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Hi P.,

Okay, so it's really hard for these big guys to function on 3.

My suggestions would be:

Work on 'bed mobility' first (human term), where he has to shift his weight from side to side to get a treat... and learn how to move his body.  Train sternal to sit and back down.  Train him to get his rear end under him in order to get up (since he can't pull himself anymore) and ensure that the flooring is super non-slip when working on it.

Maybe practice sternal to stand with his rear end elevated up a plank (just a short rise) to change the dynamics.  They'll need to get a harness: Rear end harness, and maybe even front end... could use a Help-Em-Up or reusable heavy-duty grocery bags with holes cut out for legs (two for rear, and only one for the front) and practice standing.

Then strengthen him when up in standing... even if it means hauling him up to stand to just practice standing (and gaining strength).

Perhaps create a standing frame and or a make-shift wheelchair (i.e. PVC pipe frame and fabric straps across) for the dog to practice weight bearing in a 'safe zone'.

UWT standing practice. Just standing with the jets on before moving the treadmill (again in some sort of a harness).

Maybe maybe, he'll need a permanent front end wheel chair (just throwing it out there)

Practice movements from the stand.  He needs to strengthen and figure out how to use his body.  So some sit to stands down to a short stool.  Maybe with the front leg stationary up on a surface doing some side stepping (even if just 1 step to the left and 1 to the right... just to get used to the dynamics of it all).

More stationary movement.  Standing and cookies to the right, left, up, & down.  (He's got to figure out his balance now).

He's going to be pretty tired from trying to do any movement... and because of his size, he's going to be slow to adopt the 'Hop'... so I really would recommend creating some sort of a standing / walking cart so that he can build strength and learn to move with 3-legs.

I hope this helps!

Laurie