It should come to no surprise that there will be a bit of a learning curve for both you and your pet after they receive their dog prosthetics. Imagine if your limb was amputated and you were fitted with a prosthetic leg. You would certainly be excited to be able to walk again, but it would take some time to get used to. Your dog feels the same way!
Amputation of a beloved pet’s limb is a difficult decision. It is often needed to eliminate a painful or life threatening condition. Severe trauma, cancer, or debilitating illness are all reasons for amputation to be considered. In some cases, a dog is born without a limb and needs a prosthetic to overcome a birth defect.
Caring for Your Pet After a Prosthetic
Most dogs adapt well to the loss of a single limb. They don’t appear to experience any emotional sense of loss. Most dogs are able to walk, run, and even climb stairs within a very short time if you care for them properly after the prosthetic is put on. Here's what to keep in mind:
Be Patient!
With patience and work, nearly all dogs can be taught to adapt to a new limb. Most dogs will tolerate dog prosthetics and return to near normal function. Once comfortably fitted, it becomes only a matter of time before your pet learns to walk again. It may not be in one hour or even one day, but it will happen!
Keep the Surgery Site Clean and Dry
If your dog is getting a prosthetic because of a limb amputation, as many are, you'll need to pay careful attention to the incision site. If the incision becomes soiled, gently clean the area using a soft cloth and warm water. Avoid bathing and swimming for a while. This is usually about two weeks after surgery.
Keep Your Home Safe
Another way you can keep your pet safe at home is by preventing your dog from walking on slippery surfaces. During the initial adjustment period, soft carpeting or grass provide the best footing. Also, make sure he or she isn't going up and down stairs. You can carry your pet for now. This won't last forever, though. As your pet builds muscle and becomes more accustomed to getting around on the new prosthetic, slippery floors and stairs should not be a problem.
Custom Dog Prosthetics from Bionic Pets
If your pet needs to have a limb amputated, it can be a stressful time. However, this surgery is sometimes the best choice to relieve pain and improve quality of life. When you order your dog prosthetics from Bionic Pets, you have two options: a partial prosthetic and full-limb prosthetic. We'd love to talk about your options in more detail, as well as answer any additional questions you may have.