General Chat

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Hi, some of you will remember back in July after a lot of heart searching we adopted little Ralph who has one back paw missing and only one claw on his other back paw plus one toe gone. I sent for hand made dog boots to Ireland for him but after three sets, they still dont fit. They dont seem to understand that on the stump side there is only a couple of inches before his hock (elbow) sticks out so we cant get the boot round that. The vet said to me last week as he tries to use the stump when he runs it may be best to let the leg wither and remove it. Yes, I felt horrified too. Ive decided to try and make a boot for the stump myself. Can anyone suggest a stretchy but waterproof material that I could use please. I have in mind something like an elasticated bandage that can be pulled over the stump and round the hock and then some waterproofing material over it with a little bit built up in the bottom so that the pretend foot can touch the ground as he walks. At the moment on flat ground his better foot is splayed to the side to help him balance. It breaks my heart to see him, though as everyone remarks, he is happy as larry. But I want to avoid future probs. I dont want the better leg getting problems because he is having to use it so much like that. Any suggestions very welcome indeed. Remember I only made one thing at school - a blouse that ended up with three arms somehow. So words of one syllable please.

Heather how about something like upholstery webbing. Would a childs sock be any good for the inside to put over his stump. He sounds intriguing.

The neoprine sounds interesting, you see the biggest problem is going to be getting something that stays on when he is out and about (well, apart from getting to stay still when putting it on that is). The boots we have from Ireland are made of waterproof stuff with a suede end and two lots of velcro to go round the boot above and below the hock. But as I said, they dont seem to understand this isnt a front straight leg and you cant pull it round the hock. If its any wider then its going to be a problem to actually gather all the material up when you tie the velcro round. Oh, youngest son is at door - hasnt been back in two days - bet he will be well hung over. Will check back in case some genius can suggest something for Ralph. Dawn, did you not see the pics of him on the photo board back in July/August. He is absolutely beautiful and lovable and so very happy. Mind you he has an ear infection at the moment - £33 a bottle of drops!!

Heather this might be a long shot -----but how about trying a shoe repairers. dont want the little fella to lose a leg,vets are too quick to amputate at times. best wishes wendy

what about self - sticky bandage and replace it when it gets tatty ~ may protect the stump in the short term. Can invent all sort for amputee partner! Jess x

Jess, many thanks for your insight. Its not just covering the stump though, its actually trying to add some length to that leg so he is evened up when he is walking and doesnt put too much strain on the other one. In theory the Irish boots would have been good as at the bottom of it they had a built up area with soft material which is then covered with suede, inside and outside. But not much help if we cant get the damn thing on him.

Heather No I diodn't see the piccies. SOunds like you need to take what book you have to a repairer so they can see what you need and maybe they could alter it for you

depending in how much you need to make up, in terms of a shortfall, what about incorporating a cork In something like the finger of a latex glove, then banadaging it? Jess x

Dawn, 'boots' is a misnomer really as they look a bit like finger stools or thumb stools, not like little boots!

Heather, Have you thought of just cutting the boots at Front or back and sewing Velcro on to the side you have split open. Just easiest way of doing it. Sue

Hi Heather have you any saddlers in your area, they can make saddles to fit horse and rider I am sure a good one could come up with some think, it sounds as if you might need a harness to attach the boot to, that would keep it in place. If you live in the Northampton area I would have a go at one for you, I have made some contraption for horses over the years. Kath

Many thanks everyone, it really is appreciated. I did cut the boot down the seam but it still just isnt the right shape to go up and over his hock. If you cut too low (which I have now! - waste of £35, eh!) it just doesnt fit at all. Its difficult for me to explain as in theory they should pull up his leg, loosely fit over the hock and then be velcroed above and below it. But the stump sticks out at an angle, so by the time you manage to hold him still enough to get in on the stump, the hock is sticking out above the boot and you just cant get it over to fasten. The boot wants to just go straight up but the leg cant allow that to happen. I contacted a vet hospital that Id seen on the net in London where they had made up a false foot for a dog - I was willing to get a loan to have it done for him but they looked at the photos and said that there was nothing to connect a false foot to. The other dog had been in an accident and still had loose tendons that they could attach to a false foot. As it is his right leg is about 3 inches shorter than his left so he uses the left to balance himself as he walks - funnily enough it doesnt seem a problem at all when he is running, its just when he is walking particularly on flat ground. Then he turns his left foot (which is also a bit damaged) outwards to move along. He has two very strong front legs so he ends up sort of bunny hopping. KC, yes we do have a local saddler (its a very horsey area) and I had also thought about something like a brace to go up over his leg and round his rump. I will think more on that.