queenwinniesmom Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 (edited) Lydia's problems continue.....It was Jan. 22nd when she fell on the steps and scraped her legs, and we're still dealing with the aftermath. We've had regular vet visits, bandage changes, got the staples removed, etc. She's healing, the wounds are getting smaller (the stapled ones are completely healed). And she doesn't try to bite us when we change the bandages. But it seems like we take one step forward and 4 steps back. She opened up a new wound when Doug tried to help her down the steps, and over the weekend, somehow (not on the steps), scraped another place open. We have no idea how. And here is the problem---it's on the hind leg, higher up, right at the point where it gets wider, and it's hard to get a bandage to stay put. We've had a bunch of them on. The last one slipped down, but the wound looked pretty good, so we decided to watch it, and see if it did okay un-bandaged. It did for a while. This afternoon, just as I'm about to leave for work, I see that she is bleeding all over the place! I got it stopped, the vet said to come on in, and she re-bandaged it. Halfway home, it had slipped. Back we went. She re-bandaged again, this time up pretty high. I was afraid Lydia wouldn't want to walk, but she seems okay so far. I'm so frustrated, and stressed, and worried that we're missing something. And worried that she'll keep doing this. She has FOUR bandages on her legs now. The poor girl looks like we're abusing her. Our vet seems pretty sure that it is because she is old, her skin is fragile, it's very dry. We're trying to decide what to put on the legs to minimize the chance of this happening all the time. I'm talking with BellaBean about leg warmers, but thinner. We need to do something that won't make her too uncomfortable, or she won't go up and down the steps. Any suggestions would really be appreciated, by me AND Lydia! Edited February 15, 2014 by queenwinniesmom Quote Nancy, Mom to Evangelina and Kiva Missing Lacey, Patsy, Buster, my heart dog Nick, Winnie, Pollyanna, Tess, my precious Lydia, Calvin Lee, my angel butterfly Laila, and kitties Lily, Sam and Simon My Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Catsburgandhoundtown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysmom Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 What about four-legged pjs? If you can have someone make them out of a lighter weight fabric, with either snaps or velcro down the inside of the legs so they are easier to get on and off? Then you could adjust the leg length and width to fit, and cover everything you need, or mostly anyway. Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
queenwinniesmom Posted February 13, 2014 Author Share Posted February 13, 2014 Chris, we've thought about that, and they would work in the house, but she refuses to go down the steps in coats of any kind! And the steps are the main problem, I think. I'm not sure at this point. But if we have to take them off to get her down the steps, it kinda defeats the purpose. We may give it a try anyway. Damn, I wish we had a ranch home. Quote Nancy, Mom to Evangelina and Kiva Missing Lacey, Patsy, Buster, my heart dog Nick, Winnie, Pollyanna, Tess, my precious Lydia, Calvin Lee, my angel butterfly Laila, and kitties Lily, Sam and Simon My Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Catsburgandhoundtown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 What type of stairs do you have??--are they carpeted etc...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hollis Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Is it at all possible to put a ramp over the stairs? Quote My sweet angel Tanner-"Showoffs Magic" 79D-82695. DOB 7/22/99. Gotcha Day 6/20/05. Bridge Day 3/11/10. Big Beautiful Brave Angel Norm-"Showoffs Storm" 89B-83263. DOB 8/16/99. Gotcha Day 3/24/06. Bridge Day 4/20/13. Angel Girl Bree-"Breezy Betty" 201A-93631. DOB 2/05/01. Gotcha Day 5/11/10. Bridge Day 10/07/11. She reached the beach.... Maci-"CF's Owhatanite" 44H-29320. DOB 10/05/04. Gotcha Day 10/11/11. Greta-"Greta's Milam" 90B-54582. DOB 9/17/10. Gotcha Day 11/30/12. Bridge Day 03/30/17. Ben-"P Kay Key Train" 63A-61271. DOB 6/2/13. Gotcha Day 12/26/15. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
queenwinniesmom Posted February 13, 2014 Author Share Posted February 13, 2014 I need to take a picture of our stairs! They are steep and wood. Way too steep for a ramp, and I don't think carpeting would work outside. Quote Nancy, Mom to Evangelina and Kiva Missing Lacey, Patsy, Buster, my heart dog Nick, Winnie, Pollyanna, Tess, my precious Lydia, Calvin Lee, my angel butterfly Laila, and kitties Lily, Sam and Simon My Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Catsburgandhoundtown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hollis Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Do the indoor/outdoor carpeting. Or the fake grass like stuff. poor peanut. Quote My sweet angel Tanner-"Showoffs Magic" 79D-82695. DOB 7/22/99. Gotcha Day 6/20/05. Bridge Day 3/11/10. Big Beautiful Brave Angel Norm-"Showoffs Storm" 89B-83263. DOB 8/16/99. Gotcha Day 3/24/06. Bridge Day 4/20/13. Angel Girl Bree-"Breezy Betty" 201A-93631. DOB 2/05/01. Gotcha Day 5/11/10. Bridge Day 10/07/11. She reached the beach.... Maci-"CF's Owhatanite" 44H-29320. DOB 10/05/04. Gotcha Day 10/11/11. Greta-"Greta's Milam" 90B-54582. DOB 9/17/10. Gotcha Day 11/30/12. Bridge Day 03/30/17. Ben-"P Kay Key Train" 63A-61271. DOB 6/2/13. Gotcha Day 12/26/15. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Scouts_mom Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 What about putting pipe insulation on the edges of the stairs? That way if she hits the edges, she may get bruises, but no cuts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysmom Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 As long as the profile is short enough so she won't trip. Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest grey_dreams Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Sorry to hear she's keeps getting wounds. That must be so frustrating. Could you just leash walk her in your front yard, then you wouldn't have to go up and down stairs? Or could you fence in a small area in your front yard that she could use? I assume you don't have stairs to your front yard. Or could you let her use your garage as a potty area until the weather is better? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krissn333 Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 You might also try giving her a spoonful of coconut oil once a day to help her skin. Ozzie's skin has been very dry and the coconut oil has helped SO much. He loves it - he will just eat it off of the spoon. I have to be careful where I keep the jar or he will steal it! Quote Kristin in Moline, IL USA with Ozzie (MRL Crusin Clem), Clarice (Clarice McBones), Latte and Sage the IGs, and the kitties: Violet and Rose Lovingly Remembered: Sutra (Fliowa Sutra) 12/02/97-10/12/10, Pinky (Pick Me) 04/20/03-11/19/12, Fritz (Fritz Fire) 02/05/01 - 05/20/13, Ace (Fantastic Ace) 02/05/01 - 07/05/13, and Carrie (Takin the Crumbs) 05/08/99 - 09/04/13. A cure for cancer can't come soon enough.-- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfish Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 (edited) Sounds as if she needs Dog Legges. They do a variety of protective sleeves for vulnerable joints - I think the original ones were made for elbow hygromas - and they're made of a tough but very resilient and padded material so they'd do the job. But even they say that hind legs are difficult. They suggest a pair of child's fleece leggings, cut and adjusted (with elastic if necessary) to fit. Poor Lydia. This really is one of those times when you want to wrap them in bubble wrap, isn't it? I wonder if you could build a ramp by building a support on the lower two steps and extending the slope beyond the actual stairs? There's a blog I read called Genji's Corner. They have more than one tripod greyhound, and they've built a wonderful ramp for them - the post about it is here. I don't know what space or resources you have, but if it's possible, you could perhaps consider building one over the top of the steps? Edited February 13, 2014 by silverfish Quote The plural of anecdote is not dataBrambleberry Greyhounds My Etsy Shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
queenwinniesmom Posted February 13, 2014 Author Share Posted February 13, 2014 (edited) Thanks for your suggestions! I'm afraid that, short of peeing and pooping in the house---which she'd be glad to do---there is no way to avoid steps. We live on the second and third floor of our big old Victorian house. We'd have to ask our first floor tenant to move out, and we've thought about that, but unfortunately, we need the money. I could take her down about 15 inside steps to the entry hall (we'd have to carpet or put a runner on them first) to the front porch, then down 4 more steps to leash walk in our tiny front yard. It could be an option, but really not that much better. I have to laugh when I think about building a ramp. It would be like trying to walk down a big playground slide. I'm going to get some coconut oil tomorrow. And researching Dog Legges now. ETA Can't find anything when I Google Dog Legges. Edited February 13, 2014 by queenwinniesmom Quote Nancy, Mom to Evangelina and Kiva Missing Lacey, Patsy, Buster, my heart dog Nick, Winnie, Pollyanna, Tess, my precious Lydia, Calvin Lee, my angel butterfly Laila, and kitties Lily, Sam and Simon My Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Catsburgandhoundtown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfish Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Sorry, it's Dog Leggs (no 'e'). Quote The plural of anecdote is not dataBrambleberry Greyhounds My Etsy Shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
queenwinniesmom Posted February 13, 2014 Author Share Posted February 13, 2014 Thank-you! Quote Nancy, Mom to Evangelina and Kiva Missing Lacey, Patsy, Buster, my heart dog Nick, Winnie, Pollyanna, Tess, my precious Lydia, Calvin Lee, my angel butterfly Laila, and kitties Lily, Sam and Simon My Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Catsburgandhoundtown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiveRoooooers Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 I was just thinking about Lydia yesterday. Can you try using a harness on her while going up and down the steps? The indoor/outdoor carpet / carpet grass suggestion is very good, or a heavy-grade sandpaper would give her some traction. Are any of her wounds small enough that you can close them with crazy glue? The stuff works, and there is surgical grade available if you aren't comfortable with the other. I use it *a lot* around here (non-surgical). Hugs for Lydia. Quote Old Dogs are the Best Dogs. Thank you, campers. Current enrollees: Punkin. AnnIE Oooh M, Ebbie, HollyBeeBop (Betty Crocker). Angels: Pal . Segugio. Sorella (TPGIT). LadyBug. Zeke-aroni. MiMi Sizzle Pants. Gracie. Seamie . (Foster)Sweet. Andy. PaddyALVIN!Mayhem. Bosco. Bruno. Dottie B. Trevor Double-Heart. Bea. Cletus, KLTO. Aiden 1-4. Upon reflection, our lives are often referenced in parts defined by the all-too-short lives of our dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greytpups Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Nancy, can you just put some towels down on the steps to help with the slipperiness, assuming that's the problem. Quote Jan with precious pups Emmy (Stormin J Flag) and Simon (Nitro Si) and Abbey Field. Missing my angels: Bailey Buffetbobleclair 11/11/98-17/12/09; Ben Task Rapid Wave 5/5/02-2/11/15; Brooke Glo's Destroyer 7/09/06-21/06/16 and Katie Crazykatiebug 12/11/06 -21/08/21. My blog about grief The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not get over the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it. You will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the same, nor would you want to. ― Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Nancy--do you think Lydia would wear a harness?? I have a ruff wear harness that I would be glad to lend to you. http://www.ruffwear.com/dog_harnesses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysmom Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 I was going to suggest a Ruff Wear Harness too. At some point, she's going to have tyo get used to wearing something, and she can wear the Ruff Wear 24/7 with no problems. Dude wore it all the time for several months after his amp. Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winnie Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Agh. These teenage girls who don't act their age. Our 13 y/o Darcy goes flying up and down stairs. Scares the bejesus out of me. I like the harness idea. We used a harness to help Faye Oops with stairs when she has osteo. Quote Laura with Celeste (ICU Celeste) and Galgos Beatrix and Encarna The Horse - Gracie (MD Grace E) Bridge Angels Faye Oops (Santa Fe Oops), Bonny (Bonny Drive), Darcy (D's Zipperfoot) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest IrskasMom Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Nancy , I have the same Problem . Down from the Deck ( Backdoor ) are 12 Steps . I bought Carpet Stair Treads in Ollies . Glued them on all the way down . It has saved my Mortys Life, honestly . I keep them Ice free at all times and if I have to go out every Hour on the Hour during the Night . Before he goes out , I tell him every time " Careful " . How much it helps , I don't know. He fell down once . Wanted to add , maybe Baby Tights ( cut the legs of and use as Legwarmer ) and with a Safety Pin attach to Coat.. Maybe it would safe the Bandages or the Scrapes . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 For inside steps, you can get carpet treads pretty cheaply at Home Depot / Lowe's most times. Easy to put on with carpet glue (my preference) or staples. I would also go for the harness. I know she doesn't like those things, but maybe harness + peanutbutter or braunschweiger would help change her mind? Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a_daerr Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 And here is the problem---it's on the hind leg, higher up, right at the point where it gets wider, and it's hard to get a bandage to stay put. I hear you. Truman had an injury in the same spot, and it was IMPOSSIBLE to keep bandaged. We went back to the vet and had it surgically glued. I just left it uncovered after that. Poor Lydia... I can't wait for this winter garbage to end! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4My2Greys Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 Do you think something like this might protect the Lydia's legs from the stair edges, which is what I'm guessing she's scraping her legs against when she falls. http://www.rbstairtreads.com/rubber-stair-treads/rubber-stair-treads-633-outdoor-recycled-tire.html Not sure if this would help or make things worse, but it might being worth looking into them. If they don't pose any dangers with regard to snow or ice then they might be a benefit for not only Lydia, but the rest of the crew also. Please give Lydia a kiss from me and a gentle nuzzle from Nadir. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinw Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 Poor Lydia! Have you tried EMT gel for her cut? The harness also sounds like a good suggestion. Quote Xavi the galgo and Peter the cat. Missing Iker the galgo ?-Feb.9/19, Treasure (USS Treasure) April 12/01-May 6/13, Phoenix (Hallo Top Son) Dec.14/99-June 4/11 and Loca (Reko Swahili) Oct.9/95 - June 1/09, Allen the boss cat, died late November, 2021, age 19. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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