Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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I am so scared.
All I can think is, is this the right thing?
Some people keep telling me I should find a cheap vet to amputate. I went with the one I went with, since they had a department in Oncology.
Some suggestions were a place in another county for $300.
What is a normal price range?
I am selling everything I can. I am not sure how else to raise more money? I still owe the vet and they did some of the labwork off using their research funds. The tumors are growing so fast up his leg, from one to several in the past month, I am not sure if it is worth taking the time to find a new vet?
I am scared of recovery. I am thinking of making our extra room a quiet place for him if he will stay there. A bed on the floor, a gate up away from us all. Especially my toddler. I was reviewing a checklist for supplies needed after surgery. A muzzle was listed. Do you think a muzzle is needed?
He is a good dog, but he snapped at me back in December when I went to change his bandage. I know he was scared and in pain.
I am hoping and praying that all goes well. thanks for letting me get all that off my chest.
I get so irritated with people who don't understand why you would help your animal. Or how they can not fathom spending that kind of money on a dog.
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Hi Jags Mom. We're sorry that you are in this situation but glad you came here to post. Please consider registering as a member so your future posts won't require approval. To answer your questions:
What is a normal price range?
You did the right thing by sticking with a quality referral practice. An amputation done for $300 is literally unheard of here in our community (in the last 10 years I have never heard of it being done so cheaply) and leads me to suspect that the person who gave you that information was incorrect, or the vet who did it was incredibly dangerous for animals. Enough of that though. Stick to the practice you're with, they sound like they are good.
The "normal" price range varies on factors like where you live, what the dog's size is and whether or not a board-certified surgeon is doing the operation. You can get an idea about amputation surgery costs for dogs here. Since you already found a good vet, try to just move forward and take things from here.
I am selling everything I can. I am not sure how else to raise more money?
Everyone here understands the financial strain of this situation and knows how hard it is to pay these bills. This is why we had to edit your post to comply with the Tripawds Fundraising Policy. Thank you for understanding. Meanwhile have you seen our Tripawds Financial Resources information? Or reviewed the Tripawds Amputation Fund application guidelines?
Do you think a muzzle is needed?
They are always good to have on hand just in case. Needed? Usually not. Odds are that once your dog's painful leg is removed he will feel really good and not feel inclined to nip, which is a pain indicator in animals.
Do check out Jerry's Required Reading List to help ease your fears about everything. And check back here often, you'll find tons of support from people who understand that yes, doing this to help our dogs and cats is the least we can do for all the unconditional love they give back to us. Hang in there OK? We are here for you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello and welcome, sorry you have to find yourself here but you've come to the right place. What kind of dog is Jager? What kind of cancer does he have?
I am not from the US so I wouldn't know about prices. Generally I would say go with the vet that has the expertise and go with your gut feeling. Ask the vets what they recommend for the time after surgery.
I have not heard of anyone needing a muzzle for their dog, but you know your dog better than anyone and if you feel that he would bite if he's in pain...
What we usually recommend here is something for traction on hardwood, laminate or tiles, like rugs, yoga mats, etc. and try and talk to your vets about their availability (over the phone or in person) during the first couple of days. Sometimes, med dosages have to be adjusted, etc.
We all understand, here. we were all very scared and it is a scary thing to go through. This is the right place to ask questions and also to get things off your chest.
all the best
tina & Manni
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
Jack bit me on the drive home from surgery because I accidentally touched her surgery site and then snapped at me when we were removing the bandage a couple of days later. The bite was more of a warning because she was scared and in pain, like Jager. We muzzle her using the Happy Muzzle if she's getting an immunization or blood draw now, but I did not / would not muzzle her during recovery unless she was completely unable to control herself. If he's not used to a muzzle, it's probably going to make him more nervous. Also, if Jager's anything like most dogs here, he will be sleepy and a bit restless, but the drugs do a good job of keeping them woozy.
My strategy would be to keep him separated from your toddler life you've said and as in control of his environment as you can manage - watch his signals if you have to get near his surgery site and go slowly. I think you'll be fine.
We paid $655 for a surgery at a low-cost surgical clinic in Richmond, VA, Helping Hands. That is about the lowest you will be able to find- amputation is expensive and you want to know that your baby is in good hands. If you feel good about the surgeon, stick with him/her and just know that you've chosen to prioritize Jager's well-being and give him a shot at a pain-free life. Not everyone makes the same decision and that's okay. You get to make those choices in life for yourself!
In case no one's mentioned it to you, CareCredit can be a good option in these situations.
I was exactly in your shoes 12 days ago and my post started the same...."I'm scared". Now, fast forward 12 days and I can say that both my dog, myself and my family are doing well and we don't regret the decision to amputate. The first few days were very difficult for all of us but each day brought a step towards recovery. I think keeping Jager confined to a quiet room is a good idea especially the first few days because he will no doubt spend it sleeping. We paid $1139 for the surgery through my small town local vet and that price doesn't include what I spent on diagnostics, a new bed and harness for him or what I am going to spend on upcoming therapy. He is my baby boy and I love him so I will do what I can for him. Perhaps your vet will allow you to make monthly payments? Good luck to Jager--hoping for a speedy recovery!
Good luck to Jager! Financially, this is a real challenge for everyone. But it is major surgery, so the cheapest is not always the best choice. Sounds like you have found a good surgeon with experience with amputations. That sounds ideal. Especially since he/she will more likely be up to date on recovery and pain med protocols.
Jloz - great to hear that your baby is doing so well!
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Hi Jagger and Mom,
Yes, these are pretty scary times but you will find once surgery is over you can turn to the next page and focus on his recovery.
First couple of weeks may not be easy, some of us had our babies sailing through recovery like champs, others were more difficult but each day that goes by is one day closer to the end of recovery, just do the best you can and be as pawsitive as you can for Jagger, they do pick up on our energy!
I never heard of people having to muzzle their dogs during recovery, my Eurydice snarled at me once, the day after she got back home as I tried to move her but that was just because I hurt her...
As for cost for the surgery I agree with the others it is expensive but you must place experience before price because it is major surgery, no way around that ...
Please consider getting him a harness, it is an invaluable help throughout their tripadvisor life.
I would keep my toddler away until Jagger is back to being his happy self which normally starts happening steadily after stitches are removed.
What size and weight is Jagger?
And is it a front or a back leg?
We can all advise you better when you tell us more about your boy and maybe you could publish a list of things you need in the angel exchange forum, in case some pawrents here have items they could spare.
You are a wonderful Mom to Jagger, we can all see that, and we are all here for you from now on so do not think twice about asking any questions, big or small.
Sending you a big bear hug and many cuddles to your boy xxx
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
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