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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Hi. I have an 11 year old lab mix that needs to have her front left leg amputated as she has osteosarcoma. Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced vet from San Diego to North County? Does anyone know how much a procedure like this would cost? We would like to do this as soon as possible. Thanks.
Missy and Claudia
Welcome Missy and Claudia,
I'm so sorry about the diagnoses but you have come to the right place. We have a topic devoted to the cost of amputation. (I will find it and post a link). It's probably not going to inexpensive where you live.
Did you already get an estimate from your diagnosing vet?
We also highly recommend doing the amputation very, very soon. The pain of bone cancer is horrific and dog's can mask it sometimes. Plus, the bone can break and the cancer can spread.
I'll find the link and post it.
Good luck,
Comet's mom
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
We highly recommmend Veterinary Cancer Group. You can read posts and watch videos from our tour of their Orange County facility.
"Reasonable" is relative. You get what you pay for and should consider reviewing Jerry's News Blog post about How to Choose a Veterinarian for Amputation Surgery.
Thanks for joining Tripawds. We are sorry to hear about Missy, but glad you found us. Be sure to bookmark Jerry's Required Reading List for lots of answers to common cancer and amputation questions.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
YES - I can!!! I live in San Diego & hands down the best surgeon for the procedure is Dr Tim Lenehan at Vet Surgical Specialists off Kerney Mesa Rd.
I went to 3 surgeons to find the best fit. We had an excellent recovery with no complications at all. Tight wound closure, no seromas.. I really can't say enough about him and his staff. Since our amp back in Jan 2009, I've met 6 other people who have used him for surgeries and all rave about him. He is simply the BEST! (also Ivy League educated)
A warning is do not got to Vet specialists in Sorrento Valley Rd. They only want your money and have little empathy for what is happening with your dog.
Here's his info : Tim Lenehan (858) 560-8006, 5610 Kearny Mesa Rd, #B, San Diego, CA
The cost With Dr Lenehan was also $800 less than the Vet Specialists on Sorrento Valley Rd too. Cost is about 2600-3400 depending on situation.
Jenna & Zak,
12 yr old Rtvr, amp 1/24/09, Amp & Chemo
That's RAD Jenna, thank you for the referral.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi again everyone. After much research and visits to this wonderful website, we have found a vet that will take very good care of Claudia come Thursday. During our research, one vet suggested that we could bring Claudia home right after surgery; same day. We were surprised to hear that. Has anyone brought their baby home the same day, after amputation?
I think a few people on the site have, but it depends on your vet. After such a major surgery, they are prone to getting fevers and having severe pain. Chloe stayed 2 nights. The vet gave me updates twice a day to let me know how she was doing and told me there were technicians that stayed with her around the clock. She did have a slight fever the first night, but she did seem to be managing the pain well with whatever super pain killers were flowing through her IV. The second night was just a precaution to ensure that she was indeed doing better. I mean if something happened, I would rather have her there where they could attend to her immediately.
I didn't have a choice really and it is more expensive to have them there multiple nights. However, she was already up and walking (hopping) once I was able to take her home!!! Plus she had a very smooth recovery from that point forward. Every dog is different in how they handle amputation. Some take to the 3 legged thing right away, some take more time. Don't worry if Claudia doesn't just "bounce back" in a few days.
The other difference with Chloe is that once the amputation was over with, she no longer had cancer (soft tissue tumor confined to her back hock). I understand that Claudia has osteosarcoma, but we hope that she too has a speedy and uneventful recovery.
-Chloe's mom
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
My girl came home the next day late afternoon/evening. They had been able to get her up and outside to pee and hop around a bit before it was time to come home. She came out of their treatment room like a rocket, raring to go. I was so surprised!
As you will hear from others, every dog is different and each of us has different levels of comfort in being able to care for the post-op 'hopper'. Ask the vet all of your questions and concerns. I am sure they won' let Claudia home till she is well out of anesthesia and they watch her for any adverse reactions.
Please keep in touch here on Tripawds and I wish you well. Get some sleep...you will need it!!!
Spirit Angel JD's mom
JD
One Tough Girl
(1999-2010)
-Diagnosed with osteosarcoma of her left front leg –
-Amputation July 23 2010 –
-The cancer didn't get her, but she is gone-
-She fought the cancer and loved life till bloat brought her down August 29th, 2010-
Now she watches over her mom and two new sisters, the Quad-Paws Serena and Maya
misclaudia said:
…one vet suggested that we could bring Claudia home right after surgery; same day.
Run. Nothing good has ever come of dogs who came home the same day. Can't recall specific topics right now, but members have reported trips to the emergency vet, and worse. The best option is a facility with 24 hour post-op care. If they don't have that, then yes, being home with you may be better. Coming home the next morning is fine for most dogs, but until they fully come out of their post-op stupor, professional monitoring is highly recommended.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I don't think its a good idea to come home the day of surgery either. Frankly, I would have some serious doubts about a vet that says this is OK.
Who are you going with?.. I didn't mention this in our emails but my take (for what that's worth) is a specialist is a much better option than a reg vet for this procedure. Yes, a regular vet can do an amputation, and some well, but a specialist does this all the time. It's a major surgery and complications happen with it if not done correctly. The time with follow ups visits and more care when complications do happen ends up exceeding the cost of just paying for a specialist/having it go well from the start.
For the stay there, 2 nights for most dogs. I know my dog and knew he doesn't do well in that type of environment. (he snapped a tooth off a cage once at a vet trying to get out) He's always with me and I would be able to give him the care and attention without causing him stress better at home.. I took him home the day after surgery. I just wanted to get him out of there but had confidence that I could do what was necessary and get him back there quickly if necessary.
Things went fine for us but I was glued to him the entire time we were home.. Each person is different. If nervous, staying the extra night (2 total) may be the right call.
Wishing all the best~
Jenna & Zak
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