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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We live on a small farm and our dog had been missing for three weeks. I had scoured the countryside and checked the humane society frequently trying to find him. Well, he showed up last night missing 3/4 of a front leg. We feel pretty sure he got caught in a trap, fence, etc. We couldn't find any other injuries to show that he had been attacked. We have been on the verge of bankruptcy the last three years and just heard from a local vet this morning that the amputation surgery would be around $500. I'm trying to find out if there is a place that does provides these services at a charitable rate. We would be more than happy to pay something but with three kids and the holidays, we just don't have $500. Do you have any advice or direction for us? We are located in central KY. Thanks in advance for any advice!
Sorry to hear about your pup. In our experience of listening to the stories of thousands of users over the years here, shopping for inexpensive amputation surgery can often result in much more costly complications down the road, or worse.
While this topic discusses canine cancer care, you may also find some helpful resources for covering surgical expenses:
Resources to help pay for canine cancer care
This PDF in the Tripawds Downloads blog may also help:
Financial Help Resources for Pawrents
Use the search button above to find more helpful topics here in the forums, or search all Tripawds Blogs here.
Thanks for joining and good luck. What's your dog's name?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you!!
His name is Rascal and we are working on trying to find a vet who will work with us on the cost. We were hit a few weeks ago and our car was totaled, so we are just in a rough patch right now. I'm just so glad to have him back home! The more we have looked at his leg, we believe it was some kind of a hunter's trap 
- it's too clean of an edge. I feel bad for him, but he seems to be functioning like he has already adapted to it. Just seems tired from the ordeal he has been through (but not too tired to chase the cats away from their food!)
Thanks again for the advice!
Oh my goodness - your poor sweet Rascal! What an ordeal. He must be so exhausted. But what a trooper to find his way back home!
I hope you can find a vet to work with you.
Give Rascal extra loving from Abby and me. All the best and please keep us posted on how he's doing.
Jackie, Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Oh Rascal! That has got to hurt! We are so sorry, but you're in good paws now that you're back with your humans.
We hope the financial resources page helps. Bless you for helping him and looking for ways to pay for it. Please let us know what you learn with the organizations listed in the document OK? We're here to help however we can.
Paws crossed for a safe operation and speedy recovery....xoxo
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh, poor Rascal! So sorry to hear about his leg 🙁 Praying that you will find a good vet that will work with you on cost!
Jenna & Spirit Chili Dawg
Diagnosed with OSA: 5/2/2011 Ampuversary: 5/11/2011 OSA returned in hip: 8/26/2011
Chili Dawg crossed the Rainbow Bridge on 8/30/2011 & is now pain free. He was my heart dog, and I miss him every day.
Three weeks! What a nightmare! But home in time for Christmas, what a blessing.
I just recently read a story about a dog that had two left legs chopped off by a train. Mom picked him up and carried him to the shed, thinking he was dead and they would bury him later. Well, no rush, the poor guy is dead and life is busy. Lo and behold, Little Pup wakes up and licks his wounds clean and takes care of them himself. The hired hand (or someone, I'm winging it here) discovers him and brings him food and water. Within days, he's up and around and just shows up at the house, looking for fun.
Sounds like Rascal, one tough doggie.
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
Thanks for all the encouraging words! We did take him on to see the vet today- he's not well enough to do surgery at this point. Vet put him on anitbiotics, anti-inflammatory and said to feed him as much as possible to build up his strength. He is down to 27 pounds from approx. 60. He's eaten at least three times since we have been back, but is mostly sleeping and resting. He has been an outdoor dog, but we are keeping him in now. Bless his heart, they put a big cone collar on him and he just went out for the first time with it on- hard to watch him limping/wobbling around, trying to manage that big thing on his head. And to add to the confusion, his brother comes running up like he's going to attack him. Guess he didn't recognize him! Please tell me it gets better?! Just so glad to have him home!
I'm just so sorry.
I shudder to think what he has been through. I truly get chills at the thought. It kills me that traps are legal. It is so freakin inhumane not to mention dangerous to everyone!
Gosh, I know when finances are an issue, it's so hard. I hope the antibiotics will help get him to the road of recovery so you can move forward with getting his leg removed. Maybe your vet will let you make small payments? I know it's an added strain but hopefully there is light at the end of a tunnel. In my mind, I always like to think...by helping others, we help ourselves.
You may want to keep your dogs separated until he is better. It sounds like there is some confusion. The cone is very necessary so the infection doesn't get worse from licking and such.
I'm so sorry. I would like to believe that Rascal will become your beacon of hope for even your own future situation. He survived under the worst of conditions and is still happy! There are wonderful life lessons with our furbabies!
Sending Rascal lots of healing wishes.
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.
Welcome to the family. What a story, so sorry to hear your situation, but having Rascal home has to be a world of relief. By the time we were able to get Gus' surgery done, he was already only using three legs, he lost his left front, so the fact he is already adjusted to three will be a benfit when you do have it done. Glad you decided to bring him in, with temps getting colder, he will heal alot faster. I would hope the vet would work with you on the cost. One thing to remember is there will be some additional cost involved with meds after surgery, but in your case it would probably be just antibiotics and pain meds, so consider yourself lucky you aren't dealing with cancer since the cost can be considerably higher when dealing with that. Paws up and good luck, Spirit Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
Dogs do funny things when the pack is disrupted... maybe Rascal's brother didn't recognize the cone head thing, or maybe he was looking to change the pack order.
My pug girls had been together almost all their lives. When Maggie went for her amputation we kept them apart for about 6 days to let her heal and get her balance. When I brought little sis Tani home after the 6 days she attacked Maggie!! Mag put her in her place, even on 3 legs. Tani always had aspirations of being the alpha dog, and I think she saw an opportunity to take over. Mind you- the girls were best pals most of the time, they slept together, played together, never took each others food. But once in awhile Tani would try and be Queen!
Rascal sounds like quite a survivor! He has already shown how tough he is by surviving on his own- and losing half his body weight! After what he has already been through he should handle the surgery just fine. And although it is not the recommended path- he has a little advantage going into the surgery since he is learning to hop and balance on three already.
I hope Rascal recovers quickly from this ordeal.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Poor Rascal, and poor you guys! Trouble never seems to pick a good time, and it often seems to kick you when you're already down. Hopefully, you'll be able to find a vet who will work with you, or maybe the Care Credit will work for you.
When Tosca had to wear the cone of shame (bad rash that she wouldn't leave be), Zephyr would get "ridgeback" every time she saw her. The cone scared her, and so she'd puff herself up and look all scary so that if it jumped off T's head and tried to eat her face, she'd be prepared.
We are hoping Rascal makes a speedy recovery and that things start looking up for you and your family. We are here if you need us.
Micki and Rio
 |
~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
Thanks again for all the encouraging words! Now that this is starting to settle in a little and the shock is wearing off, we are starting to think more clearly. It is so encouraging to hear of others with tripawds and read your stories. I have been in tears numerous times. Amazing how animals can touch us!
Our Rascal seems to be doing better this morning. Definitely perked up some from yesterday. Jumped up and ran to the door to go out when I went to check on him. Went out and laid out in the field in the sun. When I couldn't get him to come in, I decided to freshen up his water. When I came back, his brother and the stray that seems to have adopted us, was nose to nose with Rascal and his brother was next to him too. So that made me feel better!
Also spoke with a vet this morning who has scheduled his surgery for next Fri. Trying to give him time for the anitbiotics to take effect and to strengthen him up a little. She is being very gracious and charging us next to nothing! God bless her!
One question I have is that he was strictly an outdoor dog before. I'm now concerned about leaving him out after his recovery. I guess we could bring him in at night? Wondered if anyone else out there has an outdoor tripod?
So thankful that I found this site! Wishing all of you and your furbabies a Merry Christmas!
Keeping Rascal confined and clean during recovery is indeed best to avoid complications. Please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
That's terrific news, what a generous vet.
Is there any way he can stay inside while he's recuperating? He sounds like such a tough dog, but keeping him mellow and confined to a smaller space after surgery will really help him heal faster. If that's at all possible, you'll find his recovery will go smoother and avoid complications like infection.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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