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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Do you jave ANYTHING you can use as a "stepping up platform"? Maybe even a stack of sofa cushions you could stack as a step up? Any kind of wood hanging around you could pile up as a step?
The main thing is to keep him from jumping down on it with a huge amount of force. When you get to the Vet someone can help you get him down.
Okay....I'm still thinking....we'll figure out something....hang in there!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Oops....I forgot the link
http://tripawds.....d-you-pay/
Okay...gonna throw out another craaaazy thought! Do you jave a small bookcase you could empty and maneuver outside, lay it down (back side facing up) and use that as a step up p@atform??? It would have to be sturdy because he's so big!!!.
Maybe empty out some drawers from a chest and use those???
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Here's a referral I found
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Depending on the experience and skill level of your regular Vet, he may be able to give you enough of an evaluation to determine if there are any real noticeable hip issues or arthritis issues, etc.
Also,some of the panting could actually be from the pain meds moreso than the pain. Of course, just to muddy the waters, panting is also a sign of pain! The Gabapentin can make them somewhat lethargic sometimes too. So maybe your Vet can help make sure Diesel is on the right amount of medx with the right timed doses.
Still hoping for pictures!!!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
For getting in and out of your SUV, I highly recommend a garden cart ( link below). The panels on all four sides can be opened independently of the others so if you do pull him to the SUV, you can let the front panel down and he can walk in to the SUV.
The cheapest thing to do is to buy straw bales and cover them with ribbed trash bags. You can put three next to each other or three length wise, etc. etc. Light weight, garden centers sell them, easily replaceable and each costs @ $3.
If there is a Vet School in your area and you decide to go for their further exams or diagnostics, in general, each service will consult with others for free. For example, my fella was admitted under soft tissue surgery BUT was also seen by/examined by/ consulted with orthopedics, neurology, oncology, and radiation/oncology. If I had had to pay for each service that would have added up but was instead folded in to one consult fee. However, there is no getting around the fact that diagnosis and treatment are expensive.
Best wishes. Here's to good days and nights and hugs all around!!!
We used the Downers Grove VCA Arboretumview. Great service, but on the expensive side. (Note that at least one member had a negative experience with VCA Joliet, so my recommendation is only for the Downers facility).
Otis (and Tess) were diagnosed at the Countryside emergency care vet. Both were promptly and accurately diagnosed, and they have surgeons, but they did not have oncology and I wanted an integrated approach. Much less expensive than VCA, however.
My family vet had recommended University of Chicago as well. For me, driving into the city for each appointment was too much. Long drive, heavy traffic, sick big dog in back. But, you might be able to get better pricing and obviously top quality care.
Stephanie (neka03 is her avatar, I think), is also from this area. You might want to PM her for recommendations as 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.
Thank you guys for all of your great suggestions! You are so helpful! I'll try to take him in today, I'll keep you posted!
Yes, I think the specialty consults are usually a bit steep. I think every specialty consult I had at U of MN was $188. They are pretty thorough exams. Is the consult for surgery because you would prefer a specialist / ortho (definitely a plus)?
What about applying for Care Credit - you can find them online and apply for an amount that would help you with consults and surgery - they are pretty quick in their approval. Like instant. May not be the right route for you, but I took a credit line and used the 6 month no interest and paid it off just prior to the 6 month date.
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Hey guys! Quick update on Diesel. I took him to the teaching vet hospital in Wisconsin yesterday. They did some xrays and tests but we are waiting on final results. So far they dont see anything in his lungs. It appears that the lesion on his shoulder, however, has gotten worse. They also noticed that his tarsal joint is also swollen. Since its very unusual for the cancer to spread to other joints before it spreads to the lungs, they decided to do a fungal urine test. Obviously the two can be completely unrelated but it sure did give me a glimpse of hope. They also gave us a new pain management plan which Im about to start today. Hope it works better.
We also got a quote if were to decide to do surgery/chemo or radiation/chemo.... $6000 
Good for you!!!!! So proud of you for going to a Vet School and exploring options. When you have time, let us know the details of the diagnostics and the new pain meds protocol. It sounds as if this is a very pawsitive step forward!
As far as expenses, that is even a low quote. But nothing to scoff at! If you have not explored Care Credit, that may be an option. And if the 6 months does not work, you can choose interest, OR transfer to a zero interest card, etc.
Goooooooooo Diesel!!!!! That is fantastic! Thank you for the update!
I'm so glad you are doing your research and checking out all options! And it's great that they've offered a better (hopefully) pain management program!! 🙂
YAY for clear xrays!! Sounds like you are in good hands and they are giving Diesel a thorough check up. Yes, apparently it is very rare for osteo to jump from one leg to another. Guess it can happen though. And just this year there was a dog who was diagnosed with the rare fungal infection, so that does happen too!
For now, just keep things chunked down and try not to get overwhelmed, okay? There are no guarantees with chemo or without. Some dogs have great extended quality time without it, some don't. So e jave great extended time with chemo, some don't!! It really is a crap shoot and not something you jave to think about now. That quote can be whittled down in a variety of ways. You can deal with that later.
Right now focus on pain management and SPOIL, SPOIL, SPOIL!!! Steak, ice cream, cheeseburgers, pizza crusts, scrambled eggs...anything that boy wants!! You can start a good nutrition plan later!
Was getting him in the SUV easier than you had hoped?
Please stay connected and update as you can. Would love to knkw the new pain management protocol a d how that works. It may take a day or two to kick in.
Do you need any help.posting pictures (a not so subtle HINT)? Would loooove to see photos!!!
Lots of hugs!!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Here is how you add photos to your forum post. They have to be hosted on line somewhere first.
If that doesn't work for you I would be happy to post them for you if you email them to me- if you want to do that send me a PM and I will give you my address.
Chemo is not a requirement after amputation. Statistically it does provide more time but what we see here is that its kind of a crap shoot. My pug Maggie had mast cell cancer and with chemo after her amp she was only supposed to live 6 to 9 months. She lived almost 4 years and did not die from mast cell cancer. My local friend Cemil, a 150 pound Anatolian Shepard front amp has lived more than 7 years past his surgery for OSA and did not do chemo. No false hope here, of course not everyone is so lucky but it does happen.
It's clear how much you love your boy and are doing all you can for him, that is all any of us can do.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
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