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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Hello: Unfortunately I belong here along with my 8ish-year-old poodle bichon mix, Romeo. Has anyone done the amputation at a place where they just do the surgery and send you home? There is a significant difference in price for this service, I just dont know if I will be able to handle the initial wound care. And since I am not using my vet for the amputation I don't think he will be willing to follow up someone else's surgery. The surgery would take place an hour and a half from my home and they don't do follow up. I asked my vet if he would follow up and his reply was that he could do the surgery. He is not really a surgeon, if so he would have probably offered many months ago to do this, instead my dog has been on medication for at least 6 months just to control the pain. I had no idea that he may have cancer. It was after the pain relief period started getting shorter and shorter that I got a 2nd and 3rd opinion. This week was when I was told that he absolutely needs an amputation to survive and surely has some type of cancer.
So just curious if anyone has used such a place and how did that work out? The difference in price is about $2000. That is huge for me. Like I said I am just getting started with this journey and because Romeo shows no other symptoms, cancer has never even entered my mind. I am still in shock but I did not fall apart at the vet's office so I am glad of that. I couldn't stop the tears from rolling down my cheek as we looked at the horrible xrays but I didn't boo hoo like I felt inside. Romeo has taken care of me these last 8 years now I know I can't fall apart I have to make good decisions for him. Thanks for listening.
delighted4romeo said
I am still in shock..
Welcome to the best club nopawdy ever wants to join! Everyone certainly understands cost is a concern, but amputation surgery is not something you want to shop around for the best price. Search these forums and the blogs and you will find many stories – good and bad – about pups coming home the same day. For best results of any amputation, we always recommend that the surgery be performed by a board certified orthopedic surgeon at an AAHA hospital or facility with overnight care. It is not so much the "initial wound care" that is a concern, but the potential (yet rare) complications that can occur.
With that said, if the clinic does not have overnight supervision, or spending the night is not an option for other reasons, we recommend preparing a proper recovery room and knowing the number of your nearest 24-hour emergency vet clinic just in case you need to rush Romeo somewhere. Also be prepared to watch and hear him come down of the procedural anesthesia.
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Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Shopping around sounds so ugly of a term when I'm just trying to make a decision that is best for him and affordable for me.
Oh gosh we know you want the best for your fur baby, and of course this is one of the most expensive surgeries there is. It's hard not to have sticker shock, but the important thing when looking for a clinic is to compare apples to apples when looking at different practice estimates. Usually, there is a reason why one clinic costs so much less than the other. See this post for more about that:
Considerations When Price Shopping for Veterinary Care
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
First of all, it is very clear how much you love Romeo and want to do what's best for him. He is very lucky to have someone so devoted to his well being!
BTW, his avatar picture is adorable!! He is so darn cute!
Rather than looking st is as "shopping around", you can look at it as checking out your options based on your own personal circumstances and finances. That's what we all have to do. I certainly understand finances being a factor in your path forward. You can only do what you can only do. Yes, in a perfect world one can get a top notch surgeon in a state of the art 24/7 fully staffed cljnic yo sl rhe procedure and handle rhe after care. That is not always an option so we do the best we can with what we have to work with.
Is it suspected osteosarcoma that was determined by xrays? And good for you for getting second and third opinions to figure out what was going on.
Yes, bringing the dog home the day of surgery is tough, but it certainly is done and is doable. You'll want proper pajn management, recovery area set up, etc.
Where do you live? We have a reduced clinic in Virginia called Helping Hands. They do amputation surgeries and send dogs home the same day. They have a good reputation.
I k ow uou jave a lot to think about, so upda6 is when you can, okay? We're here for you and support whatever path forward you take.
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!
Hi, Romeo is adorable. I know how finances can get in the way. I am single so one income house hold. Brownie's vet did his surgery, but he has done several amputations. Has your vet ever done an amputation. Brownie also stayed at his vet for two days, because he was so hi from all the medication. I hosted Brownie 4 hours after the surgery and I wish I hadn't. I don't even think he knew who I was. For the first time in 12 years I heard Brownie wine. My heart sunk. The vet assured me he wasn't in pain he was just starting to come down from the anathesia. The next day I hosted him he was much better. I still left him therw one more night, my decision. He was still hi as a kite. Brownie is very sensitive to medication.
Brownies vet did do an awesome job on his surgery. No complication at all. I looked at pictures online to prepare myself, but his incision site looked great. He had no seeping, swelling or brusing. But as I said Brownie's vet is experienced in this field.
We all want what's best for our pets, but we can only do what we can do.
I would just look at all your avenues and figure out what is best for Romeo and you.
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
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