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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Thank you! She'll be four this upcoming February. She's finally settling down a tiny bit... 
She has so much go! We adopted her two years ago and have already seen such an incredible transformation!
Barb, your story is incredible but unfortunately we will barely have the funds to perform the surgery and I'm not sure we could take on a potentially more expensive treatment especially if we may end up at amputation anyways. We'll bring up different treatments with the vet tomorrow though 
It's worth exploring every option!
Brooke,
My dog is treated by Dr. Charles Loops, a well known homeopath dealing with alot of cancer patients. I think I may spend $44 for refills of Maggie's 3 remedies she rotates daily on, every 3 months or so? The initial consult may cost you $100+. Dr. Loops treats several dogs here besides Maggie. Eisen, another GSD, 12 years old and amputated for OSA, is treated by him and also Roxy the Boxer is as well. So that's one route of inexpensive and seemingly helpful, treatment.
http://www.char.....psdvm.com/
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
Welcome Brooke and Sasha -
So sorry to see Sasha has fibrosarcoma and you are having to make some heartbreaking decisions.
Our angel Riley was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma after breaking her front leg and when the surgeon (not her regular vet) performed the surgery - he said that when he cut the nerves to her leg she let out a huge sigh and her body seemed to relax. She was completely under anesthesia but she still in so much pain. He told me that dogs can mask immense amounts of pain (which we never knew) - so knowing the pain was instantly gone - we knew we made the right decision.
It was a tough couple weeks after the surgery - but we never looked back. We were able to have her with us for another 8 months before the cancer took over - and she was completely pain free and a very happy girl.
Me again...
That wasn't ME! Stop posting on my account mommy!!!!
What a second.....
Wooowee Sasha! You are one fine looking dog! If you were a booger I'd pick you first!!! Bwhahahhahhaha!
P.S.
Sasha, Wyatt Ray Dawg doesn't stop talking. I do.
Brooke,
Sometimes through the process of elimination, your decision is easier to make--which is why I threw out the very high costs that can be involved with trying to save a leg.
Sasha is a beautiful dog and being so young, I'm sure she would adjust just fine to three legs. Tripawds dogs never cease to amaze me with their athletic abilities!
Keep us posted!
Barb and Spirit Hope
Yo Brooke!
Just in case you need a little more encouragement……We have 3 tripawd GSDs in the house this very instant and we are all awesome! In fact, we kick a%$, oh yes we do! Can we swim? You betcha! You have to take my word for it but here's a picture of two rear leg amp genuine tripawd GSDs swimmin'.
For further proof that we can swim check out this video of meeee, swimmin' circles around my 4 legged bro.
Just to keep that that Wyatt from hawgin' the show and in his place, where he belongs, check out my blog and my 'lil bro's blog. Oh yes, we have plenty of fun! Even if mom hasn't posted anything for either one of us in a million years….
Best of luck to you and Ms. Beautiful Sasha, y'all come back and be sure to let us know whattup! We will be waiting with all 13 paws crossed for you here in Oaktown.
xoxox,
Codie Rae and the Oaktown Pack
Woohoo! Tripawds Rule!
Regulator of the Oaktown Pack, Sheriff of the Oaktown Pawsse, Founding member and President of the Tripawd Girldogs With 2 Names ROCK Club, and ... Tripawd Girldog Extraordinaire!
p.s. Sasha, a float coat is a beautiful thing for a grrrl that loves to swim....it lifts.....and separates!
http://gear.tri.....pawd-swim/
xoxo,
CR
Woohoo! Tripawds Rule!
Regulator of the Oaktown Pack, Sheriff of the Oaktown Pawsse, Founding member and President of the Tripawd Girldogs With 2 Names ROCK Club, and ... Tripawd Girldog Extraordinaire!
So... We had a consultation with CSU this morning and while they were kind of helpful, we cannot afford the surgery and I can't justify treatments that will just take money that we could save for the surgery and won't really help a lot. They quoted us at right about $2000 and it could be more depending on how long the actually surgery takes. I called my regular vet, whom I adore and fully trust, to get a quote from them as well and they quoted us $1100 at the high end. This puts any sort of treatment completely out of our reach. Hopefully come January we will be able to save up enough money for at least a down payment and my vet said they would let me work some of the surgery off by putting some hours in at the boarding kennel and also do monthly payments. I'm lucky to have a vet that likes me so I worry about "price shopping" for such a big surgery. Feeling stuck... Also, has anyone had good experiences with Care Credit? I've been told good and bad things... I feel like we're back at square one...
I think the Care Credit is good if you make payments on time. Not sure, but I think the interest can kick in or go up if you are late.
We have had a lot of people have their dog's amputation through regular vets here. Actually, I would say most have! I wouldn't be nervous about an amputation through a regular vet because they know the anatomy of a dog.
I think that is fantastic that your vet is letting you make payments and work. If he'll let you make payments without any interest, then that would be great! $1,100 sounds reasonable to me. Of course, it's never reasonable if your budget is stretched!
I wished I had shopped for a broken toenail in the quick...I paid $750 to have it clipped under anesthesia! Trust me, I won't do that again!
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.
I don't really know about Care Credit other than that it's out there.
I think that's great that you can get a 'better deal' at your vet and that they would be willing to let you work some of it off.
That was sort of our situation too - it was cheaper having it done at our vet's office than it would have been at the local hospital. (But like I said, we had it done by a visiting surgeon.) I think just talk to your vet and be sure you feel totally comfortable that he (she?) has performed the surgery before and is confidant that it will go well. The last thing you would want is to have any regrets after the surgery, so ask questions and be comfortable with your decision.
All the best. Hopefully others who know more about Care Credit will chime in.
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!
A friend of mine did Care Credit for her dog's TPLO surgery, and she said it's six months interest free for new charges.
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
I got a year for Maggie's amputation with Care Credit free interest. I think it depends on how much the bill is. The higher the bill, the longer you get to pay..
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
I just read through your whole post. First, you got all that great GSD info and videos, but I'll just tell you that my Lab, who had a chondrosarcoma (technically soft tissue tumor of the cartilidge) had the same issue - couldn't get clean margins without weakening the leg. So after much angst we opted for the amputation - we talked with the folks at CSU even though we are in NYC. Anyway - re swimming etc. - Ajax got his stitches out day 10 and took an unauthorized dip on our friend's pool on day 13. See our posts under "Ajax". So dont' worry about that!
We haven't used Care Credit but because costs are so high in NYC (our amputations run closer to $4,000 as everything is double here), many, many many people use Care Credit. I wouldn't hesitate to explore it. Also, if you haven't done this, I'd go back to CSU and see if they can do something to match your regular vet's offer. They are interested and doing a lot of studies on OSC and also soft tissue tumors. It's worth a shot.
YOu guys are clearly taking great care of your pup. Good luck!
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