Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi all fellow tripawd families!! I've been here b4 a bunch of years back, my old girl Bella became a tripawd and I recieved so much love and support here.
I now have another girl Gemma, who came to me a tripawd. She needs rear hip surgery. (her front drivers side leg is gone) and her rear drivers side is bone on bone. So, it's been suggested she get a hip replacement or femeral head osteotomy She's limping pretty badly and is on pain meds. I'm wondering if anyone with a tripawd has had a FHO, and how it goes with a tripawd. The replacement is ideal and we've been to Tufts to have a initial intake, but it's quite out of my budget. My concern with the FHO is that it is the muscle that supports the leg, as there would no longer be bone in the hip socket.
Has anyone had this surgery with a tripawd? Obviously I need to get her pain free. I just don't want to create a major mobility issue for her. We do have front wheels, which she only wore for a little while. The pressure on her rear end was just too painful so she stopped walking in them. I am going to get training wheels put on the back so that should relieve some of the pressure when she wears them.
Any thoughts are appreciated!!
Bless,
Star, Gemma on 3 and Bean (on 4) 
Hello and welcome back! Gemma is so lucky to have you for a parent, thank you for adopting this sweet girl. How did she lose her leg?
I'm sorry she needs the FHO surgery. Yes, quite a few folks have gone through an FHO with a Tripawd, as well as other remaining limb surgeries. Check out these articles and podcast for some real-life examples:
https://tripawd.....g-surgery/
My concern with the FHO is that it is the muscle that supports the leg, as there would no longer be bone in the hip socket.
Did Tufts address this concern? I know it sounds kinda nutty to do the procedure, but it works.
Just wondering: Tufts is awesome but have you received at least one other opinion about her situation, preferably from an orthopedic surgeon? It's always good to get other insight because this is a pretty big surgery that requires an excellent support team of vets, surgeons, and therapists to help you and Gemma go through it with 100% recovery.
Oh and when she was using the cart, did you work with a therapist to make sure it's sized correctly? I'm guessing you did but just wanted to double check. Carts often need readjustments over time to help the dog feel good while using it.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you so much for your thoughts here!!
So, I never heard the origin story of her missing leg. She was 2 (aprox) when I adopted her. She is now 8. She's a 50 lb. pittie.
I should get another opinion, that is a good idea. Both my vet & Tufts said a hip replacement was much preferable to the FHO.
Re: cart, I got it from Eddies Wheels and we are nearby, so we were able to go back and they did look at it again and make minor adjustments. I think it was really the pressure on the hip that there was no way to relieve. However, I did just today order the training wheels. We'll see if they help. I'm guessing until she actually gets the surgery (whichever one it is) she's not going to want to spend much time on them. But, for the long run...especially with a less agile rear leg, I'm glad we have the wheels to help take the weight off the front limb.
She loves going out in her buggy. My little pup needs the exercise and is a social butterfly. So Bean get to run along and Gemma gets to smell and see the world. Gem really won't walk further than she needs to to do her business. The cart came before the wheels (HA) when she was stopping for long break on our walks and I started to have to carry her home.
Again, thanks for this feedback and the questions. I will look at the link you included.
Mom on 2, girls on 7.
You are so welcome! At eight years young, she's still got a lot of adventures ahead of her. Fifty pounds for her breed is also right in line with where she should be I think, which is awesome.
Yep, definitely talk to another surgeon, just to make sure you are totally confident with the decision. If you'd like help finding one near you, PM me your address and I'll look around.
About the cart. Yeah, I might wait until you meet with a rehab therapist. There are so many micro adjustments that a therapist can make, which someone who isn't a therapist may not know how to do. The wheels can definitely be useful when the time is right.
I love that she has a buggy! Aren't they great? We had one for our Wyatt Ray too.
Oh and don't forget, the Tripawds Foundation can pay for your first rehab visit so you can even take advantage of that now if you'd like. They may be able to point you in the right direction for a surgeon they work with.
Keep us posted on how things are going!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Holy cow, such great information and generosity. I am so glad I found you back when I had Bella, I knew right where to come!
I am going to come back to this tomorrow or saturday and reply more thougtfully.
I just wanted to say thank you and WWOOOFFF WOOFFFF
Bless,
Star & the gang
on 9
Just jumping in quickly to let you know that Kathi and Garry Swindell had a full hip replacement on their tripawd Warrior Murphy. Recovery was no picnic but he thrived afterwards and ran and swam and had a great life. Anyway, I've asked her to chime in. Definitely doable!
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 everyone, thank you for all the feedback. I've been busy taking care of all kinds of things and it's taken me a bit to get back on here.
I just found out from my vet today hat he's not comfortable doing the surgery (he had initially said he could do a FHO). So, I'm looking for a specialist. He's going to give me some names locally. I would love any leads for the western mass area.
My financial situation is pretty bleak, I'm on disability and just trying to get a photo business off the ground, so I'm worried about how to afford it. I do have trupanion insurance, and when Bella had her amputation they did pay me back the 90% they say they cover. However, I just had a bad experience with getting her dental work done and they only covered $235 out of a $1,500 bill. I'm not feeling as confident this time around.
I haven't even looked into the recovery process, I was thinking about how Bella and I got through, and how amazingly she adjusted. But, it wasn't until Jerry wrote about the recovery that I realized this was a totally different deal. Ugh.
I will look into all the links I just pulled up for finding a rehab specialist.
Here is the hard question, if I can't swing this myself, so I look into finding her a new family to help her in this next phase of her life? This brings tears to even contemplate, but I'm committed to doing what's right for her.
Thank you for you experience strength & hope,
mama Star
big girl Gem
baby Bean
Star, you are doing all you can to help Gemma, and you are doing great! Try not to jump to the worst case scenario yet, there's a lot that can be done here.
First, it's awesome your vet decided not to do the FHO. Better to be upfront about that now and give you a referral to an orthopedic specialist. That's the sign of a great vet! A keeper! Let's see what referral names the vet comes up with, I'm happy to take a look at the practice websites. Let's do that first before we go looking for others, one step at a time.
Usually a good ortho vet will work closely with a rehab team, so we would also want to see what that team looks like before you decide on a vet, or go looking for a separate rehab team. So hold off right now on searching until you decide which vet clinic you'll talk to about this situation.
Yes, this is a different situation than amputation recovery, and it does cost more $$ but this situation not impossible to overcome and hopefully will not require you to find a new home for Gemma. Sally and Frankie are great examples that show what is possible when you do a remaining leg surgery on a Tripawd!
As far as Trupanion, we had them as well. When they are good they are awesome. When they decline, it sucks. We've been in that boat. You would want to call ahead of time to find out if the FHO would be covered. It's hard to say, because this wasn't a condition detected before you adopted Gemma so I'm not sure it's Pre-existing, which wouldn't be covered. Ask though, it can't hurt and at least you'll know what you are dealing with right away. But don't give up if they say no. Many vets are willing to work with a person's financial challenges and can help you come up with a game plan. We could look at the list of practices your vet gives you to find out which ones would be willing.
What you can do right now is start checking out these financial resources to see if you can send in applications to any of the orgs for help paying for the costs of care. There are others out there, this is just a start.
And of course, stay pawsitive. One step at a time just like Gemma! You've got this!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
One thing that is very clear, Gamma and Bean are very loved and beautifully cared for and adored!
And I agree, you have a great Vet confident enough to refer you out to an Ortho Surgeon who is the specialist Gemma needs under the circumstances.
And goodness knows, many of us can relate nto financial constraints. What we can and cannot do formourmpets financially is not a measure of our love and devotion. The way we spoil them and help them be the happiest dogs they can be day in and day out.....that's the measure of love♥️. And your love for your pups comes shining through!
Jist keep things chunked down for now, okay? As Jerry said, one step at a time. Jerry has laid out some of the steps and focusing on solutiins
Consult with the Orth Surgeon.
Get clear on what the pet insurance will cover and get it in writing.
Check out Care Credit as an option to help with finances. They generally are a bit more lenient in approving credit.
Then speak with your regular Vet about maybe keeping Gamma for several days after the surgery to help make the rec easier. They can do the icing, help with mobility, etc. My reg Bet was VERY generous and charged relatively little to keep my tripawd Frankie several days to help with recov, mobility, etc. Jerry referenced Frankie in previous post. He had TPLO surgery on one back leg, then a year later TPLO surger on the remaining back leg. We can get more jnto recovery tips later, okay. Again, just keep things chunked down
And I DO understand the feeling of being helpless when it comes to giving my dogs proper care when an expensive procedure is required and extensive recovery is necessary. If you are the only hooman in the household things can seem daunting and hopeless. I can tell you, now is the time to put the thought of having to give Gamma away out of your mind! You are overwhelmed and that seems like the only solution. Jope... not gonna happen!! We're gonna help you navigate thru solutions to get the surgery done, get thru recovery and put all this gehind you!
Hang in there and keep us posted, okay?
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!
Wiser words have never been said, thank you so much Sally!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
holy cow, gosh you guys...I am tearing up reading all of this. Knowing you know.
I did find a local person and we are in communication, he was the ortho surgeon my vet recommended & he was also on one of the lists from the site. They have a rehab person on site. He wrote me back already & agrees that an FHO on a tripawd is dependant on the parents & the pups willingness & ability to do the intensive rehab. I am going to try to get an appointment with the rehab person there & see if she can help evaluate the situation and weigh in on Gemma's state of mobility.
The "chunking" it really is helping. Yes, thinking of all the details at once feels overwhelming. I have some good friends who are dog folks who are going to sit with me and with Gemma too & get it all on paper to help get it out of my head and see what we're dealing with. I will call trupanion and discuss the details. they did already say they would approve it as it was not a prior condition, to that is a huge step. I also will get back in touch with tufts and see what they are doing - they didn't even have appointments except for emergency last year, so maybe they are back in the swing.
Also, I'll look at the financial info & the Sally & Frankie stories.
Bless each of your tripawd loving hearts!
Star & Gemma the barker
Bean the under the couch sock stealer hider girl.
You sound so much better! I'm hearing hope in your voice, and that is wonderful! You and Gemma and Bean are surrounded by people who get it, people who love and care about you, and people you can lean on. That vet practice sounds terrific. Be patient, there are long waiting lists right now but ask to be put on cancellation lists and take it day by day. You have some time to decide and you've got this.
Chunk away and let us know how things are going!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Good job of mastering the art of chunking!!👏👏 I do believe you could teach a class on chunking😎
........& get it all on paper to help get it out of my head and see what we’re dealing with
You have done an EXCELLENT job of creating a very orderly and solution oriented "to do" list👍
As Jerry said, we're " hearing hope in your voice". And when you're in this empowered state, you fell less overwhelmed and your focus becomes more pawsitive
Give yourself a pat on the back for a job well don'e. Do it! Really! Reach over your shoulder and pat your self on your back and say "Good job Star!! 👏👏
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS. I really like the Ortho's assessment and quick response
He wrote me back already & agrees that an FHO on a tripawd is dependant on the parents & the pups willingness & ability to do the intensive rehab.
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!
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