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. 

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!

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! 

Wiser words have never been said, thank you so much Sally!

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!