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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Caveat: Sadie lost her leg to a an SUV, not cancer. Also, her surgery required a blood clotting test, because it was unknown is she, as a Doberman, had von Willibrands, a bleeding disorder (thankfully, she does not).
Amputation Costs
- What city/state/country/date did your Tripawd have the amputation? Eden Prairie, MN
- Total cost of surgery? $3,100, which included surgery, blood clot test and one overnight at the hospital.
- Private practice or teaching hospital? Private veterinary practice
Thank you for sharing this helpful info 🙂
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Amputation Costs
What city/state/country/date did your Tripawd have the amputation? Fairfield NJ (June 10th 2016)
Total cost of surgery? $4,025, which included surgery, bone biopsy, meds and one overnight at the hospital. No complications. Was given an estimated range of $4200-$4800 before surgery.
Private practice or teaching hospital? Private practice - animal emergency and referral associates in Fairfield NJ. Very good, 24 hour care and extremely thorough. I got more detailed discharge information for my dog than i did for myself the last time I had surgery.
Chemo decision will be made pending biopsy results.
Amputation Costs
- What city/state/country/date did your Tripawd have the amputation? Nr Cambridge/Cambridgeshire/UK/ 03/16
- Total cost of surgery? £2,200 ($2850 approx) Inc 1 night pre op and 3 nights after as well as initial consultation and blood tests. No X-rays etc., as already done elsewhere. Right foreleg and scapula removed.
- Private practice or teaching hospital? Both. It's a private, specialist referral hospital but also teaching.
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
I am getting ready to shred "the packet," which is a big step for me, but wanted to provide this info. in case anyone in our community finds it helpful. Otis broke his leg, so spent two nights in an emergency vet before his amputation. The first night and transfer to the facility where he had surgery are not included below.
Amputation Costs
- What city/state/country/date did your Tripawd have the amputation? Downers Grove, Illinois (suburb of Chicago)
- Total cost of surgery? $5346.60, inclusive of take-home medicines (Tramadol 50 mg tablets; Simplicef 200 mg tablets; Rimadyl 100 mg tablets and Fentanyl patch). This includes costs related to the one night prior to surgery after he was transferred to the facility. Does not include x-rays, which were completed at prior emergency vet facility.
- Private practice or teaching hospital? Private practice, a VCA facility
Chemotherapy Costs
- What kind of cancer does your dog have? Osteosarcoma
- What size is your dog? 96 pounds immediately post-amp
- Type of chemo given? carboplatin - 375, 372, 372 and 369 mg per treatment
- # of sessions? 4
- Total cost of treatments? $709.64 (inclusive of oncology check and CBC). Cerenia was an additional $50.17 for a box and Metronidazole was an addition $32.54 for 14 500 mg tablets. He was on Palladia for about a week - the cost of that was $262.42 for two weeks supply - 14 50 mg and 14 10 mg tablets. Xray rechecks were $327.15.
- Private practice or teaching hospital? Private practice - a VCA hospital
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.
Just found this thread again, and wanted to bring it up for our new members.
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.
Thanks so much!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Amputation Costs
- What city/state/country/date did your Tripawd have the amputation? East Greenwich, RI 10/14/16
- Total cost of surgery? $3,413.19 - includes several x-rays, 3 night stay (admitted on 10/12), meds, bone biopsy, exit visit, return visit for staple removal and review. $48.50 for Gabapentin refill when staples removed.
- Additional costs from two different vet practices prior to admittance to Ocean State - emergency visits - $288.00 total.
- Private practice or teaching hospital? Ocean State Veterinary - privately owned but is a training facility also, open 24 hrs. The techs and doctors were very helpful and patient with my nervous follow up calls post surgery and after she came home.
Chemotherapy Costs
- What kind of cancer does your dog have? Osteosarcoma
- What size is your dog? 17 lb Cairn Terrier.
- Type of chemo given? none - diagnosed after amputation.
Pulling the thread up again, for the benefit of a new member.
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.
Thanks Christine!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Amputation Costs
- What city/state/country/date did your Tripawd have the amputation? Appleton, WI June 17, 2014
- Total cost of surgery? The amp surgery was $2600.00, not including the diagnosis stage which included 4 biopsies.
- Private practice or teaching hospital? Fox Valley Animal Referral Center, private practice - 24 hour care/ER facility
Chemotherapy Costs
- What kind of cancer does your dog have? Osteosarcoma
- What size is your dog? 80# Doberman
- Type of chemo given? 6 rounds of carboplatin, averaging $280.00 per visit
Paula
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
Thank you Paula, this is so helpful.
By the way, I never realized Nitro's surgery was in Appleton. We were there with Jerry long ago!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Really Rene? Small world!
Paula
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
Sessy is 11 and was 54 lbs before amputation.
UC Davis quoted me $3500-$5500 for amputation of her leg. Not sure if there is a difference between front or back legs..... Sessy's was a back leg. Unfortunately they couldn't get me in for three weeks, and I was to scared to wait that long. I ended up going to a wonderful private animal hospital called Sage that has several hospitals in the San Francisco Bay Area. Sage was able to get Sessy in for surgery in 2 days. Unfortunately the cost of amputation at Sage was $6200. This was the midrange of their quote and included 2 nights. I think they usually only keep them overnight one night, but Sessy is a greyhound and they are prone to bleeding problems after surgery, so I requested an additional night.
For Sessy's chemo I went back to UC Davis since it is 15 mins from my house. Sessy has had four chemo treatments,and I plan on doing 2 more. Her chemo is every 4 weeks instead of 3 due to low WBC on the 3 week mark. Her treatments depending on what other tests they run are $400-$600.
I decided to not look at any of other miscellaneous bills to slightly lower the chances of giving myself a heart attack.😬🐶🐶❤️
I would do it all again!!
Gayle - mom of beautiful greyhound Sessy. Sessy diagnosed with osteosarcoma on 12/26/16, left back leg amputated on 1/2/17. Feline siblings Mooshe, Tinkerdude, Odie and Bean
Thanks for sharing these details Gayle, it's so helpful. What a difference in price from when Jerry had his amp at UC Davis. It was around $1800 if I recall correctly. SAGE is a great clinic though, we always hear great things about them.
And I agree, do whatever it takes to keep your stress level low and everypawdy's hoppy.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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