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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So we met with a new orthopedic surgeon today. They said that he is VERY big and that does pose more issues than in a small dog, BUT he is of great weight, great physique and has a drive. The vet techs said he was SO strong which will be a factor in his favor.
My husband and I now have the difficult task of finances. We are combing through everything, trying to create a "gameplan" in order to take care of my baby boy.
More than likely, Alexander will be going in on Tuesday for amputation. God give me the strength to get through this........
Alexander The Great Dane
Suspected Osteosarcoma July 12
Diagnosed Officially 7/16/2010
Amputated 7/27/2010
Became Spirit Xander 2/20/2011
You could ask your vet if they accept CareCredit and apply for that. I have never used CareCredit but know a few people who have and they had good experiences. CareCredit - depending on your vet's policy can offer UP TO 24 months of interest free financing. From what I've been told, you'll want to lump as much together as you can (Example: if you're doing chemo, ask that you be charged for all the chemo sessions at one time).
~~~~ Denali ~~~~
June 9, 2010 OSA suspected
June 17, 2010, July 14, 2010 Clear X-rays – no mets
July 1, 2010 Amputation
July 9, 2010 OSA Confirmed
November 23, 2010 Cancer took you from me - Never forgotten, Always Loved - Forever
Supporting the Fighters, Admiring the Survivors, Honoring the Taken, And never, ever giving up Hope
xanderdane said:
... now have the difficult task of finances.
Everyone here understands this, all to well. You might consider reviewing the links provided in this forum topic:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm so glad that you were able to find another vet that was more supportive... Alexander will be in my thoughts and prayers for his surgery on Tuesday!!! 
Angel Jake and Wolfie's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
CareCredit really came through for us. My credit suffers from not having a mortgage on it (it is in Mr. VQ's name) so I was crest fallen when I only qualified for $1k. However, I then used Mr. VQ's credit (thanks to that snide remark) and he qualified for enough to cover most, if not all, of the expenses (obviously we are not done with the cost 
).
I would definitely recommend trying CareCredit. Life saver, literally.
"I don't know where I am."
Thanks for everyone's continued support. We have gotten CareCredit and got the limit extended today. We are also fund raising hard core, since we are already in credit card debt, before all of this.
Alexander is doing well, he is in good spirits, though he has no idea he is sick, so I guess I would expect him to be in good spirits!
I, however, am a nervous wreck! Even knowing what to expect going in, gosh it is just so hard to verbalize. I'm sure you all know what I am feeling. I just hope the recovery period flies by so he can go play again!!!!!
~Shannon
Alexander The Great Dane
Suspected Osteosarcoma July 12
Diagnosed Officially 7/16/2010
Amputated 7/27/2010
Became Spirit Xander 2/20/2011
Shannon, I'm very glad you found another WAY more supportive surgeon.
Good luck with the fund raising. It's tough to deal with all of this: the disease, the decision for treatment, and then the nasty how to pay for it all. It's a lot to juggle.
Fingers crossed for a smooth surgery and a speedy recovery for Dante.
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
Of course, I meant Alexander; not Dante. Honestly. I knew who I was talking about; my fingers didn't.
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
Good luck Alexander!
Finances are tough for everyone these days but it's wonderful you are going to make it work! (a lot of people don't) I bet your vet will work something out with you, especially if you have a good portion of the money. Vets are suffering business, too. It's dead when I go into my vet's these days. Heck, doctors are suffering too! I just had a neighbor who's practice was suffering and had to move and he's a doctor!
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.
That's wonderful that your new vet sees that Alexander is a fighter and nowhere near giving up the fight!
I agree, talk with your vet about the financials.
I'll be holding the good thoughts for Tuesday surgery.
By the way, what a beautiful, regal boy.
hugs to you and your tough boy!
Denise
Kona turned 9yrs on April 16, 2010.
Kona was diagnosed Memorial Weekend 2010 with osteosarcoma.
Right rear leg amputated on June 4th. First chemo June 18th 2010
Second chemo July 9th, 2010 Third and final (yea !!!) chemo July 30th, 2010
ONE TOUGH GIRL this Australian Cattledog !
***Kona's journey/fight ended late in the evening of December 22, 2010***
We Love you so much Kona….always
Bella 9yrs, albino lab/aussie shep/pit?(abandoned in mts as a puppy) deaf & blind (from birth) in one eye limited vision in other.(laid back, ok lazy 73 lbs)
Cotton, 5yrs, albino hound/terrier of somesort/???(abandoned in mts as a puppy) deaf & blind in one eye(from birth), excellent vision in seeing eye. (ball addict…destroyer of Kong balls…yes,etc), high energy 55lbs knots of muscle)
Kona Kai's pup brother and sister as well as her buddy and playmate cat, Shaymous 12yrs (like Seamus), miss her terribly.
Hi there,
My 76lb black lab is 4 days post amp and doing great. I just wanted to give you some encouragement. I was terrified, and we were in a situation where there was another less good, but still decent, alternative, so I had a hard time deciding on the amp.
Ajax isn't a Dane, of course, but he's pretty big. He had a rear leg amputation, so I understand that is easier. But the one thing we did know is that he was really strong when we went in. I think that has made a big difference for him - he was up and pulling the vets down the hall the next morning, and except for stamina, has basically been his normal self since we got him home yesterday. I think your vet is right to consider that the strength will help Alexander. Try not to worry too too much. Our thoughts are with you.
It's so wonderful to hear that you found a better surgeon for Xander. Now you can move forward with a more confident feeling. The first few weeks are tough, but once you get through it he will be back to his old self before you know it. I am totally stressing along with you regarding the finances.... I am still paying off the bills almost 2 years later. But I still have my Nova with me, so it was worth every penny.
We'll be thinking of you....
Licks and Leans,
Nova and Mom Sue
Dane Mom Sue at nova.tripawds.com and Mom to Beautiful Great Dane Queen Nova, a Blind Tripawd, who kicked cancer's butt from 11/08-03/13. The Queen is Spirit Nova now, but her legacy lives on here at Tripawds!
So glad you found another Dr. with a way better attitude for Alexander. You will be surprised by the strength you will find to get your boy thru this. My husband had to go out of town on the second day Tasha was home and I did all the recovery by myself with her. Love brings strength, you can do it. We will be praying for you both on Tuesday.
Jo Ann & Tasha
Tasha 8 years old, First cancer diagnosis 6/26/09, Last cancer diagnosis 9/26/09, Amputation 10/01/09, Loving our girl moment by moment.
Tasha lost her battle and became my Angel on May 4 2011. Forever in my heart….
I think the finances were my biggest problem (the vet didn't give me much of a decision to make on the amputation). CareCredit really helped out but that money was quickly used up! You're lucky to have a support person, I was on my own.
Good luck on Tuesday, you'll be in my prayers,
Spirit Ruthie's Mom
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