Tripawds Three Legged Dog & Cat Forum Archives
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat. Explore 17+ years of forum archives for stories and answers to questions about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery. Enjoy fresh discussion and connect with members in the new Tripawds Support Circle.
Join The Tripawds Community
Register your free account to join the Tripawds Support Circle. Connecting with members and getting the support you need is now easier than ever with the Circle app!
Easy Photo Upload
Private Messaging
Subscribe to Topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Forums Locked: Search archives for answers & join Tripawds Support Circle to keep discussion going!
Log In
Members
Offline
Thanks for that link Charon, we'll add them to our financial resources list.
As for bisphosphonates , I understand they are quite expensive but I can't give a firm number. I know that the Zoledronate one that our VCC friends are talking about is within the range of $1k per dose, but that's because it's new and super powerful. The older ones probably aren't as expensive.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Pamidronate is pretty cheap but you will also have to pay a fee for the injection and IV fluids as well as the oncologist's expertise. Your vet might be willing to do this for you since it only requires about 2 hours of diuresis (fluid therapy) to protect the kidneys.
Pam
Good to know Pam! Thank you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
No judgements here, just tons of love, support and hopefully some answers while you struggle to come to terms with this diagnosis. I'm so sorry for the place you find yourselves in. Gather as much information as you can, keep Buddy as pain free as possible and LOVE LOVE LOVE him like crazy each and every day for that's all we ever have really - is just "today".
Like Debra said...take lots of pictures and do the paw print thing...I did one before Zeus was amputated and I'm so glad I have that now.
We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers...be well and listen to your heart...listen to your gut - the answers lie there.
Love Heather and Spirit Zeus and our Buddy (we have a 10 year old Buddy too)
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
You can get the bisphosphonate, Alendronate 70mg (brand name - Fosamax) from Sams Club or other discount pharmacy for $9.00 a box. Our Rx for PEZ is 4 boxes at a time and is given everyday with some peanut butter. If you aren't doing amputation at this time, I would also consider K9 Immunity , K9 Transfer Factor and Omega-3 fish oil with Tramadol and Proxicam. Also, we have had PEZ on Essiac vegicaps and Artemisinin from Holley Pharmaceuticals.
Now since you are in PA, it's not that far, but I would recommend Veterinary Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Group (VOSM). Their website is http://www.vosm.org . The surgeon I would recommend is Dr. Peter Lotsikas… he is awesome!!! Dr. Lotsikas has advanced training in orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, and surgical oncology. He constantly communicates with you via in person, phone and email. You can send him an email and in no time, he's replying. Great guy!!!
As for the vet who told you that Buddy only has three months left to live without amputation and chemo is full of s#1t!!! Our PEZ received the same diagnoses from a surgeon in Annapolis who seemed more concerned about money then he did about the welfare of PEZ. If we didn't proceed with amputation and chemo, he gave PEZ 2-4 months to live. We decided to go with Chinese meds and holistic treatments and we were able to prolong PEZ on four legs for another 8 months before she suffered a pathological fracture which required her leg to be amputated at VOSM in Columbia, MD… and PEZ is still going strong with no mets in her lungs to date. One thing to remember, question everything vets tell you and talk to the people here… they are an excellent source of information.
Good Luck!
Scott, Charlotte & PEZ
