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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Helping a hands in Richmond is a not for profit vet surgical center. They only do like 15 things, one of them is amputation. The doctors were wonderful, loving, follow up with us all the time....I couldn't say enough good stuff. They also run on a fixed fee. We got a quote for over 3k to get Max amputation. Helping Hands did for $700. Allowed us to afford chemo. If you are in the area check them out. I think they also try and help you out if you have financial issues. I highly recommend. I was wary at first, but did a ton of research, and I am so happy we used them.
Thanks so much for sharing your experience with Dr. Pasternak and crew. Yes, the are wonderful!
We recently wrote about them here in the Tripawds News Blog :
Helping Hands Vet Helps Pet Parents Avoid Economic Euthanasia
Just want to clarify though, Helping Hands isn't a non-profit; they are able to offer lower rates for various reasons which we outline in the article. Dr. Lori is amazing, we met her last year in Virginia. So glad you got to benefit from their wonderful services.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Virginia? Richmond? My tripawd, Happy Hannah, and I live outside of Richmond...halfway between Charlottesville and Richmond........far west end of Powhatan
Athena and her mom live i Chesapeake area (if I recall correctly)
Happy Hannah's amp. was in February too. I wish I had gone to Helping Hands! I won't say the name, but the "specialist" I was referred to wws out of vet. clinic on Broad Street. I was famaliar with Helping Hands and when I mentioned this as an option (big mistake....they are a "competitot" in their eyes I guess)....anyway, they somewhat subtly put enough fear and question marks in my mind about HH that I felt Hannah would be so mich better off with them.
Zero bedside manner, not one pno e call from ANYONE for follow-up to see how sne was doing....and the list goes on. Never given an estimate anywhere close to actual cost! Verbal range was at first $1,500-- then $1,800 then alost $4,000! They DID agree to work out a payment plan for which I was very grateful and that was to be based on $3,000-------which eneded up being upper three's!! Nothing in writing...no print-out estimate. When I came to ick ner up is when I saw everything in print and of course didn't read it for days. I was a little busy!!! They sent ner hone with tis HUGE plastic cone....wasn't on ner....just said she ight need it. That by itself was a $25 charge. I knew sne would never wear that thing but was just too rattled to think of having them take it back when I picked her up....and I certainly wasn't thiking about any charge!
SOOOOOO, I guess this rambling is my way of endorsing Helping Hands also!!
Tne very best to you and Max! Virginia Tripawd Power:-) 
Take care!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
It just really annoys me to read a story like Sally & Hannahs. OK, so it's a business. Be up front about your pricing. You know what it will be, based on past experience. I honestly don't even remember asking how much the surgery would be. I knew I had the best vet for the job, and I simply trusted it would all be OK. Probably not a smart move on my part now that I'm looking back.
Helping Hands sounds like a great facility. Wish there were more of them around.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
My bad! Sorry Jerry! I thought they were... Regardless, they are wonderful!! I was a little nervous when we took Max, thinking it must be some doggy chop shop for the price. I have since met multiply pawrents who also have used them with great success.
I am so sorry about your experience and I hope Hannah is doing ok. I am wondering if she saw the same surgeon we did originally, as our oncologist is in Chesapeake. If anyone needs an oncologist in Hampton roads I really like Dr. Brewer in Chesapeake. He is a smart guy, and his staff has been really helpful in meeting our needs. We have to get weekly blood tests for the study Max is in, and they just take him when I can get there.
If hannah is ever looking for a tripawd playmate look us up!
Sally, wow! I have always been given written estimates. What a horrible experience. 
kciardi, Dr Brewer is our oncologist, also!
04/09/13- OSA Diagnosis ~ 04/23/13- Left Forelimb Amputation ~ Carboplatin Chemo (6 total)
July 2006-November 18, 2013
I will always love you, Athena.
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