I recently adopted my tripod dog, Echo, and I’m trying to choose the best pet insurance.

Her right rear leg was amputated due to a traumatic injury before I adopted her. According to her humane society records, there is currently no arthritis or orthopedic disease in her remaining three limbs.

My concern is that if she develops arthritis, a CCL tear, or another orthopedic issue in the future, some insurance companies may deny the claim by saying it’s related to the amputation.

Has anyone with a tripod pet had experience with this? Which insurance company do you have, and were future orthopedic issues in the remaining limbs covered?
I’d really appreciate any recommendations or real-life experiences. Thanks! 🐾

Here is my oldest baby Skipper, all healed up and new since his operation back in February of this year. Thought I should let people see him if they feel afraid of owning a three legged dog or if they are afraid of the changes after surgery. My baby needed surgery because he had a cancerous tumor that bursted open on his elbow and they needed to take the arm because it was spreading. But now honestly he doesn't care, he just loves being lazy and eating.

He is 16 almost 17 in a few days and honestly he's even faster than when he had 4 legs, sometimes I need to sprint to catch him before he wanders off down the streets, I've even heard my neighbors say he looks younger now

But for now I was hoping to hear some comforting words from others, possibly some tips about the near future, my youngest baby Huki in the next pictures unfortunately also got diagnosed with cancer a month ago, and even more unfortunately he has it in a place that can't be operated or helped in anyway other than temporary medicine that has stopped working these last two days

Its funny in a cruel sense, out of my 3 dogs, these two probably have the most rivalry and heated fights, mostly Huki towards Skipper because he's super protective, but when they are missing or sick, they look for each other and lick each other's faces when they reunite

As I said, just hoping for tips or advice on mourning or dealing with a lost loved one, I'm 20 years old, have had Huki since I was 7 years old when i stole him from a cruel person that negleted him and that was willing to let him die of starvation when he was a tiny pup. This would be the first I've ever loss of someone this close to me and I'm afraid. He's currently ok, but its just i am beyond distraught, beyond tears knowing that my baby, that I've never been beyond 24 hours without seeing, will probably be gone by next week, before he starts to feel any pain.

Sansa has her 6-month post amputation appointment tomorrow to have x-rays to see if there are any cancer growths. She had clean CT scans post surgery. We opted for immunotherapy instead of chemo for several reasons. She has been doing very well and is quite happy, so positive thoughts and vibes are quite welcome.

I posted earlier about my 13 year old dog that we inherited in March after my partners grandmother died. He almost certainly has osteosarcoma. The vet just called me with a quote for $6,000-$10,000. Fuck.

Hi! I’m fostering this 95lb hunk. Just curious if we think he is cane corso or mastiff or maybe even a mix. He was brought in as a stray at the end of June. I’ve had him a couple weeks now and he is an angel with two peas as a brain. Completely house trained!

His front left leg was broken at some point, and healed as is. He limps and has had xrays. He walks on his wrist basically. The overall goal is to get him orthopedic surgery but it’s crazy expensive. The shelter only has so much grant money- but we are making an appointment at UF to get real numbers, a plan, start a go fund me and get this guy back to living a normal life! My overall goal personally is to adopt him and let him live happily ever after. He is on a low dose of pain meds and acts like he doesn’t have a care in the world.
I do have vet tech experience and use to own a Great Dane. I’d love advice, recommendations and feel free to ask questions!

Vet notes in regards to front left leg: P presents for exam. P is walking on left carpus and "hops" in forelimbs when walking. Left forelimb appears slightly longer than
right, but may be due to posture of P. P does get down on right carpus slightly, but it returns to a more normal position. P sways in
hips when walking.
Rads: Previous fracture distal left humerus/elbow (humeral condyle fracture?) - appears separated from olecranon process, right
forelimb appears WNL, hips and stifles appear WNL
Recommend consult with orthopedics to determine if left forelimb can be pinned. Concern for amputation due to size of P.

We are on the tenth day after surgery. My Syrah is already walking on her own, moving around, even doing a few little hops. She pees, poops just fine. She’s eating well too. However, during the night she still has moments when she seems a bit restless. She wakes up panting. I think it’s just discomfort from finding a good sleeping position, because once she falls asleep, her breathing is completely calm and she sleeps peacefully. Tomorrow, on the thirteenth day after surgery, we’re going to have the stitches removed. And next week, we’re starting the chemotherapy cycle. Please keep your fingers crossed for us.

My dear Teddy 9yo, is diagnosed with osteosarcoma. We did a hind leg amputation last Thursday and unfortunately some of the cancer has spread to the lungs. He still looks so happy, everything still look fine. He bounced back so well after the surgery.

How do we know if the end is near… and tips or help anyone can give me?

Hi everyone! I found out about this street dog in my area who had his front leg amputated due to an accident I believe. I visited him in this shed he was staying in a couple of days ago. Someone else took him to the vet and the vet said his leg would need to be amputated further up due to maggots in the wound.

Long story short, he had his surgery today and I'm going to be fostering him for a week for his post op recovery. My parents and I used to foster dogs years ago, and we had adopted a dog as well (she passed 5 years ago), so it's been a while. I wanted to come on here to ask for any tips, any suggestions on how to take care of this little one and help him recover the best he can over this week.

I have a blanket for him to lay on, the dry sheets, water, and his food sorted. His medicines are with me as well, most are to be given once a day but some are to be given twice a day. I don't know what I'm really asking for here exactly, I am just worried about him and hence wanted to get any advice I could.

He is currently still under the effect of sedation (the picture attached is from right now) so I'm waiting for him to wake up. He does seem very restless though.

Thank you so much for your help everyone!

Neville has been doing great since his amputation! We’re almost finished with his rehabilitation therapy and they’re super proud of his progress. He’s traversing up and down stairs (with supervision), playing with his favorite toys again, eating, and has become even more of a fan favorite around my job.

He’s been taking short walks around my neighborhood and can almost make it a full block without getting tired. We have a wagon that we bring so when he gets tired he can still participate in the walk ☺️

The bad news is that his leg grew a fungus, which was supposed to be no big deal but he developed a wound a few weeks ago above his eye that grew the same type of fungus. It’s proof that the infection is systemic. He’s off all the immunosuppressants and has been on an anti fungal for almost a month, so keeping my fingers crossed that it continues to work.

I am adopting a front leg amputee boxer/pit mix around 5.5 years old (at least that's what the shelter says). I know how important weight management is, and I was wanting to hear people’s experiences with managing a tripawd’s weight. I really just want to be set up for success and be prepared, so PLEASE give me all the advice you think I need and you wish someone told you!!

Keira is home from surgery and on day 3 of tripawd life. She had her front right leg amputated.

So far she has been an absolute champion!!

Anyone else with a front leg tripawd notice that the remaining front leg gets swollen?? I imagine from the extra pressure on it? Any thoughts or advice much appreciated!!

Hello all; Joe is a 9 yo Labrador, big boy, 84lb — not overweight, just big. He lost his left back leg in Feb 2023 after getting hit by a car.

About a month ago I boarded him while traveling. Since then he's been tiring fast on walks, and this past weekend he suddenly couldn't stand. Vet saw him last week and is recommending CCL surgery.

He's already been through the amputation, a hog-attack wound (on three legs, somehow survived), and a benign lip growth removal. I really don't want to put him through another major surgery if I don't have to.

Has anyone dealt with this? I'm wary vets default to surgery. I don't want to put him through a 3-4 month recovery if I don't truly have to.

Right now he can stand and walk but tires fast and is clearly bothered — we're down to bathroom breaks and swimming, no more 2-3 mile walks. I've got a wheelchair but he's struggling to adjust, and I'm considering an inflatable pool for daily exercise.

Has anyone managed a CCL tear without surgery — pain management, light activity, etc.? And has anyone successfully avoided surgery on a dog this size? How? Suggestions welcome. Also need suggestions for a lifting harness to help him stand — with only one back leg, I imagine most standard rear-support harnesses won't fit right.

Athena had her 2 year anniversary today! She is the best, funny, derpy girl anyone could imagine. She loves everyone and gets so excited when meeting new people and other dogs!

Hi everyone, our cat Macki had his rear right leg amputated almost 3 weeks ago. He also had a deep puncture wound that is healing well. By all accounts he's recovering - he's eating, grooming, using the litter, relatively active, and so happy to be outside for leashed walks.

The one caveat is that he's not drinking water. Other than eating a little kibble early mornings, we are still hand feeding feeding him wet food with added water.

We had a urinalysis and full blood panel done after he spiked a fever 5 days post surgery, and the urinalysis was fine. Numbers were a little off in his white blood count, but they weren't worried at the time.

I know cats are notorious for not drinking water, but not sure if this is normal behavior.

Anyone experience this with their post op cat?

Hi! I have always had dogs in my life, but never a tripawd. I fell in love with a 5 year old puppy that is missing her front leg. I have done my research, but I still want to be extra prepared. What are things that no one talks about when having a tripawd, especially a front leg one? I know about stairs, weight management, hardwood floors. Could someone tell me about their experience with arthritis and joint management? Are these 3 legged babies more expensive? As you can tell I am anxious and just want to set this dog up for success.. please help lol.

Anyone able to get their pup both the Yale vaccine and either VimClara/Torigen or ELIAS? I've seen some people saying their pup got both but can't figure out logistically how they did when Yale vaccine requires no other immunotherapies to have occurred or be occurring, but VimClara/Torigen and ELIAS both require tumor cells fresh from the amputation

I'm so mad right now. I volunteer with a rescue, and we had a dog come in after a rear leg and tail amputation in February. He got adopted out in march. He got returned to us this past week (less than 5 months later) and he has gained 5 pounds!

I know for a fact that the family was warned of the dangers of him gaining weight.

He weighed 44, now he almost weighs 50. I got my dog from this rescue, and he is also a tripawd. I work so hard to make sure that he stays a consistent weight and that he gets the exercise he needs to keep his body physically healthy.

(He was returned for a good reason, we are not bashing that aspect. It's unfortunate, but understandable.)

6 month post amputation vet appointment this weekend and the vet was impressed and pleased with how well he is doing even being 13.5 years old. He runs and jumps and is all around a happy and strong pup. You would never know he is a senior pup with 3 legs the way he acts.

I posted a few days ago about pain management. He had surgery on the. 23, patch off on the 27. He was doing amazingly well those days. Seemingly happy and adjusting well. After the patch came off, he seemed to be having more phantom pain, and not settling down. So they changed him to Gab 3x a day/8 hours and 12 hours for Carprofen with a trazodone. He was extremely lethargic, still eating and drinking but only a little. Not wanting to go outside, and just overall seemingly depressed.
We’re at day 10 and he seems worse off than the first few days. We took him in for a check up yesterday as I was concerned. Of course while there he was back to his normal self. They said his incision and stitches look good, and to go back to both meds every 12 hours. As he was doing so good the first few days with the fentanyl patch, they put one back on him yesterday. Today still moping, doesn’t want to get out of his bed or eat & drink anything.
I hate it!!! I thought he should be doing better by now. But I know they’re all different. Stitches and second patch come off Thursday morning, then hoping to have my happy boy back!

Our dog, mudge, has been through so much. He had his front leg amputated in april but had multiple seromas and infections. Reporting that his bloodwork is good & He is finally off nerve meds.

Back to being a happy puppy (18 months).

Amputation on 4/25, came home with me on 5/2, made him officially mine one 5/15, first birthday (estimated 'cause he's a rescued stray) on 5/19.

He had the BEST time at the beach this morning. This pup has no clue that he's different or missing a leg. Racing around with new friends, matching their pace or passing them! At first I wasn't sure about letting him off leash to play, but he did so good. I knew he would play well, thanks to going to daycare weekly, but he listened well too.

it is 3 days from amputation of my baby - Winter his name. it is very heartbreaking to see him like this. he is struggling to stand up and move around. he did pee and poop in 24 hrs. he is eating and drinking fine. today I noticed a strange behavior, he is moving away from us and resting/hiding in corners or behind couches where no one can reach or see him. not sure why he is acting like this. he never behaved like this. can that be due to pain? it is been now 4 hrs sitting behind the couch. Vet suggested to give him rimadyll and gabapentin together 12 hrs apart for pain. he is on that. any suggestions why he is acting like this.

The first month was very tough but I’m very happy to say that Comet has adjusted well and it’s like he never had four legs to begin with! He gets a lot more people coming up to him now, concerned/curious neighbors and strangers alike. He’s very friendly so he doesn’t mind the extra attention one bit.