Back in December 2025, our Great Pyrenees developed a lump on his hind leg at a rapid rate. After testing, they determined that his lump was likely Osteosarcoma. In January 2026, we moved forward with having his leg amputated. They biopsied the removed tumor and determined it was stage 4 Osteosarcoma. At this point, there was no sign of metastasis in his lungs, but they still predicted that he may have 14-18 weeks left to live. We did not do chemo. Instead, we took him to a holistic vet and got him on several supplements. He was placed on Vitamin D drops, a mushroom chewable, CBD/THC, onco greens, and an immune support supplement. He has been thriving on his regimen until recently. In September 2026, we took him in for a checkup because his breathing seemed to be getting worse… turns out, he had a tumor grow in his lungs. No sign of the typical snowstorm metastasis though. Yesterday, we took him in for a follow-up X-ray. Although the tumor hasn’t grown, he has the snowstorm on the left side of his lungs. His right side is clear as of right now. For the most part, his breathing isn’t super hard unless he overexerts himself. He’s still eating a ton, drinking water, running around, and bright-eyed. It’s hard though because I know his breathing isn’t as strong anymore. I can tell that he struggles sometimes. It’s hard to make the call because he is so happy and mobile right now. He’s on a palliative care routine. He is on Prednisone and Gabapentin. However, the vet brought up possibly trying the ivermectin and fenbendazole pairing since we truly have nothing to lose at this point. Have any of you had any luck with this? Would you recommend it?

Also, for those of you who’ve had similar things happen, when did you know it was time to let go? I’m 18 weeks pregnant, so this just sucks. 😭

I’m sure this has been asked in many ways and places on this sub, but I haven’t found in one place. My boy Teddy is scheduled for a front right limb amputation on Nov 6 due to an as yet firmly identified cancer and recurrent wound. I put him on a diet in anticipation and he’s a trim 98 pounds (he is a very big golden). Especially for those with larger dogs and front limb amputations: what do you wish you had or bought? What do you wish you’d known? What was the best thing you did for your tripawd? Any of the less obvious but highly effective is what I’m interested in.

We recently adopted our sweet tricolor tripawd, Puck, and we knew we had to do something clever for Halloween. My partner came up with this idea and I made the leg and harness blood! He loved his leg stuffie at first (I put a squeaker in the paw) but after repairing it once already I won't let him rip off the yarn blood - so now he actually avoids it 🙄😂

Show me your tripawd related costumes - or just your tripawd in any costume hehe.

I have a Miniature American Eskimo, he is just a little over a 1 1/2 years old and he has broken his front right leg 3 times in just over a year. The surgeries have been costly and this time our Vet recommended amputating the leg. We only have a few questions we really need to ask, other than that, we're just not sure. This is uncharted territory for us, so we just want to be prepared!

1) Our vet offered us a couple of different amputation options. I believe he said they can take the scapula or leave it, he recommended taking the scapula because it smooths it out but may leave the ribs susceptible to damage. We think he has fragile bones so we're not sure if that's the best option. If anyone could tell me experiences with both procedures that could help a lot.

2) Will they have reduced mobility? If so, how significant? He likes to play and run, but we're also worried that with having one less leg he might be more likely to hurt his other limbs from tripping, falling, etc...

3) Does anyone have experience with phantom limb pains with their dog? Is this something we should be worried about? We don't want him to be in pain for the rest of his life.

4) For those that have been through this before, is there anything you wish you'd known beforehand rather than after the fact? We'd like to be totally and completely prepared for anything.

Hey everyone! We're adopting a rescue from a shelter. She's a Aussie Collie mix who severely injured one of her rear legs in a farm accident that was left untreated, then was seized and treated- losing her leg. Shes probably almost one and a half, and very sweet.

We're bringing her home this week, any tips for a first time tripawd owner? We've already got a Aussiedoodle at home who is 3.5 years old who we've had since a puppy.

I've done a lot of research, but happy to hear advice from the community. Thanks.

My girl is scheduled for an amputation next week. She has osteocarcoma in a back leg. Thats fine, but i worry about a limp shes developed in a front leg months ago. Its not cancer or anything maybe some sort of arthritus or something, but for the most part her limp is a front leg thing not her back leg. Im worried that this limp will become much more debilitating once she only has three legs. Anybody deal with other minor leg issues after amputation? It doesnt stop her, but its noticeable

I have been fostering a recent tripawd (hit by a car and one rear leg amputated) for a few weeks, and I've fallen in love with him. I'm seriously thinking of foster failing him. However, one of my big concerns is that I won't be able to take care of his physical needs. He's only two and he's really regaining his strength and ability quite quickly, including navigating steps, but I have to help him into the car every time. Not sure if it's just fear/whether he may develop the ability as he recovers, but even if he does, I know I will need to help him at some point as he ages. He's 50 pounds and I'm a single woman. I'm generally pretty strong but have hip issues that are likely to be worse in 10 years, and I just don't want to find myself in the position where I'm unable to help my dog do what he needs to do. So, the answer to this question may help me decide whether I'm able to keep him or not: Is there some easy device for helping dogs in and out of the car? I'm not looking for something cumbersome, like a ramp or stairs, or a complicated harness that takes lots of time to buckle and unbuckle. I'm thinking some kind of sling that can be used quickly and put away easily. Google is giving me a lot of options that don't seem to fit his needs. I'd love to hear from parents of other rear end tripawds about how they do this, and if any product has helped!

Has anyone tried the rubber nail covers to help keep their dog from slipping? We have mats down on our hardwood floors but it would be nice to have extra insurance from falls in these early days.

Also, we are using an ecollar but found the biggest risk is him using his back leg to scratch! Any tips to prevent this while not reducing his already limited mobility?

Edited to add: e collar means Elizabethan! It’s what our vets call cones.

She may be a tripod but the 40% GSP makes up for it. She is mole hunter extraordinaire. I dont know what's worse the moles or the holes.

Koda had a regular check up the other day and got dropped off in the morning at her vet. She is always so happy and excited to go in. Gets right up on the scale each time then greets the front desk person with lots of kisses. One of the vets walked in and said “oh hello my little tripawd friend!” while giving lots of rubs. Apparently Koda is well known now because the girl at the front desk said she had not gotten to meet her yet but heard about her, not sure if that’s a good or bad thing 🤣🤣

Little foot primarily hops around on 3 legs, occasionally his club touches the ground when it can reach. Mostly for climbing the stairs or to lean over and pee.

I figure he may not quite fit the term tripawd to a tee, but 70% of the time he is.

Is it normal to have bruising all the way up the chest? Thanks in advance from Bacca and I.

Finn lost his battle with Histiocytic sarcoma after 4 months.

I had posted back in June when Finn was first diagnosed. He had his amputation surgery and he did amazingly well getting around with 3 legs. I don’t regret the surgery at all.

We treated with chemo, but unfortunately it didn’t work, and the cancer spread and we chose to stop 2 weeks ago, and kept him comfortable.

Last night we said goodbye, and it hurts like hell.

He was such a sweet boy. We were really lucky to have him as part of our family even if it only was for 5 years.

Hug your babies tight. I will always have a soft spot in my heart for tripawds after this experience.

Our 13 year old three-legged Shih Tzu, Dr. Computer Chips, is running for NYC Dog Mayor and she needs your help to win! You don’t have to live in NYC to vote! Anyone anywhere can make her a victor! 

Born in the Bronx, Dr. Chips, was adopted into her Park Slope family five years ago. Before that, she was surrendered to the pound with a severe leg infection. 

She lost a leg but three-legs can’t stop her from hopping around befriending everyone she meets! 

She is the underdog in this race. She’s running against a dog with over 27,000 followers and she has just over 400. 

By running for NYC Dog Mayor she will bring recognition and visibility to elderly and disabled dogs everywhere. NYC is built on underdog stories and Dr. Chips is just the latest one.

She’s running on a platform to make the streets poop free (shoutout to our Council Member Shahana Hanif for her work on the recently passed SCOOPS act), pets for all, and promoting more adoption for elderly and disabled dogs.

You can help her get elected by voting for her on Wednesday, October 21, liking and sharing this post, following her on Instagram , and downloading a reminder to vote. 

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Dr. Chips has made it to the semi-finals! Let’s help her go all the way!

Voting link