March 3^rd was Tripawd Awareness Day, a project of Tripawds.com and the nonprofit Tripawds Foundation. According to their website, Tripawds shares helpful resources for pet parents coping with pet limb amputation, and Tripawd Awareness Day is a day to celebrate “animal amputees and the people who care for them by celebrating pet amputation awareness among pet lovers and the veterinary community.”

While tripawd pets often adapt remarkably well after limb amputation, their bodies do face unique physical challenges. With only three limbs bearing weight, the remaining joints, muscles, and soft tissues take on increased mechanical stress. Over time, this can contribute to increased wear and tear on the joints which can lead to earlier onset of osteoarthritis and/or increase the risk of soft tissue strain or injury. For these reasons, proactive joint support becomes especially important for these pets to help protect their long-term comfort and quality of life.

VetStem Cell Therapy has proven especially helpful for multiple three-limbed pets. One such example is Everest who lost her right front leg as a puppy. When she was approximately 6 years old, she suffered partial tears in both cruciate ligaments in her knees. With only three legs, she was not considered a good surgical candidate, so her veterinarian, Dr. Jeff Christiansen of Superior Veterinary Surgical Solutions, recommended treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy.

After receiving injections of her own stem cells into both knees, the change was dramatic. According to her owner, Everest went from struggling to stand and walk to running and having her zoomies again. Now, years later, she continues to thrive and has additional stem cells stored for future use to help keep her comfortable and active.

Everest is just one of several tripawd stem cell success stories we have heard! Mandy received stem cell therapy for hip and ankle arthritis after her front limb was amputated due to a bad break and multiple failed surgeries. Kingsley, a sweet tripawd boy owned by a veterinarian, received multiple treatments for elbow arthritis and far exceeded his life expectancy with the help of VetStem Cell Therapy. Jackson, a rear-leg amputee, was treated with his own stem cells for a partial cruciate ligament tear and arthritis in multiple joints. And Reggie, who lost his front limb due to cancer, was able to get back to playing after receiving stem cell therapy in his hips, knees, and remaining elbow and shoulder.

If you have a tripawd (or four-legged!) pet who is struggling with arthritis or other orthopedic issues, VetStem Cell Therapy may help! Speak to your veterinarian or contact us to receive a list of providers near you.

Everest