Leg Amputation?

[Kirty]

Thanks everyone for all the replies. Cordy looks so gorgeous and I am glad she is recovering well. I have seen a few three legged greyhounds but they were all amputated later in life I believe.

And yes, it is Sam. He is such a sweetheart so hopefully we can get him 100% very soon. His leg certainly doesn't seem to slow him down, but I just don't think it can stay the way it is. Not sure I'll get to the vet again this week, but I'll let you all know how he goes.

[OSoSwift]

I think a dog of his breed would cope quite well with a hindleg apmutation.

I would consider - of course with a very good vet opinion on it - wether it was best to wait (which I would prefer) or do it now. Obviously if he is very uncomfortable then sooner rather than later would be best.

Have you tried a life jacket ans swimming to help with his muscle in his back leg?

Hope it all turns out well for you both

[Greytmate]

That is really sad.

That is the exact reason why when I coordinated GAP, I refused to take pups. If there was some injury that ruled them out as a racing prospect at such a young age, then there was likely a badly healed bone injury that would cause arthritis later.

If there is any lameless, there is pain. Don't be in any doubt about that.

I do not think you should rehome this dog in this condition. It would be unethical to advertise this dog, because you would probably get a 'pity' adoption. It will lead to heartbreak. (Have a couple of terrible stories, but don't feel like sharing right now. )

Maybe wait to see how he grows a bit, but don't expect badly healed bones to somehow be able to be fixed. If the damage is in the joint, there will still be painful arthritis even if you do go ahead with surgery. Sandown vets are probably the ones to see, but be prepared for them to advise you to euthanise instead of amputate, because they might do that.

Maybe it will be the best option for you to amputate and keep the dog, but see the Sandown vet first.

Good luck.

Edited to add - All greyhounds I have known that have had a leg amputated adapt brilliantly, it is amazing. It doesn't really disable them at all.

Edited May 2, 2010 by Greytmate

[PebsnMe]

I've just taken on my nieces dog which just had his front leg amputated,

he is only a small dog and it hasn't slowed him down at all, its totally amazed me

as I offered to pay what ever it took to get him to keep his leg, but in the end

his vet advised it was best to remove the leg while he was young as he would cope well and

avoid painful arthritis.. hoping this was the right decision, wasn't my call as wasn't my dog at the time..

only time will tell I suppose

[cointreau]

I'd go see a specialist first. But I can tell you that at one of the Specialist talks my boss went to regarding Osteosarcoma, they discussed amputation and it was said by the specialist that the large/giant breeds actually cope very well with amputation, assuming the rest of them are fine.

So if breed size is concerning you, I wouldn't let it.

Thank you for posting this. It is the first positive comment I have had regarding amputation which I can relate to my old Dane who had osteosarcoma, unfortunatley she died from other complications post surgery. You have just reassured me I made the right decision to at least try surgery and not opt to PTS first.

Kirty as you can tell from the above I went through this with my old girl she was 11 years 9 months. Hildar was a very healthy full of life girl except for her hind leg which I decided to amputate due to osteosarcoma. After watching her continue with her normal behaviour except on the Sunday before surgery when she sat in the front garden and I thought to be kind to her I would drive the car out of the car port. Before I could move the car she was at the drivers side letting me know she wanted to come with me. The leg was amputated and I know it was the right thing to do despite numerous people giving me negative comments, some rather cruel. Would I do it again yes, if I believed it was the right treatment for my dog and they would manage.

Dogs adjust well without a leg, if you are concerned about stability on three legs at first you can use a towel under the tummy/hip area or when I researched equipment I found a bottoms up harness to assist dogs with problems with their hind leg/s. I would get a specialist opinion before amputation to see if there is another way to treat the leg, if amputation is the best way to go for the dogs health and pain free happiness then I would do it.

[Rappie]

If the leg is painful and affecting quality of life, and there's no concurrent problem that would prevent mobility on 3 legs (such as severe arthritis, other injuries etc) then amputation is a good option.

Dogs and cats have few hang-ups about having 3 legs and I think it is preferable to having a very painful or non-useful limb. It's not a decision made easily in some situations, such as deciding whether to do an expensive surgery to maintain a limb with moderate chances of success vs amputation, but if it's a decision made between amputation and euthanasia I'd certainly consider it a good alternative.

In a large breed of dog, I would opt for a specialist assessment, as even if repair is not an option they can give advice on how well they might cope with the added strain on the opposing leg (such as an untreatable injury in one hind leg and hip dysplasia in the other).

[Kirty]

Just a quick update on Sam. I took him to see another vet and the vet was really happy with his leg. He was amazed that it had healed so well, especially considering he had no treatment! He said the bones had fused quite well and that they would continue to heal as he grows. He said there was no need to re-break it and no need for amputation. :D He said the greatest risk would be if the muscles fused or became rigid (sorry, can't remember his exact words) but that Sam was not showing any signs of that. He had normal range of movement and no pain. ;)

[persephone]

:D great news!

[Erny]

:D

[PebsnMe]

thats fantastic news, hope he continues to heal well.