Kirty Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 Apologies in advance for the huge post, but I really need some help here. I have recently taken on an 8mo Border Collie x (working type) who has a broken leg. Owners told me it was broken and just needed cage rest, which they couldn't cope with. However when I contacted their vet later, I found out it was actually a nasty bone chip in the hock and their vet had recommended 6 weeks cage rest with a cast, but that it may need arthrodesis (fusion of the joint). The previous owners didn't confine her at all, so by the time she came to me 4 weeks later, she had done significantly more damage to the joint. I then had her on strict cage rest for 2 weeks and kept the joint stable, but the damage had already been done and her hock is stuffed. My vet has given me 3 options - > arthrodesis which costs $3000 and she would need 12-24 weeks strict rest post-op (and this dog hasn't coped with 2 weeks cage rest, I think 12-24 weeks would send her round the twist). I have also read that arthrodesis in the hock is often not as successful as others joints. > amputation (which is my preference) however my vet is concerned that because she is so highly strung and so crazy, she may well damage her other hind leg which would mean she may need to be PTS. > PTS which is obviously my last resort. But can you ethically rehome a crazy 3-legged dog? Can you rehome a dog who NEEDS to be doing something but won't be able to do agility, flyball, herding etc. Would anyone want a BC who you can't do anything with? Has anyone amputated the hind leg of a super-active, super-smart dog? What was the outcome? I feel sick having to make this decision and would appreciate any advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dee lee Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 What a crap situation. I bet you'd like to strangle the previous owners. I would think that even with the surgery, the dog's chances of doing agility would be minimal? I would go for amputation & lots of training. Surely at 8 months there is some hope it could grow to be a not so crazy dog? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ams Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 Kirty can you get a behaviourist to have a look at the dog now and give you some idea if the manic behaviour is likely to be trainable? That may give you a better idea of which way to go. Even an amputation is a lot of money and mucking around if the dog is nuts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esky the husky Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 Some dogs bounce right back from an amputation. There is a two dog team of huskies that runs down here. I was shocked when I saw one of the dogs only had one back leg He was certainly getting around fine :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussielover Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 I don't see a problem with rehoming an active 3 legged dog. If she has a behavioural then as with all rehomings, it is not ideal or ethical imo to rehome her. If she is just very energetic and the hyperness can be reduced by regular exercise and training etc then I'd say she is rehomable, 3 legged or not. I also think she'd have more chance of doing agility at a low level, for fun, if she had the amputation. FOr example, I think there would be minimal probs with her jumping at 200-300 and not doing things like the A frame, weavers, tyre (high risk obstacles), I know my club has lots of people who train just for fun. She'd be quite suitable for obedience, so provided she is trainable, I wouldn't worry about not being physcially able with this. A kelpie I know is three legged (missing the front leg which is even harder) and is actually still faster than many dogs. It can play fetch with ball and leads a very active lifestyle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KJ Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 Probably not much help to you but......... My Lab Henrietta had very bad ocd of the hock, she had surgery to remove the ocd leision but her hock was already damaged and became much worse after the surgery. Hock arthrodesis was the only way to take away her pain. Henrietta had the arthrodesis in Melbourne, 2 nights in hospital and then 12 weeks rest with the first 6 weeks in a cast. The cast required changing each week. She was not crated the whole time just kept on the lead. Probably cost around $4000 for the specialist surgery, cast changes, follow up xrays, removal of plate etc (thank goD for pet insurance)She did need further surgery to help with the fusion which required more time in a cast(and another $4000) but now nearly 18 months since her last surgery she is like a new dog, so happy and pain free ! She can run, jump and play just like a normal Lab, something I never thought she would be able to do. She is very, very active and is not at all hindered by her fused joint. Has your dog seen a specialist? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 Don't envy you. I guess what has to be decided is the temperamental stabilty of the dog . Is she 'crazy' because she is a teenager? because she's been so confined? because she's been in an unstable environment ? or is it her nature ? I agree with getting her assessed as best you can first .. the surgery/rehab is an awful lot to invest in a dog who may be a big handful...... best of luck with it all... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WreckitWhippet Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 PTS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 I can tell you a working mind in a limited body doesnt do itself any favours. If you could find a family that could provide enough mental stimulation without having to get her running around then you have a change. I know one herding breed that had a tree fall on her and she lost a hind leg. She still gets about OK but you can see she's frustrated at not being as fast as she was before Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadWoofter Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 (edited) Fleming is a Belgian Shepherd with 3 legs. Very similar situation actually, came in to rescue with what was a 'minor' injury, only to realise it was quite major, requiring expensive surgery with a long recuperation period. From a physical aspect, your foster will probably bounce back a lot quicker from amputation rather than surgery which requires a long resting / crating period, particularly for a working breed. That was the decision that tipped us with Fleming - he'd go absolutely bonkers being crate confined for the 6 week rehabilitation period. As to the possibility of injuring his remaining back leg, you need to look at the odds of that happening. ie if the hock damage is hereditary then the chances are higher than if it was from an accident. Rehoming a 3 legged dog is a lot harder than a 4 legged one. I really thought Fleming would go based on the sympathy factor. Considering it's 4 years later and he's still with me says something about that ! You really need to take into consideration that he may not be rehomed. Oh, and having 3 legs hasn't stopped, or slowed Fleming down at all. In fact, he's actually better as he was in so much pain beforehand he wasn't doing much at all. Agility, obedience, fly-ball - none of these should be an issue for an active otherwise healthy pooch. Flemo's going lure-coursing this weekend Best of luck with your decision, but at the end of the day you have to make the best decision for the dog in the long term. If you can't possibly keep him, and you don't think you'll rehome him, then PTS is the best option Edited September 22, 2011 by MadWoofter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 yep, being a foster with uncertain homing prospects makes for a different thought process than a dog who is already with a family and much loved - and whose family is willing to cope with any issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirty Posted September 23, 2011 Author Share Posted September 23, 2011 (edited) Exactly pers - if it was my dog or if I had the option to keep her if it went pear-shaped, that would be very different. But I already have four dogs! I cannot have another dog. I am hoping to catch up with Tamara (Cosmolo) soon so will see what she thinks. She has not seen a specialist, however her x-rays and vet reports were sent to a specialist and he was the one who gave the initial suggestion of rest, but most likely arthrodesis. Thanks everyone for the thoughts. Edited September 23, 2011 by Kirty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EISHUND Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 My vote is for amputation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gone Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 (edited) * Edited March 2, 2012 by gone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirty Posted September 23, 2011 Author Share Posted September 23, 2011 The vet has explained all the options and thinks all three are valid for their own reasons. Unfortunately I don't generally get donations for the Border Collies - thankfully, I have never needed them before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greytmate Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 yep, being a foster with uncertain homing prospects makes for a different thought process than a dog who is already with a family and much loved - and whose family is willing to cope with any issues. Yes it does. If you amputate, a dog of any age will recover very well and adjust very easily to a life on three legs. A young active dog will use the remaining three limbs to compensate for the missing limb. But the other limbs are then being used incorrectly and they are subject to strain and also to wearing out faster. Even worse if the dog is being jumped or being asked to pull things. By middle age the dog is likely to have problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkhe Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 It seems as though option 1 isn't really an option, as that much post-op rest would surely be bloody hard work for you AND the dog. If Option 2 is such a concern because of difficulties rehoming a dog with huge activity requirements, surely that means that option 1.. isn't an option? That's completely aside from the cost. I'd go with option 2 - if it ends up in PTS, well, .. you tried. I personally wouldn't have any problem adopting a 3 legged dog at all, it wouldn't even factor into my decision to be honest. And if it did, it would be the sympathy part Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terujo Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 Hi, Tricky situation. I think I'd go for a 2nd opinion, only to see if another vet has anything else to suggest. Then investigate the amputation option a little more. At 8 months though, still so young, I'd like to know how the situation improves with rest. I don't envy you making this decision. I do think people would take on a 3 legged dog for adoption. Some people just have a heart for these battlers :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 yep, being a foster with uncertain homing prospects makes for a different thought process than a dog who is already with a family and much loved - and whose family is willing to cope with any issues. Yes it does. If you amputate, a dog of any age will recover very well and adjust very easily to a life on three legs. A young active dog will use the remaining three limbs to compensate for the missing limb. But the other limbs are then being used incorrectly and they are subject to strain and also to wearing out faster. Even worse if the dog is being jumped or being asked to pull things. By middle age the dog is likely to have problems. I would not be happy to have a 3 legged Border. I don't think I could even do it to a dog of my own if it came to that. It is difficult with a front leg missing but a back one missing will put more strain on the remaining leg in a breed that is prone to ruptured cruciate ligaments and many other leg and back injuries, due to the stress they put on their joints with the high activity levels. With this girl being a foster I would pts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mim Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 (edited) Exactly pers - if it was my dog or if I had the option to keep her if it went pear-shaped, that would be very different. But I already have four dogs! I cannot have another dog. I am hoping to catch up with Tamara (Cosmolo) soon so will see what she thinks. She has not seen a specialist, however her x-rays and vet reports were sent to a specialist and he was the one who gave the initial suggestion of rest, but most likely arthrodesis. Thanks everyone for the thoughts. I've missed something! Who's your 4th dog, kirty I don't envy your situation with this poor foster. I don't know what I'd do if it were me. Edited September 23, 2011 by Mim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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