Foster Dog Dilemma

[sas]

I know a brilliant obedience Kelpie called Trip-pod.....he has 3 legs....how each dog handles it is such an individual thing.

I'd whack the leg off but be prepared to PTS if that doesn't go well.

Edited September 23, 2011 by MEH

[Gayle.]

Unless you have a confirmed home for her, I'd PTS.

[Kirty]

Thanks guys. I will let you know how we get on. I have pretty much stopped crate resting her now, it just stresses her out and the leg is stuffed anyway. Hopefully with more freedom she will settle a bit.

[Greytmate]

If you have easy access to a pool, swim her for exercise.

I'm so sorry you are in this situation, but I don't think this dog is a candidate for rehoming, and that is entirely the old owner's fault. What the vet has offered would be the three choices somebody could consider if it happened to their beloved pet. None are good choices but only one means that this dog won't suffer any further pain.

[BJean]

Thanks guys. I will let you know how we get on. I have pretty much stopped crate resting her now, it just stresses her out and the leg is stuffed anyway. Hopefully with more freedom she will settle a bit.

In places where there are no vets to perform bone surgery

faith is placed in time, the virtue of a young animal, and nature - to heal or to die.

If this sounds extreme, it is not meant to be

In your situation, we have established that surgery is not an option

so the young BC can be PTS or confined and see how she goes with time.

I think you should continue with what you are currently doing (confine and time)

but apply it properly to its full extent:

Bind the hock leg area with a bandage. If you can put it in cast.

Don't confine to a crate. Confine her to a space, space enough her to move a little, and space enough so her mental health is still good.

Then you feed her lots of milk and natural basic diet. No high protein kibble or processed food and that includes commercial barf.

We want her lean, confined so she cant gallop and twist

but space enough to walk, and be mentally active.

To the diet you will add supplement of pure Glucosamine.

Once we accept that extensive vet surgery is not an option, we hand it over to time and what nature and the dog can do.

The decision about the ultimate future of the dog, is an observation of what nature and the dog tell us over time.

Does that makes sense?

By time, you stop counting the days - you literally leave the dog to the basic supplementary care, diet, environment required - and step back from the situation. The ethos is, you have done all that you can do, now you must accept and allow nature and the dog do what they will do.

Edited September 24, 2011 by lilli

[Kirty]

Thanks for that interesting post lilli. Its certainly something to think about. She is currently on glucosamine and a good diet including lots of meaty bones. I did have her leg bandaged and it seemed to help until the bandage was removed. I might try again. Time is not an issue for me, so perhaps your suggestion is the way to go for now. I can combine that with low-impact training, socialising, etc and see what happens. If I am going to leave her though, I will have to provide pain relief (even though she seems fine).

[BJean]

Thanks for that interesting post lilli. Its certainly something to think about. She is currently on glucosamine and a good diet including lots of meaty bones. I did have her leg bandaged and it seemed to help until the bandage was removed. I might try again. Time is not an issue for me, so perhaps your suggestion is the way to go for now. I can combine that with low-impact training, socialising, etc and see what happens. If I am going to leave her though, I will have to provide pain relief (even though she seems fine).

No pain relief. As then she will move more than her body wants her to.

Pain is nature's pain relief.

Sorry have to rush.

but if you are going to confine and give to time

then you cannot give pain relief, it is counterproductive

What Glucosamine do you give?

Dont worry about training, socialising walking or whatever for now

if you try the above, you literally leave the dog alone

[Kirty]

Its just a glucosamine supplement I bought when my dog did her cruciate. I will check the bottle when I get home.

[Rainy]

Im sorry Kirty, but by your descriptionn of her, her state of health both mental and pysical i couldnt bare to drag out her pain. Id PTS and focus your time and energy on dogs that have a better chance of finding a forever home.

[capanash]

Amputation

I know two people that had dogs with broken legs (i know it's a little different)

#1 person was freaked out by the idea of a 3 legged dog so had the break repaired... slightly nutty dog so a couple of days later the dog rebroke it so ended up having it amputated. The dog was back to normal again within a week and adjusted really well.

#2 broke leg and had it repaired. owner now regrets not having it amputated due the pain the leg causes the dog and the early arthritis

remember that dogs adjust to amputaions amazingly well

[OSoSwift]

I would choose amputation, however due to the fact she is a foster I would seriously consider PTS

[gone]

Kirty

Are you currently advertising for a new home for her ?

some people will take a dog on who is in the process of rehab/ surgery.

Maybe put it out there to test the waters in finding her a new home ( with the full story of course)

Good luck I hope the outcome, whatever it is, is for the best for the dog -

Take care ! you guys do some great work thats not appreciated enough - thankyou !

[Greytmate]

Kirty

Are you currently advertising for a new home for her ?

some people will take a dog on who is in the process of rehab/ surgery.

Maybe put it out there to test the waters in finding her a new home ( with the full story of course)

Good luck I hope the outcome, whatever it is, is for the best for the dog -

Take care ! you guys do some great work thats not appreciated enough - thankyou !

That sounds lovely Sinta, but in my view is not ethical.

It is passing on a problem to somebody else.

Calling for somebody who wants to nurse a dog, and be a very special type of carer, but has no intention of permanently keeping her. There is no rehabilitation. There are a few bandage changes and some driving around. The dog will adapt to amputation all by itself despite what the carer does.

And what is the full story? This dog is highly likely to suffer arthritis or worse from middle age or earlier.

To me that is not what is desirable in a pet. What normal person would prefer that to a healthy dog?

It is only a dilemma to Kirty because she has an emotional bond with this dog.

This dog has appeal as a special needs dog, it will fulfil somebody's need to be needed. But to use it for this purpose means that the dog's welfare is a secondary consideration, and to me that is unethical.

Poor, poor dog. But the damage is immense and the damage is irreversible and sometimes we have to accept defeat for the sake of making sure we do not commit a dog to a life of pain. I've been in this situation, and I don't regret what I did to avoid a dog suffering or a family being given a problem dog.

There are many dogs needing help and many would benefit from a special needs carer to rehabilitate them, and more importantly to teach them some manners. But there is little that can be done for this dog.

[haven]

Id PTS and focus your time and energy on dogs that have a better chance of finding a forever home.

This. It isn't that the little girl doesn't deserve the chance, but when her prognosis as a result of an amputation is potentially poor coupled with the fact that finding her a home would be difficult as a result and her life span could also be reduced I think I would probably PTS. The time and money you spend on this dog could go towards helping a lot of other dogs who will have a much better outcome, while this one ultimately has the same result no matter which option you choose (option 1 not being an option really, for the same reasons as above and because I know you're not swimming in donations).

[megan_]

If she didnt have the leg issue, what would your position be? What is her temperemant like? When you say she is highly strung, what do you mean?

[Staff'n'Toller]

Just as an aside, my boy was in a cast for about 8 weeks due to a severed tendon. He was in a full cast for some time then a moulded leg support.

He was able to swim with the full cast on at Dogs In Motion after being approved by the Physio. But it will add more expense to the surgery...to keep the dog sane you might expect to be swimming her 2-3 times weekly, and spending a fortune on bandages. Plus there is an extra time commitment in travel etc.