Three Legged Dog With A Cruitiate Tear

[Angeluca]

Wings I'm sorry, your decision you know him best good luck

I'm going to add my reasoning I had posted before then pressed wrong button and deleted it all has happened a lot ,

I would take in his age, he isn't old but far from young,

His abilities to cope with operations

His ability to mend and comfortable as possible in regards to his activity level,

success rate in any operation and number (higher the number or lower success rate would bring down the score)

what restriction he would have and quality of life past this point

chances of another re-injury or new injury to remaining joints due to added pressure.

finances

other animals in the house or children (as they usually cause the want for play and restricting or preventing this could dampen a healing dog spirit)

the cause of the original injury would play a big part as well.

rating these 1-5

5 being very positive, I would think he would score on a his personal circumstances mostly lows.

Since you actually know him and i'm an outsider looking in

Make your own list of everything to consider good or bad and set up a rating system, before you score set a score you think he would need achieve to live a happy life..

My head does totally agree with all that you have said. I have done a pros and cons list for both him and us, being as practical as I can, rating them is a good idea. If he can't get up and down that is a big problem. He is on pain meds and anti inflamatries and is not an overly happy lad. He doesn't seem to be bouncing back as well as he did the first time. Having said that he got by himself about 1/2 an hour ago.

I have had a Lab that had the cruciate op, she coped much better as it was alot easier than it is for him, as her centre of gravity was a lot lower and she had 4 legs and I didn't have to help her get up and down. Since I can compare how the two dogs managed so differently this is one of the reasons my head is saying I'm not sure.

As I said I am a long way off giving up so I will talk to a specialist and see what they have to say.

Thanks for the advice and sharing of experences it will give me something to think about should I need to make that decision.

Best of luck and all the strength with any and all decisions you make

[White Shepherd mom]

It's never nice being faced with these decisions. We want to hold on to our pets as long as possible. Personally, I would want to exhaust all other avenues before choosing the final one.

If you do decide to go through with the surgery, I HIGHLY recommend you get him a harness. I have recently purchased a "Help em up" harness for my 33kg boy as he struggles to walk at times and my back was killing me trying to support his weight. With the harness, I can help support him with two handles on his back. It's a big help and it even makes going up stairs or getting him into the car easier.

Good luck to you whatever you decide.

[m-j]

I made the decision this morning and gave Boof his wings. He had hurt himself twice since I was on here last and the specialist basically said it would be very difficult for him for quite a few reasons and the probability of the op being successful because of the fact that the after care would have been very hard for me, both time wise and physically weren't in his favour. He seemed like he was starting to get depressed also.

Thank you for your support it definately did help.

[*kirty*]

I'm really sorry. RIP Boof

[HazyWal]

I'm so sorry for your loss m-j RIP Boof. I'm sure he had the best life with you, take care

[iggy mum]

Boof!

[tdierikx]

Run free now Boof...

T.

[Airedaler]

M-j never an easy decision and particularly not when the dog is still young. Rest easy in knowing the decision you made frees Boof from any more pain and suffering and that is the best care you can give him.

[Brandiandwe]

RIP Boof. I'm so sorry.

[m-j]

Thank you, I'm sure he is better off now.

Yesterday we had an amusing incident that highlighted the fact that I couldn't look after him adequately. Oh and I would carry him outside on a blanket (so he didn't need to negotiate the step) and then I would stand him up. He would balance him self and i also think clear the opiate haze then take off and toilet. Yesterday he didn't take off so I laid him down which was definately a choreographed effort, the choreographing went haywire and he ended up laying on top of me. I couldn't get up as my legs were under me (heel on my backside) he was pinning an arm under him and my other arm was pinned underneath me and him. OH was in the shed with the radio on and son was inside playing the piano I was calling out but noone could hear me OH came out to get something and found me. I could have wiggled out of it with a great deal of difficulty but I was concerned about hurting Boof so I decided to wait as I knew someone would find me eventually. During all this Boof in his usual manner went "ok this is what we are doing now" and proceeded to appreciate the raised veiwing platform.

[Trisven13]

:laugh: oh m-j I can picture this so clearly! So sorry about Boof, he was a lucky dog to have you xx

[persephone]

poor Boof .. no more pain or awkwardness now , mate ....

m-j

[m-j]

:laugh: oh m-j I can picture this so clearly! So sorry about Boof, he was a lucky dog to have you xx

Thanks, you know what those cool, calm, collected Greys can be like :)

[Rozzie]

RIP Boof. Run free.

[Rebanne]

:laugh: oh m-j I can picture this so clearly! So sorry about Boof, he was a lucky dog to have you xx

Thanks, you know what those cool, calm, collected Greys can be like :)

I can picture it as well. He was indeed a lucky boy to have you m-j. R.I.P Boof

[Katdogs]

Poor Boof. What a good m-j you had, lucky boy.

[hankdog]

My condolences to you, without words it's hard to explain to our best friends what's needed. It does sound like you have lovely memories and he lived a good life.

Edited December 27, 2013 by hankdog