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Leg Amputation - Eperiences?


kdf
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My boy Fleming has only 3 legs, however, he was only about 5 when it was removed, it's a hind leg, and he had been living with such a badly damaged leg for dog knows how long (he's a rescue) so he had already adjusted in terms of weight-bearing, and having it removed was probably a huge relief in terms of pain.

Saying that, I don't think I'd amputate in your case. As others have said, an older dog may have trouble adjusting, particularly when it's a front leg.

This is a timely thread for me, Fleming is having what appears to be a spindle cell lump removed on Monday. Fingers crossed the vet can get good enough margins, as even if he wasn't elderly (he's also about 12) amputation wouldn't be an option for my tripod.

Best of luck with your decision and for your boy.

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The hard part is when a dog is otherwise well what to do. Lots of older dogs cope well with treatments for cancer. I share many, many stories of older dogs on my fb page.

As for amputation there is an article written on this page about amputation from one of our surgical oncologists Treatment A couple of personal stories on our forum. Also Tripawds is a place to go with just people talking about amputation.

As for radiation with soft tissue sarcoma the results seem to be pretty good out of BVSC from what I have seen them post on facebook. In terms of chemotherapy if adminstered properly by a vet oncologist there is not usually problems and dogs do well. My boy didnt miss a beat on chemotherapy. Due to an oncologist just dealing in cancer they know what to do if there is an issue as well as being up to the latest on new results with different drugs. So many different mixes that are used depending on the cancer.

The previous postings relating to the osteosarcoma and it not showing up on scans and it ending up in the lungs later.........Osteosarcoma spreads to the lungs in 90% of dogs with bone cancer. It often goes undetected on scans at diagnosis. Osteosarcoma We have trials in Aus now for just this. To potentially stop the spread to the lungs Australian Trials

Edited by smiley4444
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  • 2 weeks later...

I know many of you said that you personally wouldn't amputate in my position. And I almost didn't update this post for fear of some judgement. But I decided I'm happy with my choice so I realised I had nothing really to fear. I did take all responses into consideration, including those from people that have known myself and Dallas for many years and several vets at my practice whom I trust completely.

We are 2 weeks post amp today and honestly couldn't be happier with him. Chest xrays were good. He actually walked from the ward (only about 4 metres lol) on the night of the surgery. He's managing steps easily, hopping on and off of the bed (his favourite spot in the world) and scaring the life out of me trying to jump into the car (I'm still lifting him in and out as it's relatively high). Although he's a little slower while he's learning and gets tired a little quicker than before I can honestly say the transition has been relatively smooth. As good as I could have hoped. Most important of all is that he is still happy and coping very well.

It was one of the hardest decisions to make, and I guess time will tell but I am very glad with the choice we've made. I'm also very proud of my boy.

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Thankyou for letting us know the outcome, it's always good to seek other opinions and then weigh up what you want to do. So happy things are progressing well, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a long and happy life :)

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I know many of you said that you personally wouldn't amputate in my position. And I almost didn't update this post for fear of some judgement. But I decided I'm happy with my choice so I realised I had nothing really to fear. I did take all responses into consideration, including those from people that have known myself and Dallas for many years and several vets at my practice whom I trust completely.

We are 2 weeks post amp today and honestly couldn't be happier with him. Chest xrays were good. He actually walked from the ward (only about 4 metres lol) on the night of the surgery. He's managing steps easily, hopping on and off of the bed (his favourite spot in the world) and scaring the life out of me trying to jump into the car (I'm still lifting him in and out as it's relatively high). Although he's a little slower while he's learning and gets tired a little quicker than before I can honestly say the transition has been relatively smooth. As good as I could have hoped. Most important of all is that he is still happy and coping very well.

It was one of the hardest decisions to make, and I guess time will tell but I am very glad with the choice we've made. I'm also very proud of my boy.

Great update. May he continue to improve and enjoy life.

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Yay KDF!!

Some gentle warmth along his back and shoulders will also ease any muscle weariness. It doesn't need to be 'hot' like humans use- just warm when you place it on your forearm. Pop it on for 10 minutes of an evening and see what he thinks.

Best wishes in the coming weeks. I am sure he will go from strength to strength- it is only owners who care so much who really think through the situation regardless of the decision made. And it is the owners who care who have the hardest road, but also see the value in the tiny things. Please share the tiny things (you will know what they are when they come along) with us as they come along because there are lots of people who will be able to see how important they are.

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Great news. Have a look at this site, it helped us a lot with our three legged girl.http://tripawds.com/

Also get her a special harness that site will advise on whats best as it makes it so much easier to lift them up and manoeuvre them around and over obstacles.

They really do adapt very quickly according to the specialist surgeon we had regardless of age. Big thing is to keep them very lean.

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glad to read the update.... wonderful.

and always keep in mind that you made this decision after weighing up the information you received, both here and from your vets, combined with a huge measure of love and concern for your dog Dallas , that you know well...

sending you both very best wishes

helen

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Thanks everyone :)

Yay KDF!!Some gentle warmth along his back and shoulders will also ease any muscle weariness. It doesn't need to be 'hot' like humans use- just warm when you place it on your forearm. Pop it on for 10 minutes of an evening and see what he thinks.Best wishes in the coming weeks. I am sure he will go from strength to strength- it is only owners who care so much who really think through the situation regardless of the decision made. And it is the owners who care who have the hardest road, but also see the value in the tiny things. Please share the tiny things (you will know what they are when they come along) with us as they come along because there are lots of people who will be able to see how important they are.

Thanks, will definitely do that. I have been doing some gentle massage already.

Great news. Have a look at this site, it helped us a lot with our three legged girl.http://tripawds.com/Also get her a special harness that site will advise on whats best as it makes it so much easier to lift them up and manoeuvre them around and over obstacles. They really do adapt very quickly according to the specialist surgeon we had regardless of age. Big thing is to keep them very lean.

I'll check out the site. He's a whippet and he's always been fairly lean anyway. I'm happy with his weight atm (just over 15kg).

Some pics of the boy

IMAG5131_1_2_zps8kfsgqti.jpg

IMAG0018_1_zpsjlpigxuj.jpg

IMAG0050_zpsmodre78v.jpg

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She looks great. And most of all she looks happy. Don't worry some people will think what you did was wrong, I had people comment how cruel it was to do that to a dog, but our girl just didn't cope she thrived and I think yours will too.

Edited by Dave73
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  • 3 weeks later...

Well it's been a month and 2 days since the amp. Sometimes I'll catch a glance out of the corner of my eye and it still surprises me so I guess I'm not quite used to it yet. Dal has not had as hard a time as I have adjusting though. Few shaky days at the start then business as usual and he got on with life.

He came out to the park while I was doing weave training with my kelpie and aussie tonight and wanted in on the action. I made it very easy of course but he loved feeling like he part of the training again.

He hasn't rolled in the grass like this since before his op (one of his favourite moves before it though!) but it shows me he's pretty comfy with himself again.

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