Dog amputation?

[Amyn1274]

Just wondering if anyone has ever had to have their dog's leg amputated. I have to make the decison to have this done to my dog due to a tumor and I am looking for information on this as far as recovery and what to expect. It appears this is the only option at this point and I would love to hear anyone's experience with this. He is almost 11 but still thinks he is a puppy.

 

[minkydog]

i haven't had to do this, but my heart goes out to you. Not an easy decision. I think if the dog is generally healthy & active, and you can afford it, I would consider amputation. I had a three-legged dog as a child and it's surprising how they recover and manage pretty well.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I agree with the previous poster. Just looking at that face I do not think there is any alternative. What a cutie. Good Luck!

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

Your furr baby is soooo cute! I don't have any personal experience with 3 legged dogs, but the ones I have seen, seem to get along just fine. BTW, which leg is it?

 

[lesroi]

Awww, your dog is such a sweetie!

My cousin had to have her Doberman's leg amputated due to a tumor as well. You would NOT BELIEVE how well this dog got around after the amputation. It was like she had all 4 legs. They do learn to adjust! I am not saying it won't be hard work, but it can be done...

Tracy

 

[The Mystery Machine]

At 11 years old I would rely on the vet's opinion about surviving the surgery/recouping. I think that would be my main concern.

As far as 3 legs, dogs can get around.

 

[Amyn1274]

Thanks for the support. The leg that has a tumor is his front left leg. He does have some arthritis in his hind legs and I am worried it will make it more difficult on him. The medicine he is currently on keeps the arthritis under control but I'm afraid the loss of one leg will cause more stress on the other legs.

 

[Amyn1274]

At 11 years old I would rely on the vet's opinion about surviving the surgery/recouping. I think that would be my main concern.

As far as 3 legs, dogs can get around.

His vet and the specialist I took him today feel he would do fine. Except for the arthritis he is in excellent health. According to the Specialist ( she is a surgeon) having the amputation will allow him to live out the rest of his life just fine(she guessed 5-6 more years). Not doing anything will be horrible for him because the tumor is fast growing and will get to a point where there is no other option. At this point amputation is his only option and I will do whatever to prolong his life, just concerned. I have not ever known any 3 legged dogs and curious as to how well they do.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My SIL's sister's dog had his leg amputated after getting hit by a car and did fine! My sil said the dog ran and everything on his 3 legs.

 

[doxdogy]

What a cute furbaby. Hugs to you.

 

[welovewdw]

We had to amputate our golden retriever's front leg because of a fast growing tumor - and she recovered in record time - was up and walking the same day, running around within 2 days! She was very happy and normal after the amputation and lived (very happily) for another 5 years. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again (if necessary of course!)

This was about 10 years ago - but really, she did absolutely fine with it. She was 9 when we had to amputate the leg. There was no choice, like in your case, except to let her suffer. She was very sensitive to touch there (obviously) for few weeks.

I know it's a hard decision, but for us, we wanted to give her a chance - we figured if it didn't go well, we were back where we started more or less and at least we gave her a chance. Thankfully, it turned out well - I'm sure it will for you, too!

Kim

 

[Shaymojack]

My dad had to do that before I was born with a dog that was hit by a car. Since I wasn't there, the only part I know about it is that the dog was fine after it. He could run and everything. I've seen pictures and it looks kinda odd though!

 

[dhcoffey]

When I was a teenager, we had a Samoyed named Charlie and he was attacked by a coyote. Had to have a front leg removed (don't remember which one). We lived on 5 acres with a pond and he did great with it. He went swimming every day and ran and lived a long life afterwards. I don't remember how long it took for him to get used to it but I don't ever remember him having a big problem either. Good luck. Your dog is so cute.

 

[Amyn1274]

We had to amputate our golden retriever's front leg because of a fast growing tumor - and she recovered in record time - was up and walking the same day, running around within 2 days! She was very happy and normal after the amputation and lived (very happily) for another 5 years. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again (if necessary of course!)

This was about 10 years ago - but really, she did absolutely fine with it. She was 9 when we had to amputate the leg. There was no choice, like in your case, except to let her suffer. She was very sensitive to touch there (obviously) for few weeks.

I know it's a hard decision, but for us, we wanted to give her a chance - we figured if it didn't go well, we were back where we started more or less and at least we gave her a chance. Thankfully, it turned out well - I'm sure it will for you, too!

Kim

Thank you so much for sharing this. My dog is Golden Retriever/ Yellow lab mix and it helps to know that someone with the same type/size dog did well following the surgery.

 

[Amyn1274]

I knew I could count on the DIS to make me feel better about this. Thanks !!!

 

[OK!]

We had to have one of our Lab's hind legs amputated several years ago due to bone cancer. She was embarrassed about it at first (tended to stay mostly in the corners of rooms and wasn't her normal outgoing self), but once she'd had time to become accustomed to her situation, she was fine and didn't have any problem getting around.

 

[janette]

This is one of my brother's dogs. He lost a leg several years ago after being hit by a car. It really never has slowed him down, my brother has said that he seems to be aging a little quicker but hard to really say.

 

[PaulaSue]

Hope all goes well!!!

The GPs of the boys I nannied for had a dog that had a leg amutared. Kara didn't do well afterward but I think that was because of her condition (bad joints she was a really BIG dog besides of her original medicial conditon) and not the amputation.

 

[horseshowmom]

We had a dog who had to have a hind leg amputated. She did extremely well, but it is easier to lose a back leg due to the positioning of the body weight. We have friends, though, whose dog had to have a front leg amputated, and he also did great. while he didn't get around quite as fast as our dog did, he did perfectly well and was a very happy dog (a Lab).

 

[Stacerita]

I grew up with a three legged poodle. She lived to be about 19. Great dog. It was her hind leg that was amputated. She never lost any speed or anything.