Save time spent searching, download the new Tripawds e-book for immediate answers!
Bookmark Jerry's Required Reading List for more amputation recovery advice and care tips.
Review the Tripawds Featured Blogs for the best three legged dog care product recommendations.
Tripawds is a user supported community. Please do what you can to help keep it online.
Miss the show? Listen to the podcast now!
Log In
Register
Members
Home
Add Reply
Add Topic
Topic RSS
10:24 pm
9 September 2010
Offline
QuoteMy 8 yr. old spayed Pyrenees had her front leg badly broken. Should she have her shoulder be removed when they do the amp. on Tuesday? (It was broken high on the leg, but not to the joint. Please advise, pros and cons of each. thanks to all that respond)
8:26 am
Team Tripawds
25 April 2007
Offline
We've asked vets who say it is often a preference of the surgeon. Some believe leaving it helps protect the chest cavity. In our live chat with Dr. Michael Lucroy, he said:
"in our practice, our surgeons always do what is known as a forequarter amputation – that is they take everything from the scapula on down. This is my preference because it is faster for the surgeons, so less anesthesia time for my patients. For our surgeons, a forequarter amputation usually takes about 75-85 minutes – longer for very large size dogs or those that are obese."
— Dr. Michael Lucroy, Veterinary Information Network Consultant
He added that removing the entire limb “leaves a much nicer appearance, especially in short haired dogs. It is also more comfortable for them – the muscle surrounding the nub will atrophy and the underlying bone looses its cushion.”
Perhaps Dr Witlzius (aka: tazziedog) may have more advice.
 |
"Dogs are born with three legs and a spare." — Jerry G. Dawg (10/98-10/08) Please Support Your Tripawds Community! Have you started a Tripawds Blog yet? |
|
| Looking for quick answers? Download the new Tripawds eBook for the best tips and advice! | ||
This doesn't apply to a front leg amputation, but for Chloe's back leg amputation, the surgeon took the whole leg bone out of the socket. She is a larger dog and the surgery was still about 3 hours… Her fur is starting to grow back and it does look more streamline and you have to glance twice to see that she is a tripawd 
. Our surgeon did what was best for Chloe and its good to get some veterinary opinions if you are worried.
-Chloe's mom
11:48 am
Moderator
12 February 2010
Offline
gayle had a tumor in her right front wrist. our vet school did the amputation, and recommended taking the scapula with the leg. they explained it provided an area where there was no 'bone to bone' connection, just connective tissue. they felt by taking the scapula too, there would be less nerve issues (phantom pain), a faster surgery and faster healing. gayle did very well this way, and has a very smooth right side now, with the hair grown back. hope this helps.
charon & gayle
12:02 pm
25 August 2010
OfflineMy newfie mix had a front leg amputation and they left the scapula in. He experienced horrendous phantom pain until we got him on the right medications. I don't know if it was because of the scapula staying in or if it was something else.
Hi – yes.. its standard procedure in most cases to remove the shoulder blade with the limb. We had it removed on Zak.
Jenna & Zak
7:25 pm
28 September 2009
OfflineHi, Tasha had her lf leg and shoulder removed. The incision is quite large when they take the shoulder as well as the leg but once healed and the hair grows back it is hard to even tell where the leg once was. Tasha didn't have any phantom pain.
Jo Ann & Tasha
8:16 pm
17 June 2010
OfflineShelby's was taken as well and she was a front leg amputation……less than 3 months post-op (7/2/10), the hair has grown back beautifully and she's the fastest and most rambunctious of my 4 dogs! And one you-know-what of a lizard chaser….
Most Users Ever Online: 165
Currently Online: calpurnia, ceholli
87 Guest(s)
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Top Posters:
AngelAbbysMom: 1498
Emilysmom: 1231
fightingforsammy: 1120
jakesmom: 1111
Cooper: 976
10711: 942
riosmom: 939
Cherry: 930
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 442
Members: 3487
Moderators: 8
Admins: 3
Forum Stats:
Groups: 4
Forums: 22
Topics: 5883
Posts: 81370
Newest Members: wish2bme2, drakes73, ronnie3716, slimsdad, myargos, chicadawg, zippywoo32, southerngal
