mafiamike said:

I know that some of my hesitation is the actual fact that I am the one who is taking away something from him. Thank you all again.

 

Hi, Mike (and welcome!)  I could not agree more with the posts encouraging you to make the decision that is best for your family.  But, if you decide to proceed with amputaiton, please do not feel that you are taking something away from him.  Our dog, Zeus, is 11 years old and was already slowing down quite a bit before his diagnosis of OSA.  We struggled with the decision of whether it is fair to subject a "mature" dog to this type of major surgery and recovery.  He has surprised us in the most beautiful ways.  I most certainly don't feel that I have taken anything away except the pain.  He is happy and he gets around very well on the three legs (our uneven yard does tire him a bit, but he does not have trouble navigating it – he is just older).

Whatever your decision, I wish you the best of luck (with your pup and with the impending arrival of your two-leg child)!!

Lisa

Hi Mike,

I can comment on amputation on a large lab and during pregnancy! My yellow lab, Winston had his right front paw amputated April 11 when I was 5 months pregnant. He is a big boy and weighed 95 lbs at the time. Winston had no problems adapting to being a tripawd, his leg had become so painful that he had actually stopped using it and constantly held it off the ground. We have a step down into our garden and he was fine with that. I put Winston on a strict diet and he lost quite a lot of weight, sadly he know has lung mets so have took him off his diet so he can enjoy the time he has left. I don't know what he weighs now but I suspect it is more than his previous 95 lbs! I was distraught when he was diagnosed and spent days on end crying, I was desperate for him to meet the baby and thankfully he did when my baby boy was born in August. Winston had never been around children until then, he was very vary at first and kept his distance, he has accepted our new addition now and the baby absolutely loves Winston. He laughs every time Winston walks past him!

Feel free to ask me any questions, good luck in whatever you decide

Rachel & Winston x

Lylee and I think a smiling Twixx avatar would great

Just wanted to weigh in on the mature dog aspect of your dilemma.  Jewels was 11 years old when diagnosed with osteosarcoma.  We had the amputation done three months later.  The vet oncologist and vet surgeon both agreed that she was a good candidate for amputation in spite of her age.  She did not have any other problems that would be a major factor for her such as hip dysplasia, major arthritis, etc.  She was over 80lbs before surgery.  After about two weeks post amputation she was doing beautifully and adjusting really well on her three legs.  Unfortunately, osteosarcoma is pretty aggressive and lung metastasis came and took her from us just 3.5 months after the amputation.  I do NOT regret doing the amputation.  At the time of the surgery she was in so much pain that the only other option would have been to euthanize.  She was not ready to leave this life at that point, therefore I was not ready to let her go either.  We just happened to come up with some extra cash just before the amputation and could afford to go ahead with the very expensive surgery.  The amputation allowed us a little extra time with her which is priceless.

I am very sorry that you had to be in this situation, but know that this is an awesome place to get the support that you need to get you through this.  Good luck and give Twixx lots of belly rubs for us!

Spirit Jewels' Mom Geraldine