Hello all,

Like many others I found this forum searching for information about K9 amputation.  Wow, there seems to be so many people on here that share similar experiences.  With that in mind, my wife and I were hoping to get some advice regarding our 14 year old Lhasa/Poodle mix.  This is Callaway's story:

It started when Callaway was diagnosed with a pancreatic insulinoma and the vet recommended surgery.  Pancreatic cancer is just as lethal in dogs as it is in humans.  Nonetheless we decided to go through with the surgery to remove the tumor and it was a success.  Still, surgery for pancreatic cancer in dogs is not a cure, only an effort to prolong life.  The vets told us she most likely had around 6 months to live with a 2 year survival rate of less than 5%. 

Post-surgery we completely changed Callaway's diet and feeding fequency.  She was also put on a small dose of prednisone to regulate her blood sugar.  I'm proud to say it has been 3 years and 3 months since her surgery.  To put it plainly, she's a miracle.    

Several months ago we noticed she was limping slightly but it didn't look like any sort of acute injury, perhaps just arthritis.  But, being extra careful we took her to the vet and they did x-rays.  They told us it was the beginning of arthritis and we were given a perscription for a joint suppliment.  A few weeks passed Callaway seemed to be showing signs of an infection so we called the vet and they phoned in a perscription for antiboitics.  Callaway reacted very well to the antibiotics and seemed to be doing better. 

However, beginning last week her limp worsened so today we took her to a different vet to get to the bottom of things.  Turns out, her front right shoulder is dislocated and has been for some time.  Due to the fact that it went undiagnosed (or should I say misdiagnosed?) for so long the ligaments and tendons in the joint have deteriorated and it cannot be saved.  The surgeon at the vet hospital has given us three options:

1) Do nothing and manage Callaway's pain through medication

2) Sugically fuse the leg bone to the scapula with screws to create a "walking peg"

3) Amputate the entire limb

I don't think we want to go with option 1 because she is in pain and will continue to be in pain as long as the limb remains as is.  The surgeon told us option 2 she will not have any pain walking on the new leg but it is a more complex surgery with and EIGHT WEEK recovery period!!  The surgeon made option 3 sound the best because she will be pain free post operation and the recovery period is only a week to ten days. 

However, I'm worried about amputation given her age.  She's 14 years old and despite being a small breed (11 lbs) she is showing some early signs of arthritis.  I'm worried that she may injure her other front leg or become too weak or arthritic after the amputation.  

Will she be able to walk and be mobile without pain after amputation?

Would investing in a forelimb cart/wheelchair help?

If she does become less active or have mobility issues after amputation, is that the beginning of the end?

We would appreciate any advice on our situation.

thanks in advance.

We here at tripawds.com love to beat the odds and show cancer who's boss!  Sounds like your Callaway has already been through some tough stuff, but made it through with flying colors!  So long as her bloodwork says she is healthy, amputation would most likely prolong her quality of life (ie no pain).  

I do understand the arthritis concern and I know there are other tripawds here who have the same issue and will most likely chime in to give you some advice! 

Also, those who have undergone front leg amputation will tell you to request the vet to remove the scapula.  Those who dont tend to have dogs experience phantom pain more often than not…plus it gives them a cleaner line when they heal!

-Chloe's mom

P.S.  We are not ageists here, we think 9-15 is still young!  And anything above that is just inspirational!

Don't let Callaway's age alone be a factor. If he is generally healthy & mobile now, he'll probably have no problems adapting to life as a tripawd.

Zack is almost 14 years old (looking forward to celebrating on 12/15!), and the first vet we saw when he fractured his leg suggested we not amputate due to his age and prior bouts with hip pain (when he'd overdo it jumping to greet people.) But, when he fully broke his leg about 3 weeks after the fracture, the 2nd vet didn't hesitate to suggest amputation. The surgeon did the normal checks before proceeding, and since Zack was in otherwise good health, he went ahead with it.

And, we know we made the right decision. He did not have any complications from the surgery, and did not take long to get back to his old self – actuallly, he soon had more energy than his old self since the pain was gone (he never really limped, so we're not sure how long the OS was there…)

Zack does a good job up & down 2-3 stairs, but up any more than that up & he needs help (he's a rear leg amputee, so you'd most likely have the opposite issue with Callaway.) And, he still gets help up onto the couch and bed. I, too, worry about him injuring one of his other legs, so we block off the stairs so he doesn't try something stupid when we're not home, and we put our boxspring & mattress on the floor. It is now about the same height as the couch, and both are a distance that haven't caused any problems for Zack to get down from.

You know Callaway and his situation the best and are the only one who can decide what is right – go with your gut! Good luck with your decision.

Amputation was my first choice in our case. The vet didn't want to mention initially, because she knows that us humans don't like/understand the process. She just didn't want to seem too harsh or drastic. I took her by total surprise when i suggested it before she did, she also said that she wished all her clients were as understanding as I was.

I am so very glad we did, because when the leg was removed, it was the start of a better life…and not the end of mobility/normality. Sure, she is not as agile as before…but she sure is faster, cuter and all around happier.

pros:

1. urinates standing up, no need to hitch leg (yes, she prefers to pee like a boy…strange) or squat
2. makes a wicked-fast right hand turn
3. easier to cuddle closer to her mommy, no leg in the way
4. is the star of the neighborhood. everyone knows the three-legged doggie
5. takes hilarious physics-defying photos: from the front view, looks like no back legs at all and is levitating hindquarters. cool!!!