Angela Riddle said:

I picture her looking at me after surgery and expressing with her eyes and whines, " why did you do this to me?" Did any of you have these concerns or issues? Sounds crazy, I know.

I am so very glad that we were able to direct you over here for this discussion.  Just weeks ago, Darlene – Tahya's Mom, went thought the struggle that you are now facing.  You can find that struggle and a great deal of helpful preparation at http://tripawds.com/forums/sha…..29th-2009/

The short answer to your question is YES!  I do not believe that there is anyone here who would tell you that this was an easy decision.  I remember mine, a Friday diagnosis, a gut wrenching night, but in the end there never really was any choice for us.  Amputation to remove the source of the pain and a very aggressive chemotherapy treatment would provide the best long-term prognosis – the best chance for Cherry to return to the quality of life that had defined her before cancer.  A Monday morning session with the team that would accomplish this task, and a Wednesday amputation.  Cherry's first chemotherapy occured just hours after the amputation.

During a mid Summer trip to Cherry's breeder, I told her that even after seven months, I have difficulty admitting that I willingly had her leg removed.  Boy did I get an earful.  I was informed that the only reason Cherry was alive was because of that decision.  I was informed that Cherry was not just alive but that she was ALIVE – Enjoying life to the maximum – Enjoying the love.  Patty wanted to stop any misgivings or regret.  She said all this with love and was correct.  It was not just my selfish need to hold onto Cherry but it was the gift of extending her life and the quality of that life.  I keep sending you else where but you may want to check out Cherry's three day celebration where we celebrated her birthday, her one year amputation anniversary (ampuversary), and had a parties with the care givers.  This page is located at: http://home.comcast.net/~enbba…..ration.htm

This is all a long winded reply to let you know that your aprehensions are normal.  Regarless of your decision, we know that you will do what is best for Maggie.  However, please do not your aprehensions get in the way of doing what is best for Maggie.  Your love tells me that it will, in the end, be all about Maggie – as it should.

Bob

That's not a crazy thought at all. I, too, went thru those thoughts..more after surgery than before. I will tell you it was a HORRIBLE sight for me to behold my first agility dog for the last 9 years, now 3 legged. I'm not going to sugar coat it for you. BUT I'm also here to tell you that it was the RIGHT choice….there were only two choices…put her to sleep very soon OR do amputation. Drugs were no longer really having an effect on the tremendous amount of pain she was in – her left rear leg. She wasn't using it anyways and had severe muscle atrophy.

I have since watched some old Youtube videos of her when we were trying to figure out what was wrong with her…at the time, was told it was her ACL… and the pain that she was in, was tremendous. I'm sooooooooooooooooooooooo glad she is pain free now!!!!!

Stay tough…follow your heart…

Tracy, Maggie's Mom

Funny thing, last week a friend of mine saw Supai for the first time and couldn't get over hoe different she looked. I told him what we are doing for complimentary treatments and he asked if it was all worth it. I answered with a "Hell Ya!". We had 3 choices, Put her to sleep on Nov. 23 (The day before Thanksgiving), Manage her pain and watch her sleep, eat and do her thing or the amputation w/ complimentary treatment. We are now walking, playing fetch, she plays with Barley our other dog and most importantly she is Smiling! Supai won't live to a ripe old age but what ever time is left is quality time. Supai has a quality life to date, I am even hoping to get her out for a little pheasant hunting next Fall if the Good Lord is Willing!

shaun & Suapi

I also had no regrets. Leo was wanting to chase squirrels only a couple of days after surgery even though he was not allowed. Of course I did hours of research before the amputation actually happened. Leo enjoyed 15 months of painfree life as a tripawd. I can never regret that.

Sheri and Angel Leo

Thank you all for your comments! I hope it will make my decision a bit easier.
My 9,5 year old dog (Rottweiler X Boxer) has Osteosarcome. 2 days ago we did a CT scan and his longs are clean!
Tomorrow we'll have a "chat" with our vet about what we are going to do, amputate or not.
All your replies have helped in a positive way. Thank you all!!

Best wishes from Holland,
Bertina (and Boris)

I also have no regrets NOW. In the first couple of weeks I wondered if I had done the right thing. Although I knew I had no choice, the pain was unmanageable, I felt guilty. Tai had always been a very "Foot oriented" dog who shook paws, chewed bones relentlessly, wrestled with her feet etc and I thought those days were behind her. I was wrong. They find new creative ways of doing things that make you realize how adaptable they are. My vet told me that when she did a customer satisfaction survey regarding amputations – 99% were highly satisfied and would do it again.

My 6 year old lab, Roxy, has her front left leg amputated last Friday, and these past few days I have thought about regret. She often cries at night, and when moving around, and prior to this, she has NEVER cried! She has very labored breathing and difficulty walking to go outside to potty. She has not been able to poop since yesterday morning which also worries me.  I would really like to know when this gets better, since I've heard it does, but at this point, it's very hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  She seems sad most of the time, and I don't know what to do to make it better…