TRIPAWDS: Home to 22969 Members and 2152 Blogs.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG

Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.

JUMP TO FORUMS

Join The Tripawds Community

Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:

Instant post approval.

Private messages to members.

Subscribe to favorite topics.

Live Chat and much more!

Please consider registering
Guest
Search
Forum Scope


Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Register Lost password?
sp_Feed sp_PrintTopic sp_TopicIcon-c
Brachial Plexus Avulsion
sp_NewTopic Add Topic
Member Since:
7 January 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
1
19 January 2009 - 9:19 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

My boyfriend and I adopted Mr. Bean two weeks ago tomorrow, and initially we were told that he had suffered an injury to his left front leg, which had resulted in an infection and thereafter severe nerve damage to that leg.  His leg would have to be amputated as a result.

We took him to see our vet, and she said that it was her opinion that he had instead suffered a brachial plexus avulsion (or a radial nerve avulsion, as it is also known), judging by the way he carries his leg.  His nerve response was nil, and she said that recovery at this stage is unlikely. 

We had planned to go ahead with surgery, and had asked our vet to speak with the vet who was to do Bean's surgery.  The other vet suggested that he would amputate the leg, but leave the scapula.  My vet was concerned with this method, and said that it would be unwise to leave the scapula.

We are in the process of getting other quotes from other veterinarians.  Bean is a 50 lb fully grown german shepherd/rotti crossed with something smaller, which we're not sure of.

Is it alright to leave the scapula in place?  Should we insist that it be removed? 

What is the average price for an amputation in the United States?  We live in Canada, near the border, and we were considering going to the States for the surgery.

Thank you in advance for any response we get!

- Erin and Bean


Member Since:
22 August 2008
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
2
19 January 2009 - 10:02 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I would agree that it is best to take the scapula in a big dog.  If you leave it there the muscle will atrophy aroud it and many dogs will develop pressure sores.

I live near Seattle, and that surgery would probably cost $1500 if a specialist did it and anywhere from $500 to $1000 if it was done elsewhere.  With brachial plexus injuries the other muscles typically atrophy quicky which makes the surgery easier.

Good luck with your dog!

Pam

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
3
19 January 2009 - 10:27 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Erin, we are very sorry to hear about Bean, but glad that you found us. You are saints for adopting him. We hope we can help make your journey easier.

My scapula was removed along with my leg, at the recommendation of my surgeon. At first my pawrents thought that I would look really weird without it. But you know, they could hardly tell it was gone. And I didn't give two hoots that I no longer had one. The important thing was that I was out of pain, and living life to the fullest again.

Good luck with everything. Please keep us posted and let us know how it goes. We're rootin' for ya!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Forum Timezone: America/Denver
Most Users Ever Online: 946
Currently Online:
Guest(s) 127
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 1268
Members: 17730
Moderators: 6
Admins: 3
Forum Stats:
Groups: 4
Forums: 24
Topics: 18610
Posts: 256797
Administrators: admin, jerry, Tripawds
Tripawds is brought to you by Tripawds.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG