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.
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Gia's quality of life is way down - her limp in her front left leg is very bad despite pain meds. It was suggested that she may do better with amputation to get her quality of life back - do you all have any experience for amputation for this?
Hi Gia and pack, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
How bad is her arthritis? Does she have osteosarcoma? Was it your vet that suggested the amp? Does he/she think Gia would be a good candidate for amputation.
We have several members who did amputations when their pups had pre-existing issues like arthritis or previous joint repairs.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
If the arthritis is in her elbow then you might look into total elbow replacement. If this is not available in your area or is too expensive then amputation is a valid option. If the arthritis is in the carpal (wrist) joint then that could be surgically fused with a metal plate.
I would consult a board-certified surgeon if you are unsure.
Pam
Murphy's orthopedic vet, Dr Randy Acker at Sun Valley Animal Center, developed the TATE elbow replacement for dogs. You can Google the procedure to see more info on it. I know that he also does ankle replacement procedures. He did Murphy's total hip replacement.
Kathi and the Turbotail April Angel...and the Labradork
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Sorry, I completly missed your question.... I saw the 'osteo' in arthritis and jumped to cancer.
I can think of one pup here who had an amp due to arthritis in her elbow - Daisy. Here is a list of topics started by Daisy's mom. They are in reverse date order so scroll down to the bottom for her first post.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
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