Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My 8 yr. old spayed Pyrenees had her front leg badly broken. Should she have her shoulder be removed when they do the amp. on Tuesday? (It was broken high on the leg, but not to the joint. Please advise, pros and cons of each. thanks to all that respond)
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We've asked vets who say it is often a preference of the surgeon. Some believe leaving it helps protect the chest cavity. In our live chat with Dr. Michael Lucroy, he said:
"in our practice, our surgeons always do what is known as a forequarter amputation – that is they take everything from the scapula on down. This is my preference because it is faster for the surgeons, so less anesthesia time for my patients. For our surgeons, a forequarter amputation usually takes about 75-85 minutes – longer for very large size dogs or those that are obese."
— Dr. Michael Lucroy, Veterinary Information Network Consultant
He added that removing the entire limb “leaves a much nicer appearance, especially in short haired dogs. It is also more comfortable for them – the muscle surrounding the nub will atrophy and the underlying bone looses its cushion.”
Perhaps Dr Witlzius (aka: tazziedog) may have more advice.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
This doesn't apply to a front leg amputation, but for Chloe's back leg amputation, the surgeon took the whole leg bone out of the socket. She is a larger dog and the surgery was still about 3 hours... Her fur is starting to grow back and it does look more streamline and you have to glance twice to see that she is a tripawd 
. Our surgeon did what was best for Chloe and its good to get some veterinary opinions if you are worried.
-Chloe's mom
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
gayle had a tumor in her right front wrist. our vet school did the amputation, and recommended taking the scapula with the leg. they explained it provided an area where there was no 'bone to bone' connection, just connective tissue. they felt by taking the scapula too, there would be less nerve issues (phantom pain ), a faster surgery and faster healing. gayle did very well this way, and has a very smooth right side now, with the hair grown back. hope this helps.
charon & gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
My newfie mix had a front leg amputation and they left the scapula in. He experienced horrendous phantom pain until we got him on the right medications. I don't know if it was because of the scapula staying in or if it was something else.
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
Hi - yes.. its standard procedure in most cases to remove the shoulder blade with the limb. We had it removed on Zak.
Jenna & Zak
Hi, Tasha had her lf leg and shoulder removed. The incision is quite large when they take the shoulder as well as the leg but once healed and the hair grows back it is hard to even tell where the leg once was. Tasha didn't have any phantom pain .
Jo Ann & Tasha
Tasha 8 years old, First cancer diagnosis 6/26/09, Last cancer diagnosis 9/26/09, Amputation 10/01/09, Loving our girl moment by moment.
Tasha lost her battle and became my Angel on May 4 2011. Forever in my heart….
Shelby's was taken as well and she was a front leg amputation......less than 3 months post-op (7/2/10), the hair has grown back beautifully and she's the fastest and most rambunctious of my 4 dogs! And one you-know-what of a lizard chaser....
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