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Advice please - front leg amptation on beared collie
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Member Since:
21 September 2016
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21 September 2016 - 1:52 pm
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Hi all,

I hope I am posting in right area. Our 9 year old bearded collie Murphy was hit by a car 2 years ago and had metal plates put in his front right leg. Since then he has been to the vets every month/6 weeks with issues around weight bearing and treatment for different infections. Today they have said he has osteomyelitis from the looks of an x-ray and a possible bone infection. They have sent blood cultures and swabs. The leg is no longer insured and in 2 years we have spent over £2500 on vets bills, the initial surgery was £15,000 covered by insurance.

It breaks my heart to see Murphy suffering every month and limp around not being able to be walked. The vet is recommending further surgery or treating the infection, neither seem a good option as the initial surgery has not had good results and continual complications. We discussed amputation after the accident but as he was insured we decided to give the surgery a try and see what happened. I broached amputation with the vet who was ver quick to say that Murphy wouldn't do well as it was a front leg and he is a large dog. He started talking about euthanasia as another option.

My husband and I are now distraught as want to do what is best for murphy and his quality of life which at the moment isn't great. Any advice on front leg amputation in larger dogs much appreciated. Murphy currently weighs 35 kg.

Thanks in anticipation

On The Road


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21 September 2016 - 2:34 pm
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Hi Murphy and family, welcome. I apologise, I'm running out the door but wanted to approve your post before I left. I'll be back in a bit with some thoughts and I know others will be here too as well so hang tight OK? Thanks.

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

Member Since:
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21 September 2016 - 2:50 pm
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It sounds like both you and Murphy have had a difficult few years - I'm so sorry to hear about his struggles. 

You're doing the right thing by focusing on his quality of life and thinking deeply about what the right choice is for him. I don't have a large dog, but many, many others here do and will tell you that his size does not automatically preclude Murphy from having an amputation. 

Would you be able to get a second opinion? My dog had an amputation about two years after an injury and my first vet told me that amputation was in her future and would be a great option for me. When I started to see the signs, I took Jack to an orthopedic specialist to discuss options. The orthopedic specialist didn't even bring up amputation as an option at first, until I expressed concerns about Jack's ability to handle a long, painful recovery that a reconstructive surgery would entail (she has no pain tolerance and is stubborn and the injury was in such a bad state, it wasn't clear anything could be done). I eventually got another opinion to confirm that amputation was the right choice. Your doctor may not have experience with large dogs and amputation and may not know what's possible. 

Livermore, CA




Member Since:
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21 September 2016 - 3:33 pm
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Hello and welcome.

I'm sorry Murphy has been through so much.  It's clear that you love him and want what is best for him.

I think you need to get another opinion, maybe find a vet who is familiar with amputation and outcomes.  While Murphy is a big dog at 35 kg (77 lbs) he is only half the weight of many of the giant dogs we have had here who have done fine with amputation of a front limb.

My local pal Cemil lost a front leg to OSA, he is a 150 lb (68 kg) Anatolian Shephard.  Cemil is still hopping more than 7 years after his amp!  He doesn't get too far these days, but his life quality remains good and that is what we all want for our pups.

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

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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21 September 2016 - 3:54 pm
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ABSOLUTELY GET A SECOND. OPINION, AND A THIRD ONE IF NECESSARY!!!

You and Murphy DO have options.and euthanasia isn't one of them!!!! Obviously, if Murphy has a lot more issues that we don't knkw about, there is NO reason a 115 lb dog (53 kl) can't handle three legs just fine!!

Good thing my 125 Bul Mastiff, Happy Hannah,didn't go to that vet!

Good thing 135 lb Rottie Sassy didn't go to that vet! Actually, I think Sassy was 140 lbs

Good thing Great Dane Eurydice didn't go to that vet! A front legger.

Good thing 179 lb Tazzie didn't go to that vet!! Actually, Tazzie's mom is a Vet and Tazzie was a front legger.

Good thingBig Louie,a very large Mastiff, didn't goto that vet! A front legger.

And this is just to name a few!

Certainly amputation is MAJOR surgery and, like all surgeries, there are unforseen risks. If you prceed with aamputation, that pai ful leg will be GONE and NO MORE SURGERIES!! A pain free life full of quality is what Murphy will finally have!!

There are lots of core strength exercises that Murphy can do to help improve his strength. He can alsomost likely benefit from a consult with a Rehab Specialist. The TRIPAWDS FOUNDATION wil help lay for the first visit up to $200.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!! We look forward to supporting you and helping Murphy get in with living life to the fullest PAIN FREE!!

Lots of love!

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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21 September 2016 - 3:59 pm
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OH!! I thought it was 53 kl...not 33 kl. That doesn't count as a BIG dog!! Maybe "large", but certainly not HUGE!

I have an adopted Coonhound front leg tripawd. He's approximately 65 lbs. This boy plays wide ipen all the time!! I try desperately to do things to protect that front leg, but he is just wide open all the time! He sails up and down steep steps...I've put railing up to keep him from jumping off the ramp...I have to keep making it higher to prevent him from jumping over the rail!!

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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21 September 2016 - 4:12 pm
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Well as you can see, "big" Murphy is really not all that big in size compared to the much larger dogs we've had join us. He is huge in heart and spirit though, as evidenced by all you've been through together.

Agree, another opinion is a must. Is the vet who's telling you he's a candidate the same one who did the surgery?

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

Member Since:
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21 September 2016 - 5:32 pm
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My tankman was 35kg before his injury and when they amputated his front leg and he came out of the vet he was only 26kg but now I have fattened him up a bit he is around 30 kg again and he is getting around unreal if you want to see how he is doing you can check out his videos in this forum of beyond cancer he is under dislocated elbow that was amputated you will be surprised at how well they cope after surgery and your dog will as well there good luck with it all and dont stress too much as there are many people on here that can give you heaps of advice and support 

Minneapolis, MN
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23 April 2016
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21 September 2016 - 6:32 pm
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Goodness!  Second opinion for certain - so many large and deep chested dogs here are doing brilliantly with a front leg amp.  Even at advanced age.  If he has been limping and not fully weight bearing for a while, many vets and rehab consultants might say it makes him a better candidate for amputation - he has been getting used to not using that leg for a while.  Post surgery he will weigh a bit less and after adjusting maybe even get around better than he has been and not have that pain any more.  

Please see my blog in my signature - Pofi just turned 12 this week and is a 34.2kg dog post amp (which was May 4 of this year). He is a sled dog lurcher - a Malamute x Sighthound mix of some sort.  VERY deep chested.

Here is an early video I posted:

Pofi - 6 Weeks Post Op Hopping and Going Upstairs

Very best thoughts for you and Murphy - I know this is a lot to consider, but do take heart that for most dogs, life post amputation is pretty darn good.

Lisa, Minneapolis

On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly.  His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.

Blog: Pofi, Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Amputation

Member Since:
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21 September 2016 - 7:30 pm
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Otis was 106 pounds pre-amp, also a front leg, and very barrel chested.  He did just fine, even with mild arthritis in his hips.  Go to a surgeon who does a lot of these for an opinion.  The family vets often just do not have enough experience.

Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016.  Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016.  Lung mets August 25, 2016.  Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016.   Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.  

Wherever they are, they are together.

Member Since:
31 May 2016
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21 September 2016 - 10:02 pm
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Hi! I whole heartedly agree with everyone who says get a second opinion. My guy was about 72 pounds, so just a little bit less than your guy, and has done really well. When consulting with my vet, he said large dogs can do fine - he might've had concerns if Clyde had serious arthritis or injuries to his other legs. But size alone was not a determining factor. We did discuss that it is a little harder for larger dogs to have their front legs amputated - I didn't know this, but they bear like 60% of their weight on their front legs. I was worried about that. So after the amputation, I spent a lot of time massaging Clyde's back and his remaining front leg (the mighty power paw) and he's gotten so strong! I swear his power paw leg looks like Popeye's arm. smiley

I also have a bearded collie (Baxter) - As a general rule, that breed is smart, independent and strong. Baxter is about 80 pounds, he's a big beardy (not overweight, just has a big body) and I think that he'd do fine if this happened to him. They are such goofy dogs, yet super independent. I just love my Beardie boy. So find another vet - maybe an oncologist or orthopedic one and ask lots and lots of questions. As you can see, lots of much bigger dogs that Murphy have done just fine.

Kristin, Clyde and Baxter, who says hi to a fellow Beardie boy

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21 September 2016 - 10:35 pm
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Hello,  Our 85lb doberman had his front leg amputated August 1st and he's doing amazing!!  We have a large yard that he loves to run and still chases squirrels like a champ!!  I say get rid of that bum leg and set him free!! He won't miss it, dogs are not attached to their limbs like us humans!! Why get a second opinion? just give him his life back and he will show them!!  Best of luck and please keep us updated with whatever you decide to do!!  Karen P

Bentley is our eight year old Doberman, diagnosed 7/13/16 with osteosarcoma tumor on right front leg, became a tripawd on 8/1/2016. His recovery was amazing, he was rockin it on 3! Bentley lost his fight to this nasty cancer when it metastisized into his spine, we had to let him go 11/13/16 exactly 4 months after first diagnosis. He was the perfect best friend, i'll miss him forever. :(


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21 September 2016
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22 September 2016 - 4:51 am
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Thank you so much all! Your messages have made me feel so much better and more positive.

I have had the X-rays sent to the specialists who did the operation and contacted them for some advice so will go from there. Is it recommend to get the good front leg xrayed and examined to ensure it is strong enough to be the only leg? 

London, UK


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15 December 2015
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22 September 2016 - 5:50 am
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Hi Murphy and family,

Sorry to hear about everything you've been through. It sounds like a tough couple of years. In some respects, my situation was very similar. Meg also had ongoing problems after a serious fracture (in her case her elbow) and ultimately developed a chronic infection. I know very well that sense of the problems (and costs) just going on and on and not knowing what to do or where to turn. In her case, I was advised that because of the implant (and I believe this applies to any implant, for example the plates in Murphy's leg) it would be flatly impossible to fully get rid of the infection. This is because the implant develops a sort of film around it which stores the infection. The best to be hoped for (if the implant cannot be removed) is to keep the infection under control, but all too often (as was the case with us) this isn't possible and it keeps flaring up again.

I had also been told that amputation was not an option for Meg. This was not because of her size (she is around 15kg now; she was around 19kg), but because she has serious problems in her opposite leg and also a long back (she's a bit like a rather peculiar looking dachshund). Anyway, the point is that I too was told that amputation was absolutely not an option, and this by a leading orthopaedic surgeon. I came here asking for advice, just as you are doing and in the end, after a great deal of research, took Meg to a different hospital, where they agreed to remove her leg.

My understanding is that, while pictures of the 'good' leg are advisable, the most important thing is the clinical examination, to actually examine the leg and the range of movement etc. For Meg, though she has elbow dysplasia and arthritis in her good (now only) front leg (as revealed by the scans and X-rays), she actually has a pretty good range of movement etc.

The other thing I would say is that dogs like Murphy and Meg, who have been favouring their good leg for some considerable time, are likely to find it easier and quicker to adapt to life on three. Obviously, every case is different, but for us losing the leg was a blessed relief as much as anything, and compared to the operations Meg had been through, both after the initial fracture when she had plates, pins, wires, and dog knows what put in, and also after her Total elbow replacement, recovering from amputation was a breeze. I suspect you may find that if you remove Murphy's leg, you can draw a line under all of this, breathe a sigh of relief and move on.

Meg is now six months post amp, and enjoying a fantastic quality of life (she's around 8 years old), chasing rabbits and squirrels, swimming, playing with her ball etc. When I first posted here, I was extremely doubtful about proceeding with amputation on the basis that she had already been through so much. I was seriously considering euthanasia as the only way to put an end to her suffering. Seeing the joy with which she embraces life on three, there is absolutely no question in my mind that we made the right decision.

All the best to you and Murphy. Keep posting, keep asking questions and whatever decision you ultimately make, we will be here to support you.

Meg and Clare (and Elsie Pie)

PS From the currency, I'm guessing you're in the UK? Us too. Whereabouts are you?

Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.

Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...

The Amazing Adventures of Ruby Tuesday 

My Life as a Megastar

On The Road


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22 September 2016 - 12:27 pm
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karebowe said
I have had the X-rays sent to the specialists who did the operation and contacted them for some advice so will go from there. Is it recommend to get the good front leg xrayed and examined to ensure it is strong enough to be the only leg?   

Glad to hear the specialists will look at your situation. Keep in mind, it's not so much the leg itself that needs to be strong, but the overall fitness and health of the dog as well. We've seen there that even a dog with mild arthritis or similar conditions can get along well, as long at the human is wiling to maintain healthy (i.e., low) body weight and work on core-strengthening exercises. A strong core is vital for a Tripawd. Read more here:

http://gear.tri.....-strength/

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

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