megstamum said
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?  

Hiya,

thanks for your post and support. Our situations sound very similar. Yes from the UK, we are in Bournemouth!