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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Kim,
I totally understand how agonizing it is!
I don't even know what direction I would go if I had Gracie. However, I don't think I would do a fusing surgery. To me, that just sounds like a recipe for long term problems. I'd probably either do nothing until she was a bit older and/or amputate the entire leg.
Since Comet doesn't use her leg the muscles around her shoulder and neck have added strain on her neck over the years. That is another reason why I would have amputated. It's just dead weight pulling on one side.
Does her paw have any feeling in it?
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
OMG, Gracie is just too cute! Good luck with whatever direction you decide to go. More pictures please 
Fortis'Dad
meilimom said:
It is a hard decision because medically there isn't any danger for her to keep it. I mean for those with dogs who have cancer, even though it is an agonizing decision, and an awful thing for the puppies and their pawrents to go through, you know taking the leg will lesson their pain and improve and extend the dog's life. Since she is still a puppy, tries to use her leg, and she doesn't have cancer, I am trying to figure out which option would give her the best quality of life and preserve her other joints.
Kim, you're so right, it is a bit tougher of a decision. I do think that the best person to help you answer this though would be a certified canine rehabilitation vet. Why not join us next Saturday for our live chat with Dr. Jessica Waldman, a board certified vet rehab specialist. Have your photos ready and see if she can give you another opinion.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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