I wish we had seen this place a few months ago, when we were wrestling with the decision to amputate or euthanize! It would have made the decision easier, I can tell.

Cookie is a 9 year old Shepherd mix, ideal weight was 55-60 pounds, and had a fast-growing fatty tumor in her rear left leg. It was so intertwined with bone and soft tissue that removal of just the tumor at any stage was impossible. After amputation the vet weighed the leg, and guessed the tumor at 7 pounds (8 pounds with the leg). She is happier, has adjusted well, and I really feel like I got my dog back.

We went away for a week, leaving the care of the dogs with a housesitter. When we returned on Wednesday, I saw her stump and to an extent, her entire back end twitched almost violently. She is stiff upon initially getting up, and now defecates almost sitting on the ground (trying to help freaks her out a little). Last night the twitching was so bad it made her good leg shake to the point it woke me up, as it was striking the wall in the next room.

I think it may be related to adjusting to three legs. Yesterday and today I took her out for 15 minute walks and they seem to stop the twitching for a few hours. I just don't want to do too much, it's not like her good leg was that strong either as mobility was limited for several weeks while we debated our course of action.

Anybody else had this much twitching? Otherwise her recovery has been nothing short of amazing, she has even figured out how to jump into the passenger seat of my Jeep again (needs help after our walks, she opts to get in via the floorboard and needs assistance yet). We used to take long hikes together when i had more time, and she has always gone with me everywhere.

Wish the vet had given us as much advice as I have read on this forum already - I am going to tell them about it so other pet owners can have more information. She had said nothing about how much exercise, or when to start - we have just been playing it by ear.