I wanted to (and was encouraged) to post for those concerned with amputation in senior dogs.  Our 13 year old chocolate lab, Dakota was diagnosed on February 26 with digit melanoma, 3rd toe on the front right foot.  Even though the surgeon was sure it was melanoma we had to wait for pathology to come back with confirmation. Once received we had lymph node aspirations performed to confirm there was no metastasis (the chest x-ray was clear).  Once that was confirmed, the state veterinary school consulted with our vet and advised front limb amputation was the best course to take to give Dakota the quality of life he deserves in his senior years.  This was an extremely hard decision for us to make considering Dakota's age, his level of activity and what we could expect as far as changes in his personality and his quality of life.  We struggled with the decision, did a ton of research (the information provided on this site was the most helpful) and made the decision to proceed.  

Dakota's amputation was Tuesday, March 16.  The surgery lasted longer than expected, but otherwise he did great.  I had prepared myself for the worst, but when we picked him up on that Friday, he "hopped" toward me with tail wagging.  I was so grateful.  We did not experience any post surgery depression, and he came home with just Rimadyl as his pain med so he didn't have the medication side effects the narcotics can cause.

By Tuesday, March 23, he was walking without our assistance (we were using a soft harness with long handles from drsfosterandsmith).  Within a few days after that he was able to rise from his bed and the floor without assistance.  Within 2 weeks of his surgery he was running and completely back to normal minus 12 pounds of a right leg!!  

We are now just over 3 weeks out and other than waiting for his hair to grow back in over the surgical site, he is the same as he was pre surgery.  He is pain free and doing great.  There has been no change in his personality, his appetite is the same and he is chasing his doxie sister in the back yard (not so much in the house due to slick wood and tile floors).  We are so glad we made the decision to proceed with amputation.  

Please don't be afraid for your senior dog if you are faced with this decision.  If your senior is in great health and otherwise mobile but for the cancer diagnosis, go for it.  It may just give you the extra time you so desire and your lovely dog deserves.  We cherish each extra day we have with Dakota - things are so much better on three legs.  

As an aside and a suggestion - we have put clear rubber tub mats on the tile floor at the doors where Dakota goes in and out to get to the back yard to keep him from slipping as he pushes off from the threshold.  It has really helped his confidence with his footing.  We have only had one "fall" and as long as you don't make a big fuss over it, it won't affect the dog.