Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Our little girl Laila, a 9 year old greyhound, is having her right rear leg amputated tomorrow after a preliminary osteosarcoma diagnosis was confirmed on Monday. We met with the surgeon today, someone we trust at the U of MN, who gave us the option of disarticulating (removing everything up to the joint) or leaving a couple inches of bone and wrapping the muscle around it. She stated she has had good outcomes with both options. She assured us that she rounds off the bone end to prevent it cutting through the muscle and it will not even be long enough for her to move. It is mainly for balance.
Has anyone had a rear leg amputation like this where some of the bone is left or does everyone have a disarticulation?
Thank you.
Kregg and Laura with Laila and Lex
I don't remember what the professional words were so I don't know if I am answering your question. Emily's surgeon left a little so she still has a butt. How's that for being very non-technical?!
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
That's how she described it. Not enough to move it around, but enough so there is still a butt. Did Emily have any complications from it?
Unless the tumor is in the femur it is okay to leave a little bone behind since there is so much muscle there to act as a pad. If it was a foreleg amputation I think it is always better to take the entire leg.
Pam and Tazzie
Both Codie Rae and Wyatt Ray had bone left. I think it gives the muscle something to work around, thereby maintaining some muscle tone. When they run you can see the leg bone and muscle move. If the cancer can be completely removed I would leave the bone. My understanding was that the preferred method is to leave some bone.
Ralph
The servant of Codie Rae
Yeah, Wyatt sure does have bone left. The only issue with it is, because he's still weak and building up strength, when he plays and runs, the stump gets really, really dirty from it hitting the ground so much. Or, it could be because of his outrageously long tail that weighs him down!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Emily did not have any complications from it. The vet said that it would help her to be able to sit easier. She is doing fine so I am happy with the decision. Good luck with Laila.
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Interesting to hear what everybody has been told.
Tika's surgeon was adament about removing her rear leg at the hip socket. He took her thigh and hip muscle and re-attached them.
Here was his reasons:
Healing would be quicker than if the femur had to heal.
Less chance of pressure sores from the bone (even with the wrapping of the muscles)
Less chance of complications post surgery.
I know that except for the reactions to pain meds, Tika had NO post surgery major issues. No big seromas, no need for draining, no heavy bruising. And as far as those remaining muscles. Working good, she still tries to scratch her ear, and when I provide the 'leg' for her, that stump just goes crazy, even with no bone in it.
And for those of you who don't know who the Amazing Tri-Mala-Pawd is: She's a 5 yr old, Alaskan Malamute weighing in at about 85 lbs. She is going strong almost 9mos post surgery even with lung mets. To see visit her YouTube channel: http://www.yout...../GsdMal123. The dog park video is my favorite.
Oh, and she won a prize at the Bark for Life for her 'agility' course. She did some jumping over a low pole and walked with me through the weave poles, but still very cute. Ahhhhhhhh!
Good luck!
Kim and Tika
Kim and Spirit Tika http://www.tika.....ogspot.com
Ki
I was wondering where you and Tika were hiding. When do you get the next x-ray? How are treatments going? Maybe post on your previous threat, you little lab rat.
Susan & T2
This is an interesting subject and I would be curious to hear from some more vets about the pros and cons. Both Codie Rae and Wyatt Ray had no problems with recovery with the bone left in. I saw Wyatt four days after surgery and he was bouncing around like nothing had happened. Looking at Tika it looks like the stump is smaller because of not having the bone. Codie Rae bangs around on hers all the time, sits on it and never seems to have any problem. I guess Codie Rae isn't the only one scratching like crazy with a missing leg.
Wyatt's stump does get banged around a lot too but it doesn't seem like he has a problem with it. I think it hurts us to see it get bumped around more than it hurts him.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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