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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One year old lab... lives for the water. He loves to swim, hike, run... You name it and he does it.. he was hit by a car 12 weeks ago and unfortunately had a broken femur. Doc performed two surgeries.. and since then we have been keeping him in a small kennel trying to keep him still.. He has now been released to start walking some and exercising a little.. however JD's leg wont bend at the knee joint.. doc said we needed to do therapy treamtemts bc his muscles were frozen.. after 6 treatments so far our vet has decided that there has been zero progression and we now should amputate. I am having a very hard time with this.. JD hardly uses the leg but he will of he wants to jump or something. . It is awkward for him to sit down bc his leg just sticks out in front of him.. and he has a hard time going up steps bc it drags behind him. But is no leg really better for him than a stiff leg?? Somebody with some experience please help me with this decision. . I just want him to be better. . 
and I want what is best for him. It is his rear left leg that would go.
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well JD is one years old so he's really a baby
So speaking from an owner of a 48kg Rottweiler who had her rear back leg removed due to bone cancer, and when she had the operation she was walking and home within 24 hours 
I would recommend the amputation as your JD is so young he will just continue life, with the zest that he has shown you so far
you have the added bonus that JD's leg is an accident and not a form of cancer, so once his leg is removed all you will have to worry about is stopping him Running before he can walk and all the lovely things that a labrador puppy get's up to !!! Chewing, chasing cats, eating your shoe's etc 
I think you have answered your own question , you have said that his leg is useless and he doesn't use it, it get's in the way and he drag's it behind him ????
You know that he would be better off without it and in my eye's your correct, at 1 years old he has the ability to grow and live his life to the fullest, and believe me he will amaze you at every stage and you will have this Courageous and Incredible Hero living under your very own roof
I hope this helps you a little and any questions then please get back to me
love to you and JD
zena and Fizzly in Spirit xoxox
I didn't have amputation for my dog although I've read the many amazing stories here on this site. It sounds as if most dogs have wonderful lives after recovering from the surgery.
The one small suggestion that I have is that perhaps you should consider one more opinion? It never hurts (except the pocketbook) and a fresh mind evaluating your dog might have some new ideas to try before going down the amputation road.
K, an 8 year old chocolate lab, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma of the radius and ulna on 12/23/11. She had stereotactic radiation to kill the bone tumors, and 3 rounds of carboplatin. On 3/16/12, lung mets were found. We tried several different kinds of chemotherapy to slow the lung mets but none worked. Finally, mets appeared at other sites, including her spine. She earned her angel wings on July 15, 2012. K changed my life, and I'll never forget her. Our/my journey is chronicled at romp-roll-rockies.blogspot.com.
Hi Lala,
I answered your questions in this Beyond Cancer topic we started for you, to make sure your other post didn't get hidden in the original one you responded to. Another member, Wookie, who is a vet, also answered there so please visit that topic for more insight.
PS, keep in mind that you only have to post your question in one Forum, most people will see it. Oh, and please consider registering as a member so that your posts won't require moderation OK? Thanks!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Lala, you came to the right place for advice. Only you can really decide, but maybe we can help you figure out the pros and cons of each option.
That being said, my dog Jack (6 years old) loves to do all the things your dog does - especially swim in the ocean when he gets a chance. He's a front leg amputee, which, from what I understand, is harder on dogs than the rear leg. After a few months of recovery, we're up to 3 hour hikes, he still swims in the ocean/lakes/rivers/wherever we swim (sometimes with the help of a float-vest if the waves are really high), and he stilll runs, no problem, albeit not as fast as he used to, but you wouldn't be able to tell it.
Amputation doesn't mean he won't be able to enjoy the things he enjoys now. Sometimes it means taking it a little easier than what you might have before, but your lab should still be able to run, hike, swim, and play.
I think the suggestion above of getting a second opinion is definitely a good one. But don't let amputation stress you out - when you get down to it, our dogs are amazing and really don't care if they're missing a leg.
Jack - adopted with a crooked leg at 4 months old, managed for six years, and now much-happier Tripawd as of 5/24/2012!
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