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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Thanks for the encouraging words. Glad that your Sam was able to navigate well. Akasha will be out in the bushes, too, so here's hoping! From what everyone here says, it sounds like she'll be the one draggging <i>me</i> around!
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I signed up, but when I sign in, it still shows me as a guest. Not a problem, just thought I'd let you know. And if I am directed here by a google search, after i sign in, I get a blank page with topics at the top. Could be my Chrome browser, i guess. I'll use Safari next time i start over.
Never mind. Now it shows member. :O)
Hi Polarbear, you've been made official! A first post as a member has to be approved.
Use anything but IE for a browser and you'll be in business. Refreshing your page or clearing your cache also works.
Thanks for joining!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We had the scapula removed with Maverick's front leg amputation. I got the surgery done at a highly respected veterinary referral hospital by a vet I used to work closely with and trust completely. Pre-amputation Mav tried to use his deformed leg, causing pain. He looks just fine without his scapula and no longer feels as if he has to use that leg. As a result, his posture improved greatly which prevents chronic muscle strains. I would definitely do some more research to find out the best option for you but for us, I would never have left the scapula.
Maverick is a wonderful miniature australian shepard born with a malformation of the front right radius/ulna, amputation performed on 11/4/13 at 6 months old. Follow his story at mavericksjourney.tripawds.com.
Thanks for your reply. Continuing to research. Glad your beautiful Maverick is doing so much better. :O)
This is one of the only places on the web to really find out about this stuff. Thanks.
Our bullmastiff has just had her front left leg removed yesterday due to osteosarcoma in her wrist….I didn't even ask about leaving the scapula in…I can't believe I didn't!!!! I googled EVERYTHING for weeks trying to make a good decision and this didn't even cross my mind….it was only when we brought her home today that I realised that her wound looks different to other dogs on this site….I hope I haven't made a really bad stuff up 
Don't worry! Dogs here have had good results with both scapular and non-scapular amputation. My Jack had a non-scapular amputation because her injury didn't extend that high and that's what our vet was used to, but she told us that Jack would be fine whether or not we leave the scapula in or not.
Charley was 2-1/2 when he was diagnosed with OS in his left proximal humerus. They removed his entire leg and scapula. The surgeon explained that if they left the scapula, there would be no muscles left to keep the scapla down on the thorax and it would cause a lot of problems down the road. The veterinary surgeon who did CHarley's amp said it was standard practice to remove the scapula. Maybe a regular vet does it differently?
Charley is a 68 pound Lab and as you can't tell that he's missing a scapula on that side (being a Lab he doesn't have long or thick hair to hide anything). The muscles on his remaining right front leg, shoulder, and scapula are much more built up now because he only has one leg.
Hugs and chocolate Labby kisses,
Ellen and Charley xoxo
Charley's Blog: CHOCOLATE KISSES
DOB: 3-29-08, male chocolate lab
Dx: OSA L proximal humerus 10-19-10
Amputation: L front leg & scapula 10-28-10
Chemo: 5 rounds of Carboplatin
Video (12 weeks post amp):Tripaw Charley Playing
♥♥♥ Lots of supplements and love!!! ♥♥♥
My 5 1/2 month old puppy had his scapula removed. His amputation was due to a defect. I am SO glad I went with scapular. I also looked on this forum to answer the same question, and most people recommended scapular. I talked with my vet and listed the reasons, and they agreed. Hopefully, your vet is willing to have an open and honest discussion about this. Don't be uncomfortable stating your mind - you've educated yourself so you have a right to an opinion. Many dogs with non-scapular amputations end up having to go back for a second surgery if the stump develops any problems. While the scapular amputation is a slightly longer, more intense surgery - trust me...it's better than a second surgery. After putting Jaime through this once, I would never want to do it again. And yes...as shallow as it is, it is more aesthetically pleasing. In my opinion, the risks outweigh the benefits for scapular. Unless your pup has health issue that make the longer surgery dangerous, it's what I would recommend.
Luka will be just fine with the way your surgeron did the removal. As you have already seen, this is an area that has differing opinions. There was NO reason for you to have a clue whether to ask about leaving the scapula in or out!
I'm sure your surgeon had a reason for doing the surgery the way it was done.
I know from your other posts she is doing incredibly well!!!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
My Jake had the full scapular amputation PLUS. He had a tumor that had "fingers" that had grown throughout his shoulder blade so they not only took the scapular out but quite a large chuck of everything around it. Our surgeon thought he could just remove the tumor but with the agreement that if he got in there and found more to just take out whatever he needed to get rid of it all. Jake was about 53-55lbs, after surgery he was 44 if that gives you a reference for how much they cut out. He did GREAT with it. Of course he had a learning curve but not too bad. The poor fella couldn't just lift his leg to pee anymore (and he really tried) but I'm sure that's a normal issue with all front leg amp fella's. He did learn to prop himself up against a tree with his back leg and pee on it that way (where there's a will there's a way) LOL.
As far as aesthetics, Jake was very fluffy the only way you could tell how much was taken out was when you pet him. There was a large concave area, but you'd never know by looking.
Just wanted to show you the other end of the spectrum and that pups can be fine with full scapular + amps too. I don't know what I would have done given the option, but you are doing the best thing for your pup that you can, arming yourself with as much information as possible. You can't go wrong with a decision made like that 
HUGS
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
Great question to ask, as I stumbled across this question before seeing our surgeon.
Tahoe had hystiocytic sarcoma in the front elbow and it was suggested/agreed that we would amp the entire leg and scapula. This initial incision was quite the sight but we adjusted very quickly. The healing went very well and in hindsight never any regrets for this approach. Tahoe slept on his amp side all the time, as it must have been quite comfortable to be able to do that.
Best of luck in the decision.
Stirling and Guardian Tahoe
"Tahoe" - Our Amazing Superman and Best Friend.
Dec. 01-03 to Aug. 19-14
Diagnosed with Periarticular Hystiocystic Sarcoma Feb 14-13; Amputation March 18-13, and diagnosed with STS April-14. Tahoe touched so many people while visiting us, leaving a massive void in our lives. Always Missed, Never Forgotten!!
My Raven had her left forelimb amputated a little over 5 years ago, and unfortunately, the scapula was left behind. Recovery was extremely difficult for her (the incision dehisced twice, requiring repeated procedures), and she has an awful scar/bony prominence left behind with no muscle or soft tissue padding over it whatsoever. The scar tissue is tightly adhered to the bony prominence underneath. Raven’s movement doesn’t seem limited, and she never licks/otherwise bothers her scar, but she never ever lays with that side down. She is a very small and slight-bodied dog (about 17 pounds), so that bony and scarred area is quite apparent. I imagine it must be uncomfortable, though she would never indicate it to me. She was under the care of a rescue at the time, so I had no say in the matter, but I wish the surgeon would have taken her scapula.
On a positive note, we did put her on joint support supplements right away, and after 5 years, X-rays still show no signs of arthritis starting to develop.
Welcome to you and Raven. Raven is very lucky to have such a caring human as her advocate.
What you have described unfortunately is not uncommon when the scapular is left. Basically it ends up being just a surgeon's choice whether to leave it or not. It is good that it doesn't seem to be bothering Raven. And even though it looks uncomfortable it's the scar tissue is probably adding some protection to it. I don't have any specific input as far as Solutions, but maybe other members will chime in with some ideas about padding etc.
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
threeleggedraven said
My Raven had her left forelimb amputated a little over 5 years ago, and unfortunately, the scapula was left behind. Recovery was extremely difficult for her (the incision dehisced twice, requiring repeated procedures), and she has an awful scar/bony prominence left behind with no muscle or soft tissue padding over it whatsoever. The scar tissue is tightly adhered to the bony prominence underneath. Raven’s movement doesn’t seem limited, and she never licks/otherwise bothers her scar, but she never ever lays with that side down. She is a very small and slight-bodied dog (about 17 pounds), so that bony and scarred area is quite apparent. I imagine it must be uncomfortable, though she would never indicate it to me. She was under the care of a rescue at the time, so I had no say in the matter, but I wish the surgeon would have taken her scapula.On a positive note, we did put her on joint support supplements right away, and after 5 years, X-rays still show no signs of arthritis starting to develop.
Thanks for sharing her story here, it really adds to the information that others are looking for when trying to decide what to do. I'm sorry the scapula is bothering her. Did your vet have any recommendations for making the bony area more comfortable? I'm wondering if rehab therapy might help break up that scar tissue? Sounds like you might have had some done already?
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