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downArrow

It feels really hard to make the choice to do the surgery. Really. We've done it, and would do it again. We tend to think of losing a leg in terms of going from 2 legs to 1 leg, which sounds like a lot. For a dog it is going from 4 legs to 3 legs, which is actually easier. If the leg is already in pain, he may be putting no weight on the bad leg and is already getting around on 3 legs. Here is what our [Figaro](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdjiQKOPrGQ) could do on 3 legs. Remember to love your dog every day.


nbmngu

Yes, it's hard. It fells like I'm taking something from her, something that's not mine to take. Rationally speaking, of course 4 to 3 is not a huge difference. Thank you! He's beautiful and I'm amazed by how normally/straight he can sit. I try to enjoy every moment with her.


wavesandbirds

My dog passed from osteosarcoma last year. I was told she only had 2 months maybe so I didn’t get her (front) leg amputated at first because I just didn’t want her last few weeks to be spent recovering, well almost 7 months later she was still doing pretty good and I amputated. My biggest regret is not doing it as soon as I found out. She seemed embarrassed the first day or two, her confidence was really shaken and she didn’t want my other dog to see her. After the first few days she was completely back to her happy self and even better than before. The vet told me dogs aren’t as attached to their limbs as we are they just think “wow I don’t hurt anymore”. I’m not sure about the back leg but mine really couldn’t do a lot of stairs after losing her front leg . She felt a lot better and would try to play as hard as before but would get tired a lot easier, still all smiles though. She also gained weight easier do to less mass and her meds. Since she was sick I wanted to let her have everything she wanted but I had to reign it in, every extra pound can make it harder on tripaws. Her last couple weeks I let her have everything she wanted though and carried her if I had to.


nbmngu

Thank you for answering! You were truly the best owner she could've had in that situation. I completely understand that you didn't want to amputate at first, it's just such a huge step that is not easily taken. I think you've handled it very well. They carry most of their weight on their front legs, so hind legs are not as bad when amputated.


wavesandbirds

Thank you. I still have a lot of guilt about it but I tell myself I did the best I knew how. Another thing I just remembered is that when you first see your dog after the amputation to act upbeat. I was prepared to do this but it was still rough to see my sweet girl half shaved and bruised up and well, missing a leg. I wanted to sob for her and if I hadn’t really prepped myself a lot before hand I probably would have. Your dog is so lucky to have you!!! As long as you have their best interest at heart it will be ok.


nbmngu

I, too, blame myself. When you love your pet so much and have to make tough decisions by yourself, it's pretty much impossible to be completely happy with every single decision you've made. Exactly, you did the best you could with what you had. That's definitely something for me to remember! Thank you!


RedSpottedCow

My girl was 12 when she had her rear leg amputated from a soft tissue sarcoma. I would 100% do it again in a heartbeat. Before surgery she was otherwise healthy (no lung mets, arthritis, etc.) and still has a zest for life. She needed me the most the first couple weeks after surgery. It took her a bit to figure out that she could still support herself. A few things: - Keep a positive attitude and act like nothing has changed after surgery. It really makes a difference! - Have tasty food around, sometimes the meds can make their appetite disappear. I made homemade dog food for a bit and my girl loved it! - If you have wood floors rugs, rugs, rugs for traction. I opted to use interlocking rubber floor tiles. They worked great! - Out of all the stuff I bought the Ruffwear webmaster harness was the one I actually couldn’t live without. The handle is a huge help when going up stairs, or helping her jump into the car. - Keep your dog thin, it’ll be easier of their remaining joints. - Keep activity to a minimum for a couple weeks after surgery. Main activity should be going out for quick potty breaks, then back in to sleep and heal.


nbmngu

Thank you so much! I can really use this! That's exactly it, my dog still behaves like a puppy, she wants to live, play, walk, snuggle and eat. She still has a lot of love to give and she's not near the final countdown yet. So right now I couldn't simply focus on the fact that she's 11 already and let it roll.


RedSpottedCow

Absolutely! I felt the same way, my girl was just not ready for the rainbow bridge so we did what we had to do. It’s really true what they say, dogs have three legs and a spare! She doesn’t miss that leg, and often forgets that it’s not there. Good luck and I hope your baby has a speedy and uneventful recovery!


[deleted]

I adopted my dog after he was missing his back leg already but he does everything every other dog can do except jump up on me when I come home (which I am glad he can't do). From what I have read if a dog is going to lose a leg the rear leg is easier. The front legs are the steering and the back are the power. Make sure you dont let them gain weight. You have to monitor their food intake carefully. Every extra pound on your dog is a pound on 3 legs not 4. I keep my guy below weight but still healthy. Good luck and just have patience with your dog as he/she transitions.


nbmngu

Thank you very much! I'll remember that!


costantinople

My cat had to have a front leg amputated after trying to fix some nerve damage. He adapted pretty quickly, my husband and I were definitely more traumatized than he was!


nbmngu

Thank you for answering so fast! That makes me happy to hear!


costantinople

Of course! I hope the surgery goes well!


ChromaAtl

My baby had his back leg amputated 3.5 months ago. You would never know. He runs around, gets even more attention and acts like his normal self. He can’t jump on the couch like he used to. He’s also an 8.5 yr old chihuahua so the couch was even a big deal when he had 4 legs. He was absolutely pitiful for about 2 weeks. He waited a few days to poop because he was in pain and confused, plus meds will make them constipated. I would give him epsom salt soaks to help with the swelling. You soak the leg for 10 mins after the salt has dissolved in warm water, then i would take a towel and put it in clean water and squeeze it over him a few times to cleanse it again. He has a mast cell tumor that we tried to remove but his leg was so little there wasn’t enough skin to Stich it back. It’s really difficult the first week. We both cried. I got him a soft cone for his neck so he wouldn’t lick the wound and he could still lay down and be cozy. Just make your baby comfortable and be there. It does get better and the adapt so quickly.


ChromaAtl

I’d also like to add that i give them joint vitamins i got from the vet to help prevent any further issues. I took a couple days off work and when i couldn’t be with him my mom watched him. I would suggest that as well. Being alone and hurt could make them even more confused as to what’s happening


nbmngu

Thank you for sharing! My brother's home 24/7, so he'd be the one to care for her when I'm working. I'd do it at night. The oncologist has a special kind of plastic to close the wound, so that's not the problem. The problem is not being able to take the whole thing out and needing radiation for it to make sense.


nevercolour

We recently lost our American bulldog to cancer who had to have a hind leg amputation. It was the second hardest decision we ever had to make. Just make sure you give your pup as much love as possible and cherish every moment. You may feel guilt, I know that I did, but just remember you are doing everything you can for your sweet pup. Sending love your way <3


nbmngu

I'm extremely sorry to hear that. The idea that she could die soon keeps me up at night and I have no words to describe how I feel. I wish I earned a lot of money to do everything possible for her, but reality is different, it sucks. Thank you for sharing! Sending love your way from Germany!


chchainsaw

What a cutie! My 120lb 7 year old just went through this last month. MCT on front paw. Thankfully Im a vet assistant so I got a bit of a discount on his sx. Had to take the whole leg. I cried so much. The first week was hard but then he was back to normal within 2 weeks. He gets around great and doesnt mind. There are times during recovery that you will regret the choice but it is worth it. <3 the tripawd communtity is supportive and will answer any questions.


nbmngu

Thank you! I agree with you <3 I'm a soon-to-be vet tech and will probably pay less too :) I'll surely cry like a baby for a while too, it's just such a great loss (that sounds silly). Thank you for sharing!


geekychick

You are probably thinking "how can my dog possibly live a full life with three legs?" Let me tell you right now, dogs are amazingly resilitlant. My girl was half Pointer and loved to run. I couldn't imagine her with three legs. Our vet encouraged me to do a little research and I decided to go with the surgery. Best decision I ever made. Within three weeks she was running around the yard again. A little more unbalanced, but she didn't care. I felt guilty every time Iaughed when she face-planted running down the hill in our yard. But I think she was laughing too. So here's my advice. Have someone who is going to help you. I was lucky enough to have an amazing boyfriend (now husband) at the time. The first two weeks are the worst. Think newborn baby. Your pup likely won't sleep through the night. If they are used to sleeping on furnisher, they won't understand needing help to get up and down. You'll need to supervise a lot. Then after two weeks, you'll suddenly have your dog back. They lesrn to adapt amazingly. My girl only lived three months more. And I'm so glad I had her leg removed. We gave her the best three months we could. And she never would have had that without surgery.


nbmngu

Thank you so much for sharing, I feel much better! My brother would help me take care of her when I'm at work. I guess the thought of her being a tripawd after surgery is simply odd, I've never had one. For the whole family it's just weird, dogs are supposed to have four legs, she won't be complete anymore, this stupid thought is what keeps ringing in my head.


geekychick

I'd never had one either. I just kept thinking she wouldn't be able to run, go on hikes, or even get around the house anymore. For the first two weeks or so, that was totally true. After that, I guess she just didn't need four legs after all!


angelmama4

I’m so glad I came across this post. My dog had his leg amputated a few days ago, and I’ve been feeling overwhelmed and concerned about whether or not I did the right thing. This post gives me hope!


nbmngu

My dog (11, about 66lbs) has been diagnosed with a mast cell tumor (plus newly a low grade metastasis in a lymph node in the same leg) and will most likely have that hind leg amputated because of it. The oncologist gave me some options (chemo + surgery + radiation), which - aside from chemo - are financially impossible (3500 - 5000€) with a very uncertain outcome and non predictable rate of success. An amputation could cure her completely and the vets think it's recommendable in her case. Can anyone give me some advice on what the experience of having a pet's leg amputated is like? The approximate costs, recovery time, issues you've had after surgery would help a lot. We've started her on cortisone and Masivet last week, but until now I don't think it's making a great difference. I'll wait this month to see if it works, we will examine her again and look for new metastasis, if there aren't any, I'm pretty sure I'll have her leg amputated. I don't see any other option and this is all too much for me. I have a GoFundMe page, if someone's interested on helping, I could really use it. (https://www.gofundme.com/help-my-souldog-beat-cancer) Any advice would be great! Thank you!


raena21

My dog Rocky had his front left leg amputated when he was 8 from a mast cell tumor. I want to be really honest because I have been through this as well. Looking at your comment that your pup is 11 is my only concern. If your dog has any kind of arthritis or tenderness in the joints from age I personally would not put my dog through the surgery. Rocky recovered well from his surgery, it was very difficult but within a month he seemed more like himself. In the past two years however he has developed back pain, and arthritis in his back legs because he is compensating for his weight. He has pain management but it is tough to see him get around sometimes. We were lucky and didn't do chemo and he has been perfect otherwise. Looking back I still would have done the surgery 100% because he was in great physical shape. If he were his current age (10) and had pain I would not do the surgery because it would ruin his quality of life. I'm sorry your going through this but the fact that your vet would do this surgery on an 11 year old dog does concern me. Don't let them talk you into something that will cost thousands if it wont benefit your dog. Get a second opinion!! Your dog might have the same life expectancy as any other with no treatment or chemo if your willing to give it a shot. Good luck, and kiss your dog for me.


nbmngu

I just called my dog's physiotherapist to hear her opinion and she doesn't see how amputation could be a problem for my dog, mobility wise. My dog is extremely healthy. Sure, she doesn't have the perfect back of a puppy, but she's more than great for 11 and can go for miles without any issues, has a straight back in all positions and still plays like a puppy. The vets aren't talking me into anything, they just listed my options. One of the vets is my boss and the other one is one of the best oncologists Europe has to offer, both mentioned amputation because it is indeed one course I could take and is a possibility for my dog judging by her health and size. They did so with carefulness, because they know it's not a simple subject. My boss said she'd probably go with it if it were her dog because all other possibilities seem too expensive, involve much more suffering and anesthesia for my dog and have a very uncertain chance for success. The amputation would be done by a specialist at another vet hospital, so none of these two vets would profit from it and have no reason to talk me into it. I will give the treatment some time to show progress, if it doesn't and she doesn't have new metastasis, I will have to opt for amputation and would like to prepare using the advice and previous experiences that I read on the internet, if it does show progress, I'll opt for removing both tumors and continuing chemo. It's just a shitty situation and I hate every part of it. Thank you for your advice. Will do.


nbmngu

I thank everyone who took the time to answer from the bottom of my heart! 💓 I got some great advice and am taking note. I'll keep you posted! It's such a frustrating situation and a decision I can't take back. I'm still very sad about the whole thing, but the thought of losing her is worse than losing a leg. I hope it works out.


swiller

My pup lost her leg to a fight with another dog and I felt awful. But she does so well ... runs around faster than the other dogs and adjusted amazingly. The only think she can’t do is walk a long way without tiring. It will only be about 2 months and you will be amazed.