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AIBU?

To want to amputate to give Molly a better life

61 replies

Pumpernickel10 · 22/06/2011 18:34

I did a post last week when I found out my dog Molly had bone cancer, today we were at the vets as she can't walk anymore on her from leg, she can't put her paw down. The vet suggested to amputate the leg to give her a better quality of life. They are not saying amputation will increase her lifespan. Do I put her through this? As anyone been though this? We do have another dog Rossco whos only got 3 legs, he lost his back leg as a puppy in a road accident and as adapted well, we adopted him afterwards.

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Beamur · 22/06/2011 18:36

Thats a tough one. Presumably this would make her more comfortable in the short term but not make any difference to the outcome?
(I had a cat with bone cancer in the jaw which was inoperable and untreatable)

Pumpernickel10 · 22/06/2011 18:38

Well the cancer as not spread to her lungs yet but it's pretty advanced, she's eating well and still as life and soul in her. She as lumps under her arm pit that are causing her to limp.

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jendot · 22/06/2011 18:38

Not got any answers for you but wanted to send a very un mumsnet [hug] for you.

Tough times :-(

I would give it time to sink in and then have a chat with your vet about what they think are the best options for Molly.

Pumpernickel10 · 22/06/2011 18:39

Sadly she can't go walkies anymore and that's heartbreaking

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Notanexcitingname · 22/06/2011 18:42

I don't know many details, but a friend of mine has a greyhound with 3 legs, after one was amputated because of bone cancer. In his case it has improved his life expectancy, and doesn't appear to have affected quality. He still races other dogs in the park-and still wins!

MixedClassBaby · 22/06/2011 18:44

I really feel for you. Maybe give it some time and then ask the vet what s/he would do in your position.

tabulahrasa · 22/06/2011 18:46

what sort of time frame are you looking at her having? If it's more than a couple of months I think it would be worth doing.

But if you're talking less than that, I don't think I would...she'd be just over recovering from it

activate · 22/06/2011 18:47

how much time does she have?

how long will it take her to recover from the operation?

I think those are the two factors you have to know in order to decide

I'm so sorry

DeWe · 22/06/2011 18:47

Three legged dogs are meant to be quicker than four legged. Something to do with the action. At one point (long time ago) unscrupulous greyhound races used to chop a leg off.
I'd see if you discuss it with a second vet to get another's point of view.

Pumpernickel10 · 22/06/2011 18:47

Thanks for that exciting I'm doing some research on it but it does give them a better quality of life.

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Pumpernickel10 · 22/06/2011 18:48

Our three legged Rossco out runs other dogs he's very fast.

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MoreBeta · 22/06/2011 18:49

I've known several dogs with missing front and back legs. All faired well. One farmer I met used to put his sheepdog's front paw through its collar to slow it down.

I'd say do it as long as the dog will be well enough to recover from the operation.

Pumpernickel10 · 22/06/2011 18:50

activate they said anything from 4 months to 12 months. If it was on the lungs we'd be talking 1-2 months. Recovery is a few weeks

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EvenLessNarkyPuffin · 22/06/2011 18:50

I'd ask the vet very specific questions about the recovery time and the impact upon her quality of life. Will she need a clown collar to keep her from the stitches? How long will it need to heal? Will her illness impact upon the healing time and the one you don't want to know, how long they think she has left. It's a balance as to whether this will improve the quality of her life enough to justify the pain and practicalities of healing. It's also worth asking about similar cases. If she's weakened by cancer will she be able to adapt to moving around as easily?

And you know your dog. I have one that is in constant motion and cannot leave any cut alone, and one who is very easygoing and is happy on a rug near me or DH and often hides at walktime if it's raining. How do you think she'll handle it?

Pumpernickel10 · 22/06/2011 18:51

She seems well enough she's still as mad as ever but you can see in her face she wants to go walkies with the others but can't.

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EvenLessNarkyPuffin · 22/06/2011 18:53

From what you've said, if the op would give her the chance if walking again I'd risk it.

Onemorning · 22/06/2011 18:55

I'm sorry to hear your Molly is ill.

My cat Jasper had multiple myeloma, and we had his rear left leg amputated to improve his quality of life, although we knew he was terminally ill. He lived a very happy and pain-free 8 months before he passed.

Animals aren't emotionally 'attached' to their limbs in the way humans are, so they don't get upset by the loss of a limb in the way we would. I was astonished at how Jasper adapted so quickly after the op. He used to love beating our my other cat and lying in the sunshine.

Last year was very expensive (surgery, chemo) but I am glad that we had our boy for the summer.

Very un-MN hugs to you and your wee girl.

LolaRennt · 22/06/2011 18:56

if Molly had been in a car accident, without a doubt I would say do it.. But, for an already ill dog with cancer. I personally would consider euthanasia. Whatever your decision wish you and your family best. It's a horrible situation to be in.

mdowdall · 22/06/2011 18:59

OP, I had a greyhound a few years back. He got cancer in one of his back legs. The vet removed it and he lived for another year but sadly the cancer came back. He, of all dog breeds, might have struggled I would guess but he did remarkably well. Awful decision to make. If I had hindsight, I wouldnt have put him through it for just one more year but you just dont know these things.

TidyDancer · 22/06/2011 18:59

Oh this is so sad. :(

I think if I were you, I'd do it if it would greatly improve her quality of life, which it sounds like it may. It would be such a shame for her to miss out on walkies if there was a way of making it happen.

It's a judgement call really though, I don't think there's a right or wrong.

Big un-MN hugs to you and Molly. x

mdowdall · 22/06/2011 19:02

Sorry, forgot to say OP, all the best.

dexter73 · 22/06/2011 19:03

I'm very sorry to hear about your dog. I know this is a bit of a horrible question but will it be covered under insurance or will you have to pay for the operation?

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CheshireDing · 22/06/2011 19:07

Sorry to hear about Molly.

As the vet has said anything from 4-12 months (and I know this is speculative it may be less/more time than that) but I would probably let her have the operation.

It may perk her up and she may become happier because she does not have the useless leg. Animals recover and worry about these things A LOT less than humans so she could well be up and about before you know it.

Punkatheart · 22/06/2011 19:16

We once lived next door to a German Shepherd who had a leg amputated after being hit by a car. He was astonishing - adapted straight away and was fast and happy on three legs.

I also read a lovely story about a hunting dog who, after a horrific accident, had two legs amputated. The vet who tended to him was going to put him down but was impressed by his lovely enthusiasm in the face of pain. So he adopted him and had him in his surgery as inspiration. Amazing story but he did say his boy usually leans on someone!

Sorry Pump - awful thing to go through. But amputation can be a positive thing.

Pumpernickel10 · 22/06/2011 19:51

dexter we do have insurance which will cover the operation but it doesn't cover chemo or radiation.
McDowall sorry to hear about your greyhound. We know the amputation won't cure her cancer as she as masses elsewhere it's merely to relieve the pain. I've found a great site online about dog bone cancer.

Thanks everyone for your support and all the hugs were appreciated.

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