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Original poster

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.

OP posts:
dexter73 · 22/06/2011 21:53

If it will give her a better quality of life then I think it would be worth a try.

Peachy · 22/06/2011 21:56

I've ahd a three legged (no tailed, one eared...) cat and it was fine.

OTOH my friend's dogs were recently both (genetic I guess, siblings) diagnosed with cancer, they were given a long time to go but one died in days and the other collapsed suddenly 2 months alter and died that evening Sad

I'd probably do it for a year but not four months tbh, given the recovery time with just one complication can take up much of that.

Scuttlebutter · 22/06/2011 22:23

Pumpernickel, you might get more detailed responses if you post this in the Doghouse?

Firstly, I am very sorry to hear this. We have greyhounds, who as a breed are quite susceptible to bone cancer. Bone cancer is one of the worst pains imaginable. Tumours can often weaken the bones, leading to shattering breaks, so your vet is right to be pushing you to amputate. I'm sorry to say this, and can't think of a way to do it gently, but your decision is really about do you PTS now, or amputate and possibly buy a litte more time? I wait to be corrected, but with bone cancer amps it still always seems to come back, so you will only be buying a bit more time. The picture is very different for amps for other reasons - I know a few three legged greys who have lost legs after neglect and racing injuries and manage brilliantly, zooming round on the beach and even in one case, managing to steal a whole chip pan (don't ask!).

I guess a lot depends on the age of your dog, their general health and how you feel about the very intensive nursing you will have to do when they come home from the vet. I'd also consider how amp-friendly your home is? If you are living up a set of steep steps then it's going to be really difficult in those early post operative times.

As you've already found, there's lots of info on the web. I hope your vet is supporting you too through this. Wishing you and Molly all the best.

Original poster
Pumpernickel10 · 22/06/2011 23:10

scutterbutter I have found a great site, I've shed tears over it but the information as been so valuable its www.bonecancerdogs.org
I've found out everything I need to know. We've decided on amputation depending on the xray. If it as spread to the lungs and we know time is precious then we won't. We will know more on Friday. I'm trying to stay strong for DD and Molly too. We've just ordered her a new dog bed as she doesn't seem comfortable in hers at the moment. She's got posh she's having an ortherpedic one. I'm amazed at what they do these days.

OP posts:
kungpo · 22/06/2011 23:19

Hmmm been there with mine. Rear legs are less missed but either option less painful than bone cancer. We amputated and although the aftermath was horrid within a week it was fine and a week after wasn't an issue. He was doing miles a few months later. About ten months after he limped on his other leg and we never woke him from the x ray. It was a good call, he had ten great months and a sore fortnight...he would ave had that either way.

Make sure pain meds are maxed post op, use a sling or towel as a hoist... Be glad they live in the moment.

kungpo · 22/06/2011 23:21

Oh and good luck on the x rays.

It is horrid.

Original poster
Pumpernickel10 · 22/06/2011 23:25

kungpo I'm so sorry about your dog. I read on that dog cancer site a 2 year old lab got it, it was heartbreaking to read, a mere pup. All I've done tonight is cry, she's my baby and always will be. I'll do anything to give her a better life, pain free. The vets been really great too, so that's something.

OP posts:
kungpo · 22/06/2011 23:36

Great that your vet is good.

Am sorry for your dog too. Our only dog from a pup, our third adult in the house also had it. They were related, she died the day after the op but ad an undiagnosed heart issue. Awful but still not wrong, no worse than what she already had:(

She was unlucky but even this outcome didn't really make it a bad call, there are lots of success stories if you look online and even a few that don't show mets years later. Rare admittedly.

Sorry...not helping with our experiences possibly.

Scuttlebutter · 22/06/2011 23:38

Wishing you all the best on Friday. So glad you and Molly have a good vet.

mamut · 22/06/2011 23:50

So sorry for you - I know it is not an easy call. We have had two lurchers that were candidates for amputation.

One, younger and more easy-going by nature, had a badly broken back leg which didn't fuse. She's still going strong. A little slower walking but just as fast running as ever. She didn't suffer after the op and was champing at the bit to go on walks before, during and after. She did/does have very muscular back legs anyway and can still on one leg jump into the back of the car.

Our other lurcher had a cancerous growth on his front leg joint. After much thought we decided that amputation was not for him as he was an older fellow and not as much as a fighter by nature as our younger one. (He was given to depression.) He was still eating well and walking - albeit chauffeur driven to the park! On painkillers he led quite a happy life for a further 5 months and the day he refused to get out of the car for his walk/or to the house we knew it was time for him. I think it might depend on the build and temperament of your dog.

Our dog with cancer took a little time to learn not to put his bad leg down. Once he developed a limp he went much faster.

I don't know if any of this helps but I really feel for you.

Joolyjoolyjoo · 22/06/2011 23:57

Hi Pumpernickel, another vet here, and I think your vet is right. Any time I have amputated limbs, I have been amazed at how well my patients did afterwards. Bone cancer is horribly painful. In very old dogs where they might really struggle with amputation, I probably wouldn't do it, but your vet obviously knows you and your dog well, so I would go with his/ her opinion. Really hope it all goes well for your dog and you. What kind of dog is she?

winnybella · 22/06/2011 23:58

I wouldn't put my dog through a stress of a surgery and weeks of recovery in order to give her a few months more to live. Sorry Sad

kungpo · 23/06/2011 00:08

It surprised me too jjj mine was twelve stone and very soon walking so well people would ask if he had a problem with his leg, seeing a limp but not the missing limb!

PainteditRed · 23/06/2011 01:50

I am very surprised a vet would do such a major op on a dog with such a bad prognosis tbh. And sorry to be cynical but I think it is a money thing rather than being in the best interests of the poor dog.

God we all breathed a sigh of relief when my grandfather opted against a very tricky op in the latter stages of Bowel cancer, with the full support of a very very good oncologist.

izzywhizzyletsgetbusy · 23/06/2011 02:47

I'm so sorry for you and Molly.

As it will improve her quality of life and give you more time with her than the alternative then, funds/vet insurance permitting, go for it - if Molly were human you wouldn't hesitate.

Joolyjoolyjoo · 23/06/2011 08:51

Painted, amputation in a dog is not really such a major op- it is far less invasive and technically complicated than a bitch spey! IME dogs usually cope very well afterwards, so I do think the OPs vet is suggesting it at a palliative treatment, depending on whether or not the tumour has metastisised to the lungs, I really doubt the vet is doing it as "a money thing" Sad Sad

A few painfree months might seem like not much to a human, but it would be the equivalent of a human living another year or two. It really is a question of quality of life

good luck for the Xrays tomorrow, pumpernickel, fingers crossed for you

porcamiseria · 23/06/2011 09:49

poor doggy

I would have her put down TBH, amputation is opretty hard core and if she has cancer anyway xxx

Original poster
Pumpernickel10 · 23/06/2011 10:45

jooly its nice to get a vets view on this. Molly health wise is in great shape,apart from the cancer,shes still as fight and determination in her. At the moment she can't go walkies and that saddens me,so shes in the garden all the time struggling to walk,if by amputating it will give her more comfort I am prepared to do it,shes always done really well after operations in the past.
We do have a 4 year old Jack Russell who has a back leg ampuated when we got him and he does well,hes so fast.
Molly is a Labrador.
porcamiseria I will not put a "healthy" dog down. Shes still playing,eating and still as mad as. I know my dog if she was in pain constantly she would be yelping. At the moment as I type this shes rolling around the grass outside like a puppy. Yes shes got cancer but the severity of it won't be known until tomorrows xray. I won't be doing whats best for me,I will be going whats best for Molly,I have had dogs all my life,you know in your heart when its time to go,they sort of tell you. At the moment its not Mollys time. I would never be so cruel as to keep her going if she was in pain.

OP posts:
Joolyjoolyjoo · 23/06/2011 10:54

Pumpernickel- it does sound like Molly would be a good candidate for amputation, providing she has no mets in the chest. One of the vets I know amputated his own dog's leg (aged 16), and he bounced back amazingly and got another 6 months of happy life. Sometimes we transfer human emptions and feelings onto dogs, and often it doesn't correlate as such. From big operations to chemotherapy, I find dogs seem to react very differently to their human counterparts.

Really hope it works out well for Molly- keep us posted!

loiner45 · 23/06/2011 11:03

I've had a dog with bone cancer - it spread very quickly. tbh I would let her go rather than put her through the trauma of surgery, recovery and then the inevitable spread of the disease. If it was an accident then I would say amputate, no hesitation.

emptyshell · 23/06/2011 11:36

minnesotagreyhounds.wordpress.com/what-to-expect-with-a-leg-amputation/

May help with what to expect regarding recovery/what wounds will look like etc. Vowed I wasn't coming back on here and only kept my acct active to PM scuttle when our new-hound finally materialises (stiiiiiillll waiting on that front)... but ok, I have an incredible soft spot for tripawd pets (having been owned by an amputee moggie for the last decade).

Having seen just how fast a three legged feline can move when the food cupboard's opened (and how it allows for the procurement of extra cuddles) - I'd do it in a heartbeat to get an extra few high quality of life months. Three legs really ain't such a big deal - although my worst nightmare IS something bad happening to one of Tripod's (not her real name and we only call her it when she's not listening) remaining legs.

GrimmaTheNome · 23/06/2011 11:45

YANBU whichever way you go. You've thought it through carefully and will be doing your best for Molly. In your position I'd give her this chance, I think.
Hope it all goes as well as possible.

(Emptyshell, good to see you... I was so sorry you had such a bad time, some of your posts have been incredibly moving, will miss you if you don't at least pop into the doghouse from time to time Smile)

Original poster
Pumpernickel10 · 23/06/2011 15:45

Sorry to hear about your dog loiner but while my Molly as fight and spirit in her we will fight this. I know it spreads rapidly but I will wait til tomorrow to see the severity of it and how it's spread. If you saw her now, ignoring the limp you'd think nothing was wrong with her.

OP posts:
Original poster
Pumpernickel10 · 23/06/2011 15:49

Thanks for the information emptyshell I will have a look, did look at some post amputation pictures and we know what to expert as we have a "tripod" jack Russell. We adopted him a week after his operation and he's amazing.
I hope you get your new hound soon :) I want to see pictures.

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ThePrincessRoyalFiggyrolls · 23/06/2011 15:54

OK, my dog had some large cancerous lumps, she is 12 and the vet said we could operate (wrapped around her ribs so quite a big op for an older dog) or we could let her be and see what the outcome was. We decided to operate, it wasn't nice or pleasant but she was happy before the op and after a couple of days was happy again. Now 3 months later (Vet said 4 months tops by the way even with the op!) the vet is astonished at how she has bounced back, they have done some chemo and steroids and bugger me she is a different dog Smile she is very hungry all the time and has taken to stealing again Blush which is cheeky but when stealing involves getting on the table to clear a bowl out we keep thinking good on her tbh!

If you can and it is covered by insurance you may well suprise yourself, do be guided by your vet though, they really are in the best position. If they are suggesting it then their must be a large possibility for a successful outcome.