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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to want to save our old dog...

47 replies

ChocDee · 11/05/2010 08:35

or am I being selfish?

Our wonderful, active and happy dog is 13 years old.

About 3 years ago he got knocked down by a car and broke his hind leg very badly. They had to put in a metal rod to help it heal. He was eventually (after 6 months) given the all clear; but 7 months ago the metal rod snapped in half and it turned out that the bone had not grown back at all.

We thought then that we may have to amputate but the vet said that that was not an option since his other hind leg would not be strong enough to take the weight.

So he had another major op inserting a new metal rod. That has now also snapped in half in exactly the same place...

He is in sooo much pain and a high dosage of morphine.

We have to decide by this afternoon whether to amputate the leg or put him to sleep.

The vet said that if it was her dog she would amputate - though that would not necessarily be the right decision.
She has x-rayed the 'good' leg and is now saying that it is in very good shape to support an amputation.

I am not ready to see him go. The front end of him is still perfectly ok and happy.
Everyone says that a dog will tell you when they are ready to go. I do not feel that he is telling me that at all.

But... it is my husbands dog at the end of the day. He had him looong before I came along so I feel that it has to be his decision in the end. I know what I want, and I have told him this but also said that it is ultimately his decision. We are both totally devastated at the moment but he cannot make up his mind. He hates to see Ike in so much pain.

I am not ready. But I will never be ready. And is amputation just delaying the inevitable? I just want to save him. But it has to be my husbands decision.

I just want to save him... but is that wrong??

This hurts so bad...

OP posts:

eeniemeenie · 11/05/2010 10:29

I so feel what you are going through, years ago I had a German Shepherd cross whose hind legs just went altogether and after many heartbreaking weeks we had to decide to have her put to sleep as she was completely miserable. She was my dog originally but the decision was taken by both of us, in fact I was ready to have her PTS before my DP was but I held on as I wouldn't have dreamt of doing it if he really didn't want me to, original ownership doesn't come in to it when you both love the dog. Your situation sounds completely different, if you think there is a chance that he will be OK on 3 legs then I would DEFINITELY try it, if he seems miserable after that then you can take the PTS option then but at least you will have tried. I really hope you can work things out, I wish you all the best of luck xx

Original poster

ChocDee · 11/05/2010 10:32

Oh Dark and Stormy, you just set me off blubbing again!

Bumpybeck - thank you! He IS a handsome beast {smile}

and Strawberry - thank you, it means something from a non doggie soppy person!

Curiousmama - all positive vibes greatfulle acceptedf!

And all those not mentioned by name... THANK YOU!

OP posts:

CleanHankie · 11/05/2010 10:54

We had a rescue dog that had only 3 legs. he was thrown out of a car into the path of another. The vet tried pinning his back leg several times but he kept insisting on running round on it despite being in pain. She amputated it in the end, still worried wether anyone would take in a 3 legged dog (73 responses to his pic being in the paper said otherwise). He was like a different dog afterwards and it certainly never hampered him running round. People never noticed till their dog would disappear underneath him when they went to do the "smell the bum" thing The only issue he ever had with a leg missing was scratching his ear but we soon learnt to watch his stump moving and go and scratch for him. As he was a rescue we never knew what age he was but he certainly wasn't a young un.
Our previous dog was 14 and one of his spine discs crumbled, making him virtually paralysed. We didn't think that was fair on him and his eyes told us he didn't want to be in that position, so yes he was put to sleep. Just a broken leg, I'd say go for the amputation but it is a hard decision. I feel for you I really do

eeniemeenie · 11/05/2010 10:57

Oh I have just seen his photo and he is BEAUTIFUL!!! Please keep us updated and as I for one will be wondering what is going on with you all. My 2 dogs send lots of woofs & sniffs to yours!!

Curiousmama · 11/05/2010 11:53

Thanks for pic he's gorg and very like Bella my friend's chow mix x

Original poster

ChocDee · 11/05/2010 12:37

Yay!!!

DH came home during his lunch break. He really is taking this very hard (has slept on the sofa next to the dog the past two nights). We talked and he had not made up his mind at all, and since he knew what I wanted he stated the reasons for not going through with the amputation. And I understood but god did it hurt...

But! Then I called the vet for the blood results. They have come back with the all clear - he is healthy in every other way.

I asked how long the good back leg would last if we decided to amputate - she said according to the x-ray she saw no reason for it not to last until he was goood and old and died of natural causes.

So I asked what it was about his age that put doubt on having the surgery? Well, it is risky and he might not pull through the actual surgery.

Based on that, DH has now made up his mind. We will now be the VERY proud owners of a 3 legged dog!!!

It really helped that Ike was happily gimping around and wagged his tail when he got home. And he ate some of the delicious food that I lovingly cooked him last night (only when I gave it to him mind - he is very particular sometimes and will only deign to eat treats if I am the one offering it!). We had to make do with a cold salad .

I am so happy, though I know the op will be traumatic for him. I was there last time he got out of surgery and the howl of dispair that he gave when he woke up was heartbreaking. I had to sit inside his cage at the surgery for 3 hours singing stupid made up songs until he was ready to come home. (Got some odd looks from other pet owners who were there for consultations let me tell you!) But I am happy to do it again, though I may spend the afternoon trying to learn some actual proper songs this time.

Thank you one and all for all the support - now I am going to go and book him in for surgery!!

OP posts:

Curiousmama · 11/05/2010 12:45

am over the moon. do keep us updated x

bumpybecky · 11/05/2010 13:22

awwwwwww I'm in tears (again!) reading your post!

I really hope the surgery goes well for Ike and that he's hopping around full of beans very soon

Vallhala · 11/05/2010 14:11

You've got a lot of us in tears I think ChocDee.

I hope so very, very much that Ike's surgery goes without a hitch and that he's back to good health very soon.

Give him a cuddle from a silly old fool of a dog lover from England will ya please!

darkandstormy · 11/05/2010 14:53

Best wishes to you and your lovely old dog.Lets hope we get some decent weather for his convalescence

whatwasthatagain · 11/05/2010 15:22

Glad you have decided to have the op. Hope it goes well and keep us posted.

CleanHankie · 11/05/2010 15:37

Fab news and I'm sure Ike will be bouncing around soon. Get ready to respond to the many comments of "That dogs lost a leg!" when out walking him. A gasp of horror from you and a "Well he had it when we left home. Must go and retrace our steps" never fails to raise a smile

Original poster

ChocDee · 11/05/2010 16:33

Right.

He is booked in for the op on Monday morning.

The orthopedic expert man is not too happy about doing it and wants to discuss an other option of putting the metal on the outside rather than on the inside (after he has x-rayed and examined him himself).

Lovely vet did not think that that would be a good option, but I will hear what he has to say.
She had told him that if the amputation is not a success in two months time we will reconsider that final option then. Yikes!

Thank you all once again for all the positive vibes and well wishes!
My head is now thumping with all the emotional dramas of the day!

OP posts:

Curiousmama · 11/05/2010 17:22

Will be thinking of you and Ike on Monday.

BritFish · 11/05/2010 17:40

gorgeous dog. will be sending all positive thoughts your way on monday!

my friend used to have a three legged dog who was the most beautiful, soft hearted creature you've ever met. we used to take him into town in an old buggy.

Original poster

ChocDee · 17/05/2010 06:47

Hello again!

Ike is having his op this morning. I am nervous as hell.

I know that the orthopedic surgeon may well strongly argue the case for putting him down. That will not be an easy thing to hear...

Ike (or Trike if the op goes well...) has been fairly happy the past few days. Still gets over excited when he thinks he will be coming along for a walk in the woods. Silly, silly dog...

Today is going to be hard. I am dreading the aftermath when he wakes up (fingers crossed!). We were both traumatised the last time. The vet sent him home early because there was no way that he was ever going to settle and recuperate there. I hope she decides to do the same this time.

Please send the good vibes over here - it seemed to work last time!!!

OP posts:

darkandstormy · 17/05/2010 12:33

chocdee Thinking of you and your beautiful dog, give him a kiss from me.The sun is shining so good vibes, thinking of you.Hope it goes well.

Original poster

ChocDee · 17/05/2010 14:23

Ike is home!!!

He managed to throw us yet another curveball though.

We were all psyched up for an amputation. But that turneed out not to be an option in the end. So the choices were to leave it as it was and tank him up with morphine until it healed all crooked etc, or to put in yet another metal plate.

So after 5 minutes deliberation a metal plate it is! After all that trauma and heart ache we have ended up with exactly the same dog (not exactly the same bank account though!!).

We will just have to be super careful with him from now on. Never off lead again - not even in the garden. Poor, lovable sod...

But thank you so much for the positive vibes Dark and Stormy!!

OP posts:

darkandstormy · 17/05/2010 14:51

choc dee So pleased for you and Ike,as for the cost, well it is only money at the end of the day, you have your old boy back with you.Go and get him a nice big treat, and yourself one too.

whatwasthatagain · 17/05/2010 15:21

Hi Chocdee - why after all you had been through was amputation not an option? Hope the operation was a success and that Ike makes a full recovery.

Original poster

ChocDee · 17/05/2010 15:55

I am not entirely clear as of why amputation was a no-no. We are dealing with a language barrier and there was some halting translation going on.

From what I gathered he felt that the remaining leg would not be able to take the extra strain - so even though the 'metal leg' will be weak, and may last another year or so (fingers crossed for longer with plenty of cotton wool!) it is still preferable to only having 3 legs.

It was a bit of a head spinner since the original decision was such a heart wrencher and took a while to reach. Now we suddenly had to make the leap of faith within 5 minutes!

Ike is doing well at the moment. Phew!

OP posts:

spanky2 · 17/05/2010 19:22

Saw this thread last week. I am so glad your dog is not having to be put to sleep. I fed my cat with kidney failure chicken and we ate vegetarian because we couldn't afford chicken for both of us,so it's nice to know there is another softie out there! Hope Ike gets better soon.

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