Dog question...

Clydetz

Clydetz

Joined
Dec 1, 2001
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A friend's dog has recently been diagnosed with a bone tumor in it's leg and the specialist wants to amputate the leg. This is a 9 year old Doberman that my friend and her husband have had since a pup. They are both heart broken and may consider having 'Buddy's' leg amputated. I have already pm'd mongo and passed his information on to my friend. Here is her e-mail I just received today...

Hi Gary,

Sorry to bother you, it is Saturday and I am home.
My husband seems to have mixed emotions about letting Buddy go like this.
He's thinking about amputating his leg but he's worried how is he going to get around.
When you are on your forum would you ask if anybody had this done to their dog and how does he get around. Can a large dog manage on three legs?

Thanks for your help

Stella
 
I've seen lots of 3-legged dogs, and they seem to get around just fine.

But for a dog that's already 9 years old?

Maybe some more info would help your friend decide. Liklihood of tumors reocurring in other places, life expectency of that breed, overall health of the dog otherwise, and financial means.

A tremendous burden that I don't envy at all...
 
I personally have not had a 3-legged dog or cat. I was at the Vet's office yesterday, and they have an office "mascot" who is a German Shepherd Dog who has an amputated leg. Right front. He gets around just fine, can lay down and get up and while I did not see him run around the office, I have no doubt that he can run just fine.

What is the lifespan of the average, in good health, Dobie? If the dog has many good years left and would not be in pain after the amputation, or at least not managable pain, I would seriously consider having the leg amputated.

But each dog owner handles these situations differently. Mongo obviously will have the best opinion to offer from a medical point of view. If the owners are going to be in distress every time they see their 3-legged Dobie, and if that distress gets transmitted to their Dobie, it would not be a positive situation.

If they can accept their Dobie with 3 legs and be overjoyed with knowing they have been able to extend their dog's life by many years, then I think they should go for it.

Ultimately, of course, the decision will be their's to make.

Judy
 
Friends I grew up with had a 3 legged full grown Collie for years and years, after a car hit it.

Dog lived just fine.
 
My wife is the hospital administrator at a Veterinary Hospital. This is what her opinion is on cases she has seen over the last 14 years.... "Has the bone mass been analyzed for osteosarcoma? If this is bone cancer, what are the chances of it spreading to other organs? A three legged dog can get around fine, but the question for the veterinarian is the length of life after the amputation (if there will be any metastatic involvement-cancer spreading) to organs and if so, what will be the amount of time you will have left with your beloved pet even if you do amputate. For me this would be heart wrenching to put my dog through something like an amputation only to see them suffer with other problems soon after due to cancer. Sometimes healing doesn't go so well because of the involvement of cancer. There are some studies out now that show that not neutering a Rottweiler (other large breed) until 2 years old diminishes the chances of osteosarcoma later in the dogs life because of the testosterone being left in the animal. I know this is of no help to your friend at this point but may be something to consider if they get another doberman or large breed. If this is a benign tumor, amputation would be no problem for the dog, mobility is not the question here. It is whether the mass is cancerous. Sorry to sound so negative but I think the majority of bone tumors are malignant. When our dogs are loyal, dignified pets our utmost concern is that they do not suffer later in life. This is something that they should talk to their veternarian about. He will know how to guide them I'm sure. You must do what your heart guides you to do. Everyone handles this type of illness differently. A lot of difficult decisions lie ahead for your friends. My heart goes out to them."
 
Thank you all very much for your responses. When it comes to making this kind of a decision, it helps to get as much input as possible. Tough road ahead for 'Buddy' and his family.
 
Just heard... Buddy goes in for surgery this coming Wednesday. His Mom & Dad are praying they made the right choice. All the best to you Buddy! :thumbup:
 
We all wish Buddy a fast recovery and a long and happy life after surgery. Three-legged dogs do just fine.
 
I wish Buddy a speedy recovery! Prayers to Buddy and his parents!! I am sending healing & positive thoughts their way too.
 
Have a dog with a bad leg! He is my second three legged dog (first got hit by a motorcycle) he was fine with three and so is this one. A three legged dog is alot like having a fat wife, not alot of fun when out with friends but boy does she take care of business behind closed doors.
 
I don't have anything to add to what the others here have said but I have to say that this thread got me wondering, briefly, if we know one another. My brother's dog, a soon to be 9 year old doberman, was just diagnosed this past with a bone tumor, probably osteosarcoma pending test results, in her leg as well. The doc thinks its spreading fast. :(

Best wishes to you, your friends and their dog!
 
Man, that's terrible news. I'm sorry for all involved.

I think if you asked the dog, I bet he'd say "take the leg', I've still got plenty of walks to go on, thank you."

If the owner can manage the follow up care, I'd totally recommend having the surgery. It's important they follow up with pain/joint management after the surgery, as I'm sure the vet will impress upon them.

I've seen quite a few dogs with three legs, including a working retriever my neighbours continued using to duck hunt with. The dog seemed happy as hell to me.

To some though, it comes down to finances. If they're not going to be in for the long haul (maybe an extra hundred bucks a month on meds, and more for follow up appointments) then it may be most humane to put Buddy to sleep. I don't envy any of you. :(
 
I had a dog with three legs once, he lost the front right one as a pup when he was hit by a car (not the driver's fault). Never seemed to bother him a bit.
 
Thanks to all for the encouragement. I'll pass along this latest information to Buddiy's Mom. Rough times ahead.
 
A three leggie friend is still a friend;) My red nose pit when I found her had her uterus hanging out and needed to remove right away or she might have major problems. $1000.00 dollars later she had other problems and two years later she the most loving and greatful friend. She was very sad when Coco was laid to rest. If they can afford it go for it, they will be greatful for saving they lives.
 
SOrry I only noticed this thread now.

My parents own a medium sized dog that had a leg amputated due to a cancerous tumor that could not be removed. Entire leg, right to the top was amputated.

She was 10 years old at the time. She did great right from the start. She gets around great, no problems at all. She's 12 now and has no problems from the amputation.
 
My friend has just sent an e-mail... Buddy's operation went well yesterday and she's just waiting for the word when she can bring him home. Stella sends her thanks for all the information you gave in helping to make this a very informed decision. She seems to be feeling alot better! Thanks from me too. :thumbup:
 
Buddy came home today! He's weak and having a problem with his balance. Any one have any ideas what his Mom & Dad can do to help him recover?
 
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