Is my veterenarian giving me false hope?

Question

My dog got hit by a car and they are repairing his fractured leg with pins and wire. I want to do whatever it takes to save my 2 year old dogs leg , but the vet keeps talking about amputation even though he said there is a 85 to 90% chance that the operation will be a sucess and my dog will have full and normal mobility of his leg. He also has suggested we nueter him due to his injuries from being hit by a car. We had planned on breeding him. I can accept not being able to breed him I just don't want him to go through any unneccesary pain and agony. If he needs amputation I just wish the vet would be straight with me now so we can get on the road to recovery. It breaks my heart to see my Scrappy in so much pain and hes been in the hospital for 4 days now and most likely will be there 5 more. Our family loves him so much we can't imagine life without him, but I am worried about him. I hope someone can help me out and relieve some of the worries and questions I have. I want him well.

Answer 1

Just as a human doctor the vet is obligated to give you the worst case scenario. Infection is really what you need to worry about the most. If the fracture was compound and exposed to air, infection is almost a certainty. Good Luck with your dog. I have seen many three legged dogs live very happy lives. 85%-90% are excellent odds and I doubt a vet would give those numbers to you if he thinks it will end in amputation.

Answer 2

I would imagine amputation would be offered as a cheaper alternative to having the leg repaired. If the repair is 85-90% likely to be a success, as your vet says... and if you can afford such surgery, I'd go that route. If the surgery is a huge burden to your family (ie if you can't feed your kids after paying for it), then amputation is a more affordable option. Amputees do WONDERFULLY... but it's still a last resort. A dog with 4 usable legs is always better off than a dog with three usable legs. However... IF the surgery should fail and you need to amputate anyway... that's a lot of money down the drain.

Ultimately it's your decision. I applaud you for loving your dog as a family member the way you obviously do. Many people would not be willing to put so much into "an animal". I'm like you. My animals will get whatever they need, regardless of the cost even if I have to dig into savings, etc to make it happen. Some people dont' have that option... and others dont have the heart. Your dog is lucky to have you!

Answer 3

My Heart goes out to you!!!
I'm a pet lover and an owner of a Natural Pet food store.
I'm answering you today because I had an experience almost exactly like yours.
My Chrissy a female Rat Terrier who was about two years old at the time had her foot crushed by a car that actually aimed to hit her. We were moving into our new house and she scooted under foot and out the door. We were referred by the animal emergency clinic to one of the Vets who had the reputation of being in the top two for orthopdeic surgery in the area. He did surgery like you described with pins and wire. He gave us the same prognosis that you were given in regards to a high expectation for success. He did also mention the choice of amputation instead of the surgery. He also mentioned that amputation after the fact could still be done if the surgical repair didn't take. (It's important to mention that dogs do just fine on three legs if that's what it comes down to.) Chrissy did great and she was a happy dog and great companion until we had to let her go due to the complications of old age at 16 years. She ran and walked on all fours without a limp or anything. In later years she favored her foot in cold weather and after walking a lot. I'm sure the old wound was affected by osteoarthritis. I hope this gives you some encouragement.
A couple of tips from the pet professional side of me:
Supplement with high quality Glucosamine/Chondroitin with MSM and Hyaluronic Acid. This will help the body to produce new soft cartilage in the area of the wound.
Supplement with high quality Calcium and Phosphorous to promote the bone growth and repair.
Feed Natural Food and Vitamin C.
Get Scruffy back home with you as soon as you can because the emotional trauma from being in pain and being caged in a strange place can be very hard on him and can even slow the healing process. Home, his place of comfort and the people he loves will make a huge difference in how well and how fast he heals.
Good Luck! I wish you and Scruffy all the best!

Answer 4

I suspect amputation is being considered because it is cheaper, and much easier on the animal than long-term rehabilitation of that leg. Amputation vs. rehabilitation needs to be discussed openly with your veterinarian - I can't truly understand the extent of your situation, and thus cannot give any advice.

Neutering will not cause your dog any real pain. Is the doctor suggesting it because his testes were injured, or is he worried that he is roaming for a mate (thus making being hit by a car more likely)? If the neuter is being suggested for a true physiological reason, I'd be inclined to do so.

Answer 5

The vet is being completely straight with you. The pins & needles surgery will probably work great. If, however, it doesn't, you need to be prepared for amputation. It's a scary thought, but I've known quite a few dogs who are missing a leg. Your dog will be just fine!

Also, neutering him now will cause unnecessarily pain and agony. He'll already be on pain medication, so it will be like killing two birds with one stone.

Answer 6

Neutering him would probably help, and it won't be any more pain and agony than he's going through now. He might not even notice it for a while. The technology that they have now to repair shattered bones is absolutely amazing, and your dog will probably have full or nearly full use of his leg. One thing you will need to watch is arthritis when he gets older and when it gets cold. As for amputation, dogs generally do pretty well with amputations.

Answer 7

Awrr! Thats so sweet, and your veterinarian isn't giving you false hope. Yes, it takes a long time for the operation. But that doesn't mean you won't get him back,when he says 85 to 90% chance, he means it will mostly likely work, but for litte dogs like chihuahuas (chiwawas) it will most likely not work, because they are too little, and they will bleed too much, sometimes they will be ok, they'll be in pain, but it will heal. If you have a big dog, such as a retriever, labrador, german shepard,husky etc. It will be ok. You're fine. He doesn't wanna upset you, that why he's using %. And I mean 85-90% is a good chance your do will survive. It's gonna make it. Don't worry. :) It's in safe hands now. Trust the veterinarian. :)

Answer 8

I do not think your vet is giving you false hopes. It sounds like he is trying his hardest to repair the leg, so that your dog can use it properly. If he really though amputation was necessary, he wouldn't do the surgery to fix his bones. Don't worry too much, your dog will be okay. He suggested neutering him only because un neutered dogs have a higher tendancy to roam that neutered dogs. But it is your decision on whether or not you want to do that. Good Luck, i hope your dog feels better soon!!!

Answer 9

Hey, sorry about Scrappy. Hope he gets well fast. Dogs are pretty resilient. They also seem to adapt really well to whatever limitations get placed on them. I have a dog with one eye...you'd never know. If Scappy did get the amputation, my hunch is he'd be fine and rocketing around in no time. I find most vets to be very into what they do. So trust his judgement, and if your not getting as specific an answer as you want...ask him straight up. Yer paying him enough, right?!

Answer 10

Don't amputate unless its very obvious he just isn't healing. Think about it like this - if you were in his position, and you were in a lot of pain, but someone said - I can get rid of that pain, but you'll never have a second leg again, OR, you can wait a month - treat the pain with some meds, and if all goes well, you'll still have both legs and be back to normal.

What would you pick?? - I think if a dog could decide, he'd pick waiting to see as well (unless he's just a crazy freak who likes to mutilate himself - but to each his own)