My dog was shot on top leg.should we remove it or is it ok to see if it will ever work after calcium builds?,?

Question

The shot went through the upper part and can only be fixed with complete reconstruction and about 1000.00 but we know this will not work for her because she is a herding/pack operating dog. The vet said to either amputee it but that will cause severe pain due to the nerve endings being cut. VS just waiting and letting a calcium ball build there are maybe she will be able to walk with it later on, with a limp, or maybe she won't ever use it again. She is only about 5-6 yrs. and is a lover dog. Border Collie type.. We feel so terrible for her, and we thought we would just put her down, but when I got there I just saw in her eyes she was not ready to go yet. I wanted to give her a fighting chance. Did we do the right thing?

No this is not bogus...i totally wish to never have to ask a question like this. The shot was a 22 we think and it shattered to most upper part that is actually up in the chest area. That is why we can't put anykind of splint on it. There is still shot pieces in there but he said the wound was pretty clean/ cotterized, part would have to be ordered and there really is no real bone left to stretch and put back together according to the xrays. She was staying with my other dog at my mom and dads in a country community, some a**hole shot her from behind..just missing her chest as the exit. I just don't know what to do if she stays in too much pain. We will just see what happens, thanks to everyone for your great answers and prayer...Her name is Maria.

Answer 1

Our dog Holli was hit by a school bus and her leg was all but torn off. We were encouraged to amputate ,but she was barley a year old. We opted to do ALL we could to save her leg. She did not use the leg (well a little bit) for over a year. But miraculously after an unrelated session with Cesar Millan she began to use the leg again. She has been using it ever since.It's by no means 100% but it beats no leg at all. We are very happy we saved the leg. You can always amputate later, but you can't replace it once it's gone.**I would also recommend talking to a *Surgical Specialist* if you've only talked to your regular vet. There may be something that can be done that a 'General Vet" can't do.

Answer 2

A friend of mine has a border collie who had a similar experience, was found as a stray with what was thought to be at least a 3 day old gun shot wound. The vet we work for amputated the leg, and he did great. He actually went on to become a fly ball champion, and worked daily as a goose herding dog, lived for 9 years (he was about 4-5 when found). Remember, dogs are extremely resilient, and they dont have the emotional stigmata of being "crippled" that people do, they just dont think that way. Most dogs acclimate to being 3 legged very well, they typically dont let it slow them down. I would recommend amputation over waiting, if she never uses it the leg, it will atrophy, drag on the ground, be prone to sores and infection and you may end up having to amputate a year or two down the road anyway.

Answer 3

My BF's dog was shot in the leg by a**hole neighbor,he was just a puppy,so any way it was buckshot so the leg was shattered and full of bb's.Anyway we choose to have the leg splinted and let heal on it's own.Well all was fine for about a year and we started noticing mood changes and he became aggressive and eventually bit someone.We thought that he was in pain and we eventually had to have him put down.Making a long story short,The leg did heal,he had a limp,he really didn't use the leg at all and maybe it would have different if we had it amputated.But you just don't know whats going to happen,you can see how she's doing if it's healing good let it heal if it looks like she's having a problem have it amputated,dogs do just fine on 3 legs,I think it bothers us more than it bothers the dog. Your dog will be in my prayers. God Bless

Answer 4

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RE:
My dog was shot on top leg.should we remove it or is it ok to see if it will ever work after calcium builds?,?
The shot went through the upper part and can only be fixed with complete reconstruction and about 1000.00 but we know this will not work for her because she is a herding/pack operating dog. The vet said to either amputee it but that will cause severe pain due to the nerve endings being cut. VS...

Answer 5

I have let a friend that I trust and that my dog loves take my dog two years in a row for 3 weeks each time to run my dog at an agility show that entertains thousands of people. I know my dog loves working and with working with her so I have no problem with it in this case. A lot of people I think worry that there dog wont come back the same,but I feel I have a better more well rounded dog. He is happy and healthy and next week I am off to a agility trial with him. In your case if you don't trust the person or what could happen then the answer should be no.

Answer 6

My dog has been sick for a while and she is a lot older then your dog, we took her to the vet to put her to sleep but when we got there we also didn't see in her eyes that she was ready so we have her on medicine and are hoping that all will work out. I would say you did the right thing you'll know in your dogs eyes when she is ready to go. Does the vet think the bullet may work it's way out over time? I would just see how she does she might just surprise you. Good luck and I wish for the best for your dog

Answer 7

The last dog I fostered had lost one of its back legs, and you would never know it was missing. Ask your vet, but most likely he will suggest amputation if the leg will not be functioning again. Just make sure you let a VET do it, and help you decide. All I can say is 3 legs or 4, dogs are just fine.

Answer 8

Wow, I am very glad you didn't put her down. There's no reason, she can still live a full life!

Yes amputation is painful, but it heals. There are plenty of dogs that have lived a happy life on 3 legs. But if there's a chance she may walk again, even with a limp, let it heal. Worse comes to worse, if it heals in a way that is too painful and her quality of life goes downhill, then you can amputate.

Answer 9

I'm likely going to vet school next fall and one of the vets I shadowed with said that the good Lord gave dogs three good legs and a spare. It can still be a working dog, even on three legs. They can still get around very well. I'd avoid having my dogs shot in the first place...

Answer 10

If waiting and trying calcium is an option and you can't afford surgery then wait. You can always amputate later. In the meanwhile you could call around and see if you can either find veterinary care you can afford, and/or see if the breed club will help you out with the vet bills.