My dog was diagnosed with bone cancer and my vet told me that the only way to stop his pain & buy him more time is to remove his front leg from the shoulder down. He is an American bulldog and his head and chest are massive. I am concerned that he won't be able to get around because of his front end being so much larger that his rear.
I have seen dogs with 3 legs and they seemed happy, but they were shaped more proportionatly.
Has anyone removed thier dogs front leg because of cancer or any other reason?
Was your dog able to get around and function normally?
How much time did this procedure allow your dog to live?
Was your dog happy?
I know I'll have to put him down soon but if I can have him for anther 6 months and he is not suffering, then it would be worth it.
Please tell me your experience? Every day I wait, the chance of his cancer spreading to his organs becomes greater.
I have had to many hardships this year & I don't want to say goodbye to my best friend yet...
2007-03-07 19:54:41 · 14 answers · asked by warscoob 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Just one thought, as my heart goes out to you and yours.
Dogs don't measure life by quantitiy, but by quality. Humans strive to prolong life because life always seems unfinished for us. Dogs don't have 'things' to finish..they only need to have their own needs met while they are living. They don't dream of tomorrow, but only live in the now.
Myself, I would have my dog put down in his dignity, rather than have him suffer through the surgeries and recovery with such a lack of his own understanding...and knowing that it was only for MY benefit .. I would just feel too guilty to make it worth it..
I will be praying for you both
2007-03-07 20:30:13 · answer #1 · answered by Chetco 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is hard isnt it? I have been a vet nurse and have seen this problem many times in the surgery. What you need to weigh up is, will it give your dog a better quality of life? The answer will in the short term be NO (thats how you will feel), but after the dog has healed from surgery i am sure that your dog will get around fine with only 3 legs. Dogs are very adaptable creatures, especially American Bulldogs, They are really robust.
Osteosarcomas (Bone Cancer), is a very aggressive type of cancer and yes it is very important that you make a decision very soon as they can metastasis (spread), very rapidily.
I say go for it and i agree if it gives you a few more months with your dog then do it. I have seen dogs that have got it in time to live for quite a number of years afterwards. But that has also been because it has not spread previously.
What i would ask your vet is, if he thinks this cancer is secondary or primary. I would also make sure the dog has had a chest xray to confirm the cancer has not already metastsis to the chest. If it has then you will need to make the very hard decision and put your dog to sleep. The reason for this is that any vet in his right mind would not 1. Put a dog under an anaesthetic with Lung cancer and 2. it would be really unfare for the dog to go through all that healing for it to waste away and die over the next few weeks.
Best of luck i know this is a really hard time of your life to make a decision as there is so much emotion involved but try and do what is right for your dog and not you.
Ok good luck
2007-03-07 20:18:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I was faced with exactly the same problem with my Flatcoated Retriever some years ago-an 8 year old female.
I was told that a bi-product of surgery would be that the dog would have to go on a strict diet because three legs obviously would not support the weight that four would.
After careful consideration I felt that the trauma of surgery and post op recovery coupled with a questionable quality of life and an unpredictable life expectation -when put together just didn't add up.
It was the hardest decision I have had to make but in the end I made it for the dog and said my goodbyes.
I don't have any regrets but rather look back on the good times we had and feel that at least the dog's suffering was kept to a minimum.
In the end I can only say do what you think is right for the dog-however hard it may be for you.It's a terrible decision to have to make and whichever way you decide to go I wish you good luck-there's no right or wrong way to go on this and you're in the unenviable situation of having to 'play God'.
It may help if you ask your vet 'What would you do if he was your dog?' and take on board his professional assessment when making up your mind.
2007-03-07 21:23:11 · answer #3 · answered by bearbrain 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would absolutely say to have it done.
Dogs aren't like people - they don't make such a big deal about loosing a limb and adjust very quickly. Every dog I've ever known that only had three legs was just as able to get around and have a good time as four-legged dogs. Dogs don't look at it as a "disability".
Your dog is most likely going to compensate for the missing leg by placing his other front leg more in the center when he moves - that should give him enough stability when moving around even though he's shaped differently than many other dogs.
2007-03-07 22:05:25 · answer #4 · answered by Abby K9 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm so sorry. One of my close friemds just went through something similar with her dog Rosie exceot that it was Rosie's back leg that had ti be amputated. She lived 4 1/2 months after the suurgery (of course my friend had hopedf for longer) and was happy and out of pain most of that time however the strain of carrying all her weight did injure her other back leg and she ended upm dragging her self by her front legs so I understand your concern. Probably the best source of info is your vet or a vet he suggest talking with that may know more about prognosos with a dog of this build. You might also check for Bulldog breeders and clubs on net and see if someone can tell you from experience.
My friend's vet told her that 6 mo was about the best she could hope for with Rosie but of course each dog and each situation is different so you have to weigh the costs financially and in pain for the dog and for you as well as your ability to provide the caere he needs after surgery. I am so sorry this has happenbed to your friend especially after you've had a bad year.
2007-03-07 20:11:13 · answer #5 · answered by A F 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My heart really goes out to you in this dilemma, and I know how hard it is to lose ones best friend to illness or old age. I've had 3 dogs put down (I'm 53 and had dogs since I was a little girl - or rather my parents had them).
If the dog had a chance of living several more years, I could see putting him through the agony of such an operation. Try to imagine HIS bewilderment at finding one of this front legs gone.
Surely, he will adjust, and dogs WILL live and get around, even bulldogs, but it's NOT easy for them. All surgery comes with pain and anxiety, during and after. Also, the amputation will not CURE his cancer, and so he'll live miserably as long as you make him hang on.
Can you find it in your heart to be HIS friend and let him go peacefully and with love?
2007-03-07 20:05:57 · answer #6 · answered by flywho 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have had to euthanize a couple dogs and it is difficult at any time. Six months from now it will be just as sorrowful as now. My advice is to put the Dog down now. You have no way to know just how much your dog will be suffering and has been suffering. They can't talk and tell us. Since your vet has diagnosed cancer of the bone, I can only tell you that it is very painful. Stop the pain now and let your pooch rest in peace. (hugs) If you want to do something with animals, buy a bag of pet food and take it to your local Humane society. Look at the pets while you are there and see what you could buy and bring them the next week. They are always in need of food, (puppy and kitty chow) kittly litter, plastic cage pads, flea collars, etc... It will give you a break from having a pet and you will see what good you can do for some unfortunate pets.
2007-03-07 20:50:00 · answer #7 · answered by ricketyoldbat 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I am so sorry for you and your dog, but amputating the leg will be fine. The dog will adjust and do just fine.
I have a big dog rottie shephard mix and he had to have one of his front legs amputated because of infection from neglect of previous owners and he does just fine.
He has been this way for 2 years now and acts like he has 4 legs. I would let the vet amputate it and give your dog the chance to live the rest of his life.
The vet will not suggest amputating the dog if he did not think the dog would not adjust.
2007-03-07 23:56:54 · answer #8 · answered by badgirl41 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm so sorry for your dog. But I had a dog that got hit by a car and lost his front leg. It took months for him to get used to not having it. But he finally figured it out. And we had him for many more years. He was very happy. But it was a long road to get him to this point. I seen one time a dog who had this little platform thing that his one leg stode one and it straped around him and it had wheels and he just pushed himself around with is back legs. He was going all over the place. He seemed very happy. Maybe you could look into something like that. Good luck to you and your best friend
2007-03-08 03:48:02 · answer #9 · answered by dee g 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your dog will get along fine without his leg,if it's going to save his life i would go ahead with the operation.I've seen quite a few bulldogs/pitbulls with missing front legs and they cope really well.There is also a dog in America that was born with deformed front legs and she walks on her back legs like a human does.If she can cope with only two legs im sure your dog would cope with three.He should lead a full and normal life with three legs,it should'nt be a problem to him.Also your vet know's what he is doing and wants your pet to survive this,some vets just dont give animals a chance and advise them to be put to sleep.Your dog is going to be one of the lucky ones.Good luck,i hope he gets better soon
2007-03-07 20:07:45 · answer #10 · answered by nanook570 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋