Dog Front Leg Amputation

[Myfairlady]

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Hi guys, I am new to the board and hope someone can help me. Please excuse the seriousness of the post (I'm so emotional right now, having spent the entire day crying over the results of my dog's biopsy).

Long story short, I have a 10 year old Staffordshire Bull Terrier (who is the absolute love of my life!). His paw was extremely swollen 4 weeks ago and after x-rays and ultrasound my vet came to the conclusion it was a torn muscle. After a few weeks rest and light exercise it seemed better. last Friday for no apparent reason it became extremely swollen and tender and after a referral to a specialist for an MRI the results came back as cancer.

Preliminary results are that its originating from a nerve or muscle and is confined to the leg (front left). Vet has told me that further results will tell us how aggressive the cancer is but he is optimistic it wont have spread to the rest of his body.

I have to consider two options. THe first is that he can attempt to remove some of the cancer (he isn't sure how much use of the leg he will have as the cancer is quite aggressive)..he would then need radiotherapy and he cant guarantee that it won't return.

THe other option is amputation.

Okay (takes a deep breath), can anyone offer me any advice. The final results will come through on Tuesday and I have till then to mull it over.

All I want is what's best for my dog. I just want a healthy, happy dog and if amputation is the way to go then I will get him through it. I hate the thought that I go with the surgery option and then it returns and he has to go through it all over again.

Any advice gratefully received (I did find one post which was extremely helpful but just wanted to see if anyone else can offer some words of wisdom.

Happy Christmas everyone.

 

[Hula]

Hi there,

I'm a vet and am actually Hula's daughter, but I'm home for the holidays, and was really touched by your very sad post. I'm so sorry to hear what has happened.

Obviously I have not seen the results of the diagnostic tests your dog has had, but I would say that if it is a tumour that spreads readily locally, but not to the rest of the body, it sounds to me like amputation might be the option that I would go for, if I was in your position - if there is a way to get rid of the whole tumour, I think I would go for it. Dogs tend to do really well after amputation - they are great at just making the best of things - and although staffies are quite stocky with a lot of weight over their shoulders, they also have optimism and good spirits in abundance!

But if you were my client, I would tell you to give the options a lot of thought, and do exactly what you think is right for you and your dog, and that I would support you wholeheartedly whatever you decided to do -so please do exactly that. I replied tonight because I was so sad for you, and you were looking for help - but it's got to be your own decision.

Take care, I'll be thinking of you both :huggles:

 

[FeeFee]

I can't offer any medical advice, but I really feel for you having to make such a difficult decision. I've known quite a few tripod dogs, and they have all adapted amazingly well, so if that turns out to be the best course of action for your dog I'm sure he will learn to cope.

Whatever you decide I hope all goes well for you and your dog :huggles:

 

[June Jonigk]

There's a few people on K9 who have gone through this before, and I know they will be here to offer help and advice to you at some time. Of course it may be a bit quieter on K9 over the next few days. Like Hula's daughter says, dogs do very well on 3 legs, and are amazing at recovering from the op - they don't sit around feeling sorry for themselves like we probably would, they cope amazingly.

Whippets4eva (Sonia) on here went through the same with her whippet about 15 months ago. Here daughter xxwhippetloverxx (Emma) tells the story from here

http://www.k9community.co.uk/forums/index....topic=37435&hl=

If you click on the name of anyone in the forum, it takes you to their profile, and from there you can click on read members topics. The story of Jesse continues, and also Sonia continues to write too.

I have to tell you that Jesse did eventually get secondaries in his lungs, and they lost him, but he had a very happy year following his amputation, and chemotherapy and Sonia and Emma said they would do the same all over again. Jesse was 9 when he was diagnosed. I had the pleasure of meeting him, and seeing him chasing a ball on a rope, every bit as speedy as a whippet with 4 legs. I hope their story will be a comfort to you, in the making of the decision at least. Although their story did have a sad ending, they had as much pleasure from owning Jesse, as he obviously had from being owned by them.

I wish you lots of luck for whatever lies ahead :huggles: :luck: :luck: :luck:

Edited to say I shouldn't have forgotten Dave, Sonia's husband in this story, he was always in the background and a huge support to them too :huggles:

 

[trac]

There's a few people on K9 who have gone through this before, and I know they will be here to offer help and advice to you at some time.  Of course it may be a bit quieter on K9 over the next few days.  Like Hula's daughter says, dogs do very well on 3 legs, and are amazing at recovering from the op - they don't sit around feeling sorry for themselves like we probably would, they cope amazingly.
Whippets4eva (Sonia) on here went through the same with her whippet about 15 months ago.  Here daughter xxwhippetloverxx (Emma) tells the story from here

http://www.k9community.co.uk/forums/index....topic=37435&hl=

If you click on the name of anyone in the forum, it takes you to their profile, and from there you can click on read members topics.  The story of Jesse continues, and also Sonia continues to write too.

I have to tell you that Jesse did eventually get secondaries in his lungs, and they lost him, but he had a very happy year following his amputation, and chemotherapy and Sonia and Emma said they would do the same all over again.  Jesse was 9 when he was diagnosed.  I had the pleasure of meeting him, and seeing him chasing a ball on a rope, every bit as speedy as a whippet with 4 legs.  I hope their story will be a comfort to you, in the making of the decision at least.  Although their story did have a sad ending, they had as much pleasure from owning Jesse, as he obviously had from being owned by them.

I wish you lots of luck for whatever lies ahead  :huggles:   :luck:   :luck:   :luck:

Edited to say I shouldn't have forgotten Dave, Sonia's husband in this story, he was always in the background and a huge support to them too :huggles:

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june you have put that so well :huggles:

 

[Myfairlady]

Wow, thank you all so much for taking the time to reply to me, I'm flattered that you would do this on Christmas eve.

Hula's daughter...thank you! Its nice to hear from a vet that dogs do well after amputation and that you sound very positive about it. My worry is that he is a very muscular staffie and most of his weight is at the front. But like a typical terrier he has will and determination like I have never seen before.

Fee fee, June and Trac, thanks also for your posts. I did read Sonia's story last night and a very positive one it was.

I guess for me, I'm concerned that at 10 the op would be hard for him...although he has to have an op whichever way we look at it. I'm also concerned that if we go for just surgery that the cancer cannot be completely wiped out and will spread.

I just want whats best for him. Because Ive been referred to this specialist I don't know him like I know my vet so will probably feel happier once I have been able to speak to her. Im looking for someone to tell me what to do but I know it has to come from within. I just get so sad looking at him right now and the tears are never far away...not the way I imagined spending Christmas with my 17 month old but there you go...life has a way of throwing you a curve ball doesn't it!

Thank you all so much for your support. I'm glad I stumbled across the board.

I will keep you all updated and hope that once I get the final results I can bounce it off you guys.

Merry Christmas everyone.

 

[jinnyfizz]

I feel very proud to be a member of K9 when I see how thoughtful and kind my friends are in posting to help alleviate some of the grief you must be feeling :huggles:

I hope we can continue to support you, whatever route you decide to take, and I am sure we will all be waiting for the final test results when they come through.

In the meantime, chin up and enjoy your Christmas We have a habit of thinking the worst, I know I do, but the one thing which dogs are blessed with is instinct rather than knowledge. So, he doesn't know what is wrong but he will feel your emotion and that is why you must be positive - then he will feel happy

When you have time, maybe you could post a picture of your boy. Would love to see him :thumbsup:

:huggles:

 

[Myfairlady]

Jinny, many thanks for the kind words. And yes, I feel so lucky to have stumbled across so many kind and understanding people!

Well Christmas is over (huge sigh of relief) and I can now get on with looking after my boy. He has been very quiet and docile and limping around when he does get out of his bed. I am trying to be positive around him but find it hard because I feel so very sorry for him. But as you rightly said Jinny, he is blessed with instinct and not knowledge and he does pick up on my emotion for sure. Just hard to keep positive around him knowing I have to make a huge decision either way about his leg.

There seem to be a lot of whippet's and greyhounds on this board....do you allow Staffordshire Bull Terriers?

Will go and read up on how to post pictures and then will get some on there so you can see my baby.

 

[jinnyfizz]

Well done for coping over Christmas :thumbsup:

As you say, now you can devote your time to making

life better for your boy .........

And yes, of course staffies are welcome!!!

 

[affieluver]

hi im very sorry to read your post but do try and keep your spirits up animals do adapt very well my cat was in a road accident last august and had to have his front leg amputated due to severe nerve damage and the day after the op was promptly jumping on the sofa even though he wasnt allowed :sweating:

and a few months down the line is really no different than he was before good luck i really do know how you feel i went through so many emotions making a decision for max but dont regret having the leg off at all good luck with whatever you decide please keep us updated thinking of you kelly xxx :thumbsup: :huggles:

 

[Myfairlady]

Thank you Kelly. It really helps to hear others stories. I am concerned that being 10 he will find it harder to recover, but I don't think we have the luxury of choice. I just wish it didn't all fall on my shoulders..would be much easier if he could tell me what to do!!!

You talk of the emotions involved and I can relate totally. I am sure that some of my family members think I am crazy...I keep bursting into tears when I think about it. I know its not helping him at all but I just feel so desperately sad for him. I love the little guy so much and really don't want to lose him

Thanks once again for your support. I will keep you updated. It really helps to know I can talk on here without people thinking 'its only a dog'!

 

[~Annie~]

Making any either/or decision about treatment for a sick canine friend is hugely difficult and deciding whether to consider amputation or not is about as difficult as it gets so it's not surprising that you feel as emotional as you do. I can only reiterate what others have said ... dogs do cope remarkably well after a limb amputation. If your lad is otherwise fit and healthy then I doubt his age will make too much difference ... he might not adapt as quickly as a younger dog but I'm sure he will adapt. Good luck.

Annie

PS What's his name, and any chance of a picture?

 

[Myfairlady]

Thanks Metalchicken. My boy is called Arnie and the vet said but for his cancerous leg he is otherwise fit and healthy. So, fingers crossed he will be okay. He is a real tough boy and even though he's barely walking on the bad leg, I just watched him tear his way up the garden after a plane which was a good few thousand feet up! Bless him!

As for pics, I can't work out how to post them! Am I stupid? I tried to put one in my signature but it says it is too big..how did you all get your pics on there?

 

[FifeJillandIan]

Welcome to K9 - I hope some of the advice you've had will help to make the decision a bit easier for you. Sending lots of positive thoughts in your and Arnie's direction and good luck with whichever option you go for :luck:

You might find it easier to post photos directly from Photobucket as you can re-size your image when you upload to Photobucket.

Jill

 

[Myfairlady]

Thank you FifeJillandIan...I am going to wait to hear from the vet on Monday or Tuesday and ask him what he suggests is the best for a positive outcome. My guess is that amputation is best but I will wait and see.

Thank you for the photobucket tip. I managed to do it!!!!

 

[jinnyfizz]

Arnie is a very handsome boy :thumbsup:

Well done on posting the pics

 

[Hula]

Arnie is gorgeous :wub:

 

[trac]

Arnie is gorgeous,i love his spotted tummy :wub:

 

[kita]

Found this video on youtube of a 10 year old three legged staffie, thought you might find it helpful to see how well they cope:

They are not the best quality video's but the dogs do seem to be enjoying themselves!

Sue

 

[Myfairlady]

I probably need to state here that I don't dress him up all the time and he doesn't drink beer!

Kita, thank you so much for finding the videos for me. It's great to see that it is possible for them to cope.

Just had a chat with my vet and discussed the options. She has known him for many years and said in her opinion he will cope if that is what I decide. So, now just waiting for the specialist to call me with the definitive results.

Thank you all again for the wonderful support, I feel like I have some very special friends here :huggles: