Leg Amputation

[Nita]

Does anyone have any experience with their dog having an amputation?
We recently adopted a dog from our local shelter. Sophie is a 5 year old boxer, beagle, mix. It seems she may have been injured, possibly by a car. One of her back legs is drawn up. She doesn't use it to walk or run. She does scratch with it. Our vet seems to think she would be better off with the leg amputated. We are not sure about putting her through the operation.

[Karen]

I have known a few three-legged dogs, and they did perfectly well, and didn't even seem to notice the 'missing' leg once it was healed. They seem to adjust far better than we humans! And thanks for adopting her, many people would have passed her by for just that reason!

[lvpets2002]

Yes Dogs & Cats do very well with 3 leggss.. I have 4 TriPod 3 legged cats & they do very well.. They can run faster than the 4 legged ones.. Your puppy will be just fine.. Congrats on your new baby..

I have known a few three-legged dogs, and they did perfectly well, and didn't even seem to notice the 'missing' leg once it was healed. They seem to adjust far better than we humans! And thanks for adopting her, many people would have passed her by for just that reason!

[Seravieve]

I have no experience with 3 legged dogs, but I'd like to add my 2 cents...

We were interested in adopting a 6 yr old Dalmatian from the Humane Society back in 97. We initially missed out on adopting her, due to my dad's reluctantness, and she was adopted by another family. They returned her a week later, saying that the vet they took her to said she NEEDED to have her back right leg amputated because she was lame in it. She had been hit by a car as a younger dog, the leg was never set right, and thus never healed properly. She would use it occasionally, but usually held it up. They were appalled that the HS would put a dog up for adoption in that condition.

Luckily, the HS called us and we quickly adopted her. Our vet (family friend) said there was NO reason to amputate the leg because she was in absolutely no pain. We had her (Pepper) for another 8 years.. all of which she lived on 4 legs. She did eventually develop arthritis and needed Rimadyl, but other than that, she was perfectly content with her damaged leg.

I would suggest a second opinion by a different vet...

[rutylr]

Have a friend who took one of her Great Pyreness rear legs(due to cancer).She is doing fine.
Dasiey(one of my Rottweilers) has cancer of the soft tissue by her elbow.
They told me if I take the leg and do kimo ,I might get to spend another year with her.I opted not to take the leg as the cancer is aggressive.

[Bonny]

Our neighbors sheltie had its' front leg removed as a pup. It had jumped out of their daughters arm onto the floor & shattered the leg. The sheltie lived to be 17 years old & did fine on three legs. The leg was removed from the shoulder area so there was no stub left for the dog to have to contend with.

[K9karen]

Seen 3 leggers at the dog park, and honestly, if I hadn't taken a closer look, I'd have never believed it. Same old zoomies and play
Each owner said the dog adapted well and was happy and normal. God Bless 'Em. I often thought if I had to amputate one of Logan's legs to save her life, or make her comfortable, I would.

[Nita]

We have decided against the amputation. Since she uses the leg to get in "her" chair and for scratching her ears, we are going to let her enjoy her new life like she is.
Thanks for all the input.