Oh wow! That sounds just horrible. I too can't imagine going for the alternative.. there has to be something that can be done.

Get a second [or third] opinion!!

My RB Pepper was lame in her back leg when we adopted her.. one vet had told another prospective family that it needed to be amputated!! We went with our own vet's opinion, and believe it or not.. she lived 8 more happy years with it.