The Wonder of a Three-Legged Dog
Faced with a leg amputation to treat bone cancer, dog owners can experience trepidation over their pooch’s outcome. This scenario is playing out for one couple at my practice who’s six year old golden retriever, named Goldie Hawn, has been diagnosed with bone cancer in her left femur. Given their amazing ability to walk on three legs, amputation is the treatment of choice. Amputation will at least provide palliative treatment of her tumor and at best a cure. Amputation is permanent which makes the stakes even higher. Goldie’s owners have that knot-in-their-stomach nervousness but a little education can alleviate some fears.
From a veterinarian’s perspective, it’s easy to discuss the surgery, recovery time, and varying anticipated outcomes following a leg amputation. What we aren’t always ready for are those questions regarding specific parts of the dog’s quality of life. I smiled as Goldie’s owner asked how she would be able to “squat to pee” and if she would “have a stump”. I walked them through preoperative and postoperative care, glancing over the surgery itself when they told me they couldn’t handle the details. I recommended they watch videos on youtube.com of three-legged dogs to get an idea of what to expect. Knowledge is power.
Dogs never cease to amaze me with their ability to cope. Many dogs swiftly adapt to their tripod status. It seems hind leg amputees ambulate better than fore leg amputees but both still motor along with the best of them. Check out these videos!
