I have a now 14 month old Border Collie that I bred. When he was 3 weeks old he was hurt when his dam jumped on top of him. My Mom was visiting for Christmas and she had taken him out of the pen and was holding him when he fell asleep in her lap. She then called his dam over to pet her, but the dam though it was an invitation to jump into her lap. All her weight landed on the pup. Frankie had lung contusions, a lumbar spinal cord injury and a shattered femur. He was very sick and couldn't even sit up, so I set a date to euthanise him if he didn't improve. He stood the night before his appointment and was a real fighter, so I decided to give him a chance.
Over the next year he saw many specialists, including a neurologist, orthopedic surgeon, nutritionist and internal medicine specialist. He has had the very best care available. However, no amount of money can fix him. His back legs are not as strong as they should be and his right femur is short and deformed. His right leg has been bothering him more and more so I have been consulting with a surgeon about the possibility of amputation.
Here comes the problem. Frankie belongs to me, I nursed him back to health, I have paid for all his vet bills, I love him very dearly and had planned on keeping him. I even got very excited by the idea of him maybe being able to work some if his painful leg is not holding him back. If my Mom had been the one to care for him I would say he was her dog. When I told my Mom tonight over dinner about possibly amputating his leg she reacted like I just told her I was planning to murder someone. I did NOT expect that reaction! I have never in my life seen her that angry! She said that he was HER dog and asked how I could even consider "hurting" him like that. I only have Frankie's best interest at heart and what she said really upset me.
I tried explaining to her that amputation would allow him to run around without being painful. Her response was to say that when she retires next year she will take Frankie and spend all day with him and that her love would be enough so that he wouldn't need to run around to be happy. Frankie is a young dog with a lot of life to live and I think that is terribly unfair and unrealistic. He is not at the point where I think the leg has to come off ASAP, but he will get to that point some day (soon) when he develops arthritis in his knee.
I am at a loss as to what to say. I was thinking that maybe some pictures of super active 3 legged dogs would help pursuade her. Does anyone have pics of their 3 legged dog working sheep? Doing agility? Flyball? Chasing frisbees?
Is there maybe a place I can take her (meet and greet event) where she can meet 3 legged dogs to see how well they cope? (We both live in MA)
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
help needed talking to family member about amputation
-
NBKSheepdogs
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2008 8:37 pm
Here's a start:
http://www.itchmo.com/three-legged-dog- ... g-dog-3375
My dog is kind of lazy when he's at home, but I do have some short videos of him swimming. He can go FOREVER....
Here's link of a video of Milo, and on the column to the right see there are a couple more (click on the bottom right "google video" and go to google video). The ones in the dog park were taken a month after amputation and the ones at the beach were 3 months after amputation
http://video.google.com/googleplayer.sw ... 0169&hl=en
Have you tried swimming to strengthen his back legs?
Karla
http://www.itchmo.com/three-legged-dog- ... g-dog-3375
My dog is kind of lazy when he's at home, but I do have some short videos of him swimming. He can go FOREVER....
Here's link of a video of Milo, and on the column to the right see there are a couple more (click on the bottom right "google video" and go to google video). The ones in the dog park were taken a month after amputation and the ones at the beach were 3 months after amputation
http://video.google.com/googleplayer.sw ... 0169&hl=en
Have you tried swimming to strengthen his back legs?
Karla
-
GabrielDeafBlindPupFamily
- Posts: 5011
- Joined: Thu Dec 11, 2003 7:00 pm
- Location: St. Helena Island, SC
It is a shock and it can seem like a very harsh decision
Please read critters link in this forum, "Without Regret".
Your mother is terrified and shocked. The worst is over, getting the idea on the table.
Whatever is best for your boy is best for all and that is the idea you have to convey to your mom.
It will take time to allow this message to seep into her brain, so work with her and encourage her to visit this board to read about the success stories.
WELCOME!
Your mother is terrified and shocked. The worst is over, getting the idea on the table.
Whatever is best for your boy is best for all and that is the idea you have to convey to your mom.
It will take time to allow this message to seep into her brain, so work with her and encourage her to visit this board to read about the success stories.
WELCOME!
Karen, Andy's ^i^ mom
Lethal White Aussies Rule!
INTERACTIVE RESCUE SITE!
http://www.s8.createphpbb.com/lethalwhiteauss/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LethalWhiteAussieRescue/
Lethal White Aussies Rule!
INTERACTIVE RESCUE SITE!
http://www.s8.createphpbb.com/lethalwhiteauss/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LethalWhiteAussieRescue/
-
NBKSheepdogs
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2008 8:37 pm
Thank you for the book idea. I will try to get her to read it.
How long do stubborn people have to get used to the idea before they accept it?
I had to put down one of my Border Collies with right atrial hemangiosarcoma 1.5 years ago that my Mom was very close to. It was extremely difficult for her that I put him down rather than letting him die naturally even though it was crystal clear it was the right thing to do. Frankie's litter had been planned for a year at that point and we went ahead with it despite Duncan's death. Puppies were a real comfort to us and brought joy back into our family. When Frankie got hurt it brought up a lot of raw emotions and Mom bonded quickly with him and prayed every night that he would pull through.
I should have said that I think part of her reaction was guilt because it was her fault that he got hurt in the first place. I don't blame her, accidents, happen, but I think she blames herself.
How long do stubborn people have to get used to the idea before they accept it?
I had to put down one of my Border Collies with right atrial hemangiosarcoma 1.5 years ago that my Mom was very close to. It was extremely difficult for her that I put him down rather than letting him die naturally even though it was crystal clear it was the right thing to do. Frankie's litter had been planned for a year at that point and we went ahead with it despite Duncan's death. Puppies were a real comfort to us and brought joy back into our family. When Frankie got hurt it brought up a lot of raw emotions and Mom bonded quickly with him and prayed every night that he would pull through.
I should have said that I think part of her reaction was guilt because it was her fault that he got hurt in the first place. I don't blame her, accidents, happen, but I think she blames herself.
Re: help needed talking to family member about amputation
NBKSheepdogs wrote: I tried explaining to her that amputation would allow him to run around without being painful. Her response was to say that when she retires next year she will take Frankie and spend all day with him and that her love would be enough so that he wouldn't need to run around to be happy. Frankie is a young dog with a lot of life to live and I think that is terribly unfair and unrealistic. He is not at the point where I think the leg has to come off ASAP, but he will get to that point some day (soon) when he develops arthritis in his knee.
.
I'm no BC expert, but everything I've ever read leads me to think he probably wouldn't be happy not to run around. I wonder if a cart (wheelchair) would be just the thing, letting him keep his leg AND run amok? Given the additional spinal cord injury, in particular, it's worth a thought.You might also want to consider having him be a Therapy Critter for one of his "jobs;" disabled ones tend to be even more popular that way.
-
NBKSheepdogs
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2008 8:37 pm
Frankie can swim for hours at a time, it's just running on dry land that bothers him. After about 15 minutes of running he will not put weight on the leg and it quivers. He knows he is more comfortable in the water. When I get out his life vest he throws himself into it and wiggles so much that I can hardly buckle it. That is how I got him walking again, swimming PT 4 times a day.
I have also been considering the cart, but BCs like to change direction fast and I think he would be tipping over all the time. I think given his personality, breed and age he would do better as a tripod.
Therapy work might be something he can do in the distant future. His lines tend to mature VERY slowly. They are very much one person dogs until they are middle aged, then they love everyone. (They are not fearful, just indifferent.)
I have also been considering the cart, but BCs like to change direction fast and I think he would be tipping over all the time. I think given his personality, breed and age he would do better as a tripod.
Therapy work might be something he can do in the distant future. His lines tend to mature VERY slowly. They are very much one person dogs until they are middle aged, then they love everyone. (They are not fearful, just indifferent.)
HI! It is a very difficult situation. I understand how your mom feels. When I first found out that our girl might have to be amputated I was horrified. Then I did some research and came on this sight and read all the inspirational stories and with each one became more comfortable with the idea. I didn't end up having to amputate but I was o.k either way. Your mom should mabey come on this sight and read the other stories, thats what helped me. You can read and have a vet tell you that they will be fine but talking to those who live with a tripod is much more comforting. Also have her ask any questios she has. She can start her own thread to talk. Good Luck:)
-
luvmytripod
- Posts: 497
- Joined: Thu Mar 15, 2007 12:54 pm
- Location: Chesterville, ON, Canada
- Contact:
Hi there,
my 14 month old german shepherd had her front leg amputated when she was 7 months old, due to a leg deformity.
Yesterday, she went for a 4km walk in the snowy woods, then ran around and wrestled with the 80lb golden retriever from next door for about 2 hours. She's got loads of energy, is very active, and very happy.
And, speaking as someone who watched a young dog trying to go through life with a "bum" leg, the surgery was NOT cruel, it was SOOOOOOO worth it for her. Her mobility is better, her comfort level is higher, she is not suffering at all. As far as she was concerned she was fully recovered from the surgery within three weeks of the amputation. Those three quiet weeks are worth every bit of the freedom and comfort she has now.
I'll be honest and say that yes, she does tire more quickly when she is doing something very high-energy (ie running), and I will never enroll her in agility or flyball simply because I am paranoid about the wear on her remaining front leg over time and therefore try to avoid high-impact activities with her. However, she lives a full, happy and active life, and so will your pup if she has the surgery.
Many people are initially horrified by the notion of an amputation, and it's because they impose their own ideas of how THEY would feel (the discomfort, the physical appearance, worrying about what others would think). The truth is, dogs heal ridiculously quickly after amputation despite it being a major surgery, they could care less about what other people think about how they look, other dogs don't care how they look, THEY don't care how they look, and they adapt far faster than you or I could ever dream of adapting. Your mom will probably change her mind once she sees how well your dog is doing post-op...
my 14 month old german shepherd had her front leg amputated when she was 7 months old, due to a leg deformity.
Yesterday, she went for a 4km walk in the snowy woods, then ran around and wrestled with the 80lb golden retriever from next door for about 2 hours. She's got loads of energy, is very active, and very happy.
And, speaking as someone who watched a young dog trying to go through life with a "bum" leg, the surgery was NOT cruel, it was SOOOOOOO worth it for her. Her mobility is better, her comfort level is higher, she is not suffering at all. As far as she was concerned she was fully recovered from the surgery within three weeks of the amputation. Those three quiet weeks are worth every bit of the freedom and comfort she has now.
I'll be honest and say that yes, she does tire more quickly when she is doing something very high-energy (ie running), and I will never enroll her in agility or flyball simply because I am paranoid about the wear on her remaining front leg over time and therefore try to avoid high-impact activities with her. However, she lives a full, happy and active life, and so will your pup if she has the surgery.
Many people are initially horrified by the notion of an amputation, and it's because they impose their own ideas of how THEY would feel (the discomfort, the physical appearance, worrying about what others would think). The truth is, dogs heal ridiculously quickly after amputation despite it being a major surgery, they could care less about what other people think about how they look, other dogs don't care how they look, THEY don't care how they look, and they adapt far faster than you or I could ever dream of adapting. Your mom will probably change her mind once she sees how well your dog is doing post-op...
I have a border collie. I posted some photos of him to show he is very happy with 3 legs.
When I adopted Rhys in March his back leg had been injured and unsuccessfully repaired.
The leg didn’t bend, was painful and prevented him from running. Here he is hopping.
The leg was amputated to improve his quality of life.
Here he is running 6 weeks after the amputation.
He loves to run.
He and our other dog playing.
He's a happy boy.
When I adopted Rhys in March his back leg had been injured and unsuccessfully repaired.
The leg didn’t bend, was painful and prevented him from running. Here he is hopping.
The leg was amputated to improve his quality of life.
Here he is running 6 weeks after the amputation.
He loves to run.
He and our other dog playing.
He's a happy boy.
-
GoingMyWay
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Wed Feb 20, 2008 7:34 pm
- Location: Central Wisconsin
Tough Situation
Hi!
I adopted a amputee Lab from our local humane society. Before his surgery, Yogi had a badly mangled forleg - apparently he had gotten hit by a car and his previous owners didn't do anything because he could no longer be "a good hunting dog." Poor Yogi was dragging along his injured foot for 2 years, and while he was still active, he was in quite obvious pain and acted much older than a 3 year old should. Luckily, the humane society was able to raise enough money through donations to perform the surgery.
My husband and I picked up Yogi only 2 weeks after his surgery (he still had stitches!) and the change in him was amazing!!! He was already very stable on his three legs and was a ball of energy! He ran with me for nearly a mile before I could even get him in the car.
Yogi has been with us now for 4 months and he is an extremely active dog! We walk about a mile a day, and fill in the other time with playing frisbee in the yard. He can run at a full out sprint and you don't even notice that he only has 3 legs! Since getting our pup we have received both positive and negative feedback about him being an amputee. While some people admonish us for being cruel to him for allowing him to have the surgery, other commend us for taking in a "less then perfect" dog.
In any case, I think that the best decision in Yogi's life was to have the surgery! He enjoys his life now, which is something that I don't think he did after his accident and before his surgery. And by the way - he's also working as a therapy dog for a boy next door who is in a wheelchair do to a birth defect. He and Yogi play fetch together in the yard! His father tells us that our pup has been an inspiration because he says, "Look what Yogi can do with a missing leg - he can do so much! I have both of mine, so I can do anything!"
Hope it helps!
-Amy
I adopted a amputee Lab from our local humane society. Before his surgery, Yogi had a badly mangled forleg - apparently he had gotten hit by a car and his previous owners didn't do anything because he could no longer be "a good hunting dog." Poor Yogi was dragging along his injured foot for 2 years, and while he was still active, he was in quite obvious pain and acted much older than a 3 year old should. Luckily, the humane society was able to raise enough money through donations to perform the surgery.
My husband and I picked up Yogi only 2 weeks after his surgery (he still had stitches!) and the change in him was amazing!!! He was already very stable on his three legs and was a ball of energy! He ran with me for nearly a mile before I could even get him in the car.
Yogi has been with us now for 4 months and he is an extremely active dog! We walk about a mile a day, and fill in the other time with playing frisbee in the yard. He can run at a full out sprint and you don't even notice that he only has 3 legs! Since getting our pup we have received both positive and negative feedback about him being an amputee. While some people admonish us for being cruel to him for allowing him to have the surgery, other commend us for taking in a "less then perfect" dog.
In any case, I think that the best decision in Yogi's life was to have the surgery! He enjoys his life now, which is something that I don't think he did after his accident and before his surgery. And by the way - he's also working as a therapy dog for a boy next door who is in a wheelchair do to a birth defect. He and Yogi play fetch together in the yard! His father tells us that our pup has been an inspiration because he says, "Look what Yogi can do with a missing leg - he can do so much! I have both of mine, so I can do anything!"
Hope it helps!
-Amy
GoingMyWay!! What a great story about Yogi and your neighbor; thanks for sharing it!! 