Info needed on how a puppy adjusts to rear leg amputation

Please post questions about pets who are expected to undergo amputation or who have already undergone amputation here, as well as pets born with missing or incomplete limbs.
Post Reply
LynnJ
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Dec 27, 2022 1:49 pm

Info needed on how a puppy adjusts to rear leg amputation

Post by LynnJ »

Hi Everyone, I have a male German shepherd puppy that lost his back right foot during whelping. My vet has advised to amputate. My hopes are that some of you can tell me your thoughts on your experiences as they grow and adjust. I sure would love to hear your thoughts.
User avatar
CarolC
Moderator
Posts: 13698
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2003 7:00 pm
Contact:

Re: Info needed on how a puppy adjusts to rear leg amputation

Post by CarolC »

Hi LynnJ,

:group:

I'm not sure if the foot is totally gone or only partially. These are a variety of experiences from different angles. Even though 3-legged dogs do well, amputation is not always the only choice available. It is good to consider all angles, such as reconstruction or orthotics, as well.

There was a boxer puppy here who lost a foot because someone put a rubber band around it, it got gangrene, and she chewed it off. They did reconstructive surgery and saved the foot.

http://www.handicappedpets.com/gallery/peg10/index.htm

The owner was told to let the dog play to develop a callus and toughen it up.

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=2294

Here she posted at 6 months saying Peg was doing fine, then sometimes the paw would start bothering her for several days at a time. I don't know what the longterm outcome was. I think I would have tried a boot to cushion it.

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=2669&p=11885#p11885

This is Hoppy, who is also missing a hind foot. They made a custom boot for him which worked well.

http://www.handicappedpets.com/gallery/hoppy0105/index.htm

There are many veterinary O & P (orthotics and prosthetics) companies that can work with you and your vet long distance to create foot protection, if you want to save the foot. One that has been in business for many years (since 2003) is Orthopets.

https://www.orthopets.com/products/prosthetics

This company has some good videos.

https://mypetsbrace.com/prosthetics



You can find more companies by googling "veterinary orthotics", and possibly adding your state/province or city. Sometimes makers of human orthotics will also enjoy working with dogs. It's convenient when you find a local O & P that can work directly with your baby.

Depending on how the foot is, possibly a regular dog boot would be enough protection to cushion the foot, and easy to replace as your puppy grows.

I would take into consideration that German Shepherds can get hip dysplasia like other large breeds. So having the dog bear weight on one hind leg could affect the hip. I don't know how well they can evaluate the hip of a small puppy, but if it is possible then I would want them to check and see how good his hips are. Something they do with adult dogs is to put the one leg up in an Ehmer sling and see how well the dog bears weight on the remaining leg. Or possibly you have information about the hips on his parents. However, the good news is that dogs with 3 legs usually do just fine. A dog carries about 60% of weight over the front legs and 40% over the hind legs, so losing a hind leg is easier.

Here is a dalmatian who had a rear amputation at 2 years old. When the dog was 13, they determined that years of centering the hind leg had caused a twisting in the spine and the dog was now becoming weak in the rear. Something to consider is that rear weakness is common in many senior dogs, so it's a question how much of it might have happened anyway.

viewtopic.php?p=53296

If you've already decided, then here are some links related to amputation.

There is a forum dedicated to 3-legged dogs. I think since they focus on amputation, you will find a lot of positive stories and outcomes.

https://tripawds.com/forums/

They make a special amputee harness for dogs if you find you want one at some point (for example for icy pavement). I think most dogs don't need one, but it's good to know.

https://www.walkaboutharnesses.com/prod ... s-back-end

These are some really good tips before and after amputation.

https://bonecancerdogs.org/main/document/32

Here are pictures of a dog running like the wind only 6 weeks after amputation.

viewtopic.php?t=8773

My only personal experience with amputation is with a small dog. She lost a hind leg to gangrene when she was a few weeks old. (Her feet were scraped up and they apparently didn't do the bandaging properly.) She has a condition similar to spina bifida that makes her dual incontinent and affects her mobility. By the time I adopted her at 7 months old, I noticed something was off with her remaining hind leg. The vet did x-rays and discovered her hip was broken. It had probably been like that for months but went unnoticed with everything else she had going on. I then had the choice to let them amputate the remaining hind leg, or keep it and do an FHO. I chose the FHO and haven't regretted it. She uses the hind leg we saved to help with her mobility, and also to scratch her neck, which must be awfully satisfying. I think we did the right thing for her. Each case is different.

Personally, if I could save the foot with surgery or a boot, I'd try that, but it's only my opinion. They say you can always amputate later. It might be worth getting a second opinion from another vet or a specialist if you can afford it.

It would be wonderful if you could update what you decide and how it turns out. Your information may help another puppy someday. :)
User avatar
critters
Founding Member
Posts: 14362
Joined: Sat Apr 28, 2001 7:00 pm

Re: Info needed on how a puppy adjusts to rear leg amputation

Post by critters »

:whale: I can't add anything to that. I've never done prostheses for amputees, but I've been the splints and shoes route for spinal cord injuries.
Post Reply