Amputation scheduled! Partial for prosthetic?!?!
Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 12:34 pm
My dog is scheduled for a left forelimb amputation on Tuesday. She is a 14 y.o. red-nose pittie who was just diagnosed with osteosarcoma of her distal radius yesterday. The oncologist recommended amputation and radiation (no metastizing visible in the radiographs). It occurred to me last night that, if her humerous were left in tact (everything removed below her humerous), she would have a base to fit a prosthetic leg. I feel that this would be a better option as it would be less taxing on her bones, joints, and muscles as she wouldn't have to compensate for the missing leg. I want what is best for my friend and am trying desperately to reach my oncologist to find out if this is an option. Unfortunately, the office was unable to provide me with a direct contact number so I emailed him and am hoping for a speedy response. In the meantime, any insight would be desperately welcomed. Should I leave a stump to fit a prosthetic or go with the full amputation. Worried if fully amputated that a compensation injury to a remaining leg would spell death for my pup. Please help.
Hmm. Prosthetics can be problematic as well, but none of mine have ever used them. Have you looked at prosthetics, such as price, availability, etc? Sometimes places that make human prostheses are willing to help, and being able to go to a local source for fit problems or whatever may be superb. With that said, when I had a cat who needed a splint, a local joint SAID it was willing but then wouldn't do the work, and after weeks and weeks I picked it up and moved on to a mail order place.