FAQ's About Amputation
My dog has bone cancer… why bother?
Amputation provides permanent, definitive pain relief. It does not cure the cancer, except in extremely rare cases. The first way to attack this disease is to address the pain. In many cases amputation actually prolongs life, because without it, the pain will eventually become unbearable and lead to a very difficult and final decision.
This disease is aggressive and ruthless. The pain of bone cancer is probably the worst pain ever. Many dogs are stoic, and don’t show how much pain they really have. Others will stop doing their favorite things, develop a limp, sleep more or show a change in appetite. The pain from bone cancer will whittle away at your dog’s spirit, while the cancer whittles away at the bone. There is a risk of fracture through the cancerous bone which is excruciatingly painful. The quality of your dog’s life will slowly decline due to pain.
Pain medications are very commonly used and may help for a while. Pain medications alone are just temporary until the pain becomes too strong or you decide on an alternate plan. There are several options for pain medications which should be discussed with your veterinarian. Amputation alone can bring back “quality of life”.
Fighting cancer is not about “how much time” will my dog have…..it is about “how much quality time will my dog enjoy”.
How do I know if my dog is a candidate for amputation?
Amputation is a major surgery. Your dog must be healthy enough to undergo any major surgery, not just an amputation. Ask your vet to assess the surgical risk, and set aside the cancer diagnosis for a minute. Consider your dog’s overall health. Does your dog have a heart, liver or kidney condition or neurologic problems? Does your dog have arthritis in his joints or spine? Is your dog overweight? If the answer to these questions is YES, then your dog may be at higher risk for complications during or after surgery. Discuss your dog’s health issues with your vet. First you must decide if your dog is a good candidate for any surgery. No surgery is without risk, but the overall risk versus benefit picture is what you are looking at.
If your dog is overweight, start a diet now. If your dog has arthritis issues, consider consulting with an orthopedist if you can. Don’t assume your dog is arthritic because of age or breed. Dogs carry approximately 2/3 of their weight on their rear legs. A dog with severe arthritis of the unaffected hip or knee may have some difficulty after surgery. Each case is different. Some dogs are not bearing weight on the cancer leg, and are getting around fine. Tying the affected limb up to assess gait is not a fair or accurate way to determine if your dog will do well on three legs.
Breed, size, age and weight alone are not reasons to avoid amputation. Many older, large and giant dogs have successfully undergone amputation.
What blood tests and xrays should be done before surgery?
If possible, blood tests to evaluate kidney and liver function, a urine test and a complete blood count should be done before surgery. A chest xray should be done as well, to determine if the cancer has spread to the lungs.
What if the cancer has spread to the lungs? Is amputation still possible?
It depends on your dog’s overall health, the size, number and the location of the metastases and how much pain your dog is experiencing. Amputation is for pain relief, and despite official statistics, it is possible for a dog to experience quality time for a while, even when the cancer has spread to the lungs.
Can my vet do the amputation? What do I need to know?
Many primary care veterinarians are quite comfortable with amputation surgery. Others might refer to a general surgeon or orthopedist. The most important thing is that you have an excellent relationship with your vet. There is no room in the management of this disease for pessimism. “Putting the dog down” is not the only way to manage this disease. Find a vet you can talk to and work with. Questions to Ask the Vet about Surgery.
What does the amputation site look like?
Look at pictures ahead of time. There will be a large incision and there may be some bruising which is normal. Sometimes there is a dressing over the wound. Immediate Post Amputation Pictures. When you first see your dog, you will be emotional. Be happy to see your dog….he will be happy to see you. Remember, dogs don’t have psychological issues with amputation…..humans do.
After a few days, the bruising will start to fade. 1-2 Week Post Amputation Pictures. The stitches or sutures usually come out 10-14 days after surgery, at which time most dogs are back to normal activity.
How can I prepare for the amputation? How long is the recovery period?
The average recovery time is approximately between 10 and 14 days. Most dogs are up and moving about the day of surgery or the next day, depending on the dog. The pain relief is so obvious that some dogs will literally be running around, even though they will require supervised rest to allow proper healing. Some dogs experience side effects to pain medications, but most recover without incident. You may need to use a sling or harness to help your dog get around, and negotiate stairs. Some dogs do well with ramps. Some dogs develop bruising or drainage from the wound. Bruising and Seromas. Many dogs are completely back to a normal activity level by the time the sutures or staples are removed. Pre and Post Amputation Tips and Guidelines.
Won’t my dog be embarrassed? I don’t want my dog to lose his dignity.
Dogs don’t see things the way we do. They know something is different, and they adapt. They shift their weight, balance their tails and move on. They learn how to climb stairs, relieve themselves, chase tennis balls, swim, jump on the couch and everything else they did before the amputation. They don’t lay around wondering about their appearance. Your dog may not be as fast, and may need some help jumping into the car, but he will still be the same dog you have always loved. Allowing your dog to live a quality life, no matter how short or long, without pain, is a very dignified thing to do.