7
December
2010
December
2010
We’ve Decided to Amputate7
Abbey is a 4 year old Harlequin Great Dane and she’s having her left hind leg amputated on Thursday (December 9, 2010). She had a spinal cord stroke (FCEM) back in August and she has since regained the use of her right hind leg and bladder/bowels (thanks to much physical therapy) but the left leg never returned and she never regained feeling/nerve funciton in it. Due to lack of use, the leg has sort of fused solid…straight and un-bendable like a metal rod. The neurologist and orthopedic surgeon all said that amputation is the best option for her, seeing as how the leg is not functioning now anyway and she is just hobbling around on the other three (the “dead” leg just gets in her way). Amputation will get the “bad” leg out of her way and let her return to a normal life. I am happy that the leg is going in the sense that it will finally be out of her way and not hinder her anymore, but at the same time I am still sad for her. Sad that this had to happen to her, sad that she will only have 3 legs and life will be more challenging for her. Her wonderful spirit and love for life is still the same that it always was and the “lose” of leg that she has already suffered has not affected her (thank God), I know that the amputation will bother me more than it will bother her and I am working on that. Here’s hoping that all goes well on Thursday and she recovers quickly…her 7 month old sister (also a Great Dane) is going to be lost without her playmate while Abbey recovers!!!
Welcome and thanks for joining! We’re sorry to hear about Abby’s leg, but happy she’s recovered from her stroke.
You’ll find lots of recovery tips in Jerry’s Required Reading List, and even more tips and fast answers to the most common amputation questions in the new Tripawds e-book, Three Legs and a Spare.
PS: As a Dane lover, you may be interested in reading about Moose, the three legged Harlequin who inspired us to proceed with Jerry’s amputation.
So sorry to hear about Abbey’s troubles! It is sad that this has happened to her but I agree – I think amputating the non-functioning, and hindering, leg will improve her quality of life.
Thursday’s looming so close. I can appreciate what you must be feeling. Will be thinking of you on Thursday and looking forward to an update.
Sending healing wishes.
We’ll be thinking of you on Thurs. Hope all goes well (and hang in there!)
~Rosie and her pack
Abby, we will be rooting for you. You’ve overcome so much, we know you can conquer this too.
Good luck this week, keep us posted OK?
I have an 11 mth old aussie that had his right rear leg amputated in August due to an injury aquired prior to his being left at local shelter. He has adapted very quickly and enjoys not dragging his bad leg. He is no longer in pain and is a much happier dog. The best quote I heard was from his surgeon… “He will not feel sorry for himself so you can’t either!” Good Luck.
Thanks for the support. I’m going to remember that…”(S)he will not feel sorry for (herself) so you can’t either!” I dropped her off this morning at the hospital…we will keep everyone posted 🙂