I have a 12 year old Beagle Terrier mix named Phoebe that had her front right leg amputated about a month ago. She had developed a tumor on it three years or so ago. We monitored it and took her to our vet like anyone else would. It was cancer, but fortunately it did not attack her organs. The tumor grew much bigger over time and eventually we had it removed with a skin graft after. Phoebe did great with the surgery and was walking around within a month. About two years later the tumor came back and grew even faster. Once it started to affect her mobility it was time to make a decision.
Our vet warned us having it remove would only be a temporary fix and it would come back again. We decided to amputate the entire leg after talking to our vet and doing a lot of research on websites such as this one. Like everyone else who had ever visited this site we were super worried about how she would do. Phoebe is a very round dog about 3 to 5 pounds overweight with long skinny legs. She is also getting on the older side. I thought to myself, “No way will she be able to hold herself up and move around.” I was wrong.
She was pretty pathetic the first day or so. She was medicated and the anesthesia still hadn’t completely worn off but she was up and walking around within about 48 hours. She would only walk about 10 feet and would lay down to catch her breath. With a little bit of encouragement (and some bribing with treats) she got used to having only three legs. She was moving around as if nothing happened within 10 days. She is acting even younger now. She walks, runs, jumps on the couch, plays with us, and is happy as can be.
I would like to thank Dr. Adam Wright and the entire staff at Ontario Veterinary Hospital in Ontario, California. Without their help and support Phoebe might not be around today to make our lives so fun. They did a great job and we’re incredibly helpful through all of this.
To anyone who has a dog or knows someone with a dog in need of amputation, do not worry. It doesn’t matter how old, young, fat, skinny, hyper, mellow, or all around crazy your dog may be, they will do fine. They will adapt, over come their handicap, and embrace it just like you will. If it’s possible I think I love Phoebe even more…..even if she is missing a leg 🙂