Difficult decision

bugslet

One of my mini schnauzers had a malignant tumour removed from her back leg 2 years ago. The tumour has come back in the same leg. It's a form of cancer that does not usually spread to other parts of the body.

She will be 12 in 5 weeks time. At the moment, she seems happy, eating, wagging her tail, the only obvious problems are a limp and a swelling on her leg.

The vet rang with the results of the biopsy and I am due to see her tomorrow morning. Obviously a 10 minute chat didn't cover all the details, but the basics are that because there was so much soft tissue removed in the first op, there isn't really any more to take, so it means amputating her leg and it will be removed from high up on the leg. If I don't go for amputation, then inevitably she will decline and it will be a case of giving her palliative care until I feel her quality of life has reduced to the point where it would be better for her to be pts.

I am dithering as to what to do. If she was a younger dog, then I would go for the amputation, but I feel that it is a lot to ask of her at 12. Realistically she would probably live about 2 more years, she has had a happy life so far apart from the op 2 years ago, otherwise it's been a life of sausages, walks and cuddles.

Has anyone experience of an amputation on an older dog. How did the recovery go and how well did they adapt?

In a totally non MSE way, cost is not the issue and by nature I tend to the pragmatic.

Fosterdog

I'm so sorry about the diagnosis you've had, it's a horrible position to be in.

Does she have insurance to cover the costs for whatever you decide?

Personally I would get full bloods run to find out if there could be any age related nasties that haven't shown themselves yet, this would affect the choice of whether to operate or not.

As long as the bloods came back clear I would probably go ahead with the op. If she recovers and copes well you could have a few more quality years. If she doesn't have the op and she is already starting to limp and struggle then you may have very little time left with her.

I've not had personal experience of an older amputee but the rescue I volunteer for have had quite a few of them and all have coped well after a period of adjustment, some have been fine straight away.

The hardest part for me would be that the op itself and the amount of time under anaesthetic would be a high risk for an older dog.

rising_from_the_ashes

I'm so sorry to hear this

A very hard choice

My mum's dog had a tumour removed from her leg & another on her side at the same time about 3 years ago

The side one was fine as there was plenty of tissue to get good margins - the one on the leg was much more difficult as it was muddle in with tendons etc

Mum said after the 1st op that she wouldn't put her through more surgery and, fingers crossed, she has been fine BUT it is starting to grow back now


So much depends dog to dog - Lucy (Mum's dog) was what I'd call 'left old' at 7 (after she'd had her 1st op) and my old dog, Ben, was out-walking her / had more energy than she did then the week before he died at 14

Only you will know which your dog is ..... how they would cope with recovery etc

I'd be having a long hard chat with my vet about recovery (both in terms of difficulty / time etc) and long term prognosis

Would I personally do it ...... nope, not even on my own dog who's just turned 8 - others would - there is no right or wrong decision it's what you feel comfortable doing ..... I'm afraid I know too many people who've put older animals through difficult treatment, gone through the recovery period and either lost the animal during it or very shortly afterwards.

Carer

I wouldn't do it either. Ask yourself who would you be doing it for really?
Palliative care may see her live a good long while yet.

fannyadams

how heartbreaking to have to make that decision.
I would personally go ahead with the amputation, after a very long chat with the vet about post op recovery, hydrotherapy, physio, cage rest, wound care, and all the other stuff you're worried about. Make a list if it helps.
You are the owner and have daily interaction with your dog so you will know what to do for the best.
wishing you and your 'little girl' all the best for whatever you decide.
xx

bugslet

Thanks fosterdog and rising.

I don't have insurance, but have money put aside for such occasions - I have 5 dogs and have always felt that with multiple dogs, it's as cheap to save up. Her bloods are OK apart liver count, which is at the high end of normal.

I do worry that I put her through a major op and then find she struggles to adapt and is miserable or that the cancer comes back and she only gains 6 months anyway.

I know there isn't an answer as such, but I really appreciate reading peoples' thoughts.

bugslet

Thank you carer and fannyadams. It's a 50-50 split so far!

meritaten

personally? I think putting her through the amputation at her age wouldn't be my choice. good palliative care could see her through to her end of natural life and may be kinder (IMHO) in the long run. but, it would depend on the chat with vet and both options explained IN DETAIL.

you may also want to ask vet about anaesthetics and older dogs - sometimes there are 'issues'.

bugslet - whatever you decide is going to be RIGHT - there is NO wrong decision here.

zaksmum

If at the moment she seems happy I would let her enjoy what quality of life she has at the moment.

I wouldn't put an almost 12 year old dog through an amputation.

Sorry that you have to struggle with such a horrible decision.

mtbbuxton

Is your girl healthy and happy apart from the tumour?

I know of a few greyhounds and lurchers who have had legs amputated at a similar age - one of the hounds was 13 and had a front leg amputated due to bone cancer. He made a very good recovery and had around 8 months of good quality life post-amp before the spreading cancer took him.
All the hounds I know come from multi-dog homes and the other dogs have, in the main, recognised that the amputee needed time and space.

Dogs don't have to deal with the emotional trauma involved with major surgery, they just deal with the results.
A rear leg amp is easier to adapt to than a front leg amp and in relation to their lifespan, 6 months is a long time.

If you want to know the first hand experiences of owners, have a look at this Facebook Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/tripawdsuk/

Several of my friends are members and have gained valuable advice and information to help their dogs from the site.

I was in a similar position earlier this year when my whippet had a soft tissue carcinoma removed from her front leg. Had it been necessary, I'd have opted for amputation, but that's only because I know of so many others who have gone through it and come out the other side successfully.

It isn't and shouldn't be a decision you take lightly and only you know what you can cope with on a practical level.

Good luck, whatever you decide.

M x

bugslet

Thank you meritaten, zaksmum and mtb.

mtb, that is a brilliant link. Until I looked at that I was fairly sure that I was going to go down the palliative route, but there are some amazingly happy tripawd dogs there.

At the vets this morning and we'll have a better discussion of the pros and cons. I think the next step will be a scan, whatever route I prefer, to rule out any spread.

Thank you all, it's very much appreciated.