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Amputation

Hi,

We have just been told yesterday that our lovely Lola ( previously called Brenda- adopted 19 months ago)is to have her front left leg amputated next Wednesday as they found some malignancy in her bone on ct scan. We are devastated. I wonder if anyone can give us any tips at all on what to expect and anything we can do to help her recovery.

Many thanks in advance,

Ruth and family

Re: Amputation

Sorry to hear your news. X

Re: Amputation

I am so sorry to hear this Ruth. We have had two Greyhounds with bone cancer, so know exactly how you and your family are feeling just now. Our two did not get their legs amputated, as our vet did not recommend it for them, as it is not usually a cure for cancer in Greyhounds, but it can extend their lives by quite a few months. The GRF had a little dog who had her leg amputated and she did very well and lived quite a long time afterwards. I think it all depends on how old the dog is, and how advanced the tumour is. We read everything there was to know about bone cancer in Greyhounds on the internet, especially on Professor Noel Fitzpatrick, the Supervet's website, who has his own specialist cancer unit.

If you could maybe speak to Celia and Jimmy for advice on the aftercare for Lola, they will be the best people to help you, having looked after thousands of Greyhounds in their care.

Lots of us on this forum have been through what you and your family are going through just now and we will all be here for you, during this very worrying time. They are all good people on here and we all love Greyhound very, very much and hate to hear of any Greyhound being ill. I do not know what I would have done without their support, when our Greyhounds had cancer.

Give Lola lots of cuddles from all of us on here and tell her we will all be thinking about her on Wednesday and wishing her well. Keep in touch here, to let us know how she is getting on after her operation.

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I know of a greyhound, Zeta, who made a brilliant recovery after front leg amputation following a bone cancer diagnosis. She is thriving cancer-free after nearly 2 years and gets checked by the Dick Vet on a regular basis. If it is caught early enough, the cancer can be cured by amputation but it depends how quickly the problem is diagnosed and treated.
Zeta races around on her 3 legs with no hint of a problem but she appears to be quite an exceptional case so we have everything crossed that Lola will be equally fortunate. I'm sure the amputation in itself will be something she will readily adapt to.
Best wishes to you all.

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Thanks for your kind words, thats reassuring

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Greyhounds sadly seem prone to bone cancer often in the legs.

I have friends that have had dogs with bone cancer and had amputations to give them some more quality time with their fur babies.

Here is a couple of videos of them running around on three legs.

This was Franco saddly he has passed over the rainbow bridge now but he certainly enjoyed life after his amputation.







This was Gabby a very special girl that Elizabeth mentioned. She had a great few years enjoying life before she saddly passed away and joined her friends over the rainbow bridge.







May Franco and Gabby's memories live on and that they are never forgotten as they were both fighters with a will to live and enjoy their lives with their familys.

R.I.P my pals you were heros and legends and an ispiration to other families having to go through the bone cancer pognosis.

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I remember Gabby's operation very well.
She was only 3years old when diagnosed with cancer.
The vet gave her 2 to 4 months to live.
She lived for over two years.
The earlier the diagnosis the longer the life.
Good luck dear little Lola.
You are one of my favourites.
Uncle Jimmy and auntie Celia.

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Thanks, thats reassuring to see Franco and Gabby running around

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Hi Ruth,
I hope all is going ok for Lola. An amputation to a human is a devastating thing but dogs are very resilient and can adapt very quickly. I know of a dog who was up and standing on 3 legs ready to go within an hour of coming round from the operation. Maybe its because they don't have a human's mental baggage and they just want to get on with life and back to their humans.

Michele

PS Have a look on youtube for the two legged greyhound.