AMPUTATION IN PETS Amputation of limbs in pets, although a life-changing event, isn’t nearly as debilitating as you probably think. In fact, it is often thought that amputation is more emotionally distressing for the owner than the pet! Pets don’t have any preconceived ideas about how they look. All they know is that all of a sudden, they are much more comfortable, able to get around without the pain or dead weight of a smashed or severely diseased limb. There are multiple medical conditions that require amputation. REASONS FOR AMPUTATION • Aggressive Bone Cancer - One of the most common reasons for amputation in dogs and cats is bone cancer, such as osteosarcoma. Amputation followed by chemotherapy is considered the best treatment. • Soft tissue growths/tumours – Malignant skin tumours or in the muscle and soft tissue of limbs spreads or grows to such proportions that removing it entirely becomes impossible. Amputation may be required. This is a good reminder that removing a tumor — whether benign or malignant (cancerous) — is easier and less traumatic to remove when it is still small. • Fractured limbs or joints - Thankfully, most simple broken bones and joint dislocations are fixable. When they are not, when trauma is so severe, the limb in many many pieces, or repair is too costly for the pet owner, titanium pins or plates cannot be placed, it is reasonable to consider amputation. These injuries can occur for a multitude of reasons: getting hit by a car, dog attacks, falls, getting stuck in fences, severe wounds and many more. • Birth defects and paediatric injury - Occasionally, amputation is required because of a birth defect. For example, cats and dogs can be born abnormally missing bones in a limb. This causes the leg to be the wrong angle, or unable to bear weight, causing ulcers and walking issues. When the little one tries to put weight on it, it can cause skin sores. In such cases, amputation is the wisest course of action. Bone fractures and joint dislocations in the newborn can sometimes occur during birth, especially when it is not straightforward. These injuries are virtually impossible to repair, which can lead to leg deformities. Again, amputation is often the most logical treatment once the offspring is old enough. AMPUTATION - WHAT TO EXPECT If you choose amputation for your pet, there are a few things about the surgery itself that you should keep in mind. It’s not unusual that some of our patients stand up and walk as soon as anaesthesia has worn off! Pets are amazing and with today’s modern anaesthetics and pain relief can virtually go home later the same day or next morning. Yes, the surgical site will be bare and clipped to keep the surgery clean and sterile – but their fur and hair will grow back and hide the amputation site. Amputation does not mean removing the affected area or fractured piece of the limb or bone only. It requires removing the limb entirely. This is because if we left part of the leg, the pet might try to use the stump, which would cause skin sores. In turn, these open wounds could lead to infection. Overall, pet amputees recover exceedingly well. Most do not experience mobility difficulties, even geriatric patients with history of arthritis. We have only talked about pets that require one leg amputated. Yet there are some rare pets who had two legs amputated — and amazingly, they can walk as well. Ultimately, amputees have increased movement, relief from pain and disease, and decreased discomfort. They may be losing a limb, but they gain a new lease on life. Many many pets have gone on the live a happy and fantastic life after amputation, still running at the beach and climbing trees – if your pet is requiring amputation, your locals vets should be able to put you in touch with willing owners who have pets that have undergone amputation, so you can discuss life with a three-legged pet. *** Keep an eye out for Marli’s story on our site – our tiny rescue amputation kitten – coming on the YP VETS Faceboook page in the next few days *****
Posted on: Thu, 25 Sep 2014 02:59:03 +0000
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