Limb amputation in dogs and cats is usually the result of osteosarcoma (cancer of the bone), or from some type of trauma.
Making the choice to go ahead with amputation of a limb for your animal can be a confronting and scary decision to make. Thoughts and fears of what your pet’s future may look like as an amputee are usually at the forefront of pet parents’ minds when faced with this difficult choice.
Worrying about how, and if, they will adapt to their new body. Whether the home environment is equipped to their needs. Whether they will, and can, still have the same enjoyment for their favourite activities, and what your future lives will look like together, are all going to be thoughts running through an owners mind when amputation of a pets limb is first mentioned.
These concerns are valid and completely normal to have and are excellent queries to raise with your vet. But, we also want to provide some stories from the other side. From pet parents whose lives have become more enriched, whose relationships with their animals have changed for the better and whose pets became as happy, if not happier and just as fulfilled as before they lost their limbs.
We are going to be featuring a couple of our patients stories and what their experiences have been like owning and caring for amputee animals. These pets’ dedicated owners have graciously written some words for us to share here on their behalf.
We hope you enjoy reading along as well as seeing their beautiful 3 legged pictures, and that if you are ever faced with the difficult choice of limb amputation for any animal yourself, that you might remember these patients’ stories.